Just in time for summer, I’m very happy to welcome another guest poster! Kendra Thornton is a travel expert and mother of 3, so I will certainly heed her advice with our own 2 tinies on 2 major road trips this summer. Here’s a little intro from Kendra herself:
Bio: Kendra Thornton: Travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife and mama of 3. I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I’ve found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home. I have taken my excitement for travel and brought it to you with some of my favorite travel tips and tricks. Enjoy!
And now the main event…
Traveling with Kids: Advice from a Fellow Mom
Summer is right around the corner. What better way to enjoy it than by vacationing together as a family? Traveling with kids can be challenging, but it’s a lot of fun too. The trick to having the best time is to prepare as fully as possible. By laying the right groundwork beforehand, you’ll be able to enjoy a worry-free, fun-filled family vacation.
Try Audio Books – Family vacations go a lot more smoothly when kids are occupied while getting from point A to point B. When it comes to keeping little ones entertained, variety is key. Download a few audio books for your smartphone, tablet or other device and have them ready to go. Make sure to pack spare headphones as well. If possible, download audio books onto a few different devices to reduce the risk of backseat squabbling.
Focus on Family Friendly Places – All too often, people focus exclusively on price when booking stays for family vacations. Many destinations have a variety of family friendly hotels and resorts, so be on the lookout for them. Whether you’re planning a trip in the mountains or in a beach resort area, you should be able to find a place that offers something for every member of the family. Many properties have spas and golf courses for adults and kids’ clubs, playgrounds and activities for children. When my family chose Hawaii as our vacation destination, we knew family friendly was crucial to avoid those catering to the honeymooners. Our resort was minutes from Waikiki and also provided plenty of on site activities for the kids on days we didn’t make it to the beach. Research and referrals helped us find our family’s perfect Honolulu hotel.
Pack Extra Bags – Like most moms, you probably have a stockpile of plastic shopping bags. Keep some in your luggage to make packing for your journey home easier. Reusable shopping bags or large Ziploc bags work too. Any style can be used for everything from dirty clothes to wet bathing suits. Upon arriving home, such items can be dumped right into washing machines.
Spice Up Your Tour – From the Grand Canyon to The Liberty Bell, there are a host of vacation destinations that would be best explored with a guide. However, museums and historical tours can be a drag for kids. Instead of losing out on cities rich with culture, look into tours and guides that are geared toward families. Resources like Urban Adventure Quest turn the mundane into the extraordinary with scavenger hunts through 22 of America’s cities. This downloadable app is perfect for a range of ages. Try rewarding your little ones with a prize or sweet treat at the end of your quest.
Book an Early Flight – You may shudder at the idea of having to be at the airport at the crack of dawn, but isn’t it better than dealing with delays? The later your flight is, the more likely it is to be backed up from runway congestion. Select an early flight for the trip home as well. Plan on having an early night the evening before your trip ends. By avoiding long waits at the airport, your vacation should end on a positive note.
Thank you so much, Kendra! I hope you all have enjoyed her words as much as I’ve enjoyed having her here. Now let’s take our little munchkins out to see the world!