On the Road With Kids
Hitting the road on a family vacation can be one of the best experiences you will ever have with your children. There can be challenges, but proper preparation and some creative thinking can relieve some stress and remove the chance that boredom will put a damper on the fun. Read on for some ideas on how to keep road journeys fun and interesting for everyone in the car.
Bringing along electronic games and music can certainly occupy young minds, but it is not the only way to keep your children occupied and engaged in the journey. Rather than encouraging them to retreat into their own little worlds with electronic gadgets, consider initiating some old-fashioned games that everyone can participate in. Word games are the easiest and least expensive ways to get everyone involved and interacting with one another. They also keep the mind active even when the body is confined within the spaces of an automobile. Incorporate your environment into the games, such as including words and challenges based on the landscape or the particular cities you are passing through.
Sleeping overnight in new places can be a big part of the fun when traveling on the road. Rather than just pulling into the first hotel that you see, do some research ahead of time and plan for ones that are in good locations with nearby activities. After a long day on the road, kids will need to stretch their legs and engage in things on the ground. Choose hotels with swimming pools in the summer and ones that have casual cafes in the near vicinity. Bring along a tent so that you can alternate hotels with camping, for a change of pace.
Dress kids in layered clothing, so that each person can have a choice in temperature control, regardless of what section of the car they are sitting in. Bring pillows and light blankets, as well as shoes that can be easily removed. Pack overnight bags with the essentials for the next morning, rather than lugging in large suitcases to every hotel room.
Purchase a few small toys or games that are new to your children, so they will have a surprise for when the hours seem long and confining. Make sure they are toys that will engage them for long periods of time. Make yourself available to participate in games with them, including reading books or helping to solve puzzles. In everyday life, things are often so hectic that you miss out on communicating directly with your child. Being on the road together can provide valuable bonding time that will create stronger ties that carry on long after the journey is over.
The experience of traveling together can be one that every member of the family enjoys and remembers for years to come. Use some of the ideas here to get the most out of this time that you spend together as a family. Hit the road with a bit of preparation and a lot of anticipation for the fun time ahead of you.
