Traveling with kids is never easy but over the past few years I’ve learned some tips that make for a better travel.
Top 10 Tips for Vacations with Young Children
1. Have some small (can be inexpensive) toys that they have never seen before. Don’t give them out right away. Save this for when your child is stir crazy and about to loose it.
2. Pack educational toys that work their brain. I highly recommend It’s a Match from Discovery Toys. Great travel toy for preschoolers.
3. Have activity toys to keep them busy. Some options include a magna doodle, coloring books, lacing, smaller puzzles. Be sure to bring a flat surface if necessary.
4. Bring small snacks which are healthy but that kids love such as mini boxes of raisins. My kids love the box itself and it takes them so much longer to finish them. Other favorites are graham sticks, fruit bars, fruit strips and goldfish crackers. Engage them goldfish in imaginative play.
5. Save the juice box for total meltdowns. Nothing makes my kids happier than a juice box because they don’t get them very often. When they go into meltdown mode I hand them a juice box and all is right with the world. I put the juice box in a small cup to keep my youngest from squeezing juice everywhere.
6. Engage your children in stories, conversation and song. Have a fun CD in the car and sing along. Don’t let yourself get distracted and enjoy the view and quality time with your children.
7. Visit family friendly restaurants. Nothing stresses me out more than taking my kids to fancy restaurants where others might be disturbed by them and kid friendly food may not be available. It is also cheaper.
8. Come up with fun activities to do as an entire family. If your children are older be sure to let them really have a voice in what to do so they enjoy themselves and aren’t tempted to turn to the usual distractions.
9. Unplug. If you simply must bring electronic devices make a rule that they can only be used during certain times of the day such as at night and stick to it. You are on vacation and missing out on quality time and great experiences if you are attached to a laptop, cell phone, portable dvd player or a DS.
10. Be sure that your children are getting enough sleep. If they have troubles sleeping at night, make time for good nap during the day. Notice when your kids are getting tired and go back to the hotel. Nothing is worse than vacationing with a child who has lost the normal daily routine and is tired to boot.
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