The surprising destination you need on every family trip itinerary

Planning your family vacation is half the fun—or half the battle, depending on how you feel about putting together a family trip itinerary. The internet is awash in sample trip itineraries, printables and templates, but this is my secret: No matter where you go, you should plan on playing at a park or playground on vacation.

A city park might not give you a one-of-a-kind experience you can get only in your destination, but you’ll never regret the time you and your kids spend at the playground on vacation. Then again, you might find a unique and unforgettable park you’d miss otherwise.

Still skeptical (and ready to skip a park stop in favor of a museum or postcard-perfect landmark)? Try this family travel hack and you’ll become a believer. 

5 reasons to add a playground to your vacation itinerary

As you’re planning your trip itinerary for your next family vacation, remember this: add a playground stop to your trip! Here’s why.

1. Playing at a park lets your kids burn off energy

If your littles are anything like mine, they finish road trips and plane rides with, ahem, an abundance of energy. Letting them loose on a playground allows them to stretch their legs, get the activity their growing bodies need and just be silly.

2. Parks are familiar

Especially if your kids are very young or nervous about new places and situations, building something familiar into your family trip itinerary will be comforting. Your kids are less likely to melt down later if they’ve already done something they love—and that is similar to their routine at home.

3. Locals’ travel tips and advice

Here’s my favorite part about adding parks to every family vacation itinerary I plan: Hitting up a park gives me the perfect opportunity to meet local parents. These are the people who will give you insider tips on where to eat, play, explore—and what to avoid.

4. Playgrounds make kids happy

Family vacations are all about, well, family time. Planning a trip itinerary only on what you want to do—museums, walking hip neighborhoods, shopping—is a sure bet to make your kids cranky. Build in a playground stop and they’ll be in a good mood the rest of the day (like when you stop in at an art gallery).

5. Playgrounds let kids be kids

When families go on vacation, kids are often asked to be on their best behavior: They have to eat unfamiliar food at restaurants, stick close to a parent on busy sidewalks, be quiet in museums and otherwise restrain themselves at every turn. But at a playground—the destination they’ll be so glad you included in your family trip itinerary—they’re free to be their usual, rambunctious selves.

So don’t forget: When you’re planning your next family vacation, remember to include the one destination your kids are guaranteed to love.

Have you and your kids ever stopped at a playground on vacation? How did it work out?