| Instead of deciding to leave the kids home | | | | disposable camera and their own travel map. |
| for the next "family" vacation, relax! You | | | | |
| can make traveling with the kids an enjoyable | | | | 7. Include a "kid's activity" at least once |
| and stress-free experience by following these | | | | every day. This may be something as simple as |
| simple tips: | | | | going for ice cream after visiting a museum, |
| | | | or going to a water or amusement park. There |
| 1. When possible, travel at night and let the | | | | are often lots of great free or inexpensive |
| kids sleep. But be cautious, because it's | | | | activities in most places in the States. To |
| easy to get tired. If you find yourself | | | | find them, you can check ahead of time with |
| getting sleepy, roll down the windows, play | | | | local Chambers of Commerce, on city Websites, |
| music, or better yet, find a safe place to | | | | or with your travel agent. To help keep the |
| pull over and take a 20 minute nap. | | | | expenses down, don't forget to check for "two |
| | | | for one" coupons, or discount tickets that |
| 2. Plan your trip during the day with stops | | | | are often available at local fast food |
| about every 90 minutes. By planning ahead, | | | | restaurants or in local papers. Also, many |
| and using travel planning software, online | | | | family style restaurants offer a "kids eat |
| trip planning sites or travel associations, | | | | free" night, which could be a special treat. |
| you can find -- and stop at -- kid-friendly | | | | |
| places such as parks with playgrounds, | | | | 8. Don't forget about the travel games you |
| historic monuments or view areas where | | | | probably played as a child. There is "Letter |
| everyone can get out and walk around for a | | | | Bingo" where you look at road signs and |
| few minutes. Giving the kids even a 15 minute | | | | billboard ads to find the letters of the |
| break will give them a chance to "get the | | | | alphabet, or "License Plate Alphabet" where |
| wiggles out" and work off some energy. | | | | you go through the alphabet in order. You can |
| | | | also create easy bingo sheets that you print |
| 3. Bring along some sing-along music. | | | | out with clip art of common sites you'll see |
| Although your kids may groan at first when | | | | on your trip. Your kids will be more inclined |
| you start singing, they'll soon join in, | | | | to play along if they know that your parents |
| especially if the songs are either | | | | used to play the exact games with you. |
| well-known, absurd or "gross." Think of your | | | | (Grandparents are SO much cooler than parents |
| own childhood favorites, or camp songs. | | | | are...) |
| Singing can really help to pass the time, and | | | | |
| creates happy memories later on. To help cut | | | | 9. Let your kids help to navigate, narrate |
| costs, you can even record your own CDs? If | | | | and create information about your trip. There |
| the kids don't know the words, create | | | | are so many great resources online these days |
| sing-along books for everyone by typing them | | | | that can help you make your trip even better. |
| in your Word processing program and printing | | | | Letting your kids get involved helps to make |
| them out. | | | | it more enjoyable for them. For example, let |
| | | | one child be the "trip navigator" each day. |
| 4. Create a goodie-bag. Good ideas are travel | | | | They have the responsibility of looking at |
| toys and games, bubbles, inexpensive art | | | | the map, and making sure that the right exits |
| books and pencils, even the latest in | | | | are taken, or how much farther to each |
| collectible cards or action figures. (To save | | | | destination point. (If you really want to get |
| money, look for seasonal sales or buy | | | | creative, the navigator could wear a special |
| something every payday.) To cut down on | | | | hat or badge; the narrator could have a |
| arguments about sharing, you can set a time | | | | "press badge" or carry a reporter's notebook, |
| limit for playing with each game, before | | | | etc.) Older children can create written |
| everyone has to switch. Individual presents | | | | entries into a journal or even in a Blog, |
| can be wrapped or not, and given out at | | | | talking about the daily activities and |
| whatever schedule fits your needs and your | | | | sights. Another option is to bring along an |
| kids' boredom levels. You can even choose | | | | inexpensive tape recorder, and let each child |
| particular games for particular stops, such | | | | record their impressions of the different |
| as bubbles, Frisbees or small balls, which | | | | places you see or things you do. Younger |
| will encourage running off energy. | | | | children can draw pictures, or use a |
| | | | disposable camera. |
| 5. Bring along individual "quiet time" | | | | |
| activities. These could include an art box | | | | 10. Start collecting postcards. Postcards are |
| (keep the supplies inside an inexpensive | | | | inexpensive, and your kids will enjoy getting |
| plastic shoe box), postcards or writing | | | | to send them to their friends or other family |
| paper, or even a journal given to each child | | | | members. Postcards are also a great addition |
| at the beginning of the trip. Encourage them | | | | to your family photo album after the trip. |
| to write letters, or record their thoughts | | | | You can cut them up, or even write about |
| and feelings. You can also bring along | | | | specific experiences on the backs of them, to |
| hand-held games, or inexpensive CD players | | | | help everyone remember what you did and where |
| and earphones, so that everyone can listen to | | | | you went. |
| the music or books of their choice. Depending | | | | |
| on the space you've got and the length of | | | | 11. Create a scrap book at the end of each |
| time you'll be gone, each child could have | | | | trip, using the postcards and pictures the |
| their own box or backpack, to keep their | | | | kids took. Letting them help to decorate and |
| things organized and accessible. | | | | put the journal together is a fun |
| | | | after-the-trip activity. |
| 6. If your trip is going to include a lot of | | | | |
| sightseeing, pack a backpack with sweaters, | | | | 12. Above all, give yourself a break. There |
| hats, swimsuits (if in season), extra socks | | | | is no such thing as a "perfect" family |
| and even towels, in case anyone gets wet -- | | | | vacation. Inevitably there will be things |
| accidentally or on purpose. Keep the backpack | | | | forgotten, things broken or other |
| in your trunk, so you can just grab it and | | | | "unexpected" problems. |
| go. Most kids, if given the chance when near | | | | |
| water, will really enjoy getting wet, and it | | | | By planning ahead, and making every effort to |
| saves on the wear and tear of your vehicle if | | | | get your kids involved in the trip, and |
| you plan ahead. Also be sure to pack extra | | | | giving the things to do to keep them occupied |
| water and travel snacks such as energy bars, | | | | and interested, there will be less stress and |
| nuts or travel mix. You can add to your | | | | everyone will have a better time. Have a |
| child's enjoyment if you also include things | | | | great trip! |
| such as a magnifying glass, binoculars, a | | | | |