travel with kids Archives

Flying with Kids? Read This Now and Thank Us Later

February 20, 2020 by admin

Ah, yes: who doesn’t enjoy those delightful vacation company commercials to glorious places like Sicily, featuring blissful families frolicking on the beach, exploring the great outdoors — and so on? Everyone is having the time of their life.

But there’s something these vacation companies don’t put in their commercials: they don’t show what flying with kids is really like. And why would they expose this cruel truth? If they did, nobody would want to go on a family vacation. They’d want to go to family therapy.

The bad news is that we aren’t yet living in a Star Trek-like world, in which going from point A to point B is a simple matter of telling the computer to “beam us” over. But the good news is that families with young kids don’t have to turn their non-stop flight into a non-stop fight. Here are 7 tips to keep in mind:

Check your seats before boarding. And then check them again. If there’s a mistake, you definitely want to sort it out in the airport — not in the plane.
Speaking of seats: try and sit as close as possible to the front of the plane, where the ride is usually less bumpy.
Booking early morning flights may seem like the worst suggestion imaginable, but it’s actually a wise idea. Why? Because early morning flights tend to take off on time vs. those later in the day. Less time the air (or on the runway) is a good thing.
Bring activities such as coloring books that will keep your little ones busy, but won’t make noise to disturb the other passengers. And speaking of books: don’t forget to bring some yourself to make the time go faster. If you’re tired of the standard Stephen King and John Grisham fare, consider picking up a book that features full-color classic car restoration photos so that you and kids can enjoy it together.
Bring healthy snacks, especially since airlines are notorious for running out of kid-friendly foods early and often. Trail mix, granola, cereal, and fruit are all good ideas.
If you need to take connecting flights, then consider longer vs shorter layovers. Yes, this means the journey will take more time than it could. But it also means that your kids will have the opportunity to stretch their legs, get rid of some energy, and have fun looking around the airport (yes, as adults airports are a drag, but kids still find them pretty fascinating). As a bonus, your willingness to tolerate longer layovers might result in a lower ticket price.
Pack plenty of patience. True, this is much easier said than done! And one day when your kids have kids of their own, they will understand — and be very, very apologetic for what they did to you. But until then, you need to stay calm, stay focused, and recruit as many allies on the flight as possible (you’ve struck gold if there are other kids flying and they all become instant friends).

5 Essential Packing Tips when Traveling with Children

June 6, 2018 by admin

How you pack for your next vacation could literally make the difference between a stress-free vacation or a complete nightmare. However, just making one major mistake could make a trip extremely difficult, especially when you don’t have a plan B. In this article, we’re going to give you a few essential packing tips when traveling with children.

Cross Pack

Even though that is something most of us dread and hope never happens, luggage gets lost sometimes. And the only way to be prepared for this kind of situation is to plan properly. If you’re packing essentials, make sure that you pack multiple sets of the same items across various bags. The best luggage sets will give you enough space to do that. Make sure that you put at least an extra set of clothes for your children across two or more bags, in case of emergency.

Keep the Cords and Chargers in the Same Place

If you’ve ever traveled with children, you’ll know how much of a godsend electronic devices can be during a long trip. However, losing or forgetting cords and chargers can be a sure fun-killer. The best thing you could do is buy a small pouch that will be used to store chargers and cords. You’ll find tons of these pouches on the market and they’re usually waterproof, which will keep your electronics safe as well.

Find Apps your Children will be Able to Use Without an Internet Connection

But what good are electronic devices if you cannot find a good Wi-Fi connection? Most apps nowadays require that you have some sort of steady connection you can rely on, but if you’re prepared correctly, you can look for apps ahead of time that you’ll be able to use wherever you are. Games like Angry Birds, Bejeweled, Tetris or Starfall can all be used offline and will keep your kids occupied for hours.

Get yourself a Headphone Splitter

If you don’t want to annoy everybody on the plane by playing your music or videos out loud on your phone or iPad, you can buy a headphone splitter, so you can share the audio. Some splitters allow up to five headphones to be connected, so even if you’re traveling with a small army, you’ll be able to make sure nobody is left out.

Pack a few non-Tech Toys

While electronic devices will go a long way in keeping your children busy, it doesn’t mean that you should be completely reliant on them. Sometimes, the best way to bond on a trip is to disconnect and go for some old fashion family fun. Games like Clue, for instance, are great for the family and they can be enjoyed on the road too. Games and toys like Wikki Stix, Crocodile or coloring books with markers are great alternatives as well.

Conclusion

Now that you have your packing down, you can focus on having a good time with your family. Just remember to use these few simple tips to prevent any issues and make sure everyone enjoys their trip to the fullest.

RV Friendly Craft Ideas to Keep Your Kids Busy

May 3, 2018 by admin

Do your kids get restless while traveling in the RV? This list of RV friendly craft ideas will help keep them busy and out of your hair.

Traveling with younger children is always a bit of a challenge.

However, when you’re traveling in an RV?

That challenges increase tenfold.

You want to be able to find ways to keep your children busy and entertained (and to prevent them from asking “Are we there yet?” one more time.) However, you also don’t want to have to spend half of your vacation time picking up after their crafting decisions.

Before you cancel your trip, read this post.

We’re sharing our best RV friendly crafting ideas with you and your family.

Origami

When you’re in the market for RV friendly crafting ideas, your main priority is looking for options that will keep your kids entertained and won’t have you cleaning up for hours afterward.

One of the best solutions?

Origami, which requires nothing more than paper, a YouTube tutorial or other how-to instructions, and a whole lot of patience.

Your child can learn the art of paper folding without getting glitter and glue all over the interior of your RV. Plus, they can also create affordable and handmade zoo animals, hearts, and much more.

This means that they’ll have toys to play with throughout your journey, and you’ll save tons of money in the process.

One of our favorite creatures to fold is the traditional bird. Get inspiration and instructions from this list of the top origami bird creations to inspire your child at any level of folding experience.

Stringing Beads

Another RV friendly craft that won’t break the bank or cause you to spend half of your vacation scraping craft glue off of your furniture?

Beading bracelets and necklaces.

All you need is string, a few awesome beads, and maybe a kid-friendly plastic needle to help with the threading.

Encourage your child to express themselves by stringing together lots of different colors and shades. You could even “commission” them to make you something special to wear around the campfire.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: how can I prevent these beads from ending up all over the floor?

The solution?

Tupperware and beading trays.

You can store beads and other supplies in Tupperware, or even old baby food jars if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option.

Then, you can use a beading tray or board to help your child to string out and design their jewelry. Many of these trays also come with a cover, so you can click it shut and avoid disaster if you’re going over any bumps in the road.

Do your research online before your trip starts to gather inspiration, and even bake some clay beads so your child’s necklace will be all their own!

Making Paper Chains

Continuing on our theme of paper crafts that are RV friendly (like the origami example above) let’s talk about another favorite: paper chains.

Especially if you’re on the road frequently, it can sometimes be tough for your kids to feel like their space is their own. They don’t have a “room” to decorate with stickers or line with posters.

So, give them the next best thing — the ability to decorate a tiny section of your RV with paper chains!

To avoid a mess, we suggest cutting the strips of colorful cardboard paper ahead of time. You can also look for tape dispensers that give out smaller strips of tape to loop the chains together, mess-free.

If your child is old enough, of course, they can also use a stapler.

In addition to standard paper chains, we also love the idea of making this paper chain caterpillar. Invest in some googly eyes for a truly fun look!

Rely on Coloring Books

When all else fails, the truth is that few RV friendly crafts work as well as the classic coloring book.

They entertained you as a child for hours on end, and we’re confident that they’ll be able to do the same for your kids.

Make sure to get a variety of coloring books, so that kids don’t get bored. Get themes related to their favorite cartoon characters, books, or even toys. To keep them guessing, pick up lots of different drawing materials.

We love the fun look of glitter pens, stamp markers, and colored pencils.

To make sure your children know that you appreciate their artwork, hang up a few of your favorites around your RV’s interior.

If your child is a little bit too old for coloring books, but still enjoys painting and drawing?

Maybe it’s time for them to graduate to paint by numbers! They can choose to copy famous paintings, landscapes, or even their favorite mythical creatures! To avoid a mess, use basic watercolor paint on the canvases.

These are especially awesome activities to do outside in the sunlight when you’re camped out for the afternoon. Then, let them dry on the picnic table.

Want More RV Friendly Lifestyle Ideas?

We hope that this post has helped you to realize that it is possible to find affordable and fun RV friendly crafting ideas for children (and yes, even adults) of all ages.

From creating paper chain creatures to encouraging your child’s inner artist with coloring books and paint by numbers, the possibilities are limitless.

Of course, we know that you also need lots of other advice on how to cook, clean, and generally get the most out of the camping lifestyle.

We’ve got you covered.

Spend some time on our website and blog to get access to how to conquer and thrive in the nomadic lifestyle!

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.

Changing the Clock: How to Help Your Baby Prepare for a Difference in Time Zones

February 1, 2017 by admin

With one in four families not taking vacations because they’re worried about stress and any issues that could arise, it would make sense to assume that jet lag symptoms are one of the primary reasons for this.

However, with only one in four families choosing to avoid vacations, that leaves three in four still opting to travel. Therefore, plenty of babies are likely to suffer from jet lag just as much as the rest of the family. So, if you have a baby and planning a family trip abroad, it’s essential to prepare your baby as much as possible for any time differences they may experience. Read on to discover how to make time adjustments a whole lot easier for both you and your baby.

Make your first day all about your baby

When you first arrive at your new destination, the only thing likely to be on your mind is exploring your new surroundings and getting stuck in with the fun activities on offer. But you might have to delay all that, as a great way to establish the most appropriate schedule for your baby is to make the first day all about your baby.

Slowly integrate them into your new place to help them become accommodated to their surroundings and become comfortable. Then, you can use this time to analyze their behavior and establish a new sleeping schedule that suits both their temperament and your new time zone. Once you’ve come up with the best routine possible, it’s vital to keep things consistent so you don’t confuse your baby.

Plan ahead

In addition to adapting your schedule when you arrive, it’s essential to get things started before you even go. Investigate what your new time zone will entail, and shift your baby’s routine to suit this at least a few days before you’re set to travel. This way, your baby’s schedule will already be tailored to your new time zone before you even get there, and is likely to make the whole adjustment period easier for everyone.

But, when doing this, it’s essential to adjust your baby’s schedule in small increments as opposed to all at once. Keeping your chosen increments consistent is vital, so utilizing the innovative features of this Android alarm clock app is guaranteed to keep your timings consistent and on-track.

Keep your baby active

Engaging your baby with fun activities in the fresh air is a sure-fire way to increase the likelihood of your baby sleeping when the time comes. Occupying your baby during the day will induce sleepiness – an active baby almost always ends up a tired baby!

Jet lag and time changes can be difficult for everyone of all ages but, for babies who are too young to understand what’s going on, it can wreak havoc on their routines. Therefore, to ensure your trip is as fun as possible, preparing beforehand and accommodating your baby’s new routine straight away are sure-fire methods for a hassle-free vacation.

Victoria Norris is an Army Wife who is completely used to the lifestyle after being raised an Army ‘Brat’ too! She is a Mother to a 6-month-old and a 6-year-old and enjoys showing her kids the cultures of the world.