Here's some advice you might want to pass
along to families booking a first-time vacation with you.
Each child should have, and be responsible for, their own bag, and our
family rule is that the majority of what they wish to bring must fit
in it. We like the ones that roll easily, with a handle, like a small
carry-on. All the smaller items that can be readily accessed during
travel should go in their bags, and some larger items could be put in
the checked luggage.
When traveling by car, bring along a mesh “fun bag.” This
can be filled with toys, games and books from each child’s own
bag, and can be hung over a front seat.
Here are some of the items children may consider essential on any
trip:
Infants and toddlers:
• A favorite stuffed animal and their “blankie”;
• Baby rattles and teething toys — all tied with a string;
• Favorite songs on CD.
Pre-school/elementary school age children:
• Crayons (kept out of the sun or heat), regular and colored pencils;
• Markers (washable are preferred);
• A glue stick;
• A notebook or pad of paper;
• Favorite children’s books;
• Mad Libs, crossword puzzles, search-a-word;
• Activity books, sticker books, fill in the blank story books;
• Cards and card games (Fish, Old Maid, Uno, etc);
• Children’s songs on CD and favorite movies/shows on DVD;
• Small action figures, dolls, Legos;
• Handheld video games, such as Game Boy and travel games;
• Camera (disposable for younger kids).
Pre-teens and teenagers
They should be selecting their own toys, games, books and videos to
bring along — under parental guidance and supervision, of course.
Some more useful items for family trips of all kinds:
Bring safety locks and electrical outlet safety plugs when traveling
with toddlers. Ziploc-type plastic bags — quart and gallon size — are
useful for many things, from soap to a dirty diaper to a seashell collection.
Also bring wet naps, straws, a cold pack, a miniature cooler, a flashlight
and glow sticks.
Additional items you may want to bring along for rest areas on car trips:
bottles of bubbles, a flying disc (Frisbee) and small sporting equipment,
such as a badminton set, inflatable ball, etc.
If traveling by plane, bring along gum, hard candies and snacks. The
change in pressure can be quite uncomfortable, and chewing gum or sucking
a hard candy or eating an apple can help.
For infants, try to time their bottle feedings to coincide with takeoff
and landing.
For all children (and adults), any required medications must be brought
along and kept with you at all times - do not entrust your family’s
health to your luggage!
For infants on formula, it is imperative to bring enough with you for
the entire time away if you are traveling out of the country - DO NOT
assume that it will be available for purchase at your destination! Dry
is best to pack, and should ALWAYS be mixed with bottled water.
Super
Family Vacations, Resort and Adventure Guide by Martha Shirk is
a widely acclaimed family vacation guide, packed with exciting family
vacation ideas.
Profiling 150 family vacation destinations in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda,
and Caribbean. Super
Family Vacations covers a wide range of interests and activities
for children and adults, dining, attractions, and geography.
Family vacation planning ideas. |
Here's some advice you might want to pass
along to families booking a first-time vacation with you.
