Family traditions often begin in the most innocent ways. Ours started with an idea for a special trip with the oldest two grandchildren: a Disneyland vacation when they had reached the height to go on the "big" rides — 48 inches tall.
Just like Noah's animals, two-by-two, as they near the hallowed height-requirement, they pester us: "Am I tall enough yet?" Each encourages the next one who hasn't quite made it to 48 inches to eat more, drink more milk, get more exercise — whatever it takes to make the little one grow a bit faster.
Here are some tips to help you plan a 48-inch trip with your grandchildren.
1. It's all about the cousins.
 At the San Diego Zoo |
We've found that taking cousins rather than siblings works really well. They each escape their regular family "pecking order" and get to relax and enjoy a different dynamic with the grandparents. We take them two at a time not only so that they can enjoy each other's company and have someone to go on the rides with, but also because the Alaska Airline "kids fly free"
vacation packages allow one child to fly with each adult. They always enjoy having someone to pal around with, and it gives us a little time without our having to focus on them exclusively. But be warned, it still takes a lot of energy to keep up with them.
2. Make the anticipation as fun as the trip.
The kids are usually somewhere between 7 and 9 years old when they reach the required height. Sometimes one has to wait an extra year until the next one makes the height. This is, in our family, generally, the first big trip the kids take without their parents, so it is a really special time filled with anticipation.
We declare a year or more ahead of time, who will be the next two to go and start measuring and chiding them about eating their vegetables, making sure they get enough sleep, and all the things that make them grow into healthy kids. The parents love the help.
Now that several of the kids have gone, the older ones also get into the act. They relive their trips with the younger ones and give them ideas about what to do and what not to do. It is hilarious to listen to them "advise" the younger ones on the highlights.
3. Know your grandkids.
 The grandkids jumping into the hotel pool |
We often discount the difference birth order makes in maturity, behavior traits, and even interests. The previous two were both oldest children in their family and much more mature at the same age than this year's middle children. Things the "oldest" children enjoyed didn't captivate the "middle" ones as much, and vice versa. So judging the maturity and interests of your grandchildren can make a difference in your choices.
When we asked this year's grandchildren where they wanted to go, one of them reacted immediately: "London!" I think not, not on our standard of living anyway. We do give them the opportunity for input as to where we go, within some parameters. San Diego has turned out to be a great value and fun destination the last two times.
4. Choose the right "base camp."
We recognize that "right" is subjective, but there are several things that we think make a property like The Dana on Mission Bay — a moderately priced, completely updated, older property — a great choice for grandparent-and-grandchild trips:
• Geared up and hospitable to children
• Rooms with refrigerators and microwaves for snacks and breakfasts
• Two restaurants with kid-friendly choices (and cocktails for worn-out grandparents!)
• Water activities and rentals on the premises
• Shuttle from the airport and to SeaWorld
• Central location close to activities and bus and trolley service
Even though you aren't at the hotel all that much, having a welcoming location makes everything flow more smoothly.
5. Plan for some downtime.
 Having some fun at LEGOLAND |
No matter how much fun all of this is, you — and they — will need some downtime. First, we figure out the major places we want to include. For this trip it was SeaWorld,
The San Diego Zoo, and
LEGOLAND. Since we were going for three nights and four days, we had plenty of time for other activities like swimming, picnics, the beach, Old Town San Diego, paddle boats on Mission Bay, and historic
Belmont Park.
We find that even the kids can't last more than six hours at an amusement park so we always start and end the day leisurely. The kids can sleep in if they want and we always end with a swim or hot tub or a game of cards in the room. Establishing a rhythm and flow for your days together helps build predictability and order into the craziness and excitement of the trip.
6. Make the memories last.
We have made a decision as grandparents to buy memories for our children, not "things" that they will forget or outgrow before the year is out. Travel has a way of lasting a lifetime. At the end of each trip, we create a photo book for each 48-incher to relive those special moments. We just hope that we "measure up" in their memories.
Related Information
Maggie, 8, and Jack, 9, sat down with me in the airport on the way back and we talked about what makes a successful trip in their eyes. Here are their tips:
• Have some money of your own, but get Grammie to buy you stuff, too.
• Make sure that your grandparents know what you like to do and help them choose.
• Everyone needs to have fun, no matter what you do — so be a fun kid.
Read more about LEGOLAND, other theme park vacations, and all the fun activities in San Diego.
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