Summer Is Here… Get Ready for Those Family Vacations! How to Depart with Less Drama and More Fun

 

Summer Is Here… Get Ready for Those Family Vacations!

How to Depart with Less Drama and More Fun 

By Laura Rahn, Family Travel Coach

Summer is officially here and family vacations are underway! The excitement is real…and so is the stress that can happen before departure day. As a certified family travel coach with Seldom A Dull Moment, based in Purcellville, I encourage families to remember that the vacation doesn’t start when you arrive at your destination. The vacation starts before you even leave the driveway.

As departure day approaches, the excitement for your family vacation reaches its peak. The lead-up to leaving is just as important as the dreaming and designing stages. Packing suitcases together, double-checking travel documents, and talking through the itinerary helps build anticipation and family unity. It’s also a chance to share expectations, excitement, and even anxieties before the adventure begins.

This pre-departure time sets the tone for the entire vacation and lays the foundation for memorable experiences and meaningful family moments.

Create a Family Countdown

The countdown to a family vacation is often one of the most exciting parts of the experience. Involving the whole family builds anticipation and strengthens togetherness long before the trip begins.

Create a vacation countdown chain or calendar together. Even something simple like “100 Days Until Vacation” can turn an ordinary week into part of the adventure. The shared excitement gives everyone something to look forward to and allows each family member to contribute ideas.

You can also create themed countdown activities:

Start a family playlist on Spotify or Pandora. Let older kids take ownership of building the playlist and encourage everyone to add songs connected to the destination or mood of the trip.

• Design a vacation Bingo card with restaurants, landmarks, activities, or animals you hope to see.
• Watch a movie connected to your destination.
• Cook a meal inspired by where you’re going.

The countdown itself becomes part of the vacation memories.

Make Packing a Family Affair

Packing for a family vacation can either become a stressful last-minute scramble or part of the excitement. Involving everyone in the process creates ownership and builds anticipation.

For younger children, choosing favorite outfits, toys, or travel games helps them feel invested in the trip. Older kids can take more responsibility by pre-packing themselves using a checklist:

• 5 outfits
• Pajamas
• Bathing suits
• One dressy outfit
• Walking shoes
• Toiletries

This gives older kids ownership over what they wear and helps reduce stress on departure day.

Packing cubes are another simple tool that can make a huge difference. They help maximize suitcase space and allow families to organize clothing by destination, activity, or family member.

A few additional packing tips:

• Pack favorite individually wrapped snacks, especially ones that may not be available at your destination.
• Clarify dress codes ahead of time. “Formal dinner” can mean very different things to different family members.
• Discuss footwear needs in advance. Will you need hiking shoes, beach sandals, or comfortable walking shoes?
• Encourage everyone to pack one fun item that makes them smile.

Ultimately, packing becomes more than preparing luggage. It becomes a tangible reminder that the family adventure is almost here.

Reflect on Your WHY

As you get closer to departure day, take time to revisit your family’s “why.”

Why are you taking this vacation in the first place?

In the rush of reservations, packing lists, and logistics, families sometimes forget the deeper purpose behind travel. Gathering together before the trip to revisit your intentions can help everyone feel more connected and emotionally prepared.

Consider asking:

• What are you most excited about?

• How do you hope to feel during this trip?

• What do you hope happens as a family?

• What personal experience are you hoping to have?

These conversations create opportunities for active listening and help family members feel heard before the vacation even begins. They also create space for anxieties or concerns to surface in a safe and supportive way.

Sometimes the most meaningful vacation planning conversation has nothing to do with the itinerary.

Set Expectations Before You Leave

One of the best ways to reduce family vacation conflict is to talk through expectations before departure day.

This is especially important when traveling with older kids or multigenerational groups. Creating shared expectations ahead of time gives everyone a sense of ownership and helps prevent misunderstandings during the trip.

Some important topics to discuss:

• What will screen time look like?

• Will there be alone time built into the vacation?

• Will every meal be together?

• Are there activities family members can opt out of?

• What balance of together time versus independent time feels right?

Teenagers and young adults may not want to spend every moment together, and that’s okay. Building flexibility into the itinerary often creates a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone.

When families have these conversations before leaving home, they are much less likely to have heated discussions while away. Everyone understands the expectations and feels like their needs matter.

Bring Home the Memories

Don’t forget the souvenirs!

Bringing home ornaments, magnets, stickers, postcards, or small keepsakes gives families tangible reminders of shared experiences. These items often become conversation starters that allow families to relive favorite memories long after the vacation ends.

These simple items become visual reminders of connection, adventure, and time spent together. Reflecting on the vacation after returning home also strengthens family bonds. Looking through photos, sharing favorite moments, and remembering funny mishaps helps extend the joy of the trip well beyond the final day.

When families work together before departure, vacations begin with excitement instead of exhaustion. The memories start long before you reach your destination..

 Remember, the goal isn’t a perfect vacation.
It’s less drama and more fun.

Which Type of Travel Planner Are You? Meet Louise, Violet, Denny, and Peter

 

Planning a vacation sounds fun... until the Google tabs multiply, your group chat spirals, and someone says, “Let’s just wing it.” Sound familiar?

Whether you are someone who loves the thrill of planning or secretly wishes someone else would just handle it, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting a trip off the ground. 

Some people thrive on spontaneity. Others won’t sleep until every museum ticket is pre-booked. Some dive headfirst into the dream destination, while others just want the when and where.

The truth is: how you approach vacation planning says a lot about you. Are you decisive and take-charge? A go-with-the-flow team player? A spreadsheet lover? A big-picture dreamer? All are valid. All are valuable.

This has been adapted from the Center For Leadership and Educational Equity, Compass Points: North, South, East, and West - An Exercise in Understanding Preferences in Group Work. The Illustrations were designed and drawn by my wonderful husband, Don Rahn.

Here’s the best part—once you understand your personal travel planning style, you can actually make the process more enjoyable, less stressful, and totally tailored to how you work best. As you identify the planning styles of those traveling with you, the DREAMING, DESIGNING, and DEPARTING process becomes a time for sharing, listening, collaborating and fun! Everyone is able to contribute in their own unique way.

So before your next getaway, let’s find out: Which type of travel planner are you?

Meet the four fabulous personalities that just might sound a little (or a lot) like you…

Let’s Go Louise

Are you the one in the group chat typing “Just book it!” while everyone else is still thinking? Do you have your eye on the goal and a calendar reminder set for 6 AM flight check-in?

You might be a Let’s Go Louise if:

• You thrive on action and making decisions fast
  
  

• You’re assertive, confident, and task-oriented
  
  

• You love a good itinerary and don’t mind taking charge
  
  

Louise is our leader—decisive, goal-centered, and always ready to roll. If there’s a problem, Louise has already solved it, packed a snack, and scheduled the Uber.

Visionary Violet

Your head’s in the clouds—but in the best way. You dream big, you think outside the box, and you’re always cooking up the next creative travel idea.

You might be a Visionary Violet if:

• You’re full of enthusiasm and spontaneity
  
  

• You value flexibility and freedom
  
  

• You get more excited about possibilities than reservations
  
  

Violet may not have booked the hotel yet—but she’s got a Pinterest board full of dreamy spots and a camera roll of screenshots that could inspire ten amazing trips.

Detailed Denny

If you're the one with the color-coded spreadsheet, multiple tabs open, and a backup plan for your backup plan—welcome to Team Denny.

You might be a Detailed Denny if:

• You crave structure, logic, and precision
  
  

• You’re focused, analytical, and organized to the core
  
  

• You take pride in researching all the options
  
  

Denny finds joy in the planning itself—and usually ends up saving the day with that crucial piece of info no one else remembers.

Patient Peter

You’re all about the journey and the people on it. You take your time, listen carefully, and want everyone to feel included.

You might be a Patient Peter if:

• You’re supportive, calm, and generous with your time
  
  

• You don’t love confrontation and prefer going with the flow
  
  

• You value the process more than the destination
  
  

Peter is the glue that holds the group together. While others are stressing over logistics, Peter is making sure everyone feels heard and no one gets left behind.

So, which one are you?

Or maybe you’re a mix! A little Violet sparkle with a Denny checklist? A Louise go-getter with Peter’s steady hand? No matter your style, knowing your strengths helps you plan (and enjoy) a vacation that feels just right for you—and your travel crew.

Because here’s the thing: every planner type has something essential to offer.

• Louise helps the family depart—keeping things moving, on time, and confidently headed out the door.
  
  

• Violet keeps the dreaming alive, inspiring fresh ideas and unexpected adventures you’ll be talking about for years.
  
  

• Denny makes sure the design phase is rock solid—organized, thorough, and full of well-researched choices.
  
  

• Peter ensures everyone feels included, heard, and cared for—making the entire process feel less like a task and more like a team effort.
  
  

In the Seldom A Dull Moment world, we believe planning a trip should be a family adventure in itself. When you honor the strengths of every style—whether you’re dreaming, designing, or departing—you set yourself up for a vacation that’s not just memorable, but meaningful.

Take the quiz to find out your travel planner type, then share your results and tag your travel buddies. Who’s your Louise? Who’s your Violet? And who’s in charge of snacks?

Let’s Dream, Design, and Depart—your way.

At Seldom A Dull Moment, we believe every vacation starts with a dream—and ends with a story worth telling. Let’s figure out how you plan, so your next trip is less stressful and more spectacular.

Ready to Dream, Design, and Depart? Let’s go.

Countdown to Fun: 4 Creative Ways to Get the Whole Family Excited for Vacation

We all know the trip itself is magical—but what if I told you the fun can start long before you even pack your bags? One of the best parts of family travel is the anticipation. That giddy countdown, those shared conversations, and those “I can’t wait!” moments build connection before the car even leaves the driveway.

Here at Seldom A Dull Moment, we believe in making the entire vacation experience meaningful—from the first spark of dreaming to the final toast at your destination. So let’s talk about how to make the countdown just as memorable as the trip itself.

Here are four playful, connection-building activities your family will love in the days and weeks before departure.

1. Create a Countdown Chain

A vacation countdown chain is a classic—and for good reason! It’s visual, interactive, and gives the whole family something to look forward to each day.

Start with 100 days if you're feeling ambitious, or 30 days if your trip is just around the corner. Tear off a link each day as you get closer to go-time. Make it even more fun by writing prompts on each link like:

• “Share your favorite vacation memory.”
  
  

• “Guess what the weather will be like.”
  
  

• “Name one thing you're excited to eat!”
  
  

This daily ritual keeps everyone engaged and makes that final day feel like crossing the finish line.

2. Make a Vacation Bingo Card

Turn your itinerary into a game! A Vacation Bingo Card is a fun way to keep everyone engaged during the trip—but the real fun starts in the countdown phase, when you make it together.

Include a mix of activities, places, and silly goals like:

• Eat ice cream in a new town

• Spot a wild animal

• Take a silly family photo

• Try something new

• Visit a local market

• Wildcard! (For those spontaneous surprises that always end up being the best part)

Print it out, stick it on the fridge, and pack it in your day bag when you leave. There’s nothing more satisfying than shouting “Bingo!” in the middle of an adventure.

3. Build a Family Trip Playlist

Let the soundtrack to your adventure begin before the first mile is traveled. A trip playlist sets the tone and gets everyone in the mood.

Here’s how to make it a family project:

• Each family member picks a few favorite songs

• Add music that matches your destination—tropical beats, road trip anthems, acoustic adventure vibes

• Create themed sections like “Departure Day Hype,” “Chill Time,” and “Singalong Hits”

Name your playlist something fun like “Rahn Mountain Mix” or “Road Trip Rhythms 2025.” Play it while you pack, in the car, or even at your pre-trip dinner. Bonus: It’ll become the soundtrack of your memories.

4. Hold a “Before We Go” Family Meeting

Before the suitcases are zipped and the car is packed, take a few minutes to gather the crew for a Vacation Kickoff Meeting. It doesn’t need to be formal—just fun, light, and a little bit exciting.

Here’s how to make it meaningful and memorable:

• Revisit your “why.” Remind everyone why this trip matters—connection, adventure, relaxation, or all of the above.

• Walk through the itinerary and highlight a few can’t-miss adventures.

• Share feelings. Have each person say one thing they’re excited about and one thing they’re feeling a little nervous or unsure about. It helps everyone feel heard and supported.

• Chat about screen time, downtime, and what a “good day” might look like for everyone.

• Drop a surprise! Tease one wildcard activity to keep them guessing (mystery adds magic).

• Celebrate together—sparkling lemonade, mocktails, or even ice cream floats make the perfect sendoff treat.

It’s a great way to start your vacation with open communication, shared purpose, and a whole lot of team spirit.

The Countdown Is the Adventure

Vacations aren’t just about where you go—they’re about how you get there, together. These countdown activities bring joy, build connection, and turn the waiting into part of the memory-making.

So whether you’re heading to the mountains, the beach, or a dream destination across the globe—don’t just count the days. Make the days count.

Let’s Dream, Design, and Depart—together.

Need help planning a vacation that your whole family will be excited to count down to? Reach out to book a discovery call with me. I’d love to help you start the adventure early.

 Which countdown idea will your family try first? Share it in the comments or tag me on Instagram @laurarahn_travelcoach