Tips on Stress Free Travel With Kids

Tips on Stress Free Travel With Kids

There’s nothing better than watching a child run towards the ocean for the first time, meeting Mickey Mouse, or enthralled by some other wonder. The experience of travel brings the opportunity to see new things, taste new foods, and learn from other cultures.

That’s the best part of traveling kids. The worst is the tears and tantrums, ruined expectations, and crises that snowball into emergencies. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of disaster and ensure stress free travel with kids.

Don’t Overschedule

Ask a kid what their favorite part of a vacation was, and they’ll often describe something rather mundane. Stereotypically it’s something like the pool at the hotel rather than some big ticket attraction. There’s a reason for this!

These seemingly ordinary events often resent periods of time where kids are simply allowed to play. They aren’t expected to walk here or there, pay attention to a tour guide, or use their indoor voices. Kids  need unscheduled free time to run and play. Adults can also use this time to regroup and unwind.

Make Sure There’s Something For Everyone to Enjoy at Each Stop

No kid is going to love every moment of a vacation. This is even more true if you have kids who have different interests, or are spread out by age. It’s not much fun to be a tween sitting through something you find babyish. Neither is being a toddler at a pizza and video game place where the games are all too advanced for you

The trick is to find or create some element that each kid can enjoy during each outing. For a little one that could be a trip to a nearby playground before or after the boring event. An older kid might be more amenable to sitting through something boring if they know it’s going to be followed up with a trip to a really cool shop to pick up a souvenir or two.

Take Frequent Road Trip Breaks Where Kids Can Stretch And Run

Stave off fighting and whining by pulling over to take breaks every few hours. Keep in mind that a 10 minutes sitting inside a fast food restaurant or walking in and out of a gas station aren’t enough to burn energy.

Instead, map out parks and rest stops along your route that are safe places for kids to play for a bit and burn off energy. Bring along picnic stuff for a cheaper, healthier alternative to burgers and fries.

Keep Expectations Age Appropriate

If your nine year old is a nightmare if she goes to bed after 10, that’s not going to change because you go on a trip. In fact the added stimulation and stress can lower kids’ frustration tolerance. Little ones may even regress.

Adjust your expectations accordingly. Kids may need more one on one time, or they may not have the same patience with one another that they normally do.

Kids Are Unpredictable: Try to Keep Everything Else Together

Don’t discount eliminating other sources of stress when traveling with kids. Stay on top of things and keep organized. Make a packing list and double check it before you leave. Get the car checked out by a mechanic before you leave to take care of any problems that might crop up.

Are you going overseas? If so, you have a host of things to manage. Plan ahead for passports and other important documents.  Also, don’t forget to contact your bank to let them know you’ll be using your debit card overseas.

Bring Snacks!

It doesn’t matter how you’re getting to your destination, food is going to be an issue if you don’t plan ahead. Meal schedules will be thrown off track. Kids may pick at unfamiliar foods, or simply won’t be hungry at meal times. If you’re flying there may not be a suitable in flight meal option, if there’s one at all.

Carry a variety of snacks to keep kids occupied and to prevent them from getting ‘hangry’. Cheese sticks, whole grain crackers, orange slices, homemade granola bars, grapes, and the occasional sweet treat will go over nicely. Consider personal bento boxes for kids who can be trusted to manage their own snack distribution.

Consider Relaxing Screen Time Rules

Lots of parents have pretty strict screen time rules. There’s a lot of great reasons to do this. It keeps kids on track with school and homework. It also teaches them to prioritize other things. These rules serve everyone well nearly all of the time.

At least they do until vacation time. Then things change. It might be a good idea to change some of the rules accordingly. During a vacation, kids are expected to sit for inordinate periods of time.

Parents spend much more time engaging with kids and keeping them entertained. Kids need a way to be quietly occupied. Parents need downtime to recharge. Sometimes, the whole family needs some time to occupy the same space without interacting with one another. An extra 30 minutes to an hour watching videos or playing games can keep everyone sane.

Make an Emergency Travel Bag

What will you do if the airline loses your luggage, or if you’re delayed in returning to your hotel for several hours? Imagine spending time hunting down toothbrushes, underwear, medicine, pullups, and other supplies in an unfamiliar place. Now imagine doing that while tired and jet-lagged.

When you plan your travels, think about what you might need overnight or for an 8 to 12 hour period if you had no access to outside resources. Depending on your situation that could be a change of clothes, food, needed medication, extra batteries for devices, or a credit card reserved for emergencies.

Conclusion

Your best day of traveling with kids will be amazing, your worst not so much. That’s okay! These tips will help you keep things on track. Stress free travel with kids is absolutely possible. It just requires sensitivity and pre-planning.

Tips on Stress Free Travel With Kids
Ads

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Up Next

Are You ‘Manic Cleaning’ Or Just Tidying Up? 5 Signs To Look For

Manic Cleaning Episodes: Signs To Look For

Have you ever been tidying your house and thought, “Am I manic cleaning?” Many people have been misusing this term so much that it’s become a viral trend.

But before we get into what is manic cleaning, let’s learn about mania. According to Dr. Aron Tendler, a psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer, “mania” usually refers to bipolar disorder which causes unpredictable shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. Real mania lasts for seven days or more and affects behavior as well as mood and cognition.

And What Is Manic Cleaning Episode?



Up Next

Why The Best Time To Have Coffee Isn’t Right When You Wake Up!

Best Time To Have Coffee: Reasons It's Not Early Morning

Are you part of the club that can’t even think about starting their day without the warm embrace of a good ole cuppa? You might want to rethink your morning ritual because it turns out the best time to have coffee in the morning is not when you’re up on an empty stomach.

Although chugging down a steaming cup of coffee sounds like the perfect way to kickstart the day, there is growing evidence that suggests why you shouldn’t drink coffee first thing in the morning and wait a little longer before taking your first sip. 

So, let’s examine what’s the best time to drink coffee in the morning and why you should refrain from an early morning brew.

So, what is the best time to have coffee in the morni



Up Next

Movies To Inspire Creativity: 10 Must-Watch Films For Artists

Movies To Inspire Creativity In You: Creative Movies

Creativity is a tricky thing, striking seemingly when it wants and leaving you high and dry when you need it most. But there are certain movies to inspire creativity and have the power to get your creative juices flowing.

There’s just something about the ability of a good film to transport us into another dimension that sparks an idea or two.

If you’ve been feeling uninspired lately, try watching one — or all — of these 10 creative movies that are perfect for anyone looking to ignite their creativity again.



Up Next

The Different Types Of Sleeping Positions And Their Impact On Your Health

Sleeping Types of Sleeping Positions and Their Benefits

Did you know that we spend about one-third of our life sleeping or at least trying to fall asleep? Most of us love to sleep. It helps us rest, reset and rejuvenate. But all of us have our own favorite sleeping positions and different types of sleeping position can offer different benefits. 

Well, there are mainly three types of sleeping positions – back, side, and stomach. While the position may vary a bit depending on the sleeper, these three positions are among the most popular. But which one is the perfect posture to sleep? And how does sleeping position affect health?

That’s what we are here to find out today. Whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach, it is essential to know about the different types of sleeping position and how it can affect our health so that you can have comfortable and uninterrupted sl



Up Next

5 Simple Ways To Find ‘Awe’ In The Ordinary

Simple Ways Of Finding Awe In Life

In the chaos and rushed nature of our lives, it’s easy to not even notice the wonderment that surrounds us. We’re here to show you 5 ways of finding awe in life and everyday situations.

These methods will allow you to view life through a new lens and put some magic behind the mundane.

Awe is something we all experience in different ways. Whether that be when you see a sunset so vibrant it looks photoshopped when holding a child for the first time, or even during spiritual experiences that move you so deeply they bring you to tears.



Up Next

Thinking Of Going On An ‘Introvert Vacation’? 10 Offbeat Travel Destinations For Introverts

Introvert Vacation? 10 Unusual Destinations For Introverts

If when thinking about a vacation, your mind easily goes to crowded places, the constant noise of traffic, and large gatherings then you have come to the right place. I understand that you just want an escape from all the noise and recharge your introvert batteries in peace, AKA, go on an ‘introvert vacation’.

Imagine this: a vacation tailor-made for you, the quiet connoisseur, and the master of comfortable silence. A peaceful escape where the only thing louder than your thoughts are the rustling of leaves. The only gathering being with snow and ice.

If you’re ready to swap attractions for sanctuaries and small talk for the sound of nature join us on this journey. Hop on one of these 10 interesting travel destinations for introverts and embrace your inner explorer.



Up Next

The Shocking Truth About How Stress Triggers Vertigo and Proven Tips for Self-Relief

Can Stress Cause Vertigo? Identify The Triggers And Vital Relief Tips!

We all deal with stress, but did you know it can do more than just mess with your mood? It can even make you feel dizzy and can even disorient you!

Vertigo isn’t just a simple dizziness; it’s a disorder that messes with our balance. It creates a feeling of movement even when none is happening. People with vertigo often describe it as feeling like the world is spinning around them. 

Now, imagine dealing with the usual stress on top of that!

In this article, we’ll dig into how can stress cause vertigo and explore simple ways to find relief. Whether it’s quick tips for immediate relief or strategies for handling stress in the long run, we’re here to help you regain your balance, even when life feels like a constant spin.

So join us as we explore the t