travel tips Archives - 3 Kids and Us

Best Tips to Prepare Kids for a Trip

April 25, 2019 by admin

While you’re busy preparing for your upcoming trip and making sure everything is packed, checking flights and hotel bookings, and arranging transportation – don’t forget to prepare your kids too. Traveling can be a stressful and even scary experience for kids, especially if you’re stressed out too. Also especially where a road trip is intended, the actual way to survive the burden of traveling is to keep it entertaining all the way. However, this isn’t easy where little kids are included – They get all kinds of irritant feelings in so it is important to prepare them ahead, and of-cause don’t forget to download one of those lovely children songs youtube hosts which your kids can sing along to.

To help you to prepare your kids for a trip, there are a few tips that you should definitely try out:

Start a countdown

Let your kids know that you’re all going to be going on a trip – and start a countdown. For toddlers it may be best to wait until the day itself and start counting down by the hour while explaining to them what will happen after that.

If you have kids that are old enough to understand the trip however, starting the countdown a week in advance can help build up the excitement. That will alleviate any apprehension they may feel about it, and get them pumped instead.

Explain (as best you can) exactly how you’ll go on the trip

It is important that your kids understand exactly what is going on, and you should try to explain it to them as clearly as possible. Take them through it step by step, such as: We’ll get in the car, drive to the airport, take out the luggage, put it through the security check, get on the plane, etc.

Try to act out each step so that your kids understand what is going to happen, and then remind them of the steps periodically until you depart.

Teach them about the place you’re visiting

One of the best ways to get kids excited is to let them know a bit more about the place you’re visiting and what makes it special. Nowadays there are lots of kid-friendly travel videos that can help, or you could choose a video that is similarly-themed.

If you do find a good video that your kids enjoy you may want to use Online Video Converter to convert it, put it on your smartphone and take it with you. It will make it easy to convert MTS to MP4 online or to any other format you need.

Get kids involved

Kids tend to feel more comfortable about things that they’re involved in – so make it a point to involve them in some way. The exact way in which you do so can vary based on their age.

For school-aged kids you should even involve them in the planning of the trip and float ideas of the places that you’re going to visit past them. For younger kids you can get them involved in the packing, and ask them to pass you things or find stuff for you.

While you’re actually traveling you can look into ways to keep your kids calm. If you’ve taken the tips listed above to heart, odds are they’ll be excited and looking forward to getting to their destination – which should make your job a whole lot easier.

Exploring the Surroundings: Are Your Young Wanderers Safe on Their Adventures?

May 15, 2018 by admin

Scooters are an excellent way to let your kids explore the surrounding. But as a parent, safety is always a consideration. You don’t want to let your boy or girl go out without ensuring that their adventure scooters are safe and all precautions been put in place.

What size are they riding?

Scooters vary largely in size and weight. Not all scooters are meant for kids. Be sure to confirm the weight & height restrictions of the one you’re buying for your prince or princess. Having one of the best scooters for kids is the first tip for safe scooting.

Manufacturers provide safety suggestions for different child ages assuming that most kids within then the same bracket can comfortably handle the same height and weight. But this is not the perfect way to get what fits your son right. In fact, it’s advisable to take your kid with you if you’re buying from a physical store.

Never let them go out without a helmet!

This is an overstressed safety tip for almost all riders. If you don’t go out on your bike without a helmet why then would you let your kid go scooting without one?

Head injuries are a big deal; it is no wonder most states have it as a requirement for scooting. Let them choose their favorite color or style; it might be the motivation to have it on every time they go wandering.

Can they stop their Scooter?

Bunny hop and kick-out are tricks that they can learn later. Being able to stop the dime as fast as possible is a must-have skill. The ability to make quick turns is an added advantage.

You don’t want to let them wander in high traffic areas before they have these basic scooting skills. It can be quite risky. Don’t let them go to congested areas until you confirm they can comfortably control their scooters.

Keep them scooting around until you’re sure they can take care of themselves.

Are their Knees, Elbows, and Hands Protected?

These three parts of the body are obvious parts of the body to hit the ground in case of a normal scooter accident. Make sure to check if they have the pads for knees, elbows, knees, and hands before they go roaming the estate.

Shoes Matter!

When it comes to choosing shoes for scooting, fashion shouldn’t be much of a consideration. Instead, you should worry about the safety of your child’s feet. What would happen if the scooter wheels strayed? Can the shoes they have on protect them from anything that could cut, poke, or scratch their toes?

So, when picking shoes for a scooting adventure then go for close-toed shoes with thick soles and some ankle support. And if the pair looks awesome, then that’s a plus!

Lastly, a rule of thumb for kids’ scooting is to let them wander out in numbers. Apart from making the experience unique and fascinating, it serves is a safety measure as they always watch out for each other. And the company doesn’t have to be siblings; you can let your daughter join her pals or neighbors.

How To Guarantee A Fun Family Vacation

November 30, 2017 by admin

There are no guarantees in life, not even when you’re going on vacation. That means it’s up to you to make sure everyone’s set to have an amazing time and minimize the risk of any issues. It’s all about what you do or don’t do prior to leaving and your attitude while you’re onsite.

Make time to arrange, organize and prepare well before your travel dates. Remember that spending a bit more in travel, like chartering a private jet, can go a long way in turning your trip into a more comfortable and enjoyable one. Read more about these private jets and their average costs. Get all of your family members involved, so everyone knows what’s going on. Create a priority list to help you ensure you have the most important items covered first. See how to guarantee a fun family vacation.

Choose the Location Wisely

It’s a good idea to research your destination options and know what you’re getting into ahead of time. Reconsider automatically booking the vacation that’s the cheapest. Get input from the family to hear where each person would like to travel to and why. Weigh a variety of factors before committing to one location. The better fit your selection is for the entire group, the more fun and less friction you’ll encounter once you’re on your trip.

Get the Right Luggage

Secure the right luggage for the destination and each person. Determine if it’s doable to take carry-ons along or if you’ll be needing more space in your suitcase. Pick out designs and patterns that you can easily spot once you’re in the airport gathering your luggage. Having the proper bags will make your travels that much more enjoyable. It’s worth investing in a set that’s going to last you a while and get you to where you’re going in style.

Shop Ahead of Time

The fun part of going on a trip is the new clothes you get to buy for the vacation. Help yourself out by shopping online at a store like Vingino. The Dutch fashion company convinces with creative children’s fashion, which thrills parents and children alike. To give the kids a lot of freedom of movement, the store relies on simple cuts and casual silhouettes. Your children will love the clothing, and it will make them that much more excited to leave for your trip. Shop together and agree to items you both can get behind.

Have A Family Meeting before Departure

It’s important to all be on the same page before you take off. Have a family meeting to go over the trip details and rules for when you’re on vacation. Allow everyone to discuss concerns and ask questions. Share the details you have planned out, so the entire family feels included and knows not to expect any surprises. You can even go as far as to print out an itinerary and review each day as a group. You’re more likely to have fun and experience fewer issues when you take time to lay it all out on the table for everyone.

Plan Activities in Advance

Don’t be afraid to plan activities before your arrival. This way you know exactly what you’re doing on which days. It also promises you spots or tickets for specific excursions and activities, saving you from disappointment. Once again, ask for input from the family before you start booking reservations. While it’s nice to have plans some of the days, it’s probably best to leave some free time during your trip. Part of having a fun family vacation is getting time to unwind and being granted personal time to yourself outside of the house. It’s all about balancing out your time together and giving each individual a voice.

Unplug

As the parent, it’s a smart idea to be a good example for your kids and unplug the majority of your time on vacation. Work ahead at the office and only bring with you what you must attend to while at your destination. It’s also a good idea that everyone makes it a habit to check phones and computers once a day and not be constantly glued to them. You’ll all have a much more enjoyable and relaxed time when you’re not always staring at your devices. Observe the nature, sights, smells and sounds around you and soak up the beautiful scenery. It’s likely you’ll all regret spending too much time connected and not enough of your trip being in the moment.

Have Meals Together

Use vacation as a chance to have meals together, especially if you’re usually too busy to at home. Make it fun and allow each person to pick a restaurant or food group to try while you’re away. Mix it up and go casual one night and dress up another evening. Come ready with conversation and to discuss what each person believes to be the highlight of the trip so far. Everyone should look forward to a nice meal together after having some alone time during the day. This is also a good chance to discuss any other activities the group wants to participate in or adventures that you’ve become aware of since arriving.

Document your Favorite Memories

One way to have a little fun is to take pictures of your family members enjoying themselves on the trip. Get a mix of action shots and posed pictures and return with a lot of great images to share and keep. Make an album or create a video when you get home and be glad you have these memories that you can cherish forever. Pictures are an excellent way to remember all the fun you had and be able to look back on your trip after you get home and time passes.

Conclusion

Your family vacation won’t be same if you decide not to plan and prepare. Get organized and excited about all of the enjoyment that’s to come. Remind everyone that traveling is about bonding as a family, having new experiences together and allowing yourself to relax. Of course, there may be situations that arise and obstacles to overcome, but don’t let that stop you from having a nice time. This is how to guarantee a fun family vacation.

How to Pack for a Trip

August 19, 2017 by admin

When you are going on a trip, the way you pack can have a big influence on how the trip turns out. This is more than just about getting to your destination only to find that your shampoo or lotion bottle came open and your clothes are all gooey. It also has to do with what goes into the suitcases. You will pack differently for a business trip than for a trip to the beach.

Let’s take a closer look at how to pack for different trips.

Business Trips

When you are going on a business trip, you will need to be sure to dress smartly in order to impress your colleagues and close the deal. That said, it might be a bit intimidating to try and decide what to pack. If you mess up and pack the wrong clothing items, you can be overdressed, or uncomfortably cold or hot. For this reason, it will always be a good idea to pack performance dress shirts for any professional setting. These shirts are made from comfortable materials that are resistant to wrinkles. They are great for that business meeting as well as for going out for a happy hour at the end of the day.

Colors

You might also want to go with a few articles of black clothing. This is because black goes with everything and can be dressed up or down. You can make it through extended trips with a suit or two, and some basic black clothing items for when you aren’t in meetings. This is one of those business travel hacks that can go a long way toward saving you trouble when you pack and trying to decide what to wear while you are on your trip.

Luggage

Luggage is also an important element. You should decide on your luggage based on how long you will be gone. Most of the time, a suitcase measuring 22 inches will be ideal. If you will be lugging it everywhere, you might want to invest in a suitcase that has wheels. If the trip will only be overnight, you might get by with just a briefcase and a small tote. Remember to leave space in your luggage for things like devices, special equipment, work files, and a laptop.

On the Plane

Decide what you will be wearing on the plane if you will be flying. If you only pack a single suit, consider wearing the jacket while you are on the plane so that you will be able to save space. Wrinkles will fall out of it when you get to the hotel and hang it up for the night. Also, most of the time, hotel amenities will include an iron. While you are packing, remember to set aside what you will be wearing on the plane and try to wear shoes that slip on and off easily so that there won’t be a hassle with security at the airport.

Traveling for Recreation with the Family

Sometimes, tips for traveling with kids can coincide with those for packing for a business trip. One of these things is to make a checklist before you pack so that you don’t leave anything out. Make sure that your list includes rental car and hotel info, reading material, toys, guidebooks, maps, paperwork necessary for the trip, toiletries, shoes, clothing, and maybe a few snacks for while you are on the road. The checklist will keep you from forgetting simple necessities easily overlooked such as deodorant, razors, pajamas, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, socks, and even underwear.

Space and Activities

You might also want to not underestimate the amount of space it will take for everything that needs to be packed. Consider leaving out extras. For example, if you will only be gone for the weekend, do you really need 5 pairs of shoes or 3 coats? Take the weather into consideration so that you will be prepared for anything that might come your way. Also, think about the activities you and the family will be doing. You wouldn’t want to head to the beach with clothes for skiing, and yes, if you let children help with the packing, that is exactly what might happen if you aren’t careful.

7 Tips for Taking a Road Trip With a Teen Driver

August 15, 2017 by admin

Source

Did your teen just get their driver’s license? Are they more eager than ever to take part in this year’s family road trip?

Getting through the teen driving phase is one of the toughest periods for any parent. It’s inevitable that one day they’ll get behind the wheel, but it always seems to happen too soon. Despite all the stress, studies have shown teens that get their license earlier usually end up being safer drivers.

If your teen wants to be one of the drivers during your family road trip here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Update Your Car Insurance Policy

The car insurance pros at acceptanceinsurance.com suggest that parents check their policies before taking a road trip with teen drivers. The law requires that all drivers must be covered by liability insurance in the vast majority of states, even if they don’t drive a car of their own.

If your teen has a driver’s license and plans to drive the family car, you should add them to your auto insurance policy. Your teen should be listed as an operator of the vehicle, not just a household member.

Plot Your Course Together in Advance

Choosing the destination for a family vacation is one of the first to-dos that have to get done. But often we wait until the car is loaded to pull up a maps app and find the best route.

Knowing where you’re going in advance always helps every driver regardless of age. At least a week or two out, sit down with your teen driver and consider your route options. Consider things beyond distance such as the terrain, highway conditions and traffic. For example, a trip where you’ll be hiking in Vancouver has dramatically different driving conditions compared to visiting the city of Los Angeles.

Discuss all the various factors with your teen driver. It’s also a good time to decide how much driving your teen will do and which legs of the trip will be safest.

Check the Teen Driving Regulations in Each State

Every state lays out their own regulations for teen drivers. After going through the learner’s permit process, you’re probably familiar with your state’s regulations, but what about the states you’ll be driving through?

The states you plan to visit could be more strict or more lenient. Make sure to check with the state DMV for more information to avoid accidentally violating the rules of the road.

Don’t Sleep While They Drive

Teen drivers need supervision, especially if they’re driving through unfamiliar territory. It may be tempting to catch a power nap while your teen is driving, but fight the urge. Stay awake and alert so you can act as their co-pilot and make sure they aren’t doing anything risky like texting while driving.

Keep Your Emotions Under Control

We have a way of feeding off the emotions of others. If you’re stressed and on-edge while your teen is driving it will do nothing but increase their anxiety. Raising your voice or getting into an argument should definitely be avoided since it can make your teen driver emotional.

If you find that your teen’s driving is just too stressful during the family road trip ask them to pull over at the next stop so you can use the restroom. Once you’re done, take back the driver’s seat.

Avoid High-Traffic Areas and Times

Some believe in throwing a person in the deep end to teach them how to swim. That’s not an advisable tactic for teen drivers on a family road trip. It’s best to stick to portions of the route that are less likely to have traffic and times when there are fewer cars on the road.

Avoid Teen Driving in a Rental

Are you planning on renting a vehicle for your family road trip? Then your teen may have to put up with sitting in the back seat. No car rental company will rent a vehicle to a person who’s under 18, and many refuse to turn over the keys to drivers that are 20 years old or younger.

Even though it’s legal for a teen to drive while the parent is in the car, the car rental company may forbid it. Read the fine print carefully to avoid potentially expensive problems.