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Some destinations are targeted more toward families with children than others, so it's important to scope out the layout and amenities before booking your trip. Look for places that offer equipment you may need (such as cribs or highchairs), as well as playrooms, board games, and toys, or media rooms with Wi-Fi and game consoles for your children. Take note of the amount of space to play outdoors as well and look for things like good climbing trees and rocks. Your kids will love having a place to play while on vacation. Choose a destination that boasts parks, skate parks, splash pads, or playgrounds, as well as kid-centered activities, like zip-lining, tree houses, climbing walls, and tire swings. If you are planning to cook rather than eat out for every meal, you should pick a property within a reasonable distance from a grocery store. With all the items you'll be packing for the trip, it'll be easier to purchase food from the grocery store after you arrive and unload the car. You won't have to go far in case you forgot anything or want to make last minute purchases once you see what's inside the property. Check out local prices for food items as well as gas and other essentials so you are prepared if prices are higher than what you're used to. You may want to take a break from the lake and venture into town to visit a theme park, zoo, aquarium, bowling alley, arcade, or toy store. See what kinds of attractions are offered in the area that appeal to kids before booking your trip. Take note of any festivals or parades that may be taking place while you are visiting as well. Bring buckets and shovels from home, or pick up a few cheap ones at a local store so the children can play in the sand. Your kids will love being able to create a cool sand castle or look for little treasures hidden in the sand. Building a bonfire by the lake shore makes for an enjoyable evening outdoors. You can roast hotdogs for dinner or roast marshmallows for s'mores. The fire will not only keep the bugs away, it will also keep you warm and cozy when the temperatures start to drop. Make sure to practice fire safety. Get permission before building a fire, do so only in the designated area, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Look for camps and day programs in the area that offer activities your children would enjoy. Certain resorts and properties even have day camps or programs on-site that will allow the adults to relax while counselors entertain the children. You can rent a boat and tow the kids on a tube yourself, or sign up for a seasoned boat driver to take you and the family out on the water and experience a thrilling tube ride. The kids will love hunting down items all around the property during a nature scavenger hunt. Create a list of items (like seeds, a pinecone, a red leaf, a bug, a flower, something that floats, a small stone, a berry, a feather, a nut, something yellow, etc.) and send the kids out to find as many as they can.
Choose a family-friendly property. Look for locations that have parks or playgrounds nearby. Stay near a grocery store. Pick a place near kid-friendly attractions. Choose a spot with a sandy shore. Look for a location with a fire pit. Sign your kids up for a day camp. Arrange to take the kids tubing. Plan a nature scavenger hunt.