Travel Tips & Ideas with Kids

We thought this information from the Parent Center at The Centers for Youth & Families was important to post.  We hope you find it useful.

 

Taking a Trip?  Travel Tips and Ideas

Compiled by Michelle Young, M.S. Ed., Parent Center Staff

March 2009

 Family vacations can create long-lasting memories and fun learning experiences for parents and children alike.  However, traveling with children can sometimes be a true test of patience!  The following lists and suggestions will hopefully make your trip, rather it be a few days or a few weeks, more enjoyable and peaceful.

 Before You Go 

• Prepare your child for what he can expect. 

Children thrive on familiarity, so it’s best to prepare your child for what you know will happen.  He will feel more secure when facing new surroundings and activities.  Talk about where you are going, where you’ll be sleeping and what you’ll be doing, but keep the conversation on his level. 

• Bring along the comforts of home. 

One of the best ways to help your child settle into a new place is to travel with familiar comfort objects.  A stuffed animal, favorite book, nightlight, pillow (or pillowcase if space is limited), glow-in-the-dark stick on stars, or even a cool flashlight will help him feel more relaxed in a new environment.  Be careful if bringing a special “lovey” to keep up with it! 

• Have a home base. 

Since young children are more content in familiar surroundings, plan a vacation that revolves around one location rather than a trip requiring frequent changes in lodging.  

• Consider a family-friendly resort. 

Your preschooler probably won’t have the strength, skill, or experience to participate in many of the activities at a family resort.  But many family resorts offer excellent beginner programs that playfully introduce young children to such activities. 

 Also, when evaluating a resort’s supervised activities for kids or babysitting services, don’t be shy about asking the same questions you might ask a prospective childcare provider back home. 

 Once You Are There 

• Be flexible. 

Rigid rules can smother even the best of family vacations.  To keep the trip relaxing and to accommodate a restless youngster, for example, consider letting your child sleep with you at night.  Rather than spending a lot of time preparing a meal or searching for a restaurant that meets your nutritional requirements, loosen your standards a bit and give in to the fast-food restaurant where your child can play and climb on the play equipment. 

• Keep it simple.

If your child is like most, he thrives on situations where there’s plenty of time to explore and move at his own pace.  You’ll also feel more relaxed if you simply spend more time with your child than spending lots of money and effort trying to entertain him.  

• Build in downtime. 

Traveling can be overwhelming and exhausting for young children.  When planning an itinerary, avoid locking yourself in for a full day of activities.  Younger children who still nap will certainly need to continue with their daily rests and older children will be much happier if given some quiet time to process all of the stimulation.  When bedtime arrives, stick to the same routine you use at home such as dinner, bath and a story. 

• Get outside.

If you are really into sightseeing, pick destinations where children will be allowed to roam free.  Also, try to pick outdoor restaurants or have picnics when possible.  Most children will enjoy the freedom since they typically do not enjoy sitting and waiting for their food to arrive. 

Seven Secrets to Successful Travel with Young Children 

1. Be flexible 

Traveling with children can be a wonderful experience – if you go with the flow.  Toddlers have lots of energy so sightseeing or sitting still for long periods of time may not be a wise choice.  Limit such activities to one per day and allow time for more toddler-friendly fun such as splashing in the pool. 

2. Pick a family-friendly destination 

Choose a relaxing destination that’s used to young visitors, so you don’t have to sweat the details.  Some ideas may include a lazy beach retreat, family camp, nature resort, or similar kid-friendly place.  Avoid crowded, over-stimulating tourist destinations, places without shade and other spots that may pose an added challenge when traveling with young children.  Look for family-friendly hotels and resorts that let kids stay for free in their parents’ rooms and provide free meals for children or buffet-style breakfasts included with the room charge.

 3.  Bring drinks and snacks 

Make sure to pack a bag of drinks and snacks on any trip.  Children can get dehydrated on a flight and toddlers aren’t usually patient when it comes to food.  They are also sometimes picky eaters and the meals and or snacks may not be pleasing to them.  If flying, check about pre-ordering children’s meals.  Regardless if you are in the air or on the road, best bets for toddlers include easy-to-pack snacks.  (Suggestions below) 

4.  Plan frequent rest stops 

If you are driving, break up your trip so your toddler can stretch her legs and move around to blow off some pent-up energy.  Pack a rubber or foam ball to roll and kick around.  Pick out parks and picnic areas on your route by using an online mapping service such as Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, or Map Quest.  End your driving day early so all of you have time to unwind after a long day on the road. 

5.  Think safety 

When you pack for your toddler, be sure to include a basic childproofing kit.  If you are taking a road trip, make sure your child’s car seat is properly secured.  Use removable window shades to keep the sun off of your child.  Dress your child in bright clothing to make it easier to spot her in a crowd and put a small card with identification information on it in one of her pockets in case you get separated.

 6.  Pack a goody bag 

A good way to keep kids content is to take along a goody bag filled with more toys and doodads than you think you’ll need.  (Suggestions below)

 7.  Take practice trips 

To get a feel for what works and what doesn’t when you’re on the road and away from home, you might try leading up to a big trip with some short day trips or weekend getaways.  The trial runs could provide key insights – about things like what supplies you should pack, how long your child can last in a car seat, and which toys keep your toddler happy (or drive you nuts)! 

(Source:  www.babycenter.com)

 Items to always have on hand when traveling 

• First-aid kit
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Small tissue packs
• Doctor’s phone numbers
• Tylenol and Motrin (children and adults)
• Sun screen
• Sun glasses
• Hats/Visors
• Light weight wind breaker
• Umbrella
• Camera
• Batteries
• Zip lock bags (different sizes)
• Travel pillow
• Small blanket
• Crayons, Pencils, Washable Markers
• Coloring Books, Drawing Paper
• Books, Toys
• Card games
• Travel board games
• Photo of your child in your wallet/purse
• Photo of parent(s) in your child’s pocket or pinned to them
• Extra copy of birth certificates, photo id, travel reservations, airline tickets

Travel Food 

• Individual applesauce and fruit cups (plastic spoons)
• Dried fruit
• Snack crackers
• Pop tarts/Cereal Bars
• Individual Cereal Boxes
• Flavored Rice Cakes
• Peanut Butter and Bread (plastic knife)
• Juice Boxes/Pouches
• Individual size water bottles

 

(Source:  www.activitiesforkids.com)

 

Books

  

Frommer’s 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up

by Holly Hughes

 

Traveling with Children and Enjoying It:  A complete Guide to Family Travel by Car, Plane, and Train by Arlene Kay Butler

 

Travels with Baby:  The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children by Shelly Rivoli

 

Trouble-Free Travel with Children:  Over 700 Helpful Hints for Parents on the Go by Vicki Lansky

 

Websites

• AAA
• Count on Shell – car safety information
• DeLorme Cyber Router – from – to destination directions
• Fodor’s Travel Online
• Go Camping America
• LL Bean – parksearch – enter in your state and activities you are looking for
• MapQuest – door to door directions
• The National Park Service – park information
• Gorp – Great Outdoor Recreational Page
• Roadside America – Info you won’t find in a brochure

  

Please visit the Parent Resource Center located at 5905 Forest Place in Little Rock.  You will find books, videos, DVDs and other printed material as well as internet access all FREE of CHARGE.  The hours are 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. 

For more information, please call: (501) 666-6833