Having the resources to go big like that.

I’m skeptical you’ll get the results you want going to theme parks, cruises and blockbuster trips like that.

A road trip is cool if your kid likes to see the highway and countryside go by (I did as a kid, but most kids actually don’t—They’ll prefer screen time instead—Just sayin’), or if you and he can keep a fun conversation going for hours. Again, most 10 year olds can’t.

I road tripped with my 20-year old daughter and THAT was magical, largely because we got to see great countryside and talk about life for three days. None of my 10-year olds (even the smartest of them) could have stomached 3 days with me and life conversations punctuating fun activities.

But a single all day hike—a challenging one—is a sure fire life-long great memory. If it is in the summer months you could do Timp or Mt. Nebo in Utah, Long’s Peak in Colorado is VERY challenging but possible if your son is athletic and resilient.

So a national park plus a hike would be unforgettable for sure. In winter months a ski trip could fit the bill as well. Or snowmobiling if you’re not a skier/snowboader. Bear Lake area has world class snowmobiling if you’ve never done that.

Seriously. Beware the big spend, multi-day adventure. Too much can go wrong and underwhelm. Save that for 18-year olds just before the mission. My opinion.