Whether it is a relaxing beach vacation or a week long stay in the mountains, more families are traveling with kids these days. Traveling as a family can help form lifelong memories for parents and kids alike. And vacationing with your kids means that you won’t have to send them to their grandparents’ house for the week. Many kids love visiting and learning about new places, and for many families, traveling together makes vacationing more enjoyable.
Taking a vacation with your kids can also be an important bonding experience for families, especially when visiting a “once in a lifetime” destinations you have always wanted to experience.
But traveling as a family, whether by air or by car, can have its challenges. To prevent kids from getting overly tired and moody, parents will need to do some advanced planning. Frequent rest stops should be worked into any travel schedule to provide enough time for bathroom and snack breaks. Kids should have a say in the destinations and activities included on the vacation itinerary. And parents should be prepared to change or abandon plans on short notice if their kids get too tired or something more interesting comes up than what they had originally planned for the day.
So, if you are planning a vacation with your kids, here are five things you should be aware of before your trip so you will have the resources you need within easy reach.
Research Fun Things to Do and Places to Eat Before Your Trip
If you will be traveling to city or location where you have never been, it is a good idea to research a few fun things to do that your kids will enjoy, either online at a website such as TripAdvisor, or by using an old fashioned guide book. Try to find more things to do than you think you will need. In the event of bad weather, for example, that anticipated trip to the local amusement park might suddenly be off the table.
For many people, trying new foods is one of the best things about traveling. While you are looking for fun things to do you should also research a few good local eateries that are family friendly. Don’t pass up an opportunity for your family to try beignets in Houston or cheese steaks in Philly because you are not sure which restaurants welcome families with kids.
Bring Copies of Your Kids’ Medical Records and Contact Info for Their Pediatrician
Bringing copies of your kids’ medical records on vacation with you might seem extreme, but in the event that one of your kids gets sick or injured, or has an allergic reaction to something he or she ate, you will be happy you did. This rule is twice as important if your kids are known to have allergies or other medical issues.
Also be sure to have the contact information for your kids’ pediatrician on hand in case a medical professional needs to get in touch with him or her.
Limit Screen Time
Kids these days spend a lot of time on their phones and computers surfing the web and chatting with friends. While it’s not a bad idea to allow your kids to watch movies on their iPads while you are on the road, if they spend too much time on their phones while you are on vacation they will not only miss out on seeing and appreciating a lot of things, they will be disconnected from the entire experience.
Try to limit screen time to an hour or so first thing in the morning or just before bed. Parents should consider staying off of their phones during the day as well.
Make Sure Your Vehicle is Appropriate
Whether you’re on a long road trip or decide to rent a car when you get to your destination, you want to make sure that you and your family are comfortable and safe while driving. If you will be renting a car, make sure that it has enough cargo space for all your luggage. Features like air conditioning and heated seats can also make a big difference when it comes to your family’s comfort.
Carry Snacks and Water
Whether you’re driving for five hours or taking a walking tour of a historic site, having snacks and drinks for your kids on hand can mean the difference between having a great day and miserable one. Kids can quickly become dehydrated while walking, running or hiking, especially during the summer. And if you end up missing lunch because you’re sitting in traffic you will be glad you put those granola bars in your bag.
