3 Tips to Make Your Multigenerational Family Vacation Fun For All Ages

Multigenerational family vacations can lead to memories that last a lifetime. That statement rings true to me! One of my favorite vacation memories is visiting the Bahamas with my grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins in 2007. Almost two decades later, I still have fond memories from that family beach getaway — even as one of the youngest cousins who attended, it left a lasting impression.  

While as a child I had the luxury of simply showing up and having fun, a lot of planning and coordination went into getting 20 extended family members to move in the same direction! Planning a family vacation that is enjoyable for the whole family, which likely includes a wide range of ages and ability levels, requires intention and communication.

Lynda Bussgang, director of volunteer, youth, and community engagement for Hebrew SeniorLife, oversees intergenerational programming across all of Hebrew SeniorLife’s campuses. I spoke with Lynda to get her advice on how to plan an inclusive multigenerational vacation that fosters strong familial bonds. Here are three tips she offered to create lifelong memories:  

1. Involve all age groups in the planning process.

Because trip planning can take months, it’s always a good idea to start thinking about logistics early. Open communication is key when traveling with people with many wants, needs, and abilities. “Don’t be afraid to talk about what everybody wants to get out of a vacation. If you don’t talk about it, you’ll have no idea what the grandparents want from it,” says Lynda.

That’s true for making significant decisions, like choosing a destination or hotel, and for smaller choices, like planning daily activities. If anyone in your group needs additional accommodations, those can also come up during these conversations. This could include requesting wheelchair accessibility, choosing destinations that keep your group’s stamina in mind, or ensuring quiet spaces for rest. Another one of our blog posts offers tips for enjoying the outdoors with limited mobility for those looking for accessible outdoor excursion ideas.

If your family values built-in experiences, you may go on a cruise, Disney vacation, or all-inclusive vacation. If you prefer to build out your experience, a camping trip, beach vacation, or trip to the lake or a new city may make more sense. If budget considerations are a concern, a “staycation” could be another way to spend time as a family! Whatever ends up being right for your family, talking it out together can help you make the best decision. If you’re stumped on destinations that could work, AARP offers vacation ideas, guides, and budget-friendly options for adults over 50.

Don’t make assumptions about what older adults want to do with their time during the day! “Grandparents may be perfectly happy and comfortable watching everybody play and enjoy the peace and quiet during the day, then call everyone together for dinner. It could be about being more intentional with your dinner conversation,” adds Lynda. 

2. Make mealtime about more than just eating. 

Mealtime during vacation can be the heart of family bonding. It’s also another opportunity for you to be intentional.

“I think when there are bigger dinners, it’s important to be intentional about where people sit at the dinner table and to make sure that older people can hear and have the opportunity for alone time. Maybe people take turns having time with grandparents rather than just letting things unfold,” says Lynda. Placing older relatives at the center of the table can help ensure they are part of the conversation.

Lynda’s own family often broaches different topics and provocative questions at multigenerational dinners to get conversations flowing. This can be a great idea if your family is close and wants to get to know one another on a deeper level, but it can also be valuable if your family dynamic isn’t so seamless. No family dynamic is the same, and that’s perfectly okay. Some relationships may be naturally close, while others require a little more effort.

Unsure which questions to ask? The Family Dinner Project offers a list of dinner conversation starters for family members that you can print, cut out, and place in a container to make a conversation jar.

A few conversation starters from the list include: 

• What is one fun thing you hope to do in the next year?
• If you were a season, which season would you be and why?
• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your favorite childhood memory?
• What is the best thing about being your age? 

3. Strike a balance between excursions and quiet time.

If you’re planning a family vacation with a larger group, it may be unrealistic to expect everyone to be together all the time. Remember that small group moments and quiet bonding opportunities can be equally valuable as larger planned excursions! These moments might include reading together, cooking a family recipe, or simply relaxing on a porch.

Morning coffee with your older relatives, evening walks, board games, time in a hotel room, or other activities that engage generations may become the moments you remember for years. “Sometimes those one-on-one or smaller group walks or lunches or breakfasts are the times where deeper bonding occurs,” says Lynda.

If you have very young children, consider whether you’d like to include grandparents in special morning or evening routines they don’t usually experience. Like every other aspect of the vacation, making it work could require open communication and flexibility to suit everyone’s needs.

“If some people are doing excursions, and the grandparents don’t want to participate in those, what are these other ways grandparents can enjoy time with different family members to have unique experiences together? Talking about that makes for a much more enjoyable experience together,” she adds. 

Make the most out of your multigenerational vacation 

With a bit of care and intention, you can plan a family vacation that considers everyone’s needs. By involving your older relatives in the planning process, you will stay on the same page about what they’re hoping for in a vacation and any travel accommodations they may need. Your trip could lead to memories that become stories your family cherishes for years to come! 

Intergenerational programming at Hebrew SeniorLife 

Through the Adam and Matan Adelson Multigenerational Program, Hebrew SeniorLife bridges generations, linking residents and patients with students from the community to forge impactful, meaningful relationships. Intergenerational programming is offered at every Hebrew SeniorLife campus, allowing our residents and patients to find a strong sense of purpose and companionship through engagement with younger generations.

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