Here are some great tips for traveling with the family from our customers. Have one to share? Email it to Robin@ZaineyandZoe.com.
*We bring a beach ball in our carry on. Blow it up and play while at the airport, lightweight to carry, and cheap in case we have to leave it behind. -Anne
*In the car and for airplanes I wrap snacks and small gifts,books, and things in paper and let them unwrap them in intervels throughout the trip. The dollar store is great for these types of surprises.
*When we travelled across the country we let the kids choose some of our stops so they had some to look forward to.
*Kids love maps! Get them each their own and let them trace your route.
-Cyndie
* When we take road-trips we always stock the van with baby wipes for messes, paper towels, a few large disposable cups, and some disposable bags (like from Wal Mart). And if traveling with a child who is potty-training or has just recently been trained, bring an entire extra outfit so you don't have to unpack the entire van to find extra clothes in case of an accident.
*When we bring snacks I either portion them out ahead of time into snack bags, or I bring small disposable cups to portion out goldfish, gorp, etc. to the kids in the back.
* Put some thought into van seating arrangements - who will do the best seated next to each other, who gets carsick and needs to be further up, who can help with a carsick kid, etc. -Heather
*My travel tip is to make your packing to-do list and to-do list for vacation. Save it on the computer. Print a copy to place in your carry on for the next trip. For us we virtually bring and do the same stuff each time. Any changes just save it on the computer.
-Annette
*Magna doodle type drawing boards are hours of fun… get a small one for each child and do letters, numbers, Pictionary, etc.
*Before each day begins, take a digital photo of each child so you can describe them (Heaven forbid they are lost).
*Take all your small kids who can stand in the handicapped stall with you in rest stop restrooms (one stroller typically fits as well).
*Pack each person in separate plastic bags and drop them into a laundry basket (car travel only). Bring dirties home ready for the washer.
-Julie
*The week before the trip I help the kids decorate snack cans. I cut paper to fit around an old formula can and the kids decorate it with stickers and markers. We fill them with things for the car trip like granola bars, fruit snacks and small packages of snacks.
*The kids have fun making their own snack mix. You can put in whatever your family likes. We mixed up Cheerios, peanuts, M&Ms, dried banana chips and sesame sticks. Packaged in snack size Ziplocs; its fun in the car.
-Lisa
*The car is a great place to create conversation with kids. Make up stories. Once a upon a time... and each person adds a sentence or a part. I always carry those I spy books or the Osbourne books that are the search books for them to find things when I need a little quiet time.
*Leaving on off times is always good so they sleep. You need lots of calm music to keep them in that state of mind; things go much faster when they sleep.
-Rona
