After preparing for an upcoming vacation by carefully reviewingcheap traveloptions, including cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages, itis a shame to have a family vacation ruined because your kids seem to resist everythingyou would like them to do.
Often children resist napping on vacation, refuse eating weird food, and/or do not want to visitmuseums. The following are ways to makeyour next trip with kids more fun for everyone, according to Sarah Ricks:
Bringfriends since sharing a vacation with another family means built inbuddies. Every night becomes a sleepoverand every day a playdate. Parents canswitch off babysitting duties and let the other couple go out for an adultdinner or a live performance.
Letyour kids sleep since a sleepy kid is usually a cranky kid. If traveling with little kids, bring astroller so naps can be on the go while others enjoy the scenery or explore amuseum. Alternatively, schedule a middaycar, train, or bus ride for needed downtime. If traveling with teenagers, try to let them sleep in or text friendswhile you go out for earning morning exploring. Remember that a rejuvenating siesta creates the possibility of anenjoyable late night.
Adjustyour expectations of what your kids will eat. If you will be traveling overseas, consider bringing peanut butter or afavorite cereal. Often kids surpriseparents and themselves and enjoy trying new foods or exotic types of pizza ortoppings for pasta.
Buildanticipation before departing by reading with your kids about yourdestination. Picture books, youthfiction, detective novels set in the area, and biographies all provide insightinto culture and history and help create anticipation for a trip. Watching movies set in your destination canalso help stoke anticipation.
Creatememories with your children during the trip by giving each child a blank bookto draw or write in during downtime, or to glue in postcards, tickets, andother items. Interview your kids andnote their answers in their books. Askquestions on topics such as the biggest surprise at their destination, worstnew food tried, favorite joke of the vacation, favorite song, and who they lookforward to seeing upon their return home.
Creatememories after returning home by producing a photo book or using iPhoto orother software to publish a book that includes captions by your kids. Canvas on Demand turns photos into picturesthat can be hung on walls to remind everyone of places that have been exploredby the family and help build excitement for your familys next vacation.
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