Photo Courtesy of - Donnie Ray Jones
Vacationing with your kids can be a truly wonderful experience, but when it comes to actually getting to your destination, the trip there can sometimes bring a few unexpected bumps in the road. Whether you’re taking a flight, traveling by car or both, having some specific items with you can help create a more smooth ride for the whole family.
Here are some of E-Z Rent-A-Car’s suggested tips for stress-free traveling with children:
1. Bring snacks. And lots of them. Though most major airlines provide in-flight snacks and beverages, sometimes children are picky and don’t want the typical bag of pretzels or carton of orange juice. Or, even if you’re traveling for extended periods of time in the car, one snack option might not appease everyone, so it’s good to have several options to choose from. Another tip is to try and pack some snacks that are as compact as possible (to avoid spilling lots of small pieces of food everywhere), i.e. string cheese, granola bars and bananas as opposed to nuts, popcorn and grapes.
2. Use straws for mess-free eating. Let’s face it. Kids are messy. And there’s nothing worse than being in a confined space trying to clean up a giant mess. So when you’re packing snacks for the trip, try to bring along food items that are contained in a pouch or other similar packaging so you can use straws (rather than spoons or forks) as spill-proof utensils. Some example foods include applesauce, smoothies, juice boxes and yogurt.
3. Have a couple books on tape for an alternative to electronic devices. Although movies, video games and texting are all great for long road trips or plane rides, sometimes you just want your kids away from the electronics for a bit. Having a book on tape/CD/mp3/etc. is a great alternative to technology without cutting out the entertainment. Plus, it allows your children to use a little imagination while envisioning the story as it takes place.
4. Pack some shoe bags, shower caps or plastic bags to lock out dirt and odors. There’s nothing worse than dirtying up your clean clothes or other shoes from packing a pair of dirty boots or running sneakers back in your suitcase. This is especially true for children, as they are much more prone to getting dirty than adults are. So remember a couple of plastic bags or shower caps to place around your dirty garments in order to keep your clean clothes neat and tidy for the rest of your trip.
5. Bring a pack of dryer sheets. From dirty diapers to spilled milk, there’s plenty of ways to stink up an enclosed space when children are involved. Bring some dryer sheets for a temporary odor eater for times when things are especially pungent.
6. For long car rides, freeze some juice boxes and put them in a cooler. Not only is this a cool treat for your little ones, but it helps keep other food items cold throughout your trip, without having to deal with slushy melted ice later on.
7. Bring a night light from home. When children are sleeping in an unfamiliar place, sometimes it helps ease any discomfort to have something that reminds them of home. Bringing a night light from home is a great remedy for having trouble sleeping or calming down from nightmares.
8. Put a temporary tattoo with your contact information on your children in case they get lost. Whether you’re worried your child might forget your phone number in the event of an emergency (or if your child is too young to remember it at all), having an easily visible temporary tattoo with your contact information is a great way to ensure your child will have the information needed to get back to you quickly.
9. Make a first-aid kit. It always seems that no vacation is complete without a few scrapes and bruises along the way, so it’s good to be prepared with the right supplies, like antibiotic cream, tweezers, aloe and cotton swabs. And because pre-made first-aid kits are generally a lot more expensive than buying the items individually, creating your own can be a cheaper, more personalized option. Plus, any “boo-boo” can be made better with princess bandaids or dinosaur-covered ice packs!
10. Reward good behavior with goodie bags. Though it may seem like an obvious statement, sometimes we forget that most children’s attention spans aren’t fully developed yet like those of adults are. Because of that, we must remember that rewarding good behavior while traveling is important for them to become more prone to acting this way. Having a surprise goodie bag with your children’s favorite treats, games or toys is a great way of encouraging this behavior.
No matter where your next vacation takes you and your family, make the long travel times as easy and entertaining as possible with these great travel hacks for parents. Plus, get even more helpful travel tips, information and special discounts on our website, including our travel-related blog posts, E-Z Rent-A-Car coupons and more.
Photo Courtesy of - Xavier Donat
