How Summer Travel Can Help You Create Family Traditions
This week I share 8 different ways that you can incorporate traditions into your summer vacations and create long-lasting and meaningful family memories!
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Family traditions are so special and so fun! They are also a great way to increase family unity and give everyone something to look forward to. Summers tend to be an easier time to travel, as the kids aren’t in school. Here are 8 ways to incorporate family traditions into your summer vacations! Feel free to adjust these ideas to fit your family’s preferences.
1. Take an annual trip to the same location
I know this one may seem obvious, but it’s a classic for a reason!
Whether it’s going to the exact same cabin every year, or just the same area, it will be so much fun.
Another spin on this concept would be taking a beach trip every year. It doesn’t have to be the same beach! Maybe you go to California one year, and Florida the next!
Or maybe you decide to visit a new National Park every summer!
2. Choose a signature summer activity
Even if you’re not traveling to a specific destination every year, you could choose a specific activity that your family plans each summer.
For example, maybe your family likes to hike, so you choose one challenging hike to do on a vacation every summer as a family.
Another idea is to have an annual family picnic on one of your summer trips.
3. Family travel journal
All you need is a notebook! It can be super cheap from the dollar store, or something fancier if you’d like.
At the end of each day of your family vacation, have each person share a highlight from their day and jot it down in the notebook. It’s that simple!
Or maybe you write down a funny story from the day!
You can take your own twist on the journal! Maybe each day of the trip, one family member gets to be the scribe and write their experiences.
At the end of your vacation, your family can look back on journal entries from previous years. This will also help your younger kids to remember their childhood memories.
Once you get home, print off a photo or two and add them to your “Summer Family Travel Journal”.
4. Summer food ritual
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I love food!
I think that a super fun summer family tradition would be to visit a farmers market on at least one trip each summer.
Research when and where the farmer's markets are wherever you’ll be traveling, and make a plan to visit them.
You could buy food at the market and take it on a picnic or take it home and cook dinner!
While traveling internationally, it’s super fun to explore the grocery stores and markets to see the different foods.
Another tradition could be to always try out the famous local cuisine, no matter where you go.
5. Create a souvenir collection
Kids love to get souvenirs. There’s something special to them about having physical objects to remember their experiences.
Growing up, I loved to collect tea cups and plates from different places that I traveled to.
After getting married, my husband and I started collecting magnets on our vacations.
Now, my husband and I love to collect art from local artists!
Another (inexpensive) idea is to collect postcards! You could have each family member pick one out and write a quick note to themselves and mail it home.
6. Annual photo
During your summer vacation, be sure to take at least one photo with the whole family!
Over the years, you’ll be able to watch your family grow up together.
7. Schedule unplugged time on your vacation
Dedicate at least one afternoon (or more) of your summer family vacation to screen-free time.
Take this time to really spend time together.
You could play games, go on a hike, make a meal, or do whatever else you want. But no phones!
8. Look for a service opportunity every summer vacation
I think that planning a service opportunity on a trip each summer would be really special.
It’s always a good idea to give back to others when you’re able to.
You can visit the website justserve.org and plug in a zip code to find service opportunities.
It could even be as simple as writing kind notes on Post-its and placing them on doors/cars.