| Whenever one of my friends returns from some | | | | trip in their own way. These items can be |
| time away, I ask: "Was it a vacation, or was | | | | gift wrapped and given to the kids as you |
| it just a trip?" | | | | need a diversion from boredom or sibling |
| | | | arguments. |
| When traveling with kids, true vacations are | | | | |
| pretty hard to come by. With the packing, the | | | | 11. Make sure to talk about your vacation |
| car seats, the change in sleeping schedules, | | | | like it is the ultimate adventure. The |
| and all the inevitable whining that comes | | | | enthusiasm that you bring to the prospect of |
| along, it would be way easier to stay home | | | | piling into the car will help in untold ways. |
| (especially when traveling by car.) | | | | |
| | | | In the Car: |
| And yet traveling is important. When we | | | | |
| travel, we open to a world that was | | | | 12. If you can, do as much traveling as |
| previously unknown to us. We touch other | | | | possible while your kids are sleeping. Of |
| cultures and other ways of life; we broaden | | | | course, safety is paramount. If you find |
| our own perspectives and understand, finally, | | | | yourself getting at all sleepy, pull over and |
| that our small problems are just that. | | | | switch with your spouse or find a hotel. |
| | | | |
| When we travel with kids, we open their eyes | | | | 13. If you do not like to drive at night, or |
| to all of this and more. Even when we take a | | | | you are driving through countryside that you |
| simple trip to visit distant relatives, we | | | | would like your children to see in the |
| show them a world of love that they may not | | | | daylight, make sure you leave plenty of |
| had known existed. | | | | travel time. Plan on a maximum of seven hours |
| | | | of driving per day. Get up early, drive a |
| Here are eighteen tips to help you enjoy road | | | | bit, and then check into your hotel in the |
| trip traveling with your kids. | | | | mid afternoon and enjoy the swimming pool. |
| | | | Have a nice, relaxed dinner and leisurely |
| Before the trip: | | | | check out some local sites in the evening. |
| | | | |
| 1. Use online trip planning websites to | | | | 14. While driving during the day, plan to |
| locate kid friendly parks, historic | | | | stop at least every hour and a half. Stretch, |
| monuments, and other attractions in advance. | | | | take some bathroom breaks, and remember that |
| Plan at least one child oriented activity | | | | getting there is half the adventure. |
| each day, even on those driving days. | | | | |
| Involving your kids in the planning of your | | | | 15. Finger knitting really helps my kids to |
| vacation will help them to get excited about | | | | pass the time. All you need is a ball of |
| the trip, too. | | | | yarn. There is no mess and you can find |
| | | | simple instructions online by doing a Google |
| 2. When you are doing your research and | | | | search for "Finger Knitting." During our last |
| booking your destination, consider an all | | | | car trip, we all arrived at our destination |
| inclusive resort. These types of arrangements | | | | with lovely pink finger knitted scarves. |
| (in which your lodging, dining, attractions, | | | | |
| and activities are included) can really help | | | | 16. During a routine fuel stop, ask each |
| you relax and enjoy your precious vacation | | | | child to choose five or six postcards, which |
| time. | | | | they can send to their friends. Make sure to |
| | | | bring your address book and postage stamps so |
| 3. Have each child pack their own small | | | | you can mail them on the way. |
| backpack with the books, workbooks, and | | | | |
| activities that they most want to bring. | | | | 17. Allow one child to be the "navigator" |
| | | | each day. The navigator looks at the map and |
| 4. Have a kid friendly travel map on hand, as | | | | gives recommendations on where to stop for |
| well as a pair of binoculars. | | | | snacks, gas, and meals. |
| | | | |
| 5. Consider buying or borrowing a portable | | | | 18. Try these simple Travel Games: |
| DVD player. We only get ours out on long | | | | |
| trips, but it has been really helpful, | | | | The Alphabet Game: Find all the letters of |
| especially if you are traveling very long | | | | the alphabet, in order, on license plates, |
| distances. | | | | billboards, and road signs. Or find objects |
| | | | that begin with each letter. |
| 6. Get each child a special book of games, | | | | |
| puzzles, or simple coloring books, just for | | | | I Spy: One person spies something in the |
| the drive, along with some washable markers. | | | | landscape or in the car and gives clues. (One |
| | | | possible variation on this game is "20 |
| 7. Bring some music that everyone will enjoy | | | | Questions.") |
| singing along to. We love our CD of old | | | | |
| campfire songs. You can even create your own | | | | License Plate "I Spy": See how many states |
| CDs of family favorites. | | | | you can spot. |
| | | | |
| 8. Bring a Frisbee or a football for when you | | | | License Plate Alphabet: Find all the letters |
| stop at a park. You want to help your kids | | | | of the alphabet, in order, on license plates. |
| burn some energy in a reasonable amount of | | | | |
| time. | | | | Letter Bingo: Print out Bingo sheets with |
| | | | clip art or words depicting sites you will |
| 9. Pack healthy snacks, such as nuts, trail | | | | see on your trip. |
| mix, apples, energy bars, and bottled water. | | | | |
| A package of baby wipes often comes in handy | | | | Ultimately, it is important to remember that |
| for little messes in the car, too. | | | | there is no such thing as a perfect family |
| | | | vacation. Prepare as much as possible in |
| 10. Pack a journal and a disposable camera | | | | advance, and then relax and go with the flow. |
| for each child, so that they can document the | | | | |