It’s no secret that I like to travel.  Although I’ve come to dislike air travel even more, it seems I can no longer get from point A to point C with out coming up short a bag or two from point B. I have learned that any plane change that has a layover less than an hour means that my luggage will not arrive with me.  As adults we can deal with this, begrudgingly; but when traveling with children, having to wait a day or two for luggage is not how I want to start off a weeks vacation.  Amazingly we have found that there is an abundance of places to go and things to see within a days drive from our home.  Our secret has been planning with some spontaneity thrown in.

My wife and I have eight children, the youngest two (twins) are now 12. Over the years we have traveled with our kids around the country and across the Atlantic.  We have tried things that have worked and things that haven’t to make the getting there easier on all of us. 

Have long hours spent confined in cramped spaces with normally well behaved children, who in their boredom along with the complete disruption of their normal routines, become wound up, bundles of uncontainable energy testing your patience as well as those around? Then try putting some of the following into action.

1. Plan and discuss. Before you leave on your next trip take some time to sit down and talk to your children about the trip and the plan for the day. Tell them what’s going to happen.  What the eating plans are going to be. How long the will trip be. At what points of the trip will they need to be quite. Explain the event markers as to the progress of the trip.  Using the restrooms at every stop whether they think they need to go or not. Inform them if they will be sleeping during the trip. Discuss any treats or rewards they can earn or look forward to as they reach event markers. Remember children have little to no concept of time and distance, therefore talk to them in terms they will understand. Break the trip down into event markers that they will understand and can follow.

2. Where’s the entertainment committee when you need it. Whether you know it or not, you are the entertainment committee. The most successful trips with young children will be those where planning of a variety of activities and games that stimulate there minds in order to help pass the time. I emphasize again children need variety.  More is better. The following is a list of a few suggestions to help with your planning:

  • Portable CD/DVD Players - perfect to occupy an hour or two of a trip if your child likes to watch movies or listening to familiar songs are perfect for family road trips. Sing along with your kids it will help build great memories for all.
  • Hand held video games - these are great for distracting the kids but can also stimulate hyperactivity during the course of the game that may linger after the game is done.  The noise can be unnerving for the driver or others around.  Best when used with an ear phone.
  • Games - for children having a parent’s undivided attention is everything and for the parent(s) it can be quality time spent with your children without distraction.
  • Role Playing - let the trip be part of a movie scenario that they can act on. Turn the trip plan into a special ops mission plan with goals, objectives and dead lines that they have to accomplish in order to complete the mission.
  • Books on CD - these are wonderful, especially if you have a child who is beginning to read. Books on CD’s that accompany a book help to teach word recognition to children.
  • Activity/Coloring/Puzzle Books - with young children this is another great way for parents to interact with their children.
  • New Toys - children like new toys. Bring some familiar ones but make sure you buy some that will engage them while traveling. Legos are always good for traveling and there are an endless number of things they can create.
  • Healthy Snacks - an important part of traveling! Take a selection of snacks that are fun to eat, but low in sugar (unrestrained energy) and low in salt.

3. Stock a traveling toy box. I like giving them a small plastic toolbox to keep their prized possessions in.  No matter how we travel; by car, plane, train or bus, they can take their mini toy box.  Having the toy box within reach of the child gives them the opportunity to play with their toys while having the option to choose what they want to play with.  My boys liked action figures and Lego the girls were more into ponies and dolls.

4. Look - it’s the Energizer bunny. Children by their very nature are not able to sit still for long periods of time.  I’ve never understood the expectation of adults that children should sit still and quite for an hour or more and pay attention to someone who is moving and talking, but I digress.  Even though the goal is to get to your destination you must plan for the release of the Energizer bunnies.

If you are traveling with children by car, plan a stop every 2 hours - you can check with travel organizations like AAA or go online and Google parks, walking trails, historical landmarks or other interesting places in or near communities you will be passing through. We like to visit caves and caverns and will make side trips on the way to and from a resort.  Sometime we see a sign and make spontaneous side trips to see something of interest that relate to the kids and their interest or studies. It can make for some great adventures.  Even if you’re just stopping for gas, look for a place where everyone can get out and walk around. 

If traveling with children by plane, go online to the airports where you will be changing flights or having layovers and see if they have play areas. Bring along a jump rope, a small ball, a puzzle etc. look for an out of the way corner or area of the airport to play with your children. My boys like to race each other between points.  They also like to walk the concourse and look at the signs, shops and people.

5. Choices and Change ups. We all fall into a routine of some kind and our children may be more aware of this than we are.  When we travel we change from the at home routine to our traveling routine.  The traveling routine needs to allow for choices and change ups.  Who sits where? Who gets the window seat? Who orders the food? Who picks out the snacks?  This will all become exciting for them and make traveling mor enjoyable for all.

These are just a few ideas to make traveling with children more enjoyable for all. If you have additional ideas to share please leave them in the comments below.

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