Traveling with children, especially over long distances, can be hard. They get bored; they start to get riled up, and suddenly your journey is a nightmare. But this really doesn’t have to be the case. It is entirely possible, and easy, to have a pleasant journey with your children. Want to know more? Well, here are our top eight tips while traveling with kids.
Allow plenty of time for your travels
Whether you are traveling in the car or taking public transportation, you should allow plenty of time to get to your destination or the place you will travel from. Children do not understand the time pressures of travel and will naturally want to explore, examine, and stop to look at everything. By allowing plenty of time for this, you negate the possibilities of being late to arrive.
Consider using public transportation
Taking a train, bus or boat can be a novelty for any child that usually travels by car. All the new sights and experiences will entertain them and keep them busy. Public transportation also allows you to interact with your child more during a journey that, otherwise taken in the car, maybe mostly silent.
Mark your child
This may sound like a crazy suggestion, but when taking your child into the busy confines of an airport, train or bus station there is always a slight chance you may lose them. By writing your mobile number on your child’s hand you increase the chances of finding your child again quickly.
Explain the journey to your child
If your child is new to the form of transportation you are taking, consider talking them through how they will travel and what they will need to do. This talking can greatly alleviate any fears they may have when it comes to the actual travel.
Have plenty of activities for your child at hand
Children, especially younger ones, soon lose interest in anything they are doing and need to be entertained with something else. This is especially true when traveling, and they cannot move from a seat and play. Try packing a variety of distractions such as toys, puzzles, books, coloring books, magazines, and games.
Give your child a camera
Disposable cameras are ideal for this task, although you can also buy ones that have been specifically designed for the clumsy younger hands. Encourage your child to take photos of everything around them, keeping their focus and interest fulfilled.
Encourage your child to keep a travel journal
For older children, this is an ideal activity that will keep them drawing and listing things that they have seen or places they have been to. You can also purchase postcards on your travels which the child can write to themselves and stick in their journal. These cards go on to make a great memory source as your child gets older.
Just in case, have medicines at hand
There are probably a few things worse than traveling with a child that is ill and not being able to do anything other than offer comfort. Therefore, it makes sense to pack some medicines to take with you when you travel.