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Vacations - Survival Guide To Traveling With Kids

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"Are we there yet?" "Mom, he's touching me!" "Well, she'slooking at me!" "Are we there YET?" "I've gotta go!" "Aren't weTHERE YET?" It's phrases like these that drive fear into a parent's heart,and make you wonder why you ever thought taking a familyvacation was going to be "fun!" So what is a parent to do? Traveling with kids doesn't have tobe a bad experience. Instead of deciding to leave the kids homefor the next "family" vacation, relax! You can make travelingwith the kids an enjoyable and stress-free experience byfollowing these simple tips: 1. When possible, travel at night and let the kids sleep. But becautious, because it's easy to get tired. If you find yourselfgetting sleepy, roll down the windows, play music, or betteryet, find a safe place to pull over and take a 20 minute nap. 2. Plan your trip during the day with stops about every 90minutes. By planning ahead, and using travel planning software,online trip planning sites or travel associations, you can find-- and stop at -- kid-friendly places such as parks withplaygrounds, historic monuments or view areas where everyone canget out and walk around for a few minutes. Giving the kids evena 15 minute break will give them a chance to "get the wigglesout" and work off some energy. 3. Bring along some sing-along music. Although your kids maygroan at first when you start singing, they'll soon join in,especially if the songs are either well-known, absurd or"gross." Think of your own childhood favorites, or camp songs.Singing can really help to pass the time, and creates happymemories later on. To help cut costs, you can even record yourown CDs? If the kids don't know the words, create sing-alongbooks for everyone by typing them in your Word processingprogram and printing them out. 4. Create a goodie-bag. Good ideas are travel toys and games,bubbles, inexpensive art books and pencils, even the latest incollectible cards or action figures. (To save money, look forseasonal sales or buy something every payday.) To cut down onarguments about sharing, you can set a time limit for playingwith each game, before everyone has to switch. Individualpresents can be wrapped or not, and given out at whateverschedule fits your needs and your kids' boredom levels. You caneven choose particular games for particular stops, such asbubbles, Frisbees or small balls, which will encourage runningoff energy. 5. Bring along individual "quiet time" activities. These couldinclude an art box (keep the supplies inside an inexpensiveplastic shoe box), postcards or writing paper, or even a journalgiven to each child at the beginning of the trip. Encourage themto write letters, or record their thoughts and feelings. You canalso bring along hand-held games, or inexpensive CD players andearphones, so that everyone can listen to the music or books oftheir choice. Depending on the space you've got and the lengthof time you'll be gone, each child could have their own box orbackpack, to keep their things organized and accessible. 6. If your trip is going to include a lot of sightseeing, pack abackpack with sweaters, hats, swimsuits (if in season), extrasocks and even towels, in case anyone gets wet -- accidentallyor on purpose. Keep the backpack in your trunk, so you can justgrab it and go. Most kids, if given the chance when near water,will really enjoy getting wet, and it saves on the wear and tearof your vehicle if you plan ahead. Also be sure to pack extrawater and travel snacks such as energy bars, nuts or travel


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mix.You can add to your child's enjoyment if you also include thingssuch as a magnifying glass, binoculars, a disposable camera andtheir own travel map. 7. Include a "kid's activity" at least once every day. This maybe something as simple as going for ice cream after visiting amuseum, or going to a water or amusement park. There are oftenlots of great free or inexpensive activities in most places inthe States. To find them, you can check ahead of time with localChambers of Commerce, on city Websites, or with your travelagent. To help keep the expenses down, don't forget to check for"two for one" coupons, or discount tickets that are oftenavailable at local fast food restaurants or in local papers.Also, many family style restaurants offer a "kids eat free"night, which could be a special treat. 8. Don't forget about the travel games you probably played as achild. There is "Letter Bingo" where you look at road signs andbillboard ads to find the letters of the alphabet, or "LicensePlate Alphabet" where you go through the alphabet in order. Youcan also create easy bingo sheets that you print out with clipart of common sites you'll see on your trip. Your kids will bemore inclined to play along if they know that your parents usedto play the exact games with you. (Grandparents are SO muchcooler than parents are...) 9. Let your kids help to navigate, narrate and createinformation about your trip. There are so many great resourcesonline these days that can help you make your trip even better.Letting your kids get involved helps to make it more enjoyablefor them. For example, let one child be the "trip navigator"each day. They have the responsibility of looking at the map,and making sure that the right exits are taken, or how muchfarther to each destination point. (If you really want to getcreative, the navigator could wear a special hat or badge; thenarrator could have a "press badge" or carry a reporter'snotebook, etc.) Older children can create written entries into ajournal or even in a Blog, talking about the daily activitiesand sights. Another option is to bring along an inexpensive taperecorder, and let each child record their impressions of thedifferent places you see or things you do. Younger children candraw pictures, or use a disposable camera. 10. Start collecting postcards. Postcards are inexpensive, andyour kids will enjoy getting to send them to their friends orother family members. Postcards are also a great addition toyour family photo album after the trip. You can cut them up, oreven write about specific experiences on the backs of them, tohelp everyone remember what you did and where you went. 11. Create a scrap book at the end of each trip, using thepostcards and pictures the kids took. Letting them help todecorate and put the journal together is a fun after-the-tripactivity. 12. Above all, give yourself a break. There is no such thing asa "perfect" family vacation. Inevitably there will be thingsforgotten, things broken or other "unexpected" problems. By planning ahead, and making every effort to get your kidsinvolved in the trip, and giving the things to do to keep themoccupied and interested, there will be less stress and everyonewill have a better time. Have a great trip! About the author: Jay is the web owner of http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com Rental Cars , a websitethat provides information and resources on rental cars,vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit hiswebsite at: http://www.hotels-in.net Discount Hotels

Written by: Jay Bauder

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