family travel Archives - 3 Kids and Us

3 Tips To Stay Safe During A Family Trip

October 6, 2020 by admin

While COVID-19 has made it difficult for many people to travel, the return of family trips is right around the corner. As travel bans are lifted, many people will be more than happy to resume their normal activities and enjoy a fun trip with the family. However, staying safe is more important than ever.

Fortunately, there are various ways to stay safe on a car trip with your family, even during a pandemic. As long as you prepare in advance and follow the safety tips below, you’ll have a fun, safe, and relaxing family vacation. So, let’s take a look at 3 tips to stay safe during a family trip:

Make Extra Preparations For Your Trip

Though many people like to take a vacation without a set itinerary, this can lead to unexpected issues. Making a plan for your trip will help you deal with potential problems in advance. For example, if you map out your route, you can find out if some parts of your planned route are under construction or have heavy traffic. This way, you can develop a revised route to save time and reduce the risk of an accident.

Making preparations is not all about planning your route, though. You’ll also need to make sure that your vehicle is ready for your trip. This means that you’ll need to get your vehicle serviced and get any other work that your vehicle needs. You may even want to buy add-ons to make your vehicle safer. For example, if you want to store your wallet or important documents safely in your truck, you might consider getting an F150 Console Safe.

Finally, you’ll want to book any reservations well in advance. If you’re going to need a hotel, this will be the most important booking you make. Additionally, you’ll want to buy tickets for any activities or events that you want to attend as a family.

Follow COVID-19 Safety Measures

In all likelihood, it will be a while before COVID-19 is completely in our rear-view mirror. So, for the foreseeable future, you’ll need to follow COVID-19 safety measures. This is especially important if you’re taking a family trip.

Here are the most important COVID-19 safety measures that you’ll need to follow:

Wear a mask in public areas
Maintain social distancing (six feet apart)
Wash hands regularly
Avoid large crowds as much as possible
Use hand sanitizer as needed

Choose a Safe Destination

In addition to following the guidelines above, it’s important to choose a family trip destination that won’t put you or your family at risk. It’s also a matter of public safety. Try to pick a destination that will not force you to come into direct contact with a large number of people. For example, a concert may not be a safe choice during a pandemic.

Fortunately, there are plenty of fun family trip destinations that are far removed from crowded areas. For example, taking your family out in nature is a great way to have a fun, relaxing vacation without taking substantial risks with your health. Locales like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and Yellowstone National Park are all great choices for your next family trip!

For more family travel tips, check out the 3 Kids and Us Travel Blog!

Child Friendly Holidays With a Difference

March 30, 2019 by admin

Where are you taking your family this Easter? Have you missed the boat and you’re worried about it being too late to book? Don’t worry as although we are swiftly approaching the Easter holidays there are still some great value last minute deals which you can find to give the kids and exciting break. This Easter why not try a break with a difference, something beyond the normal city break or sunshine holiday? To give you some ideas of what kind of trip you could take the family on this Easter holiday, here are some inspirational holidays for you to consider.

Canal Boat

Throughout the north west of England and in Wales there are hundreds of miles of canals cutting through the land and for an altogether different type of holiday you and the family can rent a canal boat and float through your Easter holidays. Canal boats come in all sizes so regardless of how big or small your family is there will be something to suit. The boats are very easy to manage and the only technical skill which you’ll need is to manage the locks when you meet them. Along the way you can stop off for pub lunches and park visits before heading back to the barge for some rest. Kids will love this type of holiday and for the best family experience we’d recommend the Llangollen canals in Wales which features an huge aqueduct which will amaze you all.

Costa Rica

Central America often gets a bad rap when it comes to traveling there but Costa Rica is a country which reminds us just why this part of the world is so beautiful. The country is very big on eco-tourism and they embrace the wild and natural landscape. Why will kids love Costa Rica? Easy, because there are hundreds of activities which they can get involved in from hiking to bike riding, ATV tours to kayaking, caving to snorkeling and just about everything else in-between. Whether you head to the coast of Costa Rica for some action on water and sand or prefer to get further inland for some fun in the rainforest, all of the family will enjoy a trip to Costa Rica.

Tokyo

If you want a city break with a difference then look no further than the Japanese capital of Tokyo. The prices may be a little hefty but there are some Easter breaks which you can still find. Tokyo is a city like no other with its neon lights, its forward thinking nature and of course its delicious food. Kids will love the games and gadgets which are littered throughout the city, parents can relax in beautiful botanical gardens and the entire family will fall in love with the local cuisine and the quirky nature of this city.

Thinking outside the box with your holiday plans is the best way to ensure that you and the family have a trip which will be truly memorable, where will your next destination be?

The Importance of Family Road Trips

April 18, 2018 by admin

When it comes to vacations, it’s not always about the destination; it’s also about the time you spend with the people you love.

Taking your kids on vacation will give you the time to help teach your children essential life skills and more. In fact, there is a far better chance for them to remember the lessons and activities you did together rather than the destination itself.

Aside from that, there are a lot of reasons to go on a much-needed vacation with the family. Here are a few of them:

New Experiences

There are experiences that reading can’t give you. Allow your children to experience life first hand. They will absorb the lesson better, and it will make them eager to learn more about nature, culture, and more.

As part of encouraging experience, push them to try different activities and to face their fears within reason. For example, if one of your kids is afraid of horses, show them that there’s nothing be afraid of and try to get them to pet the horse, and eventually ride one.

When you take it one step at a time, it allows them to adjust and see that not everything is out to get them. After all the adventures and experiences, you can see your kids having more confidence in trying things out for themselves.

Promote Family Relationships

One great thing about road trips with your family is that everyone is free from the usual distractions. There are no board meetings to attend, no school, and no television; it will be just you, your kids, and the open road.

Use this time to reconnect with each other through games and stories. Ask them about what they are looking forward to on the trip, school, or any other future activities. Communication is key to developing well-adjusted individuals in the family.

Recharge

Meeting work deadlines, ensuring that everyone has their packed lunch before they leave the house in the morning, and you still need to arrive at the office on time is a lot of work. Over time, you can feel yourself getting burnt out from everyday life. Recharge and relax on your road trip with your family.

Go camping and share outdoor skills with your kids. Put up a tent, start a fire, and roast marshmallows. At night, tell each other ghost stories and funny tales from work or school to remind yourself that there’s more to life than deadlines and chores.

Ditch Digital

An advantage of going on a road trip and choosing a destination with little to no cell signal is that everyone will be forced to put down their devices and spend time with each other.

Now is the perfect time to let your child’s creativity shine and allow them to try their hand at entertaining themselves without the use of digital means. Let them play in the dirt, swim in rivers, and let them have fun in a different way.

When you make road trips a regular part of your family’s yearly plans, you help create a bond with each other. Not only that, but you also create a family tradition wherein everyone can pitch in their ideas and support in their unique way.

Letting your children help in the planning and packing for the trip gives them a sense of responsibility and gives them the confidence to take the lead in school and other activities. So, plan your next family road trip, find and rent a compact car, and have fun with the essential people in your life.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Weekend Away from the Kids

March 15, 2018 by admin

When you’re a parent, your life revolves around your children. You spend a huge amount of your time caring for them, worrying about them, and doing things for them, that it can be easy to forget about yourself. However, it’s important that you maintain your social life –– if for no other reason than to keep your sanity! That’s why you should plan for the occasional weekend away from the kids. And to that end, here are the five best ways to get the most enjoyment out of a big weekend on your own:

Arrange a Trustworthy Babysitter

If you’re a parent looking to reduce your stress, the last thing you want to do on your weekend excursion is fret about your kids. So before you do anything else, make sure to line up a sound babysitter to look after your kids. Friends or family are preferred in this instance, but if you have to use a stranger make sure to vet their credentials beforehand. Otherwise you’ll constantly be checking in on the situation back at your house, and not living it up.

Diversify

A truly delightful weekend is a combination of high and low-energy activities. Don’t make the mistake of staying out all night, only to plan a rock-climbing excursion the next morning. Plus, adding a wide array of different events will help to keep all of your friends engaged.

Find the Right Spot

If possible, spending the weekend out of town can be a great way to blow of steam for a few days. The key here is to identify a destination that is close enough to reach quickly, but far enough away to offer you a chance for new experiences. When in doubt though, don’t travel too much. Since you only have a few days available, make sure to dedicate them to relaxation –– not travel.

Hit an Old Haunt

Sometimes rather than experiencing a new city, the best way to have a blast on your free weekend is to rediscover an old restaurant or bar. Going back to an old haunt can help you keep in touch with friends or well-wishers you may not have seen in years.

Party Down

Ultimately, your weekend away form the kids is all about you. Go out there and party, relax, and enjoy yourself while it lasts. Also, if you coordinate your plans with a group you should consider a party bus rental to provide a safe ride and fun atmosphere for everyone involved. At the end of the day you should return to “normal” life on Monday and be all the more refreshed for your exploits.

Best Summer Travel Where For The Whole Family

May 26, 2017 by admin

Summer is an exciting time for the whole family. Not only are the kids off from school, but the weather is warm, and travel is abound. Travelling with your family is a great time to connect and relax after a long and cool Winter, so here are some steps to help you find the right clothes for your whole family this Summer for your travels. Though it may change slightly depending on where you’ll be, it’s important to look for the right clothes for every occasion for all your Summer travels.

Everyone should always make sure that they’re comfortable while they’re travelling. Though you may think travelling is the right time to go shopping or wear that super tight dress, it’s actually much better to think about where you’ll be and what you’re going to be wanting to do. When you’re looking for the perfect travel wardrobe, you’re going to want to look for comfortable and cool clothing, especially if you’re going to be travelling somewhere hot. You’ll want to opt for loose, light colours, and various different things.

For men, you’ll want to make sure you have a couple pairs of shorts, at least one dress shirt, and a couple nice but not loud t-shirts. If you’re going to be eating out often, you’ll want to make sure that you have at least one nice outfit. It’s important to make sure you’re comfortable, so looking at your own wardrobe can be helpful. You should also consider hats and sunglasses (and don’t forget the sunscreen!) Women can do a lot with Summer travel wardrobes, but awesome options are rompers and dresses, as well as shorts, pants, and dress shirts. If you’re going to be swimming, don’t forget to get your swimsuit in a comfy style. This can all be said for children too, just on smaller scale. Get everything you need for every person in your family for less at Brooks Brothers.