Best Family Vacation Shirt Ideas | Custom & DIY Designs for Your Next Trip

Discover the best family vacation shirt ideas, from matching outfits to personalized designs, and gather inspiration for custom shirts for long-lasting memories

By Helene Martin

A themed wardrobe might be the answer if you want to take your family vacation or reunion to the next level. Family vacation shirt ideas are numerous, and they have gained popularity over the last few years as a fun way to commemorate family occasions. They not only provide lasting memories through fun family photos or quirky catchphrases but also make members of your group easily noticeable in crowded areas.

There are plenty of ways to explore themed apparel for your next family vacation or get-together. From trendy outfits the whole family can match to shirts with a more personalized touch, here are some ideas to help you find the perfect vacation shirt that best fits your family.

Popular Family Vacation Shirt Ideas

Family vacation shirts have become a well-liked trend across social media, with plenty of families adding that extra bit of familial bonding to their celebrations. There are many ways to achieve great family shirt designs, from matching shirts to color coordination and themed attire.

• Matching family vacation shirts creates a great sense of unity. Everyone is perfectly matched in a wonderful family fashion
• Matching themes could include a Mickey Mouse design for your Disney vacation, nautical patterns for your trip aboard a cruise ship, or a bright tie-dyed shirt for your beach trip. Themed attire can also match the energy of the group. If your family is a funny bunch, consider designs that highlight vacation-themed puns.

Outside-the-Box Creative Family Vacation Shirt Ideas

Want your family to stand out more in their shirts? Consider creating a one-of-a-kind design or using humor to capture the heart of your family with these unique family vacation shirt ideas.

Add humor to your family vacation shirt ideas

Is there a funny inside joke among the family? Perhaps it is a cherished family memory that gets brought up whenever everyone is together. Creating a shirt specific to what makes your family unique and getting a smile on everyone’s faces will certainly make the vacation more fun.

“Funny Shirt Exchange”

If you are the type of family that lives for the thrill of the surprise, we have the trend for you. Throw a funny shirt exchange, where everyone brings a comical, sometimes embarrassing shirt to surprise another family member.

Family superlative shirts

Most likely to want a family vacation shirt? Think about getting shirts that display family superlatives, ensuring each member receives a shirt they can wear proudly. Some fun ideas include:

• “Most Likely to Be the Life of the Party”
• “Most Likely to Collect Souvenirs”
• “Most Likely to Organize Matching Shirts”

Giving each family member a unique vacation shirt can be a fun way to capture everyone’s distinctive personalities and give them a fun way to express themselves while creating a matching design.

Create a giant family mural using everyone’s shirts

Consider creating a giant family mural if you want to design something more artistic. Get enough blank shirts for every family member, then line them up on the ground and let people have fun with the fabric paint. The end result will create a series of shirts that, when put together, form one big painting, making for some pretty unique family photos. Or if you have an artist in the family, have them paint a design. Try a big family tree, something representative of your family, or a themed painting based on your vacation, like a cruise ship or beach scene.

Get more inspiration from Destination Reunions and plan your next epic celebration today!

DIY Shirt Ideas for Crafty Families

For a more hands-on experience, put your DIY skills to the test. There are many ways to handmake your own custom vacation shirts. Starting with a blank shirt, you can explore the following:

• Screenprint
• Embroider (by machine or by hand)
• Patches
• Fabric paint
• Puff paint

No matter how you make your shirts, there are a few style tips. Sizing, font choice, and placement are all important things to remember when designing.

If you are the crafty person in your family, you might already own tools to help you whip up custom vacation shirts. Do you own a Cricut machine? We recommend following  Jennifer Maker’s Guide, which offers step-by-step instructions.

Customization Options for Family Vacation Shirts

Custom family shirts allow you to capture your family’s personality. Whether you want to have everybody’s nickname splashed across the back of a shirt or if you have a time-honored family motto, there are countless ways to personalize your vacation shirts.

Online shops that tailor to you

For an array of customizable designs, we recommend Etsy, an online shop that emphasizes unique and handmade items. On this site, you can find pre-designed shirt templates that allow you to customize names in various vibrant designs.

For even more customization in your shirts, we recommend Custom Ink. With a comprehensive design lab, this site allows you the freedom to customize every aspect of your family vacation shirts. You start by picking a shirt style and color, then jump into designing. You can work from a template, create using their design lab, or upload your own unique designs for a range of customization options.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Family Vacation Shirt

Now that you have narrowed down the design you want for your family vacation shirts, you can start to think about the finer details. Some things to consider when ordering or designing the perfect shirts are:

• The climate of your destination
• Shirt materials and colors
• The shirt’s durability

Consider all types of apparel

A good family vacation shirt is one that you want to wear all the time during your trip, so make sure it fits the weather. If you are going on a beach vacation, taking a cruise, or planning to tan by the pool, a tank top or T-shirt is the way to go. Planning to hit the slopes or go camping in the woods? Consider a long-sleeve t-shirt or hoodie.

Clothing materials matter

Shirt materials should also consider the weather. Breathable fabrics such as linen are good for hot climates, whereas cotton shirts or fleece hoodies can keep you comfortably warm in colder temperatures.

Flattering for all types

Ensure your beautiful designs make it into the family photo album by considering the colors of the shirt and the design. Pick a flattering color for the shirt to ensure everyone looks their best, and pick high-contrast colors for the design so they are easily captured on camera.

No matter what shirt you choose, make sure it is durable by ordering from reputable sellers or getting quality materials when making your own. Some shirt designs can fade, peel, or dissolve in the wash, so getting a quality shirt is essential to ensure it lasts for the whole vacation and beyond.

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