family fun
Taking the Stress Out of Family Travel By Jennifer Halter
W
ith summer in full swing, many families have plans to travel and soak up the beautiful weather this time of year. If you have kids, making sure those road trips or flights go smoothly can sometimes add stress to something meant to be fun. Here are some tips to make your next vacation or weekend getaway easier.
Map It Out
Prior to your trip, spend time with your children looking at a map of where you’re going and any important landmarks you may be seeing along the way. Let them research your destination and provide input on activities they would like to do or things they would like to see. Allowing your children to be involved in this process will help keep the excitement up after being in the car for a while, as they will know things they should be on the lookout for or know that “in 30 minutes, we should be seeing…,” for example.
Road Trip Bingo
This is a fun activity for all ages, including younger children. Create a bingo card with objects or things you would typically see while driving. Examples include, a stop sign, a bird, a red truck, to name a few. As your children see each item, they can mark it off their bingo
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July 2022 prince william living
card. Reward the first to get bingo with a small prize or special treat at your next stop. For younger children, use pictures of items instead of words. For older children/teens, you can be really specific with things, such as “an SUV with a Florida license plate.” You can make/print your own card or look for something reusable from the dollar store.
Pack the Snacks
If you’ve ever traveled with a young child, you know that snacks are the ultimate lifesavers. Prior to your trip, have your children pick out their favorite portable snacks to take along. This can also help with passing the time if you set a timer or designate “snack time” during your trip. For example, you can provide snack at the top of every hour or if driving, combine snack with restroom/ stretching breaks.
Busy Bags
Keeping the kids from getting bored on your adventure can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not prepared. In the weeks prior to your trip, spend time putting together busy bags or busy binders for each child. Bags can include a few of their favorite toys, books, or crafts. If you have multiple children who will
