Family Travel Adventures

As I’ve learned too well, you can not expect a bored child to stay happy.  Good preparation is a must if you are going to keep your kids from constantly whining on a road trip or long plane flight. The best solution we have found is to pack a variety of activities along.   Color Wonder markers and paper are great for younger children.  The ink only appears on the special paper (make sure you have plenty of that available).  This makes it a great option for not only the car or airplane, but also a hotel where you might not want your little one wandering around with regular markers or crayons.   You can get the paper in blank sheets, coloring books, and activity books. 

Older children might enjoy learning a new craft or skill along the way.  Pick up an inexpensive craft kit, such as cross-stitch, knitting or similar.  I have found them available at most discount stores, such as WalMart and Target, as well as craft stores and book stores.  The kids will learn a new skill and will have a completed project to be proud of after the trip.

We have approached giving out the activities in several ways through the years.  For a shorter trip, I have often packed a small backpack for each child with their individual items inside.  They got to decide what they wanted to play with and when.  For longer trips (especially when my children were toddler / preschool aged), I would give them a few items to start the trip then keep the rest of the items to give out at intervals along the way.  I would usually wrap the items in wrapping paper so the unwrapping added to the excitement (even a dollar store toy is suddenly much more exciting when wrapped!). 

Speaking of the dollar store, that is a great place to get your activity books and small toys.  I have found some really great items at Dollar Tree; things I would have paid far more for at another store.