Dear family travelers:

It's about the memories!

That is the gist of the results of a new U.S. Travel Association Family Vacation Survey that polled kids as well as adults, who say they are motivated to take family vacations by the desire to create positive memories for their children. I've partnered with the U.S. Travel Association on this study that offers plenty of good news for parents wondering if family vacations are worth the money.

• Roughly nine in ten of the kids polled by Harris Interactive for this survey report that some of their best memories are from family vacations.

  Just published! The third in our Kids Guides series, following NY and Orlando, with LA and Chicago coming soon!

• More than three-fourths say that their family talks about what they did on vacation all year.

• The vast majority-over 90 per cent-say that memorable things happen on family vacations.

• Nearly all of the kids polled said that vacations create opportunities for their families to do things they couldn't do at home and bring their families closer together.

• More than 90 per cent of kids agree that they spend quality time with their parents on vacation.

All the more reason to involve kids in vacation planning. Here's how:

1. Let the kids be the tour guide.   If they are old enough, they can plan the itinerary and lead the way exploring a new city. You will be amazed at the adventures they will lead you on!
2. Take a virtual tour of the museum before you visit and let the kids help decide what you are going to see. Check to see if the museums have special websites for kids. A growing number do like the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian  
3. Make sure each child gets to see one of their top theme park attractions each day of your visit. Alternate whose pick is first!
4. Cut the itinerary in half
   -whether you are touring Orlando or a major museum.  With kids, you aren't going to see everything, so don't even try.  The theme park, the monuments and the museum will be there next time.  Focus on what captures the kids' attention-and yours-and leave when everyone has had enough.  Make sure there is time for the hotel pool, the beach or the playground!

   Take a fun-filled walking tour in the Big Apple with our app!

5. Let the kids help choose restaurants and what's in your cooler. Seek out restaurants that not only offer more healthy kids' menus but allow kids to order half portions for half price. The National Restaurant Association has an initiative Kids LiveWell with 33,000 restaurants on board that have increased fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins and limited fats, sugars and salt in their kids menus.  Here's a piece I just wrote for the Today Show Website  about healthier kids menus and about the better food options in ski country .