Let's talk about original vacations, shall we? What is YOUR idea of an original family vacation? My family has done the tried and true summer vacations: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, lazy days at the beach, movie marathons, road trips to see the family, cruises...we have done it all. As part of my role as an Alamo Chief Travel Mom, I want to begin inspiring your Unique Family Vacation Ideas for this summer's travel.
You see, you can do the theme parks. You can do the beach. You can make that annual road trip to see grandma and grandpa in another state. You can waste away your days by the pool or at the local water park...but how are those family vacations going to stand out? How are they going to be remembered when your kids have grown and they start planning their own family vacations?
I want to inspire you to do something different this summer. I want you to look at your calendar, pick a date, and do something with your family that you have never done before!
Unique family vacation ideas don't have to be completely out of the box things like rappelling down a volcano. You don't have to give up those tried and true family experiences that your children (and us parents too) look forward to year after year. Alamo thinks that original vacations are a great way to have fun with the family and create unforgettable memories, as well as giving us great stories to tell our friends and extended family. No one wants you to give that up - we just want you to take it to the next level by incorporating different things...like fun travel accessories, new activities, new games - how about playing a photo scavenger hunt along your road trip to grandma's and putting together a scrapbook of your photos once you arrive?
There are so many different ways to shake things up when it comes to your family vacation!
This month, the Alamo Chief Travel Moms have teamed up to create a super fun Alamo Drive Happy Box full of items to help inspire your Unique Family Vacation Ideas. Take a look at what we selected this month!
What's in the box?
Contributed by @aboutamom - ALEX DIY Duct Tape Tote
Angela says: “Making a Duct Tape Tote Bag is a fun family vacation activity that lets kids create a one-of-a-kind travel tote to use while on vacation, and to bring home souvenirs and treasures.”
Contributed by @blueviolet - Crayola Color Wonder Mini Stow and Go
Liz says: “Let the kids use their imagination and creativity to create drawings inspired by your vacation destination on this travel drawing kit Everyone can share in the fun of making an original family travel masterpiece!”
Contributed by @crissy - Chamilia Charm Bangle
Crissy says: “Commemorate the moments that make your journeys unique by adding special charms to this bracelet - remember the best moments from your family vacations!”
Contributed by @stacieinatlanta - Kindle Paperwhite
Stacie says: “Download games to heighten the vacation experience, like Road Trip Bingo or a Nature Scavenger hunt – it will make the unique things you see that much more special.”
Contributed by me! Polaroid 300 Instant Camera
Jennifer says: “Your kids will get more excited to snap photos of the amazing things you see on your trip and you can easily put together a special collage at the end of the journey!”
Do you need a little inspiration for Unique Family Vacation Ideas?
Two of my fellow Alamo Chief Travel Moms, Stacie and Angela, have partnered up with me to create a Unique Vacation Pinterest Board to inspire you to think outside the box on your next family vacation! The Pinterest board has travel related products, great family vacation destinations, and ideas for spicing it up when it comes to your family travel. I hope that you will check it out and repin some of our ideas to your own travel pinboards!
Follow Jennifer Quillen's board #AlamoDriveHappy: A Unique Vacation on Pinterest.
Unique Family Vacation Ideas Pinterest Sweepstakes
Want to win a Drive Happy Box of your own?
It’s simple to win one! We’re giving 4 away! Just create your own “#AlamoDriveHappy: A Unique Vacation” board by re-pinning some of our ideas and your own to create a unique vacation for your family. If you create a Pinboard, you might win one of four #AlamoDriveHappy Boxes! To enter, share a link to your Pinboard on Twitter using #AlamoDriveHappy and tag @TheRebelChick , @StacieinAtlanta and @AboutaMom – we’ll pick a winder at random!
Get Social with Alamo: Visit the official Web Site | Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook!
Contest is open to US residents and ends June 6 at midnight.
Daniela Tapia says
Awesome ! Entering soon !!
Kathryn Dilligard says
This just reminded me that another family vacation is in order.
Audra says
Fabulous ideas! I think arts & crafts and being creative where ever you are is so essential for young and old minds alike! It certainly engages us in our life experience on another level! When drawing or photographing, kids can capture their interpretation of the experience and revisit those moments again and again throughout their lives.
Trying out an activity in a location that is new to the family is a big one too, such as bone fishing or cave touring in the Bahamas. A thrilling sport , bats, and cool cave crawl spaces have a way of leaving a lasting impression on kids and parents.
Audra says
Fabulous Ideas! I think arts & crafts and being creative where ever you are is essential for young and old minds alike! Drawing, painting, and photographing on a trip can really capture interpretations of an experience and kids can revisit those moments again and again throughout their lives.
Trying an activity in a location that is new for the family is a big one too. Such as bone fishing or cave touring on Long Island, Bahamas. A thrilling sport, bats, and cool cave crawl spaces have a way of leaving lasting impressions on kids and parents.
Jennifer Essad says
we enjoy family road trips, especially when we can visit historical sights along the way
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We have a couple of trips coming up this summer - a road trip to NH, another day trip to NYC and DISNEY!!!
Debbie L. says
Our summer is packed with road trips. This summer the kids and I thought we would visit all areas of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is a huge state and it will take us all summer to visit all 4 corners.
aimee fauci says
I love this idea! The contest seems so easy.. I will need to get on this quick!
Debbie Denny says
Love planning a vacation almost as much as taking one.
Kiwi says
Thats cool you got suggestions from other ladies. I know with kids and traveling its all about keeping them entertained so that it makes the trip smoother so great ideas and suggestions!
Christie says
WOW, I love the camera idea! We as parents take so many pics, but it would be great to get their memories!
brett says
my thing about family travel, esp for road trips, is to expect the unexpected. traveling with kids? someone is going to have to pee, poo, or get sick. you can't expect things will go super smooth- and when things DO happen, you have to roll with it. otherwise you get all stressed and crabby...
Joanna Sormunen says
Great ideas! Really fun for the vacations! Thank you for sharing!
Nicole Brady says
My grandparents got me a charm bracelet when I was a kid and I added to it with only Sterling Silver charms until I was in college. I still have it as one of my favorite childhood keepsakes. Great memories all in one little bracelet.
April says
We won't be taking a big vacation this year since we've got some big household projects going. We'll be saving up for a fabulous trip next year though!
Jaime says
We're heading to the beach as a family of 3, for the first time! (We've gone with extended family in the past.) I created a Pinterest board for ideas just last week for our summer travels.
Chrysa says
We love taking out-of-the-ordinary driving vacations. Half of our honeymoon including driving half-way across Canada. Super fun!
Pam says
We go back to our home state of Wisconsin every year and there is no place I would rather go visit and vacation. I love seeing my family and friends and seeing the beautiful countryside there. We still take vacations and travel to other places but I love our Wisconsin trips!
Rosey says
I like the idea of mixing up the types of vacations. I'm all in for vacation time, traditional or outside of the box. 🙂
Virginia says
We are planning a road trip and I need to pick up a few things to keep the kids entertained. Thanks for the ideas.
krystalskitsch says
I need that Polaroid camera! I'm sure my son would get such a kick out of it!
Jeanine says
I love road trips! Such great ideas.. love that camera!
Carly Bellard says
When we are on the road- Color Wonder is a must have! You don't have to worry about the crayons melting or the magic markers getting over the car!
Dawn says
Love that you guys came up with a travel inspiration Pinterest board. I am definitely going to check that out.