Vacationing with children can be easy, and fun, here’s how.
When vacationing, what do families really want? Most parents simply want a break from “everyday” life. To see new places, try different foods and make memories. For parents, when it comes to traveling with kids, the goal is simply for everyone to have fun. With children it requires thought and effort. Can it be full of joy and laughter? Absolutely! In fact, traveling with children can be really fun. Parents and caretakers deserve a vacation where they are free to enjoy the scenery of someplace new and relax.
A well-thought-out plan combined with the assistance of a nanny can make traveling with kids this summer much easier by ensuring smooth logistics and consistent care. The nanny can handle childcare responsibilities, allowing parents the option to stick to their itinerary without interruptions. This arrangement provides a balanced experience, where both kids and parents can enjoy the trip stress-free.
Every child is unique and has different needs. However, here are 6 things that might make travel plans easier with children this summer.
Positive Reinforcement.
Distraction with some incentive can be exciting and help change focus. It’s vacation after all, everyone is entitled to a little treat no matter the reason. This is about making it easier, remember?
Unique entertainment.
Screens can be helpful for a lot of families during travel, but can quickly lose appeal and aren’t ideal for every situation. As an alternative, offer stickers and a unique travel sticker book. Or slime in a baggy with treasures to find inside like beads, shells and buttons. Sensory objects like painters tape can be distracting in the best way and are easy to travel with. These options are also easily disposed of so if they get lost or used up simply toss or recycle on the go.
Take a good grab bag.
This bag should have a change of clothes, snacks and water, a portable charger and something fun like a digital camera or walk-ie talkies. Children want to engage with the world around them and unfortunately not all places aren’t designed specifically for them. To welcome them into spaces it’s fun to give them a sense of belonging and responsibility over their things and their experiences.
Book Comfortable accommodations.
Booking your accommodation is arguably the most important and stressful aspect of traveling. Strollers, sleeping arrangements, car seats and carriers can make or break travel plans. Especially with multiple children.
Traveling light with kids can be almost impossible. If you have a napping child the stroller should be one that is lightweight, light enough to lift comfortably, folds easily (quick to gate check please) and can comfortably cradle kiddo during a nap while you have a coffee at the corner cafe. Something good on stairs and easy to haul up stairs should be considered too.
Whether your vacation is walking, or predominately driving there are good car seat solutions! A car seat backpack or rolling carrier is the best way to lug around a car seat that doesn’t clip into a stroller and traveling by different modes of transportation (sightseeing bus or train) gives you the opportunity to leave that thing in the hotel until you really need it. For airplane rides a good set of noise canceling headphones can soothe little ears from random noises and help keep their environment controlled. Consider a lollipop or crunchy veggies for in flight snacks so when cabin pressure changes the chewing and swallowing will help keep their ears comfortable.
Don’t pack everything.
Diapers and wipes to get you to the destination are a must but shopping once you get there will save you with the bulky extra bags that can be expensive and weigh you down (mentally and physically). Pack a favorite toy or blanket depending on the child’s needs but consider buying a new toy on vacation, the memories of playing on the vacation with a new toy last forever! And also, see number 1 on the list. Reward for good behavior? Yes please!
See the vacation through the eyes of a child.
As adults we know what we want. It’s easier to make decisions and we have all the information, itinerary, and local food options etc. The children are just along for the ride. Imagine you are a child, in a new place for the first time, it’s exciting and also a little scary perhaps. How much differently would it feel? Consider spending more time and schedule in space for wonder and wandering.
If you are taking care of small children, vacations look different, and yet maybe that’s the fun of it. Walk slower and do less to see more. Take suggestions and be willing to change plans.
Packing sensory toys and eating with fingers for an easy familiar lunch will make the vacation experience easier. Taking the time to wake up slowly and get out of the hotel at a leisurely pace can ease some of the tensions around travel for everyone. Experiencing vacation with children looks a little different but can make for sweet memories.
Written by Hope Jackson
