Disastrous vacations often make funny stories. But they’re not much fun when they’re happening. Sometimes a squabble over money or a meltdown over which rides to take at Disney World can ruin a vacation.

But, with proper planning and communication, a family vacation can be fun for everyone, says Ellen Hollon, director of child life at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

“If you are considering a variety of options for your family vacation, try to get the children’s input on a destination, if possible,” Hollon says. “Give children more ownership in the vacation and they will feel more in control.”

Families can look for hotels and resorts that have children’s programs, visit historic sites, plan a trip to a national park or just find a beach on which to relax. Even if there is no choice in the destination — like Grandma’s house — have children offer suggestions for special activities while visiting.

Preparation

Coping with the unknown can be difficult for children. Hollon suggests preparing youngsters for the trip ahead of time by studying the destination as a family.

“Get out an encyclopedia and read about the history of the area. Or rent a travel video,” she says. “The Internet also is a great place to find information about travel sites.”

When making travel plans, parents should keep as close to a child’s regular schedule as possible. A plane trip can be booked during naptime, for example.

Children of all ages need things to keep them busy during a car, plane, train or bus ride. Hollon recommends bringing special treats, wrapping up a new toy for kids to open on the trip, playing games, packing books and puzzles, and taking along headphones and music tapes.

Taking breaks

To help children understand the length of travel time, Hollon suggests parents explain time in increments children can understand. For example, the plane ride is as long as watching three Barney videos.

When traveling by car, Hollon recommends stopping every two or three hours for a break. Another idea, she says, is to stop every 200 miles and have a mini-party. Or, when stopping, park the car in the furthest spot from the destination so children can get out of the car and run for a distance.

A tip for helping pass the time and avoiding the question, “Are we there yet?,” is to give children responsibilities. Youngsters of reading age can be given a pocket Atlas and a highlighter to help map the trip. They can watch for signs and track the family’s progress.

Finally, a positive attitude could be the most important thing that a family can pack. Trips can become rare opportunities to talk and play together in different and rewarding ways.