Big Family Guide to Great Holidays
Even at the best times, planning a holiday for your family can be stressful. But what if you have a large family? This requires a new level of planning, budgeting, and creativity. The traditional vacation industry isn’t built for large families. From having to squeeze into “family rooms”, which only accommodate four people, to finding amazing holiday packages that don’t apply to larger families.
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It doesn’t stop you from having a wonderful time with your family.
Emily Toxward, a mother of three, has been traveling with her family for many years. She has developed some brilliant hacks that make the experience not only possible but also enjoyable. We’ll explore her top tips on how to plan a family holiday that is affordable, find accommodations that can accommodate more than four, and the importance of mindset.
Here’s how to take a great trip with your family, whether you have three or seven children.
Rethinking the “Perfect Holiday
As a large family, you’ll need to let go of your idea that the only way to have a “real” vacation is to fly to a resort. Even though those Instagram-worthy vacations are tempting, they are often designed for families of 4. Once you reach the magic number of four, prices increase, and your options are limited.
Flexibility is the key. Meaningful holidays don’t need to be expensive or far-flung. Weekends away, camping, and short road trips will make some of the best memories for your family. Let go of your unrealistic expectations and focus on connection, fun, and adventure, whatever that means for your family.
Emily says, “Just because one family can stay in an upscale hotel does not mean that we should all do the same.” We’ve learned how to travel differently, and it’s made a huge difference.
Spend Your Holidays Smarter and Not Harder
Emily’s five-person family takes four to six holidays a year, not because they are wealthy, but because they have become experts in planning affordable, short getaways. What’s the secret? The secret? Flexibility, planning, and staying close to home.
Echo Valley Farm Stay, in Springbrook National Park, was only an hour’s drive away. The cottage was large enough to accommodate the entire family. There were also friendly farm animals and a daily egg collection. The kids were in heaven, and they didn’t care that they hadn’t yet left the state.
Tip: It’s not necessary to travel the world to create magical memories. You can have just as much fun and less stress by staying at a farmstay, a cabin, or escaping to the bush just an hour away from home.
Big Family Gold Camping
Camping is the best way to stretch your budget and still have fun. Camping is a great way to stretch your budget and still have fun.
Emily’s family plans a camping trip for 10 days around Christmas every year. The camping trip allows them to slow down and enjoy nature, as well as spend quality time with each other, without the distractions that come from their devices or everyday life.
Australia’s holiday parks and camping grounds are also designed for families. They include features such as water parks, playgrounds, and BBQ areas. Many parks offer a mixture of tents, cabins, and powered sites.
As an example:
- The RAC Cervantes Holiday Park is located in WA and offers cabins with a heated swimming pool. It’s also close to the Pinnacles.
- BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park offers villas with up to 8 beds and is only 9 km from the city center.
Budget compare: Your family can spend five nights at a holiday park for around $1000 or $1500. Compare this to a resort stay in an overseas country that costs $10,000 for the same period. Savings are big, and fun is even bigger.
Self-Contained = Self-Empowered
Families of four or more often find it difficult to arrange accommodation. The standard hotel room is designed to accommodate four people. Adding roll-away beds, or booking two rooms separately can increase the cost.
Serviced apartments and private rental properties are the best options. You should look for:
- Houses or apartments with three bedrooms near your destination.
- Discounts for booking early and deals during the off-season
- Private Holiday Rentals via sites such as Airbnb or Stayz
- Older properties that may be outdated in terms of style, but offer unbeatable views and space.
Emily’s parents once snagged a three-bedroom apartment in the Sebel Twin Waters Resort at Sunshine Coast for an amazing off-season price. The package included water activities at Novotel Twin Waters Resort. It was a win-win for fun and affordability.
Tip: Ask for a discount whenever you book over the phone. Asking for a 10% discount is easy. You can also sign up for their newsletter and receive a code.
Spend Less by Cooking at Home
If you’re dining out three meals a day, it can be very expensive to feed a large family on the road. Emily’s best tip is to pick accommodation that has a kitchen, and to plan on cooking most meals.
You can save hundreds of dollars (or thousands) on your trip by stocking up at the local grocery store, cooking simple meals, and bringing them along. You can then add a trip or activity later in the calendar year.
Also? Meal preparation can be a great way to bond with your children. Assign each child a role, such as setting the table or stirring the pasta sauce. This is not only practical, but also part of the overall experience.
The “Less is More’ Itinerary
A slow pace of life is another benefit to staying in the area or camping. You don’t have to visit every tourist attraction or cram in 12 sightseeing spots per day.
Children, especially little ones, often find joy in simple pleasures. A day at the seaside, a walk through nature, or a ride on a bicycle around the park. Make time for spontaneity and relaxation.
Emily shares that “the kids remember more the activities they did for free than the expensive ones.” “Those small moments are what last.”
Cruise Control (Yes, Really)
Some cruise lines offer surprisingly flexible options for large families. Many ships offer family rooms with five or six beds. The fares include kids’ clubs and pools, as well as entertainment and food.
Cruising also takes a lot of planning off your hands. You don’t have to coordinate daily activities, transportation, or meals.
Lines like:
- Royal Caribbean offers family rooms for six
- Carnival Cruise Line offers multi-bed ocean-view family rooms
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers family-friendly cruises from Sydney
Emily suggests keeping an eye on last-minute deals and specials for cruises during the off-season. You can save money if you are flexible with your schedule.
Be aware: The majority of kids’ clubs are designed for children aged three and older. Plan accordingly if your toddler is with you.
Mindset over Money
The most important thing about family travel is not where you go, but how you share it with your loved ones.
It’s easy for large families to feel restricted by logistics, costs, or space. But traveling with a group has its unique benefits. On road trips, siblings bond, children learn to adapt and share, and parents see their curious eyes as they discover new places.
Emily summarizes the point beautifully:
Once you get over the idea of how a family vacation should be, an entirely new world of possibilities is opened up.
Don’t undervalue the magic of creating memories with your wild, wonderful family, whether you are camping in the forest, relaxing in a coastal apartment, or staying in a quirky farmhouse an hour away.
Conclusion
It’s worth the extra effort to travel with a large family. You can plan a trip that is affordable and memorable for your children with the right attitude and some clever strategies.
It’s all about the laughs, not the luxury. If you’re able to have a wonderful family vacation on a budget, with five or more people in your group, then you are winning.
