Planning Your Next Family Outing

It never fails, we will be happily driving along for a family outing to enjoy some of the traditional fall family fun like a cider mill, corn maze, or just a drive to enjoy the fall foliage and one of us will inevitably ask “Did You Bring the Camera?“  It should never be like this, but unfortunately there are times when we are less than prepared and either have to do without something we forgot or need to turn around and go back to get it .  So this year in an effort to make things easier and the transition out the door and on our way smoother we have created a free family activity planner to help us and you get organized.  Here are some tips and suggestions to make the most of this free printable.

Some common things you may need for your trip are a camera, video camera, sunscreen, maps, cell phones, discount coupons, snacks and/or lunches, car activities, and first aid kit

Save yourself some money by visiting the website of the place you are visiting to see if they have any discount coupons to print off and bring.   Also, to save money and avoid standing in long lines, try packing rather than buying your lunch.

Try and get as much of the prep work and packing done the day or night before to make the transition smoother the next day.  Things you can do the day before are fill the car with gas, check or replace the camera batteries, charge your cell phones, print off maps, pack your family backpack with supplies, go to the bank, set out clothes, check the weather, make lunches or snacks, and check your first aid kit. 

Print off a few copies of the family activity planner and keep them in your family activity file so they are easy to find when you need them.

Save your completed family activity planner sheet along with the map and any other documentation or information about your day trip in a family activity file so that you can reference it next year and save yourself time reinventing the wheel so to speak.

Good luck!