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We love to travel, and we do it very often. As part of our family mantra we have ultimately refused to slow down on the travel simply because we have kids. Sure we take special care to accommodate our kids when traveling, but we also believe that traveling with them has ultimately allowed them to gain greater perspectives and more experiences even at their young ages.
However, that doesn’t mean traveling with our kids is always easy. In fact, sometimes it can be one of the most difficult issues you’ll face as a family unit.
So before you throw all your family’s possessions into a StorageMart unit in pursuit of the well-traveled life or choose to do something a little less dramatic and settle for a cross country family roadtrip, make sure to keep the following tips in mind to keep your travel stress free:
Toss the Itinerary
Life with children is often unpredictable, and if you struggle getting your kids out the door on time every morning, there is a good chance that you will do the same with them during your vacation. Vacation is a time of relaxation, not one of strict routine. So to keep yourself from stressing about getting to places on time, toss the itinerary out the window. Instead, keep a loose list of the places you and your family would like to go and let it simply serve as guidelines.
Pack Snacks
One minute kids are fine, and the next they are all starving. To reduce hunger pains that can cause crabby behaviors or you to have to pull over for a fatty, sugary, and above all pricey snack at a gas station, remember to pack plenty of nutritional snacks. If you will be road tripping, be sure to pack them in a cooler that your kids can easily access so you don’t have to pull over every time someone gets hungry.
Bring Engaging Toys
If you know you will be waiting in an airport for an extended period of time or know that you will be in the car for hours, be sure to have plenty of entertainment on hand – and I don’t just mean hand-held gaming devices. Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean that your kids’ brains should go to mush.
Bring trivia games and hand puzzles that the whole family can enjoy together. Trivia games like BrainQuest can keep your kids thinking and allow you to interact with them through questioning, and puzzles as simple as Rubic Cubes can keep their minds solving problems in new ways.
Remember Age Appropriateness
While we ultimately choose not to let having children hold us back, we also don’t force our kids into trips that may be too much for them right now. The Grand Canyon is wonderfully breathtaking, but choosing to take your kids on a hike or ride through it while they are still in the single digits would simply be a waste. Instead of the grand adventures, try to embark on adventures that your kids will be able to fully enjoy at their age.
Traveling with your kids is a great way to open them up to a whole new world, and expand their perspectives on life. Don’t shy away from taking your kiddos around the globe, simply remember that they are kids and have a few specific needs. Otherwise, good luck and safe travels!
Hi Samantha, Geat article! I’m curious to know though what you think about booster seats…their use…which ones you think are the best to bring around when traveling? Thanks a lot!
It would depend on how old/big your kids are- there are some really great travel options, some are even airline approved for use in flight.
These are some great tips. I always make sure I have snacks or I know it is going to be a bad trip. I also go to the dollar store and get some surprise gifts and I will give the kids one every few hours to keep them excited and entertained. I have tons of things on my iPad that keeps the kids entertained and they love it! They can play games, watch movies, and watch TV. Through my provider DISH, I have a Sling Adapter, which allows me access to all my subscription channels on the iPad. I just need a Wi-Fi or 3G connections and the kids can watch their shows live. A co-worker at DISH told me I could now access my Blockbuster@Home service through my iPad now as well. This will give the kids access several movies. When we are traveling the iPad is a lifesaver.
This article was a really interesting read, information has been presented in a clear and concise manner. Thanks!
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snacks snacks and more snacks. this time you left out the small potty but since you always say it i will forgive you 🙂
Awesome advice Sam. I follow these just to go to town, lol ;D
I’ve decided the best way to travel with kids is to leave them home…
Great tips. In Re: to your comment traveling with children is why I don’t get out much…lol
Age appropriateness is one of the best tips that peeps can follow. Not only is it miserable for your kids but the grown ups that are in the area that intended on making the most of kid free time are now subject to hearing your peeps whine and complain or they have to keep their own behavior in check so as not to offend you little peeps.
I love traveling, but it’s hard with the kids. They get so car sick, buuuuut we plan small short trips. Which are always fun. Never ever “time” a trip with kids. That’s one of the best things I can ever tell anyone. Just have fun, and be ready for adventure 🙂 Good tips Sam!
Great tips Sam!! I am just happy that I don’t have to travel with little kids any longer.
good points!
i always forget to pack snacks
Great tips and I agree that travel can be fun with planning and on board entertainment.
Seriously, you are so spot on! When the Diva was 5, and I was 4 months pregnant with her little brother (but looked like I was 8mo) we drove from MI to FL to Disney with my parents. (Yes, pity me 😉 Planning ahead and thinking about the experience from my daughter’s perspective is the only thing that kept us all sane and able to enjoy all the wonderful experiences we shared.
Of course, all those points above are practical for Moms, too! (Snacks, age appropriate toys…. 🙂