Welcome to the beautiful chaos of traveling with a large, blended family! 

When we first dreamed of giving our kids the world—quite literally—we knew it wouldn’t be simple. But with a little planning and a lot of patience (and snacks), we’ve figured out how to turn travel with teenagers into a bonding, beautiful, and wildly fun adventure.

If you're part of a big, blended family and thinking, “Can we really do this?”—yes, you can. 

Here’s how:

• Let each child help choose a destination, excursion, or even restaurant.
• Assign roles: one kid handles playlist duty, another researches food spots, another navigates.
• Encourage them to set trip goals (bucket list items, challenges, personal budgets).

With seven kids between us, our packing system is... refined by fire.

• Use packing cubes per kid or color code bags for easy identification.
• Pre-plan outfits, but allow a few “free choice” pieces—teens appreciate autonomy.
• Share checklists digitally (we use a shared Google Doc) so nothing gets missed.
• Mom should pack the "community suitcase" with all toiletries etc.

Forget cramming into two hotel rooms. Look for:

• Vacation rentals with multiple bedrooms and kitchens (Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide)
• Suite-style hotels with bunk beds or pull-out couches
• Family-friendly resorts with flexible sleeping arrangements

Space = sanity. And a kitchen = budget bliss.

Feeding a small army? Here’s what we’ve learned:

• Hit local grocery stores for breakfast staples and snacks.
• Look for kid/teen meal deals, group family menus, or food halls where everyone finds something.

And don't forget the snacks. The snack bag is sacred. We literally hit Sams Club before our trips and fill an entire duffle that goes with us!

When possible, opt for hiring a driving company (that has 12-14 passenger vans) from place to place so the whole crew travels together. It costs more, but it gives you control over stops, playlists, and spontaneous detours. 

Teens + travel = phones galore. Lean into it:

• Let them document the trip through videos or blog contributions
• Set expectations for screen time vs. explore time

Blended families bring unique dynamics—and that’s a superpower.

• Encourage kids to share traditions or family travel rituals
• Find quiet time for smaller family units when needed
• Use travel as a chance to bond, not just go, go, go

Traveling as a large, blended family—with mostly teens—isn’t always easy. The point isn’t to create picture-perfect moments… it’s to create shared stories, ones they’ll laugh about (and maybe roll their eyes at) for years to come.

So if you’re thinking about packing up your crew and hitting the road, we’re here to say: Do it. Embrace the mess, the memories, the mismatched socks—and let the journey shape your family in all the best ways.

From one big, blended bunch to another—we’re cheering you on. 🧡