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