Planning a vacation for your whole family, including grandparents, teens, toddlers, and everyone in between, can feel less like a getaway and more like herding cats. One wants nature. One wants Wi-Fi. One wants quiet mornings. One wants speedboats. What about you? It’s likely you just want everyone to get along for five minutes.
Whether you’re wrangling screen-loving toddlers, appeasing skeptical teens, or making sure Grandma has a comfy place to read by the water, there’s something for you at Sugar Lake Lodge! Here’s some tips to plan your trip,
Make a Loose Plan
Trying to schedule every minute of every day? That’s a rookie move. A better approach is to plan daily anchors (like breakfast together and an afternoon group activity) and then let everyone find their own things that make them happy.
A typical day at Sugar Lake might look like:
- Morning: coffee and breakfast on the cabin porch, while the early risers take a hike or a paddleboard spin
- Noon: a beach picnic, pontoon cruise, or games for those who need to move
- Evening: A group dinner followed by a lakeside bonfire
Everyone gets a little of what they want, and no one has to fake being thrilled about nature walks every single hour.
Let the Grandparents Lead the Way—Sometimes
Sugar Lake is a dream for grandparents. Think comfy places to sit, calm mornings, and meaningful time with the grandkids. Many of our cabins are steps from the lake, so they can join the fun (or sneak away for a nap) without hiking a mile.
They might enjoy:
- A quiet pontoon ride while everyone else tubes behind it
- Fishing off the dock in the peace and quiet of morning
- Teaching grandkids cribbage or sharing family stories by the fire
Pro tip: Grandparents are great allies when the teenagers revolt. Put them in charge of breakfast while you take a solo paddle. You’ve earned it.
Get the Teens Involved (Even the Grumpy Ones)
Teenagers. We love them. But sometimes it takes a bit of creativity to pull them out of “meh” mode. Luckily, Sugar Lake gives you options that don’t feel like “forced family fun.”
Here’s how to win them over:
- Wi-Fi in the lodge (we see you, Snapchat streaks)
- Kayaks and paddleboards for a bit of adventure
- Tubing or waterskiing for adrenaline seekers
- Basketball and pickleball courts to burn off some energy
- Campfires and stargazing
Want to get them more engaged? Ask them to be in charge of making a group TikTok or capturing vacation photos. Give them ownership and they’ll show up in surprising ways.
Don’t Fight the Screens—Balance Them
Yes, your kids will want screen time. And that’s okay! The goal isn’t to eliminate screens altogether, it’s to create moments that are better than the screen. And believe it or not, that’s not as hard as it sounds here.
Sugar Lake offers Wi-Fi where you need it, but more importantly, it gives your kids real-world fun they didn’t know they’d love. Sometimes, getting them to unplug is as simple as handing them a paddle and letting the lake do the rest.
Plan One Big Activity Everyone Will Remember
Every great family vacation needs a highlight, a moment everyone talks about for years. At Sugar Lake, that could be:
- A family fishing tournament (complete with prizes and made-up bragging rights)
- A group pontoon cruise at sunset with music, snacks, and storytelling
- A kayak scavenger hunt for the kids while the adults lounge on shore
- A s’mores showdown around the fire. Who makes the best marshmallow masterpiece?
Don’t overthink it. The best memories are usually the simple ones that happen when everyone’s laughing together, phones down, hearts open.
Let Us Help You Make It Easy
Here’s the best part: you don’t have to plan this all alone. Our team at Sugar Lake Lodge knows how to help families build vacations that work. We’ll help you coordinate lodging, recommend group-friendly activities, and offer ideas for all ages and interests.
We’re here to make sure your vacation is as stress-free as possible.
Book Your Stay Today! Grandparents Approved. Teen-Tested. Kid-Certified.