Traveling with your grandkids is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family. Also known as Skip-Gen Travel or Gramping, it allows grandparents to give their grandkids unique experiences while bonding with them outside of their daily routines, and it gives the parents a break.
It’s the best gift you can give your grandchildren, as travel enriches their lives and allows them to learn from you along the way. Children who travel with their grandparents on family vacations say they feel closer to them.
No matter the age of your grandchildren, you can take them on great adventures. When they are young, you can do day trips or weekend camping trips. As they get older, you can take them on milestone vacations for birthdays or graduation.
Here are some exciting Gramping ideas and experiences for everyone…
LEARNING VACATIONS
Having fun and learning on vacation is an excellent idea for Skip-Gen Travel.
There are fantastic Factory Tours across the U.S. you can explore together, like the Jelly Belly Factory in California, the Bluebell Ice Cream factory in Texas. The Crayola Factory and Hershey’s Chocolate World are great picks close to home. Tickets to both locations can be purchased at a discount by visiting AAA.com/Tickets.
Learn a sport together like sailing in Mystic, Connecticut; scuba diving in Belize; or skiing in a favorite winter destination.
Does your grandchild want to be an astronaut? Space Camp would be an out-of-this-world experience!
If your granddaughter is studying French, take her to Paris to use the language and learn more in the country.
HISTORICAL VACATIONS
Bring their school learning to life with a historical adventure.
Teach them about America’s history with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg’s 18th-century city of historic sites, craftspeople, and animals. Add on some fun at Busch Gardens.
Step into Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the founding fathers created the U.S. Constitution. Then, follow the Historic American Revolution Trail through the city and see the Liberty Bell.
Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston to visit 16 Revolutionary War landmarks, including Paul Revere’s House, the USS Constitution, and the site of the Boston Tea.
Take a guided vacation and let the experts lead you through history. Tour the Wild West to see National Parks and stay at a Dude Ranch or the ruins of Rome and go to Gladiator School.
ADVENTURE VACATIONS
Grandkids of all ages will enjoy an active, outdoorsy adventure.
Travel to Alaska for a hiking and fishing vacation or to Florida for snorkeling in the Keys.
A small ship cruise through the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific, is a great beginners’ adventure. It’s one of the best wildlife destinations in the world and an active vacation with hiking, snorkeling, or diving.
Costa Rica is a fantastic adventure destination for kids. With activities like zip-lining, snorkeling, and boating, you can also explore active volcanoes and fantastic wildlife, from birds to sloths to monkeys.
Or take them on a once-in-a-lifetime South Africa Safari adventure with culture and education.
PLANNING TIPS
Tapping into your grandkid’s interests and hobbies is a great place to start planning your trip.
Make sure you know their likes and dislikes and plan accordingly from food to activities.
Get them involved in the trip’s details and give them responsibilities like mapping a route and ordering their own meals.
Last but not least, have fun and bend the rules a bit. That’s what time with you is all about!
