One of my favorite things about traveling with the kids is that they can have my undivided attention. (O.K. I do confess in between reading my gossip magazines!) But, I have found some great products from Madallie.com that make their motto true.
The product links below (with little notes from me) are in my opinion, the best of the market when it comes to What to Do with your little ones. I love these travel games, toys, crafts and journals because they keep the kids busy with their hands and their minds! While it is so easy to turn on the DVD player, these activities are what makes the journey memorable. Time with your kids that you will never get back. And, if you make crafts on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house, they will make great hosting gifts!
Create "Junior Reporters"
Another thing I like to do when I travel with my kids, is educate them along the way. I try to make learning fun. While in New York City, we visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Our Aunt Helen made a “scavenger hunt” for the kids, which was inspiring, creative and fun. It gave them something to do while we were waiting in the long line for the ferry.
They had to find and circle such items on her computer-made list: flags, pigeons, etc. My sister-in-law is a teacher so she came up with this creative way to keep the kids busy. But, if you don’t have an aunt like Helen and don’t want to make a search and find yourself, Fodor’s also makes travel guides for kids, which are great.
You can also purchase ready-made Kids’ Travel Journals from our Journey Shop as well. Pack the writing book with you so that the kids can document their experiences in their own words. This will be a special souvenir you will all have forever, a keepsake worth saving.
I tell my kids they are “Junior Reporters.” Since I write and blog about our travels, I expect them to as well. Your kids can be the best recorders. They will write about things they saw that you didn’t notice along the way. Kids have such a different perspective than grown-ups. Write down your thoughts about the day and compare them to what your children wrote. You’ll be surprised.
My 6-year-old wrote that he went “Scooby-diving” instead of scuba-diving. I will save and cherish that entry. It was so funny and creative. Give your children the chance to write about their travels. Not only does it open their minds, but it fills up a lot of time in the hotel before bed or on the airplane ride home!
