Going on vacation with your dog is not always easy. Going on vacation as a family, with your children and your dog, can be a real challenge! Here is a 100% practical article to make your vacation a success all together, as a family. As a bonus: ideas for activities to share together.

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When I created EmmèneTonChien.com, I was a dog'mum but over the last 3 years, I have become the happy mother of an adorable little girl. For 3 years now, my family vacations have gotten a little tougher... 

Where to go on vacation with your children and your dog so that everyone can find something for themselves? What activities should we all share together? For me, vacation rhymes with “enjoying together”, so I had to adapt my vacation to suit each member of my family. 

So I give you my advice for a successful vacation with your children and your dog. Don't leave your dog in boarding school: he deserves his vacation too. Don't separate your children from their furry best friend for the best time of the year. Let them enjoy together. And you will see that with a little adaptation and organization, you will all have a great vacation together.

Choose the right destination

This seems obvious! But it is nevertheless the basis. To have a successful vacation with your children and your dog, you need to choose the right destination! Here are some tips to help you.

Avoid crowded destinations! Flee the crowds. Prefer more confidential destinations where your dog will not be looked at askance and considered a nuisance. Better to choose a pretty corner of the countryside than a coastal resort where it must be permanently tied up and where it is forbidden on the beach... right? And then, waiting in line at the restaurant with hungry and exhausted children: it's an experience that no parent wants to live!

Choose a destination that meets everyone’s desires. Do your children love water sports? Does your dog love water? Banco: direction the river. Why not Ardèche for example?

Book accommodation that meets the criteria of all members of the family: with a secure swimming pool for children, with an enclosed garden for hours of freedom for your dog, with an entertainment program for fun every evening... For everyone his style ! THE holiday villages Belambra can be a good alternative. Half board or full board, with entertainment and activities all day long and especially children's clubs: they are generally very popular with families. Some children's clubs even take children from 4 months. Each village offers a swimming pool or water park and some even offer saunas or hammams. Enough to enjoy without ever worrying about shopping, menus and planning activities. 

Any final advice for choosing the right vacation destination? In the middle of summer, avoid “heat” destinations. You won't be able to do anything during the hottest hours: neither with your children nor with your dog. The anxiety… 

Oh, I almost forgot… and maybe I should have started there but of course, you need to choose a destination that is accessible to everyone! Taking the plane with a stroller and all your baby or child equipment, a dog in a transport crate and your suitcases can be quite a logistical challenge... I opted for the car, it allows us to take regular breaks when everyone needs to stretch their legs/paws. I prefer to be independent personally.

dog and child playing

7 activities to share with your children and your dog on vacation

Have you chosen your ideal vacation destination for a family stay with your children and your dog? Here are some ideas for activities to share together. 

Before presenting them to you, I would like to draw your attention to 2 essential points:

– Whatever activity you choose, make sure that all members of your family are able to do it. Each family activity must correspond to the abilities of each person so as not to put anyone in difficulty. There's no point going on a mountain hike with 800m of elevation gain with a 3-year-old child, even if your dog is crazy about hiking. You risk putting your child off hiking… Adapt the activities. It's essential. 

– Second important point: always have the necessary equipment in your parent’s bag. Water, first aid kit, sweater, sunglasses, cooling vest… 

Here are 7 awesome activities to share with your kids and dog on vacation. They will enjoy these activities and they will definitely share great memories together!

  • walking or hiking: an easy, free activity that is suitable for all levels as long as you choose the right route for the whole family. Be careful, the “easy” trails, therefore suitable for families, and particularly for strollers, are often very busy. Keep your dog firmly on a leash. Or else get off the beaten track but make sure you know how to read a map so you don't get lost! 

  • a bike ride: this is also a great activity to share with the family. Opt for a safe cycle path and set off on an adventure. There dog bike trailer is ideal for your dog to enjoy the outing with you.

  • bathing together: the holy grail for my dog, my daughter and me! In summer, going to the river is our little joy. Musher never tires of fetching all the sticks that Clara throws at him. Who says swimming means risk of drowning: always supervise your children and your dog. Waves, current or anything else can be extremely dangerous. The armbands and dog life jacket are essential safety elements! Know this: a swimming dog cannot stop swimming, so when he gets close to you, move away to avoid being scratched...

  • water activities: paddle, surf, pedal boat, canoe, water hike... your dog can follow you on almost all your adventures if he is comfortable in the water and knows how to swim. Forget rafting and canyoning of course… 

  • the game of hide and seek: a timeless activity that will appeal to children and dogs. I can attest to that! Musher and my daughter play hide and seek together very often. My dog ​​is unbeatable at this game. It is one of his great passions. This is an activity that does not require equipment and can be done almost anywhere.

  • le obstacle course: this is another simple activity that will entertain your children as much as your dog. Either you follow a fitness course type course and everyone takes advantage of the existing obstacles or your children create their own course and challenge their doggie. At home, my daughter loves creating courses with our chairs. She guides Musher: below, zig-zag between the chairs, jumping over the cushions and standing with both front legs on the sofa to finish the course in style... They both enjoy it.

  • plan B if it rains: bake dog cakes! A fun activity that will delight your dog. There are many recipes that you can easily find on the Internet. Something to keep the family busy. Musher validates this last idea 300% 😁🐾

 
I told you that leaving with your children and your dog was possible and even Wow Good! I hope this article has reassured you and inspired you. Going on vacation together is the guarantee of an unforgettable vacation. Some people prefer a vacation without children and without a dog, but I have chosen my side: I go with my family or nothing.