Traveling With Kids: How to Prep for a Fun and Happy Trip
Written by Henry Moore
“Are we there yet?” “I wanna go home!” “I’m bored.” Most parents cringe with dread at these phrases. It’s safe to say that the majority of parents dislike being cooped up with restless kids. However, there are things you can do to make your travels enjoyable for even the youngest members of your caravan. Keep reading to find out how!
Infants
Avoid the temptation to tell yourself you simply can’t travel with an infant. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are numerous benefits associated with taking a vacation with your baby. Most significantly, they can be happily contained and, provided they are comfortable, well-rested, and have a full belly, will likely let you enjoy the sights and sounds. This may be your last opportunity to enjoy a vacation without chasing someone for the next 10 years. Take it.
Perhaps the most important thing when traveling with a baby is making sure they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. While most hotels cater to tiny travelers, you’ll have greater flexibility if you pack a travel crib alongside your suitcase. A portable crib is handy if you can’t afford a large room or are visiting a city where oversized accommodations are in short supply.
Toddlers
Toddlers may be the most difficult group to travel with because they are no longer babies but are not yet old enough to fully understand appropriate public behavior. Children between the ages of one and three will do best at a kid-friendly resort where you won’t get funny looks if they throw a fit in the middle of the pool.
If you’re traveling via car, plan to stop at least once every few hours. Timing is everything, so begin your trip when your child has eaten and is ready for his afternoon nap. SafeRide4Kids offers advice on how to handle the not-only-uncomfortable-but-also-dangerous “sleep slump.”
Airplane rides, which can be exciting in this age group, come with their own set of issues. Specifically, ear discomfort, which is caused by rapidly changing altitudes. Plan to pack your kids plenty of distractions (e.g., favorite book, healthy snack) but be prepared for an outburst and the judgment that goes along with it. One family flying out of Miami with their young daughter made goodie bags for other passengers that included a personal note, earplugs, and candy. While this certainly won’t change a toddler’s behavior, it may ease the tension if he or she vocalizes their disdain mid-flight.
School-age kids
If toddlers are the most difficult to travel with, kids from kindergarten through the sixth grade are perhaps the easiest. At this stage, they are still full of wide-eyed wonder and will benefit greatly from educational travel to places such as the Florida Everglades or the museums of Washington D.C. Fodor’s cautions, however, that you’ll still need an arsenal of entertainment including movies for the road. Choose accommodations with a swimming pool and spend the extra money on separate sleeping quarters for mom and dad.
For school-age kids, you may also need to assemble an arsenal of games, toys, and other distractions to keep them busy during moments of downtime. For example, portable gaming systems, toys, and travel games will keep them busy. You can also give them access to a device like a phone or tablet so they can watch their favorite shows wherever you are. If you're traveling by car, a vehicle-friendly charger can give your device a quick battery charge, which will come in handy for when your child is using it. Another added benefit of packing a streaming device: Parents can use it to watch TV shows and movies when the kids head off to bed.
Teens and tweens
Teenagers aren’t as interested in family time and tend to lose interest in walking tours and lazy days on the beach. Thankfully, by this age, your progeny can keep up with a demanding adult itinerary and will thrive with nonstop action. Consider taking a river rafting trip or heading to the mountains (book a "home-away-from-home" rental in the scenic Salida, Colorado area through Sunny Day Vacation Rentals) for a long weekend skiing excursion. If you’ve never taken a cruise before, this is the perfect time for your entire family to earn their sea legs. Cruise Critic explains that most major cruise ships offer teen-themed activities, including supervised programs where they can meet and mingle with other same-aged cruisers.
All the rest
While you may have your tickets bought, your route planned, and are counting down the days. There are a few other things to add to your to-do list before heading out on a family vacation.
To ensure your trip is relaxing and you’ve left your worries behind, thoroughly secure your home and alert neighbors to your absence. Knowing someone is keeping an eye on your house goes a long way toward enjoying your travels. You should also pause newspaper deliveries since this is a telltale sign that no one is home. When you will be gone for more than a few days, it’s also wise to turn the water off at the main line (if you have one easily accessible) or, at the very least, close the water valve to the washing machine.
If you’re planning a road trip, now is the time to make sure your car is road-worthy. Doing so eliminates the potential for a breakdown with your car that leads to a breakdown with a toddler. Check your battery to make sure it doesn’t need replacing, prep an emergency kit, and consider throwing in some jumper cables and an OBD2 scanner to give you extra peace of mind.
Traveling with kids does pose challenges, but letting them see the world with you is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. It doesn’t matter if they are in the crib or nearly out of the nest, your family vacations will leave them with memories that will last a lifetime.
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