As more and more families are taking care of this economy’s bargain-basement dream destination vacations, in influx of children traveling has occurred. It’s important, as a parent, to know what to expect along your vacation journey and how to prepare appropriately for yours and your kid’s enjoyment! Follow our tips for traveling with children, and you will be enjoying paradise in no time! The first thing to remember when traveling with children is that children are not just along for the ride, they are entitled to their dream vacation as well! Between school, sports, house chores, and recitals, chances are, they are just as deserving and in need of a vacation as mom and dad! Make this vacation a big deal for them! Get them excited about it! Tell them how much they deserve it! And remind them of all the wonderful, extraordinary activities that they will be partaking of once you get to your dream destination! Now that they are excited, prepare for your travel. No matter if you are traveling by air, boat, or personal vehicle, your child’s attention span will be put to the test. Be prepared for this by packing a separate small backpack for each child. Include their favorite book(s), an activity book such as Kid’s Sudoku, their favorite portable gaming system, an MP3 player if they own one, some snacks, and a cheap digital or disposable camera. You will be amazed at how much a camera will hold their attention, and they will feel “big” knowing that they are the “official” photographers of your vacation! When you get home, you can create a memory book by compiling each child’s photos, and have them include a story depicting each picture! The snacks are really important for air travel. With most airlines no longer offer free snacks or food (A few don’t even offer peanuts anymore!), the snacks you packed with be a lifesaver by curbing those hungry-grouchies and whines. That being said, if at all possible, try to book with an airline that does offer on-board food for free or at a budget. Hawaiian Airlines still serves COMPLIMENTARY food, and it is oh so good, and family friendly! If you are not headed in the direction of Hawaii, or don’t have that option, always ask! But pack snacks, just to be safe. Be sure wherever you’re going, you pack sunscreen. Even if you are headed to the ski slopes, a winter wonderland, or a cloudy, rainy destination like Portland or Seattle, PACK THE SUNSCREEN, especially for your children! When families are on vacation, they spend an abundance of time in nature, both warm and cold! People can and will sunburn even in cloudy diffused light, and especially on reflective snow and ice! If you are going to the beach or the tropics, make sure your SPF is 60 or higher. The ocean magnifies the intensity of the sun in ways you can’t imagine! Last tip for traveling children: let them have a voice in this vacation! Let them each pick one activity, and make it a big deal! Let them indulge a little more than normal. Show them they are special and deserving. Let them use their vacation as a learning experience! They may pick up a new hobby or become passionate about an issue that they never even heard of before! Vacations can be a time to self-identify for children, so let them bloom during this time! Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and do things out of the ordinary. Enjoy every minute of it with your family!
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