7 Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling With Kids And Older Adults

Planning a trip with kids and older adults? One group always wants to start early, and the other needs just five more minutes of Wi-Fi. It’s easy to think everyone will mesh perfectly, but the reality of multigenerational travel can quickly lead to some common, and avoidable, mistakes.

I’ve taken trips with my twin sons from toddlerhood through their teens, with my 75-year-old mother-in-law, and sometimes with all three generations together. Along the way, I’ve learned what makes multigenerational travel smoother and less stressful.

Here are seven common mistakes to avoid for a smoother all-ages adventure.

We made this mistake after a grueling 22-hour journey from Australia to New York, landing at JFK at 8 a.m. Since we couldn’t check into our apartment until 2 p.m., we optimistically scheduled activities for our first day.

Big mistake — the kids were exhausted and couldn’t enjoy anything while the adults functioned on autopilot.

Instead, prebook early check-in whenever possible after long-haul flights, even if it costs extra. If that’s not an option, consider booking your arrival night at an airport hotel and then moving to your primary accommodation the next day, when everyone is more rested.

During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., my mother-in-law, though fit, opted out of a scooter tour my teenage boys were eager to join due to concerns about dexterity. This created our first dilemma: How do we keep everyone engaged without making anyone feel excluded?

“Ignoring different mobility levels can cause tension in multi-gen trips,” explains Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. “A good guide can adjust plans so grandparents can take it easy while kids keep exploring, ensuring no one feels left out.”

Instead of trying to make everyone do the same thing, look for activities that accommodate different abilities. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, my teens explored the interactive sports and music exhibits while my wife and mother-in-law enjoyed the history galleries at a leisurely pace.

After numerous multigenerational trips, I’ve found that staying in an apartment is far more comfortable than booking separate hotel rooms. An apartment gives everyone space to stretch out, plus a communal area where the family can gather together.

“If you’re in a hotel room with small children who’ve been on the go all day, when it’s time for them to sleep, you’re in for the night,” said Brandon Dale, co-founder of GoForth Luxury Vacation Homes. “However, when you’re sharing a house with the grandparents, you have a willing built-in babysitter at your disposal so you and your spouse can grab a nice dinner and some nightlife. Everyone wins!”

Apartment rentals provide cost savings on food, allowing you to prepare simple breakfasts and occasional dinners in the kitchen, while multiple bathrooms prevent morning bottlenecks. Prioritize properties with reliable elevators for older people and safe spaces for children.

The rigid schedule that might work for a solo business trip fails with multiple generations. “A big mistake I see in multi-gen travelers is not being flexible with the itinerary,” said Melissa DaSilva, Deputy CEO of Trafalgar. “Kids get restless, flights get delayed, and family members have different energy levels.”

Delayed flights have taught me to build substantial buffer times into our schedules. For any fixed activity that can’t be rescheduled, I now add at least two hours beyond what seems necessary—a lesson reinforced in Sri Lanka, where Google Maps consistently underestimated travel times by half.

Our most meaningful travel moments come from traditions that bridge generations. My wife wasn’t initially thrilled about our early morning “Disney dash,” but she quickly got caught up in the excitement once the gates opened. We’ve since repeated this tradition at theme parks from Florida to Tokyo, where we discovered just how polite Japanese crowds can be.

These shared experiences create connections despite age differences. Start your own traditions: a special meal on the first night, a family photo in the same pose at each location, or our family’s daily “top three” list, where everyone shares their favorite moments from the day.

Involving my teenage sons in planning has been one of my best travel decisions. I encourage them to explore YouTube and TikTok for destination ideas, which builds excitement and gives them ownership of the experience.

My sons’ research before our trip to Japan led us to a Fire Ramen restaurant in Kyoto, where they set our food alight with one-foot flames — an unforgettable experience we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Give each family member the chance to choose at least one activity per trip.

“We always carry little kids in baby carriers or backpacks, rather than hauling strollers through airports,” advises Stephanie Greer, CEO of Beryl Air. “Dragging luggage or pushing strollers through cobbled streets taught us it’s easier if we can haul everything in our hands.”

This hands-free approach becomes even more valuable when traveling with multiple generations. What seems like a “quick walk” to the train station can become exhausting for older travelers, while subway stairs might be challenging for family members with mobility issues.

The extra taxi fare might be the difference between everyone enjoying the day’s activities or dealing with exhaustion-induced meltdowns. Budget for transportation convenience rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.