Ideas for special family trips?

[Snow Brite]

I have taken each of my children alone on a trip to Disneyland on their 7th birthday for their first trip. This has been a wonderful thing for our family and I have truly loved the alone time to "fall in love" with each child again. I also love that I have a snapshot in my mind of them all at the exact same place at the exact same age to remember and be able to compare. Anyhoo....the last one turns 7 in August.

I was feeling so sad and down that this tradition was coming to a close when my best friend pointed out that I should do something every 7 years. At ages, 7, 14 and 21. 21 will be a trip to vegas most likely...but what to do at 14?

We could do Disney again, but I think something else might be fun too, especially as I would like to go to WDW as a family sometime soon.

So anyone have any brilliant ideas?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I never get tired of WDW and with one child you can do what they like, on their timetable. However, at 14yo how about a trip to NYC? Or Washington DC?

You sound like me--any excuse to have a vacation yourself so you bring kids places one at a time...

 

[Snow Brite]

I never get tired of WDW and with one child you can do what they like, on their timetable. However, at 14yo how about a trip to NYC? Or Washington DC?

You sound like me--any excuse to have a vacation yourself so you bring kids places one at a time...

Oh nooooooooo....thats not why I do it this way! Im a GOOD mom!

Those are both good ideas. Washington DC could be deemed educational as well.

 

[clh2]

When my DD is 14, she will be celebrating her "golden birthday". DD has been wanting to go to NYC for this momentous occasion for years.

Don't know if it will happen though.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oh nooooooooo....thats not why I do it this way! Im a GOOD mom!

Uh huh... I'll have to remember that--I do it because I'm a good mom and want to spend time alone with each child...

Yes, Washington DC is educational for sure. And so many things to do around her besides city stuff (not that you can't fill a week with city stuff).

 

[Cass]

My daughter and I went to a Dude Ranch last summer for 9 days. Very cool, riding the range in the day, campfires at night under the stars... no tv, no radio, no news.

We didn't rough it by anymeans, this was an upscale luxury ranch house with wonderful meals.

 

[mom2boys]

Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.

 

[goofy's friends]

I would let them help plan it at 14. They would love it and they would be able to pick something that fit their personality. Yellowstone for the outdoorsy type, Beach for the one that needs to relax, cruise for the social one, big city for the academically interested, etc. I think the all-inclusive resorts on islands would be really neat.

What about the Disney Cruise?

 

[simba928]

I was also going to suggest a cruise. There's plenty to do and at that age, they can go off to the different events with other people their age or they can just hang out with you or whatever.

 

[Snow Brite]

Thank you for all the diverse ideas! The 7th birthday trips are always surprises and I love that, but the 14th could maybe be a "dream" trip that they get to pick. I get so seasick that a cruise is probably out, as much fun as it would be.

I have a couple of years until my oldest turns 14....but its good to plan these things in advance. And it sure helps the sadness of the last 7th birthday trip...

 

[nhrenee]

My daughter and I went to a Dude Ranch last summer for 9 days. Very cool, riding the range in the day, campfires at night under the stars... no tv, no radio, no news.

We didn't rough it by anymeans, this was an upscale luxury ranch house with wonderful meals.

Where did you go?

We have cruised twice and it's a fabulous vacation. However, the kids really end up hanging out with other kids on the ship. Maybe a smaller ship.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I love the idea of having the kids pick where you'll go! Hmmm...I must file this idea away for (distant) future reference....

I think you could have a lot of fun doing the research and helping the kids make the decision and do the planning together. I could see handing them a shoe box with a ton of travel brochures in them and saying "pick your trip!"

Great idea!

 

[Daisy Duck 5]

I think it would be nice to take them to another country. Some ideas are Canada, Mexico, and England.

 

[Cass]

Where did you go?

Hi, we went to siwash lake ranch, british columbia

 

[nhrenee]

What a beautiful place. My idea of heaven; horses everywhere!
Thanks for posting the pictures.