This season of life with four little kids has completely shifted how I think about travel - such as the right frequency of trips and smarter, easier, more intentional travel that actually works for real life.
I’m constantly thinking about things like how to stretch our travel budget, build itineraries that actually fit our family, and keep the kids happily occupied along the way.
Happy reading 🤍
Want to travel more…without spending more?
Most families think luxury travel is out of reach because they’re paying for it the traditional way—cash for flights and hotels.
But there’s another approach that quietly changes the math: travel points hacking. In simple terms, you use credit card rewards and everyday spending to earn travel instead of cash. The real power isn’t just the destinations—it’s that the stays can often be booked with points earned from daily spending instead of paying $800–$1,500+ per night in cash.
And timing matters right now.
Hyatt is updating its points pricing in late May, which means some of the best-value hotel redemptions may not last forever at the current rates. If you’ve ever dreamed about using points for a big family trip, it’s worth paying attention to what you book before those changes roll in.
A few Hyatt properties I personally keep on my radar for maximizing points value (based on star ratings, customer reviews, and luxury family-friendliness) include:
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (Bahamas) — big resort energy, water park energy
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica)— nature + luxury balance
Park Hyatt Kyoto (Japan)— cultural trip + elevated stay
Hyatt Regency Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)— beach and rainforest combo
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana (Dominican Republic) — classic all-inclusive style trip
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by where to start, the free 10X Points Course breaks it down step-by-step so you can actually use your points without the confusion (I’m currently going through it myself).
All-Inclusive Resorts With Kids
We recently stayed at our first all-inclusive resort—and it genuinely surprised me.
I’ve never been a “resort person,” but in this season of life with little kids, the convenience changed everything.
It was the first time I understood why families love them so much.
Now I know more on what I’ll look for in the future:
Strong kids club (with flexible hours and real activities)
Easy resort layout (easily maneuver strollers without shuttle/golf cart necessary)
Multiple pool options (including toddler-friendly or zero-entry pools)
Splash pad or playground for pool breaks
Good restaurant reservation system so you can actually try different dining options
Family suites or spacious rooms
Calm, swimmable beach access with sandy beaches
On-site babysitting or childcare options for a date night or mothers helper role
It completely reframed what “easy travel” can feel like with little kids. For more thoughts on our specific stay at our resort in Cancun, visit here.
Ideas for Different Types of Activity Books
Long flights. Restaurant waits. Travel days that feel endless.
These are the moments that can make or break a trip with kids.
We definitely use our Amazon Tablets, but try to leverage activity books as much as possible to avoid too much deregulation. Here’s what we consistently rely on:
For toddlers + preschoolers
Disposable placemats + puffy stickers (restaurant lifesaver)
Blank sticker books + stickers (animal faces & vehicles)
For Pre-K + early elementary
National Geographic Sticker books (World Atlas, Jungle Animals, Sports, Dinosaurs, Cutest Animals, Ocean Animals)
For all ages
Coloring books based on interests (this matters more than you think)
Younger kids: chunky toddler crayons
Older kids: twistable colored pencils
Small things like this make travel feel so much smoother in real time—not just in theory. For a consolidated spot of our favorite activity books, visit here.
A Simple Way We’re Slowing Down This Summer
We recently pulled up our digital family conversation cards again—and I forgot how much I love them.
Something about a simple prompt completely changes the tone of a moment. The kids open up more than they normally would… and suddenly we’re hearing funny thoughts, real feelings, and little stories we’d otherwise miss.
As summer approaches, I’m intentionally trying to create more space for connection—not just activities and logistics.
And this is one of the easiest ways we do it. Whether it’s at dinner, on a road trip, or during a slow afternoon at home, it turns into some of our most meaningful (and often funniest) family conversations. Check out the link here.
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-Shaina
