Tips for Traveling with Your Grandkids (and Their Parents!)
I’ll be the first to say that my parents are the ultimate grandparent goals. We have taken them with us all around the world, and my toddler son even calls my mom “Nana Nanny” on our trips! We have had the BEST time traveling with my parents – and my husbands parents too – and we’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way as to what makes these trips so great for everyone, which I’m excited to share!
There’s something so, so special about multi-generational travel—watching your grandkids explore the world, seeing your own children as parents in a whole new light, and soaking up every unforgettable moment together. But let’s be real: traveling as a big family takes some planning.
From choosing the right destination to making sure everyone is happy (and well-rested), these tips will help you plan a smooth, stress-free, and joy-filled trip with your grandkids and their parents.
Be Helpful, All the Time
This is the golden rule of traveling with your grandkids and their parents. The goal of a multi-generational trip is for everyone to enjoy it, not just the little ones. The best way to ensure you’ll be asked back on another trip? Step in to be helpful wherever you can—whether that’s helping with the kids, taking over for an afternoon so the parents can have a quiet beach break, offering to cover bedtime so they can get a date night in, or just being the extra set of hands every traveling family needs.
One of the best gifts you can give the parents on this trip is a true date night on vacation—a chance to fully relax and enjoy a nice dinner or sunset walk while you stay back with the grandkids. Whether it’s an early bedtime routine, a movie night in the hotel room, or an evening adventure of your own with the little ones, this simple gesture makes a world of difference for tired parents!!!!
Because of my parents always prioritizing being helpful for us, I find the trips that we go on with them to be the most relaxing for me, which makes me want to plan more trips with them!
(the best matching family outfits linked here)
Choose the Right Destination
Some places are just made for multi-generational trips, while others are better suited for couples or solo travelers. When picking a destination, think about what works best for all ages, and one that makes things easy.
Think places like: A luxury resort with a great kids’ club, a charming beach town with walkable streets and plenty of family-friendly restaurants, or a cruise that caters to all generations! (Cruises with the grandparents were some of my favorite memories growing up!)
Look for places and resorts that have a mix of adventure and relaxation, so grandparents, parents, and kids can all enjoy their ideal vacation. Check out all of my favorite destinations for traveling with your grandkids here!
Don’t Overpack, But Pack Smart
One of the perks of traveling as a grandparent? You don’t have to pack all the baby and toddler gear! But you can bring a few key items to make things easier for the parents.
- A few surprise snacks and small toys for long travel days. My parents and my in-laws always pack a couple new toys or books for our kids and they LOVE it.
Also, you could ask the parents if there’s anything you could help pack to take some load off of their backs. I’ve had my parents bring diapers, wipes, pouches, etc on our trips!
Give Everyone Some Breathing Room
A successful family trip (or any group trip for that matter!) means both time together and time apart.
If you’re booking a hotel, make sure everyone gets space. If you’re renting a house, make sure there’s a separate area for quiet time when needed. Even just planning for many breaks in the schedule—whether that’s nap time, downtime, or solo beach walks—can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
Sometimes the best way to make sure the parents and grandkids enjoy the trip is to give them the flexibility to do their own thing while you relax and recharge a bit!
Go With the Flow (Even When Things Don’t Go as Planned)
Traveling with kids means something will go wrong at some point—a delayed flight, a missed nap, a forgotten stuffed animal. It may be a more hectic lifestyle than you’ve gotten used to in your empty-nester days!
But the best thing you can do as the grandparent is to stay calm and roll with it! Parents are already juggling a lot, and having you be there to stay calm can help keep things from spiraling.
Whether that means entertaining a toddler in the airport, distracting a cranky kid at dinner, or reassuring everyone that yes, we’ll all laugh about this someday—being the relaxed, go-with-the-flow presence makes the trip better for everyone!
Make Time for One-on-One Moments
Some of the sweetest memories come from those little in-between moments—morning walks, bedtime stories, or ice cream stops just for the grandkids and grandparents together.
Make it a point to steal away for special time together, even if it’s just for half an hour. It’s these small, meaningful experiences that will stick with your grandkids forever. (I’m not crying you are)
Capture the Memories (But Don’t Live Behind the Camera)
It’s easy to want to document every moment—especially when traveling with your grandkids. And while taking photos is great, make sure you’re also fully present in the moment, and enjoying this precious time!
Take plenty of pictures (especially family ones of the parents and their kids which they might not otherwise get!), and definitely don’t forget to get in them, too. A few candid shots of you laughing with your grandkids, walking along the beach, or sharing a meal together will mean so much to them in the years to come. Just think about how you treasure the photos with your grandparents now!
Book a Mix of Activities (For All Ages)
The key to a great multi-gen trip? Balance!!
Some activities should be geared toward the grandkids, of course—like a fun day at the beach or an interactive museum—while others can be enjoyable for all ages, like a scenic boat ride, a leisurely bike tour, a fun dinner, or a family-friendly cooking class (we did this with my parents in Tuscany, and it was so much fun!)
At the same time, grandparents deserve their own fun, too. If there’s something you’d love to do—like a wine tasting or a historic walking tour—mention it. Chances are, the parents will appreciate having some built-in adult-friendly moments, too.
Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Multi-Generational Travel
Traveling with your grandkids and their parents is one of the greatest gifts – for all of you! It’s a chance to make memories, strengthen family bonds, and experience the world together. With a little planning, some flexibility, and a lot of love, it can be the kind of trip that everyone talks about for years to come, and how special is that?!
Have you taken a trip with your grandkids? What are your best tips for making it an unforgettable experience?
