Schoolfamily.com - Helping parents help their kids succeed at school

Turn the family vacation this summer into a learning experience—without complaints!—by having the kids do the planning. Give them a budget and basic guidelines (e.g., “only by car” or “must include hiking”). They pick a destination and outline an itinerary, then present it to you. Once you approve their choice, they should create a detailed itinerary, including things like where to eat, places to stay, and rainy-day activities. More: Let the Kids Plan the Vacation