Last September, we packed up our blended family and set off for a family-friendly vacation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With a toddler, two preteens, and two exhausted parents, we knew this trip would be an adventure—and we weren’t wrong!
We rented an Airbnb near the beach, got a rental car, and took a scenic day trip to Key West. It was an unforgettable experience—beautiful, exhausting, and, let’s be honest, ridiculously expensive.
By the end of the trip, we all agreed: our next family vacation needs to be all-inclusive because, wow, did this one drain our wallets!
The Cost of Traveling with Kids: Is Airbnb Worth It?
When planning a family trip to Florida, we debated between an Airbnb vs. all-inclusive resort. Ultimately, we chose an Airbnb for the space and flexibility, but let me tell you—traveling with kids is expensive no matter what.
Between the vacation rental, car rental, dining out, activities, and even just existing in Florida, we spent way more than expected. Eating out with kids is an adventure in itself—the toddler is picky, the preteens all want different meals, and before you know it, you’ve spent a small fortune on family dining alone.
The Key West road trip was breathtaking—turquoise water, stunning ocean bridges, and fun roadside stops. But by the time we got back, my bank account needed CPR.
Lesson learned: Next time, we’re choosing an all-inclusive resort for a stress-free family vacation!
Traveling with a Toddler: Wins & Food Battles
For all the chaos, our toddler actually handled the trip like a champ. He slept well, survived airplane travel without major meltdowns, and loved the beach—when he wasn’t hangry.
The biggest toddler travel struggle? Food.
If you’ve ever traveled with a picky toddler, you know the struggle is real. Finding kid-friendly restaurants in a new place was a daily challenge. Some days, he’d refuse everything, leading to full toddler tantrums in public. At one point, I was begging him to eat chicken nuggets, and that’s when you know things are bad.
Pro tip: Next time, I’m bringing toddler-friendly snacks from home to avoid meal-time meltdowns.
Preteens & Travel: The Screen Time Battle
While our toddler was busy throwing food-related tantrums, our preteen daughters were glued to their phones the entire trip.
At first, I was frustrated—“We’re on vacation, put the phone down!”—but then it hit me:
They’re growing up fast.
At this stage, family time isn’t their #1 priority anymore. They’d rather scroll TikTok than go snorkeling with us. While that’s totally normal preteen behavior, it made us appreciate how much our toddler still wants to be around us.
Right now, he needs us for everything. But in a few years? He’ll be just like his sisters—more interested in his phone than building sandcastles with Mom and Dad. That realization hit hard.
Best Beaches in Fort Lauderdale & Key West
If you’re looking for the best family-friendly beaches in Florida, Fort Lauderdale is a must-visit. The soft white sand, warm ocean water, and clear snorkeling conditions made it one of our favorite stops.
We spent hours swimming, spotting tropical fish, and soaking up the sun.
If you’re planning a Florida family vacation, snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale is a must-do activity!
Sibling Drama: An Inevitable Part of Family Vacations
Of course, not everything was smooth sailing. Our stepdaughter had a few preteen attitude moments that killed the vibe, and sibling fights were inevitable.
But that’s part of family travel, right?
Pro tip: Plan activities that keep kids engaged and entertained to minimize sibling drama. Beach days were a lifesaver for us!
Finding Time as a Couple on Family Vacations (Spoiler: It’s Hard)
Let’s be real—family vacations are not romantic getaways.
Between keeping the kids entertained, managing toddler tantrums, and refereeing preteen drama, quality time as a couple is non-existent.
Thankfully, early bedtimes saved us. After long beach days, the kids would crash, giving us a chance to catch up, laugh, and reconnect—even if it was just exhausted pillow talk.
Next trip? We NEED a kid-free vacation.
Because sometimes, parents deserve a break too!
Final Thoughts: Airbnb vs. All-Inclusive Family Resorts?
Would we do it again? Absolutely! But next time, we’re all about all-inclusive family resorts.
While Fort Lauderdale and Key West were stunning, the cost and logistics of an Airbnb vacation with kids were overwhelming.
For our next trip, we’re looking at:
- All-inclusive resorts with kid-friendly activities
- Unlimited food (no more picky eater struggles!)
- A kids’ club (so parents get a break too!)
- Babysitting services—because date night should be part of vacation!
Check out our vacay to Cancun, Playa del Carmen & Isla Mujeres: Must-Know Hidden Gems & Costly Travel Mistakes to Avoid with Kids
Check out Must Have Travel Essentials for Stress Free Family Vacations
