How to Travel Easily with Your Children in Tow
No matter how much we look forward to our destination, travel is always tiring. This is especially true when you have children to look after and entertain. If you’re traveling with your kids, whether by car or plane, here is what you need to know to keep things smooth, fun and, best of all, easy.
Plan Together
If kids have a say in what they will be doing during your travels, they may be happy than upset when it comes to the day of travel itself. If, for instance, they know they’ll get to go surfing, see a science center or go to a theme park of their choice, they may be more inclined to behave well. You may get to experience something you might never have picked yourself, and that’s not bad either. Of course, you should set limits and be clear on boundaries, such as price and location, but letting your kids have a little fun can go a lot further than you expect in getting them thrilled rather than annoyed.
Pack Wisely
Packing with children is a delicate balance. You want to make sure your kids are prepared for whatever climate you’ll be visiting, but you also don’t want to over pack and leave no room for toys, toiletries and souvenirs. Start by rolling your clothes, rather than folding. They’ll take up less space and are less likely to wrinkle. If you’re packing multiple shoes, make sure you stuff them full of small items that could get lost, such as jewelry, keys or underwear. You may want to try out packing folders or bags to save space, too. These can be pressed down to get air out, keeping your items neater and tighter than simply having them loose in a suitcase.
Keep Kids Busy
However you travel, you want your kids to stay busy during the process. No matter what activities you bring for the kids, make sure they’re easy accessible. Books and puzzles are great, but think outside of the box. You could download a few episodes to your kid’s favorite shows onto your tablet for them to watch offline. This is especially good for older children who may want more time to themselves. For young ones, you could fill a lunchbox with building blocks for them to play with and, hopefully, not lose. If you’re traveling by air and don’t need to worry about driving, pack some games the whole family can play. You can get travel versions of your classic favorites, or even a deck of cards to play Go Fish or family-friendly poker.
Car-Friendly Meals
Keeping blood sugar stable goes a long way to making everyone happy. However, you don’t want to grab whatever is easiest, as that just may lead to unhealthy eating. Protein Boxes are especially good ways to take up small amounts of space while packing a nutritious punch. You might be tempted to bring sandwiches for a long journey, but wraps do just as well without the risk of getting soggy. Of course, delicious classics including PB&J sandwiches might help kids have a sense of normalcy during your travels. Car Friendly Finger foods such as nuts, granola bars, veggies, cheese sticks and hummus will keep the family healthy and happy.
Traveling with children might be stressful, but it’s worth it in the end. It may take some extra preparation, yet by packing smart, letting your kids do some planning and bringing the right games and snacks, you can have an easy time of things. Vacations will be worth all the extra effort you put into your journey, especially seeing the whole family happy and healthy.
