Christmas and Summer school holidays often mean travel for families. It could mean travel around town catching up with friends and family to celebrate the season. It could mean interstate travel. For some it means an overseas trip. We’ve bundled together some of our favourite tips to help you this holiday season.
Pack some snacks & water.
Other than a tired kid, a hungry kid is probably the crankiest one you’ll find. Make sure that you have a good solid main meal and then bring snacks and water to help them should you find yourself stuck in one place (including traffic).
A tip for those traveling overseas or interstate by plane. You may need to empty the water bottle to go through security. Keep it on you and fill it up once you’ve cleared screening. You might also find dried fruit easier to carry than fresh fruit and within Australia it will pass most quarantine inspections.
Carry a small blank notepad and some pencils
You don’t have to have a full pencil case, even a few of the small pencils will work, the idea of this is to give kids a space to occupy themselves. The blank notepad is a great place to play hangman, boxes/squares, tic-tac-toe, or take turns to build up a funny picture.
A rug, shawl, pashmina, or sarong
Depending on how you are traveling, these large pieces of fabric are great makeshift blankets. Now that doesn’t mean that they have to be used for a nap. You can use them to screen a car window for extra shade. You can string them up as a makeshift tent or blanket fort for some fun or a place to hide when it all gets a bit much.
A favourite toy or book
Even a well-loved book can provide comfort for a child who is missing home. It can be nerve wracking taking their favourite toy overseas but the comfort it brings is priceless. The added benefit is that it can be used to give the child something to take care of or be responsible for, removing worry about themselves and making them focus on caring for something.
Take a break
Seems crazy but book some downtime. Make sure you have days where you have no plans and you can just chill out and enjoy ‘being’ together. Some people find travel stressful, trying to fit everything in, make sure you have time to stop an breathe.
Be a kid
Holidays are a fun time. Make sure you enjoy yourself. Do things you used to enjoy as a child. Take them to your favourite places from your childhood. Look at things through their eyes by having them tell you the best part of the day/holiday.
Get in the photos
Don’t leave yourself out of the photo. Who said selfies can’t be holiday photos! Ask a passer-by to take your photo. Just make sure you’re in the photo too. The kids will thank you when they’re older.
