Are We There Yet?
Bringing a few familiar and new items can make traveling with children easier, as well as help everyone through unexpected changes in plans, such as delayed flights and rainy days. Suggestions to consider:
Favorites: Does your child have an absolute favorite toy? If yes - bringing this item will help put him/her at ease in a new environment and, likely, keep everyone saner.
The Basics: Books, art supplies, a ball, puzzles, and some small instruments and favorite CDs will keep children of many ages busy. Fun family games (many come in travel sizes) are also on the must-take list
Variety Adds Fun: Consider a few special new "trip toys" to give as a surprise during the trip, but save for challenging situations such as an extra-long dinner wait at a restaurant, an airport layover, or some bad weather.
Parent Feedback: The Best Vacations and Strategies to Stay Sane
As part of the first annual LB Toys "Are We There Yet" Survey of 107 parents, we asked parents for their favorite vacation spots and their tips and tricks for the road. Some of their suggestions follow:
Favorite Vacation Spot for Families with Children: Warm and wonderful Disney was the most popular choice for family fun, followed by the beach. In addition, parents named destinations including: Provincetown, MA; Deep Creek, MD; The Outer Banks, NC; Topsail Island, Nashville, TN; Tweetsie Railroad, Boone, NC; and Niagara Falls, Canada.
What do you bring for fun along the way? Finger paints, coloring books, rescue heros, stuffed toys, books, music, magna doodle, cars and trucks, play dough, lacing cards, stickers
What is your favorite travel game or activity for fun while in transit? Eye Spy, The License Plate Game (try to find all 50 states!), singing along with CDs, sticker books, Bug!, Travel Bingo, Junior Mad Libs, talking about fun things we have done in the past or are looking forward to, ABC game (trying to find letters on signs), musical instruments
Do you have advice for other parents to help make travel more fun? Bring a travel bag with surprises; sticker and other activity books are great; leave at night and stop for dinner; try to be well rested beforehand; sing and play games; stopping along with way if you are driving to see sights; bring lots of snacks; bring an instrument or two; bring favorite CDs, Pick hotels with pools; Have lots of activites ready; Be prepared - bring various types of activities
If you were stranded on a desert island and your child could only bring one toy - what would you bring? A ball, art supplies, buys book, a puzzle, a Thomas train, a book, Lego, pretend food, Uno, a dress up trunk, a hand puppet - functions as a toy and a lovey!
Share Your Ideas - What do your kids love to do on the road? What toys do they love? Share your thoughts with us, and we will share many more great ideas with you.
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