With school holidays and long bright days here, it’s the perfect time to plan a fun family day out. Whether you’re heading to the beach, a playground, a theme park or somewhere new altogether, a little planning goes a long way towards making sure the day runs smoothly for everyone.
We’ve teamed up with Schoolbooks.ie to bring you some simple tips for planning the perfect stress-free family day out, from start to finish.
Planning a Family Day Out from Start to Finish
Set a Budget
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Whether you’re planning a low-cost day out as a family or a bigger meet-up with friends, it helps to set a budget in advance so you know exactly what you’re working with.
Think about travel costs, ticket prices, refreshments, spending money, and any extras you or the kids might want on the day.
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Choose a Location
This is the fun part — choosing where to go and who to go with! From a free day out with a picnic at the beach, playground or park, to a theme park, museum, boat trip or other activity, get the whole family involved in the planning so everyone has something to look forward to.
Do your research online in advance to find the best deals and check for any dates that won’t work. If you’re buying tickets, it’s a good idea to have one person take charge of booking so you can be sure everyone will be together.
Choose a Date
Once you’ve decided who’s going, what the budget is, and where you want to go, it’s time to set the date. Ad hoc days out are lovely, but if tickets need to be bought or friends need to be organised, it’s worth setting a date and getting it into the diary — that way it’s something everyone can look forward to.
If your date is coming up soon, check the weather forecast too, especially for outdoor plans.
What to Bring
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A simple checklist can save a lot of last-minute stress. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Fully charged mobile/devices + charger
- Entertainment for the journey
- Picnic/refreshments
- Tickets, either printed or proof of purchase on your phone (you may also need photo ID and the card used for booking)
- For good weather: sunscreen, bug spray, sun hats, swimwear. For bad weather: raincoats, wellies, layers and a change of clothes
- Picnic rug or deck chairs
- Entertainment for the destination (Usborne things to spot books, outdoor games, a frisbee, etc.)
- Get the kids to pack a small backpack each (their schoolbag is the perfect size!) with what they need — water, spending money, a book for the journey, pen and paper, and so on
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Perfect Picnic Ideas Checklist
Perfect Portable Picnic
Take the stress out of days out with the Maped Picnik range of easy-to-open, non-spill, insulated lunchboxes, bags and bottles, available from Schoolbooks.ie. Handy all summer, and just as useful for back to school.
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Transport
Decide in advance how you’ll get to your destination, and leave plenty of time — especially if you have a booking for a set arrival time.
Travelling by car? Fuel up the day before, plan your route, and check for roadworks or delays before you set off. On longer journeys, it’s worth knowing where you can stop for toilet breaks. Don’t forget to plan for parking too — is it on-site, can you book ahead, or will you need to find street parking nearby?
Travelling by public transport? Check train, bus or tram times in advance and look out for any planned works. If there are several of you travelling together, booking ahead can often save money and means you’re more likely to get seats together.
Keep the kids entertained on the journey with these free activity printables and colouring pages.
With a little planning and preparation, you can look forward to a fantastic family day out — making memories and having fun, minus the stress.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 30 Fun Games for Car Journeys with Kids
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I plan a family day out?
It depends on the activity, but for anything that needs booked tickets or involves coordinating with friends, aim to set a date and book as early as you can. This helps you avoid missing out on availability and gives everyone something to look forward to.
What’s the easiest way to keep costs under control?
Set a budget before you choose your destination. Factor in travel, tickets, food and a little spending money for the kids, and do your research online for deals in advance so there are no surprises on the day.
What should I pack for a family day out?
A simple checklist helps — charged devices, snacks or a picnic, tickets or booking confirmations, weather-appropriate clothing, and something to keep everyone entertained on the journey and at the destination. Getting kids to pack their own small backpack works well too.
What if the weather changes on the day?
Check the forecast in the days leading up to your trip, especially for outdoor plans, and pack for both good and bad weather where possible — layers, a raincoat, and a change of clothes can save the day.
Related Articles
- How To Save Money on Family Days Out
- Perfect Picnic Ideas Checklist
- 30 Fun Games for Car Journeys with Kids
Save This for Your Next Family Day Out
Planning ahead makes all the difference. Bookmark this guide or browse more family days out ideas on MyKidsTime for your next trip.
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