Have you ever traveled with your children and said never again? My boys are grown up now but I’ve been there and it can be challenging. How do you keep kids content while traveling?
I have heard that what I did still works today for the most part. Here are my top ten ways kids can be kept in check while traveling.
- Pack their favorite snacks in a lunch bag style and let them have control of it.
- · If they are prone to asking “are we there yet”, respond before they ask with knock knock jokes. I did this on occasion. It goes something like this ..
- § Knock Knock
- § Who’s there?
- § Are
- § Are who?
- § Are we there yet?
- § They never know the answer
- · Ask questions that they normally ask you at random moments in the trip.
- § If they ask about stopping to eat on long trips, Ask Can I stop? I’m Hungry..
- § If they have to ‘go’ often, say I gotta go!!
- § If it is “are we there yet?”- Ask them the question when you have the opportunity.
- · Pack their favorite toy or game and let them play it. If it has a rechargeable battery, have a car charger available.
- · It is always good to have them bring their favorite reading materials. Today it is even easier to do this kind of thing because electronic devices can be used and you don’t need to have as much space for it.
- · Give them a challenge to find landmarks, license plates, car types etc.
- · If you are going to see someone they like, have them tell you what they would like to do when you get there.
- · Have them talk about what they are looking forward to if it is a vacation trip.
- · Remember what caused you to relax when you were a child and try it with your children.
- · Make sure you plan age appropriate distractions.
It is easy to have movies and other items with you today, however, I discourage this as it can be distracting to you if you are driving. Always put safety first when traveling. If movies and other distracting things are necessary, make sure you have them use head phones etc. to avoid making it a potential distraction for the driver.
Happy traveling this Memorial Day weekend.