Get to know KeeKee!

KeeKee is a globetrotting calico cat and the star of a series of award-winning books. Now, KeeKee is teaming up with AAA to help your family dream, plan, and get the most out of your travel adventures!

Summer vacations are an exciting time of year for the whole family. It’s when your family bonds and makes memories that last a lifetime.

You only have around 18 summer vacations with your kids, so making every year count is essential.

Travel is also “the school of life,” and starting this school early for children is essential. You’re helping create the next generation of global citizens.

INFANTS

As new parents, just leaving the house with infants can be daunting. A vacation with them may seem nearly impossible, yet it’s something most new parents need.

This stage can be a great time to get their travel adventures started with a close weekend destination or a road trip to get a feel for traveling as a new family.

Once you’re more comfortable, a beach resort in Florida or an all-inclusive in the Caribbean or Mexico can be a great option.

TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS

This can be a magical time to travel with your kids. Parents get the chance to see the world through their children’s eyes.

Blending education and fun is a great way to introduce travel at this age. Take them to a sunny spot like Sarasota, Florida, or San Diego, California, where you can have beach time and educational experiences like aquariums and zoos.

Water activities are enjoyable, so consider a cruise to the Bahamas or an all-inclusive resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

Between the ages of 6-12 years old is the sweet spot when parents and travel have the most significant impact on children.

Educational trips to places the kids are studying can bring to life what they are learning in school.

Step into Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers created the U.S. Constitution. Then follow the Historic American Revolution Trail through the city. Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston to visit 16 Revolutionary War landmarks.

See national parks like Yellowstone with Old Faithful; Redwood National Forest, home to the tallest trees on earth; and Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas with some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. And remember, fourth-graders and their families get free admission to all national parks.

TEENS

Any trip is on the table in the teenage years as the kids can do most activities.

Bike and hike national parks. Visit Sting Ray City in the Cayman Islands. Snow ski in Colorado. Visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming to raft the Snake River and explore Grand Teton National Park. Zipline and explore active volcanoes and exotic wildlife in Costa Rica.

Plan a vacation to destinations featuring things they are interested in, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland or the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Build Your 18 Summer Vacations Roadmap

Now that you’ve seen many travel possibilities, it’s essential to have a plan and roadmap.

MAKE YOUR FAMILY TRAVEL WISH LIST

• Think of all the places you want to go and explore as a family. Get the whole family involved in making this list.
• Go BIG with the list of ALL the places everyone wants to go. Have each person start by writing down or drawing every place they dream of going.
• Make it a fun family activity with a favorite meal and music, put on a favorite travel movie, or create a destination vibe.

Explore all your family travel options this summer with AAA Travel by reaching out to a AAA Travel Advisor!

START PLANNING