Here's What You Need To Know About The Growing Travel Trend Of 'Gramping'

"Gramping?" You may not be familiar with the term yet, but this is one of the latest trends in travel. Gramping is when grandparents bring their grandchildren on a vacation, without their parents tagging along. For those in the know, it's also called "skip-gen" travel. But no matter what you call it, it gives grandparents the chance to spend quality one-on-one time with their grandchildren, all on their own. The next generation bonds with the elders, the parents get a little time off, and the grandkids share in exciting new adventures. It's a win-win for everyone!

Where are the best places to go gramping with your grandkids? For seniors, the easiest kind of trip is to take a cruise. While some of the ships are massive, the boats are self-contained and easy to navigate. You can find everything from dining and entertainment to shopping, a pool, and deck games onboard, allowing you to focus on time with your young traveling companions rather than logistics. A port stop can bring cultural experiences to share like listening to live music or watching a performance, and you can find some awesome souvenirs at local markets. Encourage the kiddos to talk to the locals when you're in a store or kiosk, and create learning experiences wherever you can. 

Another idea is to take the grands to a family-friendly resort that offers plenty of exciting activities you can enjoy together. Look for resorts with a water park, art and cooking classes, ethical animal encounters, and other eco-learning experiences. On a budget? These southern vacation spots won't break the bank.

Of course, some go-to destinations for grandparents and grandchildren are the Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, and Legoland. These popular parks are always a big draw and you can't help but notice the "grand" groups by their matching outfits. For a one or two-night stay, head to an indoor water park like Great Wolf Lodge with locations all across the country. There are splash areas for the little tykes (to keep a watchful eye on) and thrilling water slides for the older ones. A wave pool, lazy river, and a treehouse add to hours of H2O fun. There are even lots of other family-friendly vacation destinations in the U.S. to choose from if you've had your fill of theme parks and resorts.

Another gramping idea for older kids is to explore America's most popular tourism cities like New York, Chicago, LA, New Orleans, and Boston. Each of these destinations offers a variety of educational and historically-significant venues to begin discussions about American history that will positively impact the future generations. If you love the outdoors, taking the grandkids on a camping trip is a great way to help them get in touch with nature and learn develop skills like orienteering and how to make a fire. Whether you prefer a comfortable RV or want to go off the grid with a tented site, it all adds up to an incredible gramping experience you and your grandchildren will long remember and always cherish.

To help make your gramping vacation the best it can be, include your grandchildren in the planning stages and ask where they'd like to go or what type of activities they'd like to do on vacation. You could shortlist some resorts or destinations and research them together to gauge their interest and get the grandkids excited about the trip. The benefit of bringing just one grandchild is that they receive your undivided attention. But if you travel with two or more, they have someone else to interact with and share the memories. Of course, you'll want to do what you can to make traveling with kids less chaotic, so if you have lots of grandchildren you might prefer to travel with just a few at a time.

There will be opportunities for quality bonding no matter how you plan your gramping trip, but don't forget to schedule in some time for the kids to call or FaceTime with their parents. Depending on factors like their age and how accustomed they are to traveling, some children might miss home or want to call home more often. So stay aware of how they're feeling to ensure they have a comfortable trip. Buying matching T-shirts, a bracelet, a toy, or another souvenir will serve as a fun reminder of their gramping trip. Take lots of pictures so that when you get home, you can make a photo book for each family as a permanent reminder of your adventure!