Are longer or shorter holidays better for families?

As the year gets underway, your thoughts may be turning towards family holidays. There are two main options for families: one or two long trips away or more frequent short trips. Both of these options have their ups and downsides, though.

Here is a comparison of the two so you can work out which is best for your family.

The benefits of longer trips

Longer trips are perhaps the more traditional holiday option, especially as you are working around the school holidays. Although this does put the prices up, it is often the only choice families have.

Longer holidays, those which are longer than a weekend, allow families to fully immerse themselves in the adventure. This includes exploring new environments, enjoying activities together and even relaxing on the beach.

One of the key benefits of a longer break is the distance you can travel. Most kids (and adults!) will struggle to fly for several hours just to spend a day or so in the new place before flying back. Being able to devote a day on either side of the break to travelling still feels like you have a full break from daily life.

The advantages of shorter, more frequent breaks

Mini-breaks are typically those which are no more than four days. Booking several of these throughout the year means you can little rejuvenation top-ups as the year goes by. By doing so, you may notice a reduction in stress and burnout throughout your whole family.

One of the biggest benefits of smaller holidays is affordability. Many people find it easier to budget for smaller, less expensive holidays. Often, you can fully pay one small holiday off before you book your next one.

You can also take advantage of bank holiday weekends, which means no missed school for the kids and no holidays used for working parents.

Impact on family wellbeing and relationships

Holidays away as a family whatever the length are great for helping to foster deeper connections among family members.

Creating shared memories is fun in the moment and wonderful to look back on for years to come – just remember your camera to capture the best bits.

Communication is often part of a memorable holiday, and smooth conversations are much easier to have when there are none of the usual stressors or distractions. Whatever type of holiday you have, you will find yourself feeling closer to your entire family unit.

Finding the right balance for your family

Ultimately, you know your family best. Smaller children may struggle with the constant change of smaller holidays and would benefit from longer periods away where they can get settled and enjoy themselves.

Budget should absolutely be a huge part of your decision-making process. If you can afford a couple of larger holidays to far-flung places, then that’s best for your family. However, short holidays at holiday parks and in AirBnbs are just as fun and mean you can see a lot more of our beautiful island.