Save your sanity and holiday cheer with these family holiday travel tips and travel games.
Car Travel
You’re about to take a long road trip. If history repeats itself the trip will be riddled with whining, bickering and the usual nagging. This trip CAN be different if you try some new tactics. During the Holidays kids are bouncing off the walls and in a car the walls are much smaller. You’ll want to provide simple entertainment for close quarters. Contrary to what some kids think, torturing siblings in not an acceptable form of entertainment. However, these suggestions are perfectly acceptable: Use a shoe box to make an activity box for each child. Fill it with surprises; stickers, notepads, stamp sets, Silly Putty and small toys. A walkman for each child and a book on tape can provide hours of peace and quiet. *Sit down with your kids, a map and markers. Show them ALL of the travel plans. Where you are staying, how long the drive will take, how many stops you plan on making and where you will eat meals. Provide a calculator, pencil and paper in the car. When they ask “How much longer”, you say “We are driving a total of ___miles, we have driven ___ miles so far.” Use your calculator to find your answer.
Plane Travel
Much of the suggestions above apply to airline/train travel as well. For traveling with babies call your airline ahead of time to see if any special accommodations can be made for space, bottle heating, nursing privacy, feeding and diaper changing. If you have been seated apart from your husband, older children or adult helper…politely ask the passenger next to you to if they are willing to switch. Most passengers are MORE than willing to switch seats. If your baby is crying when you ask – all the more convincing.
Travel Games
Take time during your trip whether car or plane to play with your kids. Sing silly carols, play word games like 20 questions or ask questions that require a thoughtful answer:
“If Santa fell off your roof, what would you do?”
“If you saw a child that had little or no Christmas presents, how would you respond”
Travel safely, sanely and with a smile – after all
“tis the season to be jolly”
