You want to give your kids the best start to life, and whether you have toddlers or teens, travel can be a great way to teach your children about the world, help them develop independence and patience, and give them memories they’ll treasure forever. When it comes to traveling with the family, you can make your trip easier and more fun with careful planning and preparation.
Keeping Your Kids Engaged
As a parent, you know that your children’s attention span can be very short. So, to have an easier family vacation, avoid planning long days at a museum or more than one or two long driving days where you’ll have to combat boredom. To keep your kids engaged, make your itinerary as interesting and diverse as possible; for instance, along with visiting historic sites and museums, plan to go to a local market, visit the lake, or take a hike. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, keep the itinerary varied based on age and interest to have a fun getaway the entire family will enjoy.
Encourage Openness, But Have a Backup Plan
Kids and teens can be very picky about what they like and don’t like, from food to music to travel comforts. To have a fun holiday, encourage your kids to be open, and offer them interesting food, book a variety of accommodations, and try traveling on a train or taking public transportation whenever possible. Encourage them to try new things, but always have a backup plan in case your original plan doesn’t go the way you want it to. Have some healthy snacks in your bag for days your kids are picky eaters, and make peace with changing plans if your kids need a rest day. This will make your holiday easier and ensure everyone has fun.
Traveling with Tech
Whether you’re heading out on a weekend trip or spending two weeks on the road, traveling with tech can be a great way to keep your kids entertained, and make learning more fun. With a teen-friendly tablet, your kids will be able to play educational games, learn more about the area you’re traveling to, or even watch their favorite show on a long travel day when you all just need a break. Remember to pack enough chargers so that everyone can stay powered up (and to avoid meltdowns!), and this should include having a few reliable car chargers too.
Plan Down Time
When you’re traveling with your family, it can be tempting to schedule every moment of every day; after all, you want to make the most of your time in each place you visit. However, to have a relaxing and successful holiday, you’ll need to plan some downtime and give everyone a chance to relax. No one will have fun if you’re all tired, so decide what you can cut from your agenda, and plan a day to sleep in, have breakfast at the hotel, and play in a local park. Try to book a kid-friendly hotel or vacation rental with a pool or a garden where your children can play, and stop at playgrounds during the day to burn off extra energy and improve everyone’s mood
Prepare Your Car
If a road trip is on the agenda, this can be an excellent way to see different states and cities, and it can be significantly cheaper than flying. However, don’t forget to give your car a once-over before you hit the road. This includes an oil change, checking the fluids, tires, and addressing any necessary maintenance and care that may have slipped your mind. Remember, the last thing you want is to break down in the middle of nowhere with little ones in the backseat.
Traveling can be eye-opening for your kids, and giving them this experience stimulates their curiosity about the world around them and helps them be more open to new things. Don’t let travel with your family get overwhelming, but keep your kids engaged, plan downtime, and have a backup plan for when things don’t go as planned. Travel with tech to give everyone a break at stressful moments, and you’ll enjoy a fun and fulfilling family holiday.
Guest Blog written by: Daniel Sherwin
If your family is headed to Bend, Oregon, for your next getaway, be sure to connect with Bend Vacations. We can help you prepare the perfect itinerary for the whole family. Reach out to us today!