Meet the New Travel Co-Pilots Who Decide U.S. Family Vacations From Activities to Matching Outfits

Parents are no longer the only ones who steer family travel plans. Kids now act more like essential co-planners, shaping where families go, what they do, where they stay, and even what they wear.

According to the latest U.S. Family Travel Survey from the Family Travel Association and New York University (NYU), 61% of parents said involving kids in travel planning leads to happier, more engaged children during the trip.

The Rise of the Kidfluence

Family travel remains a priority for most parents. The survey found that 92% are likely or very likely to travel with their kids in the next 12 months. Among those less likely to take a trip, the main barriers are budget concerns and the perception that family travel can be more stressful than relaxing.

At the same time, kids are gaining real influence over how family trips take shape. Most parents said kids have at least some input, and 24% said their children are involved significantly or completely.

Their biggest impact is on the fun parts of the trip. Surveyors note 29% of kids help choose activities and excursions, while 23% weigh in on restaurants and dining experiences.

Kids also help shape larger decisions: 15% guide the destination and 13% suggest the purpose of the trip, such as adventure, educational travel or leisure.

Families Are Choosing Domestic Over International

Weekend getaways and multi-day vacations in the U.S. are the absolute firsts. Meanwhile, only 30% of respondents plan a multi-day international vacation, a notable decrease from 46% in 2023.

California, Florida and Hawaii are the most popular states for family travel, reflecting the types of trips families want most: beach vacations (62%) and theme or water parks (45%).

Why these specifically? Parents pay close attention to what their kids want from a vacation, to the point that those preferences now shape the entire trip.

Nearly two-thirds of parents (64%) said they know what their kids' dream trip is, with Disney ranking No. 1 and beach vacations No. 2.

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And a clear sign of "kidfluence" is that 68% of parents now say they are likely or very likely to make those dream trips come true.

Growing Demand For Coordinated Looks

Kids’ sway does not stop at destinations and activities; matching outfits are also popular.

Mark Carmona, founder and president of Sunday Swagger, a lifestyle apparel brand known for bold matching family outfits and performance fabrics, says in an email interview, "We've seen coordinated family looks become one of our fastest-growing categories. Families want to travel and play in style, and showing up together in bold, matching patterns makes a statement."

This growing demand is the major reason the company expanded into matching outfits. "We made sure our sizing runs from youth through 4XL so every member of the family is represented," he notes.

Interest tends to climb as the summer travel season approaches. "Summer is definitely our peak season for coordinated looks," Carmona says. "Families are planning vacations, beach trips and golf outings and they want to look cohesive without overcomplicating it."

"The beauty of our collection is that there's something for every family personality," he adds. He points to bold tropical and Hawaiian-inspired prints for beach trips, playful Dole designs with pineapple and "Dole Whip" motifs, Uncrustables-themed styles for snack-loving families, Pennzoil pieces for racing fans and Guinness designs for households that like classic statement looks.

But the appeal is not just visual. "Keeping track of your group in a busy airport or theme park is a real consideration for traveling families, and coordinated looks genuinely help with that," Carmona says.

Families vacationing in hot-weather destinations will love Sunday Swagger's ChillTech fabric because it "breathes well and holds up through a full day of activity."

The trend also lines up with the rise in multi-generational travel. The survey found 57% of family trips now include multiple generations. Three-quarters of grandparents say they want to bond with their grandchildren during travel.

"We regularly hear from families who want everyone included, and grandparents are very much part of that picture," Carmona agrees. "Some of the best family photos we see are the ones where three generations are all in the same bold pattern."

For families planning multiple purchases, Sunday Swagger also offers The Sunday Club membership that includes free U.S. shipping, store credit and early access to new drops.

Sponsored by Sunday Swagger. The Roam Report maintains full editorial independence. The brand did not review or approve our content before publication.