If the answer is no, then you are doing it wrong!
When I travel with my three children, I often get unsolicited observations from strangers such as, “You must really have your hands full,” or “You are so brave.” They sometimes give me a look of pity as if I am embarking on some form of self-inflicted torture (especially if I’m getting on an airplane). Nothing could be further from the truth! My children are happy travelers — due mostly to the many positive and fun experiences we have had together.
Your children can also be great travelers. In fact, traveling with children can even be fun for you too!
Plan Ahead
Have several activities in mind that you can introduce as you need them. The good news is that traditional travel games are still as much fun now as they were when you played them as a child. Brush up the old favorites so you can teach them to your kids: Counting cows, License plate games, Twenty Questions, I Spy, Rock Paper Scissors, Slug Bug, and any others you can remember.
Next, gather materials for additional activities that will engage your crew such as travel sized board games, music, and books. Many items can also be printed from your computer such as scavenger hunt lists, car bingo, tic tac toe, hangman, coloring pages, and battleship. Toddlers in particular tend to do better with actual materials they can manipulate. Try aluminum foil modeling, drawing boards, sewing cards, and magnetized activity sets or felt boards.
Consider going “unplugged” by not relying on electronics as the main source entertainment. Not only will you be missing opportunities to create some special memories, but these activities become old and tired just like anything else that is overdone. Do keep in mind, however, that these items do have their place especially when downtime is needed. Kids can’t be expected to be fully engaged in playful or educational activities for 8 hours straight.
Attitude
Keep in mind the old adage, “Half the fun is getting there”. Cop a new attitude that the adventure starts in the driveway as you begin your trip — not once you arrive at your destination. Traveling together provides you an opportunity for hours of uninterrupted time to spend with each other. How will you use it? Take advantage of this gift of precious time, and use it to really get to know each other.
A great way to start is by playing a simple game. My family particularly enjoys a game we call “Playing Favorites”. Ask each person their favorite color. Then take turns and have everyone think of a different “favorite” question for the group — What’s your favorite… movie, flavor of ice cream, song, game, toy, place to visit, restaurant, book, animal, fish, website, or teacher…? Be creative with your questions. You are going to learn things about each other, surprising things, that you didn’t know before.
Be Flexible
Remember to give yourself a break. It’s not all going to be sing-alongs, happiness and giggles. You are not a failure if the kids start whining, or your toddler has a screaming meltdown in his car seat. Give yourself permission to go “off road” and change your plans or to switch the activity if things aren’t working out. Keep the bigger picture in mind: having fun and getting to your destination safely.
How about some tips for keeping kids happy on long trips?
- Familiarize yourself with several new activities for each trip.This way you can introduce them on your journey to head off boredom before any whining has a chance to begin.
- Book it — chapter books, song books and joke books.
- Snacks – bring old favorites and try a few new items. And yes, why not try some of the “forbidden” snacks? In context, the trip is special so the snacks can be too.”
- Get the kids be involved – Give them a map and teach them how to use it along with road signs. Let them keep track of the journey so they’ll know exactly “how much further” it is, and feel in charge. Have older children help “navigate” you through airports. Challenge them to lead your family to the appropriate gate.
- Find fun new uses for common objects – aluminum foil can be molded into jewelry and shapes. Kids love to use tape to make funny faces or sculpt fast food drinking straws into instant art. Create your own drama, or comedy, by using air sickness bags and performing a puppet show.
- Don’t forget to allow for lots of down-time too. It doesn’t have to be non-stop entertainment packed fun blasting.
As we enter the busy summer travel season, it seems like everyone is making vacation plans. With several people in your family, a road trip is often the economical choice. Have a great time and most of all, “Have fun!”
