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When you think about planning your next family getaway, you might be dreaming of beach resorts, cozy cabins, or big-city adventures pop into your head. But what if your kids took the reins this time? Sounds chaotic? Maybe (or finally you don't have to plan everything.) But a new survey shows it might be more common than you think.
A recent poll of 2,000 parents found that 1 in 5 have let their kids plan their family vacation. Yep, 20% of parents handed over the itinerary—and the results were… imaginative, to say the least.
I guess my question is where would your kids even go?
When asked where their kids wanted to travel, some of the top picks included:
- Disneyland or Disney World (because of course, everyone besides my kid wants to go here)
- Indoor waterparks (hello, chaos in a swimsuit, but you could find a quiet spot)
- Camping in the backyard (budget-friendly and bug-filled)
- Japan (thanks, Pokémon and sushi)
- The moon (ambitious, but not quite in the budget)
The survey also revealed that when kids get a say, the focus shifts from “relaxing” to “non-stop action.” Think amusement parks, arcade stops, ice cream tours, and hotel pools that are just as important—if not more so—than the destination itself.
For some parents, it’s a way to empower their kids and give them a voice. Others see it as a fun experiment or even a reward for good behavior or milestones like finishing the school year strong.
Of course, the “kid-planned” trip usually comes with a little adult supervision—like ensuring passports are valid and not spending the entire travel budget on cotton candy.
Would/Could you do this? You might be thinking “Honestly, how bad could it be?”, you’re not alone. Letting your kids plan your next vacation might be chaotic, but it could also be the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken.
So—would you do it? Would you let your little ones decide between beach or mountains, hotel or cabin, adventure or chill?
Just don’t be surprised if their dream trip includes a roller coaster, a zoo, a ninja museum, and pizza for breakfast. Every. Single. Day.