So, you are planning a Wonderful family trip. You just know that each and every sweet, lovable member of your family is going to enjoy every single moment of togetherness and bonding. There is a whole vacation full of special moments you have meticulously planned and of course, each family member is going to be just as excited and enthusiastic, well-behaved and thankful for all your hard work planning this special adventure.... then, reality sets in before the car is even packed. . . fighting over suitcases, who gets to sit in the window seat, which movie to watch in the minivan. . . potty stops five minutes after leaving home . . . what can you do to get this adventure back on track?
Here are some tips
I found online and in personal experiences of traveling not just with the kiddos but the spouse as well!
Travel Tips & Tricks
Things We Do:
*
Make sure to have a packing list ~ it helps to make sure all the
necessities are there with you when you arrive at your destination - one
of the worst things a parent can experience is a little one who's
favorite toy or bedtime sleepy friend was left home by mistake!
*
Make a bag/backpack for each kid with their favorite books, coloring
books/baggie of crayons, color wonder books/markers, plain paper &
colored pencils, and a few small toys.
* Have a few small snacks available as well as small bottles of water for each kid.
*
As my kids are getting older, they like to bring electronic games to
play. I prefer they not play them in the car, so instead - we play "I
Spy" together, or the "license plate game" or something similar that one
of us makes up. After playing that for a while, they are allowed to
play their games for a few minutes as reward.
*
An iPod for each child works pretty well for my kids. When they start
to harass each other, having separate iPods with earphones helps them
focus on music and less on each other.
* A portable DVD player - one movie they all have to agree on, or Mom picks the movie
*
Bring magnetic board games for older kids to play - or chalk
board/white boards to play hangman, drawing games and just for crazy
doodling fun.
* Pack a small bag of surprises - I take new books, a new game or movie, small dollar store toys and use them as rewards for behaving in the car. Each time we stop for gas or potty breaks, they get to pick something new to play with.
* Bring the things they can't live without:
The days of pacifiers
and favorite blankets may be past, but that doesn't mean your kids
haven't latched on to something else. If he's been reading a certain
book every night up lately, pack it. If she's been working on a
crossword puzzle for weeks, pack it. That doesn't mean everything goes!
Set limits (for example, one toy car, not the whole set)
you can live with ahead of time and communicate them early. Kids should
carry their most important possessions in a backpack or wheel-tote they
can carry themselves.
* Tune them in: Talk to them. And remember to listen too. Turn off
the radio in the car and engage the kids in games that require them to
use their attention and imagination while keeping them focused on their
surroundings. On the plane, watch the movie your son picked together or
read the book your daughter is reading with her and you'll have
something to talk about later.
Submitted by friends:
Made
them travel bags filled w little games..each hr or two they could pick
something out of their bag eyes closed just feeling...pick
stuff they like..don't have to spend a lot of money..go to dollar
store.... (submitted by Gail G - fb friend)
Once
in the hotel, read a chapter book so they canlook forward to it each
night. Remember to always book a hotel with an indoor pool in case
weather gets lousy - mom and dad can take turns with the kids in the
pool to give each other some quiet time.
(submitted by Gail G - fb friend)
When
we travel across multiple states, I have a "goodie" bag of small toys
and treats that each child gets to open. It helps them focus on the
trip and how much fun it can be. The most recent trip we went through 4
states each way. So for my 2 kids, they each received 8 little goodie
bags! (Submitted by Rose)
Favorite Places & Spaces
*
I love taking my kids to the local ZOO or Museum for a day trip. I
usually have grandma and grandpa come along to help keep track of all
three kiddos and makes for a fun day - we also take a picnic lunch
along.
*
For weekend vacations, we try to go somewhere no further than a 3 hour
drive. It is fun to see what local attractions our family can enjoy not
too far from home.
Have some great tips to add? Comment below and tell us how you survive family travel adventures!
