Planning ahead will help avoid some of the frustrations and stresses of traveling with children. All children, especially the younger ones, need something to keep them occupied during the hours of enforced sitting.
If you are traveling by car you have more avenues open to you for keeping the young ones entertained, but you also have more hours of travel than some other travel options. Experienced travelers have developed some tips that work (most of the time).
The Goodie Bag
Long hours in the car, flight delays, and rainy days are some of the times to get out the Goodie Bag. What you put in your bag of tricks will be dependent upon the ages and the interests of your children. This bag will contain some surprise Goodies to be brought out as needed. Some suggestions are:
Pre-schoolers
1. Finger puppets.
2. Discarded film cases with colored fabrics inside.
3. Matching games. (Like felt squares with large buttons sewn in the center.)
4. Crayons and plain paper.
5. Stacking containers.
6. Three to six beanbags.
7. "Old Maid" cards.
8. A book with several stories to be read by an adult.
9. A Richard Scarry book for the four-year-old.
10. Headphones and a new but familiar read along book and tape.
Ages 5 to 12
1. Mini/action figures.
2. Handheld games (Gameboy, Rubik's Cube, electronic handheld games, etc.)
3. Stop watch.
4. Audio tapes (plenty of batteries).
5. Story tapes.
6. A new book. (Some parents buy two of the same to read and discuss together.)
7. Cards of any type (Hoyles book of rules).
8. Non coloring book and markers.
9. String or yarn and directions for String Figures; "Jacob's Ladder", "Kitty Whiskers", "Cup and Saucer" or play Cats Cradle!
10. Trivia cards or current card collecting craze.
11. Magnifying glass and slight of hand tricks from a magic store. (Even weary dads love this one.)
Teens
1. A new and wanted CD.
2. If you have a reader, consider two of the same book. Reading the same book allows for neutral and non-threatening conversation...well usually.
3. A phone card.
4. Lap top with modem for the e-mail connection.
5. A book with blank pages.
6. Batteries and more batteries.
7. Language tapes if your destination requires.
8. Keep a sense of humor when things are out of your control. How you act and react will determine how your teen behaves.
