There’s something about a first cheer competition that just hits differently. It’s the nerves, the excitement, the early mornings, the glitter and somehow it turns into a full family event whether you planned it that way or not.

We decided to lean into it and turn the weekend into a 3-day family getaway, and honestly it was one of those trips that reminded me you don’t need a huge vacation to make really special memories.

The Plan: Quick & Worth It

We pulled the kids from school at lunch on Friday (no regrets), packed up the car, and headed out for a weekend at Kalahari Resort Round Rock.

The plan was simple:

• Friday: Travel + waterpark fun
• Saturday: Competition + fun
• Sunday: One more round of family time before heading home

Short, sweet, and exactly what we needed.

The Behind-the-Scenes Logistics

Let’s be real, getting out of town with pets is sometimes the hardest part.

We’re so lucky to have amazing neighbors:

• One helped watch our two puppies
• Another took in our outdoor cat, who fully believes she belongs to everyone and lives for cuddles and Squishmallows

It takes a village, and this weekend was a reminder of just how grateful we are for ours.

Road Trip Like a Pro (Ballin’ on a Budget)

You do NOT need to spend a fortune on road trip food.

Instead of our usual stops at:

• Starbucks
• Chick-fil-A
• Whataburger

We packed our own lunch and it was a game changer.

What we brought:

• Hot dogs (prepped and ready)
• Cut fruit and veggies
• Kid-friendly containers
• Our favorite Yeti backpack cooler (they don’t make this exact one anymore, but it’s worth finding something similar)

Why it works:

• Saves money
• Keeps everyone happy
• No waiting in long lines with hungry kids

Coffee + Food Hack You Don’t Want to Skip

Now don’t worry, you’re not completely giving up your coffee.

There are actually two Starbucks locations on-site at Kalahari, which is perfect if you’re like me and need that caffeine boost.

If you have the Starbucks app, check it before you go—you might have a free drink waiting for you. And nothing feels better than a free coffee on vacation.

Before any trip, I always make sure I have my food apps downloaded:

• Starbucks
• Chick-fil-A
• Whataburger

Here’s why: those points don’t just disappear.

I hadn’t used my Chick-fil-A app in forever and still had points sitting there. By the end of the weekend, we turned those into free sandwiches and fries.

Take what you can get as it all adds up.

Why Kalahari is Perfect for This Kind of Trip

Staying at Kalahari Resort Round Rock made everything so easy.

What makes it a win:

• Waterpark access is included with your stay
• The kids always have something to do
• It keeps the weekend fun, not just focused on competition

After a long day, letting the kids unwind in the water was exactly what everyone needed.

Snack Like You Mean It

If there’s one tip I’ll give every family, it’s this:

Pack the snacks. All of them.

Bring snacks for:

• The car
• The hotel room
• The competition

Because once you’re there, everything is expensive and adds up fast.

Dinner Strategy: Go Off-Site

Resort food is convenient, but it can get pricey and crowded quickly.

We made it a point to go off-site for dinner, and it was 100% worth it:

• Better food
• Less chaos
• More budget-friendly

The Part You’ll Remember

Yes, there’s planning. Yes, there’s packing. Yes, there’s budgeting.

But the moment that sticks?

Watching your daughter step onto that mat for the first time, nervous, excited, proud and realizing this is one of those core memory weekends.

Final Takeaway

You don’t need a big, expensive vacation to make something special.

• Pull them from school early (sometimes it’s worth it)
• Lean on your village
• Pack smart
• Use the apps and the points
• Make it fun for the whole family

Most importantly, just go!

Get out for the weekend. You won’t regret it.

Let’s be real for a second:

Travel with kids is expensive.
Travel with older kids? Even more expensive

So instead of trying to cut everything out or say no all day…

We’ve learned how to “ball on a budget.”

And honestly? It’s been a game changer.

The Rule That Changed Everything

As our kids have gotten older, we started doing this:

 Each kid gets a daily budget

For example:

• $10/day (adjust based on trip/location)

And here’s the deal:

They can:

• Spend it right away
• OR save it for something they really want

What This Teaches without you Lecturing

This one simple system teaches them:

✔️ Decision making
✔️ Delayed gratification
✔️ Value of money

Because suddenly…

That random $6 candy?
-Not so worth it anymore

That $25 souvenir?
-Now they’re thinking strategically

What Parents Still Cover

We keep it simple:

Parents pay for:

• Meals
• Water
• Essentials

Kids pay for:

• Candy
• Toys
• Souvenirs
• “I just want this” moments

Real-Life Example

Day 1:

• They blow their $10 immediately

Day 2:

• Regret sets in, but stay strong!

Day 3:

• Suddenly they’re budgeting experts

Why This Works So Well While Traveling

Because travel is FULL of temptation:

• Gift shops
• Snacks
• “Can I have this???” every 5 minutes

Instead of:
Saying no constantly

You say:
“You can use your money”

And just like that:
✔️ Less arguing
✔️ More independence
✔️ Way less spending

Bonus: It Actually Saves You Money

Instead of:

• Buying multiple small things
• Giving in to constant requests

You’re setting a boundary that feels fair

Pair This With Your Other Budget Hacks

To really “ball on a budget,” we also:

• Bring our own snacks (ALWAYS )
• Carry water bottles (refill stations )
• Keep trips shorter but well planned
• Choose value hotels

Real Talk

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean:
-Saying no to everything
-Making the trip feel restrictive

It means:
✔️ Being intentional
✔️ Giving kids ownership
✔️ Making smarter choices

Final Thought

You don’t have to choose between:
– traveling
-and being financially responsible

You can do both.

And sometimes…

“ballin’ on a budget” ends up being the smartest way to travel

Want Help Planning a Budget-Friendly Trip?

That’s exactly what I do!
✔️ Realistic family itineraries
✔️ Budget-conscious planning
✔️ Trips that actually work with kids

Check out my itineraries or Work With Me  page

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned about traveling with kids, it’s this:

If you wait for the “perfect time”… you’ll never go.

So instead, and quoting my son’s favorite movie,
“Don’t think. Just do.”

The Problem: We Overthink Travel

As parents, we turn travel into this huge, overwhelming project:

• Where should we go?
• Is it kid-friendly?
• What if something goes wrong?
• Is it too expensive?
• Are the kids too young? Too old? Too wild?

And before you know it…
You’ve talked yourself out of going.

The Truth No One Tells You

You don’t need:

• The perfect itinerary
• The perfect budget
• The perfect timing

You just need to start.

Here’s the reality:

Some of our BEST memories?

• Were not planned perfectly
• Included meltdowns
• Included wrong turns
• Included “let’s just figure it out” moments

…and those are the stories we laugh about later.

The Simple Way to Start

Forget planning the “perfect trip.”

Do this:

1. Pick your TOP 3 destinations

Don’t overthink it, just go with:

• Somewhere YOU want to go
• Somewhere your kids would love
• Somewhere that feels doable

2. Set a realistic budget

Not perfect. Not Pinterest worthy.

Just:
“What are we comfortable spending?”

3. Stop there.

No spiraling. No 47 tabs open.
No comparing every hotel on the internet.

4. Then… call me

This is where I come in.

Why This Works

Because planning travel with kids is not just about:

• Flights
• Hotels
• Activities

It’s about:

• Flow
• Energy
• Timing
• Real-life family dynamics

And that’s the part most people miss.

You Don’t Need Perfect—You Need Memories

Your kids won’t remember:

• If the hotel was 5-star
• If you got the best deal
• If everything went exactly as planned

They will remember:

• The pool
• The snacks
• The adventure
• The time with YOU

A Little Reality Check

You can:

• Keep waiting
• Keep researching
• Keep putting it off

OR…

You can just go.

Let’s Make It Happen

If you’ve got:
✔ A few ideas
✔ A rough budget
✔ That “we should really do this” feeling

I’ll help you turn it into a real trip.

This post may contain affiliate links which helps me keep writing, drinking (coffee!) and traveling

This post may contain affiliate links

If the idea of traveling internationally with kids feels overwhelming, I get it.

Between long flights, time changes, and keeping everyone happy, it can feel like a lot. But after taking our kids to Abu Dhabi, I can confidently say it’s not only doable, it’s 100% worth it.

This is our real, kid-tested 3-day itinerary with built-in downtime, easy wins, and honest tips that actually made this trip work.

Why Abu Dhabi With Kids?

• Extremely family-friendly
• Clean, safe, and easy to navigate
• Activities both kids and adults enjoy
• Luxury experiences that still welcome families

Where to Stay (This Made a Huge Difference)

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island (Our Favorite)

• Free shuttle bus to major attractions (huge win with kids)
• Easy, quick taxi rides if needed
• About 10 minutes from the airport
• Very family-friendly environment

Food Highlight: The buffet was incredible and made meals stress free, everyone could find something they liked.

We also highly recommend the Nuri Grill & Bar restaurant at the hotel, it was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.

VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa

We stayed here when we drove in from Saudi Arabia (about 7 hours) and had our own transportation.

• More flexibility with a car/rental
• Another great buffet option
• Quieter, more relaxed atmosphere

Bonus at Both Hotels: Amazing spas, perfect for moms who want to relax while dads hang at the pool with the kids.

Day 1: Arrival + Reset Mode

Keep expectations LOW. Everyone will be tired, off schedule, and possibly overwhelmed.

Plan:

• Check in
• Explore the hotel
• Pool time
• Easy dinner

One of our favorite routines started here: We hung out in the lounge area, let the kids have iPad downtime, and we grabbed coffee (or a beer) and played canasta.

This gave everyone a chance to decompress without forcing activities.

Day 2: Big Experience Day

Morning: One Main Activity Choose one:

• Warner Bros. Indoor Theme Park
• Yas Island Water World
• Ferrari World @ Yas Island
• Sea World Yas Island

We loved doing a big activity in the morning while energy was high.

Lunch: Keep it quick and easy.

Afternoon: Back to Hotel (Non-Negotiable)

• Pool time
• Rest
• Recharge

After long theme park days, this became our rhythm: Pool + canasta.

Simple, relaxing, and honestly one of the best parts of the trip.

Evening:

• Casual dinner
• Relax

Day 3: Another Park Day 🎢

Abu Dhabi has multiple world class parks, so instead of slowing down, we made Day 3 another fun park day.

Morning: Second Theme Park Choose a different experience from Day 2.

This keeps the trip exciting without overcomplicating your schedule.

Lunch: Keep it easy and nearby again, don’t overthink it.

Afternoon: Back to Hotel (Yes, again)

• Pool time
• Rest
• Recharge

After another big day, we stuck to what worked: 👉 Pool + canasta

By this point, it’s part of the routine and something everyone looks forward to.

Evening:

• Casual dinner
• Pack and prep for departure

Food Tips

• Buffets are your best friend when traveling with kids
• Mix in one nicer meal for fun
• Don’t overthink it, fed kids = happy kids

What I Packed

• Snacks (more than you think)
• Change of clothes in carry-on
• Activities for flights
• Portable chargers
• Deck of cards for canasta

What I Learned

DO:

• Plan less than you think
• Build in downtime daily
• Choose hotels that make logistics easy

DON’T:

• Overpack your schedule
• Skip rest time
• Assume kids will adjust instantly

Final Thoughts

Traveling internationally with kids isn’t about doing everything, it’s about creating moments that actually feel good.

Some of our favorite memories weren’t the big attractions; they were sitting in the lounge with a drink while the kids reset, or playing canasta by the pool after a long day.

That balance is what makes a trip successful.

Work With Me

Want a customized, stress-free itinerary like this?

I help families plan realistic, kid-friendly trips that actually work.

1. Accept That It Won’t Be “Relaxing”

Before kids, travel looked like:

Sleeping in.
Slow coffee.
Explore all day.

Traveling with kids is different.

There will be snack negotiations.
Bathroom stops at inconvenient times.
A small human insisting they need to walk the airplane aisle.

But here’s the secret:
Traveling with kids isn’t about relaxation.

It’s about shared adventure.

Once you accept that, the stress level drops dramatically.

2. Start With One Simple Question

When planning a trip, I start by asking:

What kind of experience do we want?

Not necessarily where yet — but what.

Examples:

• beach trip
• city adventure
• outdoor nature
• cultural destination
• theme park fun

Once you know the type of trip you want, destinations start to reveal themselves.

3. Decide If the Destination Is the Goal or the Experience

Sometimes families travel because they want to see a specific place.

Other times they just want a kid friendly vacation.

For example:

If your goal is seeing Italy, the trip may revolve around culture, food, and sightseeing.

If your goal is a kid-centered experience, you might choose somewhere like Orlando where entertainment is built for families.

Both are great trips, they just require different expectations.

4. Work With Your Kids’ Ages

Kids can travel almost anywhere — but the experience changes depending on their age.

For example:

Toddlers love:

• beaches
• animals
• open space

Older kids love:

• adventure activities
• theme parks
• exploring cities

When choosing a destination, think about what will excite your kids right now.

The trip will feel much easier when the destination/experience matches their stage.

5. Plan One Big Thing Per Day

This might be my biggest family travel rule.

One major activity per day.

That’s it.

Everything else should stay flexible.

I say this from experience as we’ve learned the hard way.

Early on, we tried to jam in as much as possible. Museums in the morning, sightseeing in the afternoon, dinner reservations at night. We were hustling from place to place trying to “see everything.”

The kids hung in there… for a while.

But eventually someone melts down, someone is hangry, someone needs a break, and suddenly the whole day feels stressful instead of fun.

Now we build space into the day.

Sometimes that means finding a random park and letting the kids run around.

Sometimes it means heading back to the hotel pool and just chilling for an hour.

Those breaks are often what reset everyone’s mood and make the rest of the day enjoyable again.

Ironically, the slower days usually end up being the ones everyone remembers most.

6. Involve Your Kids in the Planning

Kids get much more excited about travel when they feel included.

Before trips, we often:

• show them photos of the destination
• let them choose one activity
• make packing checklists together

Giving kids a little ownership turns them into excited travelers instead of reluctant passengers.

7. Focus on Experiences, Not Perfection

The goal isn’t a flawless trip.

The goal is shared experiences.

Some of our most memorable travel moments happened when things didn’t go exactly as planned, stumbling upon a great restaurant, wandering through a market, or discovering a playground in a new city.

Those spontaneous moments often become the stories families remember.

8. Start Small If You’re Nervous

If international travel feels intimidating, start smaller.

A nearby city.
A short flight.
A long weekend trip.

Once you take that first trip successfully, the confidence grows quickly.

Before long, bigger adventures don’t feel so intimidating.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

It just requires a shift in expectations and a little planning.

Focus on experiences.
Leave room in the schedule.
And remember that sometimes the best travel moments happen at the hotel pool or a random neighborhood park.

Because once kids start seeing the world, their curiosity grows.

And honestly?

So does yours.