Guest Post by Kendra Thornton
I am excited to introduce my guest blogger, Kendra Thornton. Kendra is 37 and a mother of 3. Before being
promoted to
the full time position of mom, she was the former Orbitz Director
of
Communications where she was able to travel a great deal. She still loves to write and believes she has some great tips for
traveling with
kids that will certainly come in handy this summer!
Preparing
for Traveling with Children
Summer is finally here! What better way to spend your extra hours
of sunlight than with your family making the memories of a lifetime? A trip can
be a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life to spend time
with those who mean the most. I’ve found that the best way to make my family
vacations the most enjoyable is to do a little bit of planning ahead. The
following tips will help you adequately prepare for your trip while leaving the
hassle at home!
1. Let Them Help Plan
the Trip
If you have older kids, try asking them where they want to go next
when you begin planning your trip. If
you let them help plan your next adventure, they will feel more invested and
are more likely to enjoy the trip. You don't have to implement every one of
their suggestions, but have a family meeting where everyone has a say.
Traveling is a great opportunity to teach them about new cultures, foods, and
peoples. Share the travel bug and get
them involved!
2. One Location, Many
Activities
I’ve found it’s vital to pick one location with a variety of
entertainment when planning a vacation for little ones. Before making your
hotel reservations, check to see what activities there are for children as well
as adults. Look to see what amenities your prospective hotels offer. The room with a fridge and microwave will
make snack time a lot easier and is essential for preparing bottles. Although this may be slightly more expensive
than the others, make sure you calculate how much you’ll be spending on meals
without this convenience. If you have
older children, consider a family friendly hotel that features an indoor water
park or a mountain resort. Try using a social site like Gogobot to ask other
parents about their travel experiences. Want the ultimate kid-friendly
destination? Check
out this list of Walt Disney World Hotels in Orland for some excellent,
child-friendly options. There are a number of places that have activities for
the entire family to enjoy!
3. Pack Snacks
A key to keeping your kids happy as you travel is to try to keep a
regular eating schedule. That means packing healthy snacks to take on a road
trip, or purchasing healthy snack items in the airport. Try to feed your
children at the same time you normally would even if you are in the process of changing
time zones. Try to follow up meal and snack time with regular naps. Your kids
will feel better and will be energized for the travel time ahead.
4. Strolling Options
For those with little ones, deciding whether to bring a stroller is
a dilemma many parents struggle with. My
advice: it depends on your destination. A
large stroller may be a huge hassle to navigate through airport security or to
fit in the back of your car with all of your luggage. An umbrella stroller can be an excellent
option that is inexpensive and lightweight.
There are also companies that rent
strollers once you’ve reached your destination. If you’re planning to use
public transportation while on vacation, think about a sling or child backpack,
as stairs will likely be inevitable.
5. Don’t
Bore, Explore!
For many adults, one of the highlights of traveling is learning all about the history and culture of a new city or location. But for kids, the idea of a museum is often enough to put them to sleep. Instead of ditching the educational aspect altogether, give it a kid-friendly twist. Choose a tour or museum designed for kids. Most cities have Segway tours now that can be a blast for tweens and teens. Wildland Family Adventures cater to young children as well while being cognizant of long walks and kid-friendly meals. With some research and a little creativity you can make your next family trip enjoyable for all ages!
For many adults, one of the highlights of traveling is learning all about the history and culture of a new city or location. But for kids, the idea of a museum is often enough to put them to sleep. Instead of ditching the educational aspect altogether, give it a kid-friendly twist. Choose a tour or museum designed for kids. Most cities have Segway tours now that can be a blast for tweens and teens. Wildland Family Adventures cater to young children as well while being cognizant of long walks and kid-friendly meals. With some research and a little creativity you can make your next family trip enjoyable for all ages!
The link to my
business website is ThorntonPr.com. I also use twitter to give
travel tips and tricks (@KendraThronton)
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!
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