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