Taking a day trip with the kids, and looking for ways to have the most fun with as little stress as possible?
Here are my top 5 Tips for a Successful Day Trip with the Family!
We love day trips because they are perfect for those days you just want to get away! They are cheaper than your traditional vacations, and depending on the location you choose, you may be able to bring your furry family members along. We've traveled all around us for years, and we've always had the best times, so I thought I'd put together my 5 Tips for a Successful Day Trip with the Family!
1. Get the whole family involved in planning. Usually we have an idea of what we want to do. (hiking, visiting a zoo, checking out a museum, etc) Once we have what we want to do narrowed down, I just hop online with everyone at the table with me, and start searching zoos near Panama City, or state parks in north Florida, etc. Just search according to your city and what your looking to do. You can also search a bigger city that you live nearby, if you live in an area where you don't really have anything to do. Then we take a look at what that particular place has to offer, and we choose a place. Don't forget to bookmark or write down all the places that you've found, you may want to visit on another day trip! We found this gorgeous state park near the Florida/Georgia state line by searching for state parks in north Florida. 
2. Picking a day. Unlike planning for a week long vacation, a day trip is a lot easier. However, you want to keep a few things in mind when picking the day. It may be easier for you to visit a zoo or museum on a school holiday, but just keep in mind that your location may be packed, so perhaps on those days you could choose to visit a state park and do some hiking instead. Most of our own day trips have taken place on random Saturdays. A couple of weeks ago we chose a day trip that would take us away from Panama City, because it was spring break for the schools in our area, and we didn't want to stick around. We went west a couple of hours away to the Gulf Breeze Zoo and had a blast! 
3. Snacks. You want to choose snacks that will fuel your adventurous day trip, and not leave you or your kids looking for a nap. I like choosing snacks loaded with protein. It's funny most of the time snack foods in America are loaded with sugar. However in Europe, having a snack of Italian meat and cheese is part of daily life. When packing our small cooler for our day trips, I always head to Target on our way out of town. I load our cooler up with water, and Creminelli Fine Meats™. My girls love the Casalingo, Gouda & Dried Cherries! What I love about the Creminelli snack packs is they are loaded with ingredients that you can feel good about your family eating. Protein is perfect for day trips because you won't have that sugar crash, which will leave you begging for a nap!
4. Plan a pit stop. Sometimes a pit stop is needed, sometimes not. It depends on the age of your kids, or how well they like riding in the car for lengthy periods. Sometimes a pit stop is needed because of road construction or a traffic accident that has traffic backed up for miles. This happened to us. I pulled out my phone and searched for the nearest parks to us. We found one in a neighborhood a couple of blocks from where we were. Perfect! The girls played while Zack and I sat and watched the traffic on Google Maps. 
5. Remember to have fun! Keep in mind it's just a day trip! Take your camera, and enjoy what's going on around you. Day trips are the perfect time to be adventurous with your photos. Practice taking photos of the scenery. Or pass the camera off to your kids, and check out what they capture. You may be surprised to see that you have a budding photographer on your hands! 
If you are interested in more information about our snack choice for day trips, check out Creminelli on Instagram! I bought ours at Target, but you can also find Creminelli at Starbucks, Whole Foods and Kroger stores. If you're interested in day trips from Panama City, check out some those here.
robin rue says
I wouldn't dare to leave on a road trip with my tween/teen boys without a car load of food. They get hangry every 5 minutes, so we pack LOTS of snacks.
Joanna says
My girls are the same way, it must be that age (12 and 18). 😀
Alli Smith says
Day trips can be so much fun, especially when you pack great snacks. You've inspired me to take a few day trips during the spring and summer months.
Joanna says
Awesome! I hope you pick some great little places to visit!
Tasheena says
Great tips! Getting the family involved in the process is so important especially with teens. Snacks are a must-have during our family day trips. I have to pickup a Creminelli pack.
Joanna says
My girls always love helping pick the destination. It makes it that much more enjoyable, especially at that age.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
Snacks are key for any trip, whether it be a day trip or road trip. It saves a lot of money to bring snacks along and you're guaranteed to want or like what you have, which you can't say about restaurants.
Joanna says
Exactly my thoughts! We never take any kind of trip without a small cooler with snacks. I at least know we will all like what's brought with us.
Amber Myers says
These are some great tips. With a teen and a tween who can get moody, planning is a must. Oh, and there always needs to be snacks!
Joanna says
Thanks! Yea, my girls always seem to get moody, so stopping even just for a few minutes to get them out of the car always helps.
Candy says
Snacks are very important when we take any kind of trip. Planning is key. Always fun to explore.
Joanna says
Snacks are always important when leaving the house for just about any reason! 😉
Jeanette says
We love going on day trips! We actually went on one of the weekend and it was a blast. You are right they are much cheaper than your typical vacation most of the time we bring our own food.even! It's fun to explore places that are not too far from where you live.
Joanna says
Aren't day trips the best?! I really like them for the money saving aspect. Plus we have dogs that aren't fond of being boarded, so this works out much better for us.
Melissa Chapman says
I have got to try some of those snacks from Target for my next day trip. It is good to do a long ride once in a while but you need a great destination and weekends work a lot better for us.
Joanna says
They are the perfect take along snack! Yea, we always make sure to pick a destination worth the drive. 🙂
GiGi Eats says
My number 1 tip would be to BRING FOOD!!! No one likes a HANGRY PERSON - LOL! A hangry person doesn't even like themselves, hahaha!
Joanna says
Hahaha. You are right! Nobody likes a hangry person.
Danielle Fox says
you are so right with the snacks. I love having some healthy options available for my kids
Joanna says
Healthy snack options are a must! They really help in keeping the kids from being cranky.
mj says
These are delightful! Love easy and portable snacks for the road, purse, bag, car... It's wonderful!
Joanna says
They are so great when it comes to portability, and they are so good!
Jenifer says
That's some great tips u have shared . It will surely work out & am gonna try this soon
Joanna says
Thanks! I hope you plan a day trip soon.
Joely Smith says
I love the idea of getting the whole family involved in the planning! Good snacks are also always a MUST!
Joanna says
Everyone planning and snacks are always at the top of the list!
Amanda says
Listening to everyone's opinion and involving everyone in the planning is key to having a fun family day trip. And tons of extra snacks doesn't hurt, either!
Joanna says
Totally! 🙂
Sarah Bailey says
Day trips of any kind can be so hard can't they! It is always good to get ideas on how to make things run just a little more smoothly for sure!
Joanna says
They can be! Simple plans are a must. 🙂
Paula Stewart says
We do day trips with our grandchildren and these ready-made snacks could be a lifesaver!
Joanna says
Paula they are so good! You've gotta try them out the next time y'all plan a day trip.
Caylissa says
Great tips! The kids love surprises, but they are always so much more engaged when they get to help with planning!
Joanna says
We used to do a lot of surprise day trips, but they started asking questions that sounded like they wanted to be in on the destination choices. 🙂
Heather says
Definitely, a multitude of snacks since I have two boys. Its almost like the minute we get in the car, they are hungry. I can't wait til we can check out the Denver zoo where we live. We've never been.
Joanna says
Zoos are actually one of my girls favorite things to visit on day trips! I hope y'all get to check out the Denver Zoo soon!
Julietta M. says
Love all these tips! Definitely snacks are needed and important on family trips!
Joanna says
Thanks! Yes, snacks are a priority! 😀
Paula says
As a mother of 8 kids - I can really use this information! We rarely all go anywhere together though! 😉
Joanna says
I hope that y'all plan a day trip together soon. It's so much fun, and my girls have so many great memories.
Hannah Marie says
Sometimes it is not easy to involve the whole family in planning because well, they have different things they want to do. But I like the idea of it, Snacks and having fun is the most important.
Joanna says
That's why day trips are perfect. You can do one thing today, and something totally different the next time you venture out, teaching kids to compromise. 🙂
Andrea says
while I myself don't have kids I do have a lot of friends who have kids and they would find this very useful. I know they are always saying they want to take trips but don't know ho with their kids.
Joanna says
I hope you share this with them Andrea, it's a great little start for great planning. 🙂
Lisa Favre says
Day trips are fun to take with the kiddos because they're exactly that... day trips. Short, sweet, and fun. Itineraries don't get too complicated since it's just one day and it's less stress.
Joanna says
Totally! I'm ready to plan our next one, right now!
Jessica Taylor says
It is so hard to get the older kids to do family activities. Quick snacks are such a great idea! I have never seen those before!
Joanna says
Quick snacks are a must, you should pick some of these up next time you're out, they are delicious!
Reesa Lewandowski says
Snacks and lots of them are a must for my family! We are overdue for a nice day trip together!
Joanna says
I hope y'all plan one soon!
Joanna says
I do like to go on day trips as well, it's such a fun way to explore the country. I agree that the car should have plenty of snacks, as they are a great boredom remedy 🙂
Joanna says
Snacks are a must have! You are right, they always fix boredom!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
Day trips can be so much fun! I love them so much. I love these tips to make sure that your day trips are successful.
Joanna says
Thanks! I think that I'm ready for another one! 😀
Peter Nyiri says
What I hated most about Panama City was the fog... Driving was an absolute nightmare.
You are right, getting out every once in a while is the best thing to do!
Joanna says
Oh the fog is horrible sometimes! Thankfully we haven't had many foggy mornings so far.
Kim says
This is super helpful! We are in Europe and would like to travel more but it is hard with the kids. These tips definitely give me a better idea of how to make it more enjoyable! thank you!
Joanna says
Awesome! Enjoy your next family day trip!
chubskulit rose says
We can't fully enjoy the outdoors yet since our spring has winter weather. These are great tips that any family could learn from and use.
Joanna says
I hope y'all have some nice weather soon!
Alison Rost says
Awesome tips! This makes me miss the kids, now that they have kids of their own, I should totally recommend your post to them. I think it's good to have the whole family involved in the planning, it's essential to make sure that everyone has a great day!
Joanna says
I think that it would be totally beneficial to them! Hey, or you could just get the grand kids and do a day trip with them! 🙂
Nida says
family trips can be so much fun every once a while....you make me want to plan one too 🙂
Joanna says
You should! We really enjoy them!
Minh Hieu says
i love your idea so much. I will try your idea for my next summer vacation with my family. They will absolutely love that. Thank you for sharing this!!!
Joanna says
Thanks! I hope they are lots of use to you. 🙂
Kiwi says
I love a great day trip! Now I am inspired to take one myself since the weather is getting better.
What Corinne Did says
Back when I was still living at home, my parents would tell us what day we'd go on a day trip in advance to make sure everyone would be there. Also, they'd got everyone involved! Great tips!
Needa says
We did exactly same! I have a toddler and for making him engage we add some sweets and chocolates as well
Lauren says
I love daytrips and road trips! And snacks are an essential !
LavandaMichelle says
Sounds like so[me awesome tips! I think my kids would love something like this. Thanks for sharing.
Joanna says
I hope y'all plan a day trip soon!
kim says
Looks like such a fun day! Love your tips. My kids would have so much fun.
Amethyst Boheur says
I really liked it when you pointed out the importance of having fun during the trip and making sure that I capture special moments. It was also nice when you suggested letting the kids have the camera and allowing them to take pictures themselves. That sounds fun, especially because my little man seems to have a future as a photographer. I will see to it that we do not forget the camera since taking pictures is the first thing on his mind when I mentioned a family vacation.