Vacation Tips
With spring break upon us, you may be heading out on a big vacation, road tripping to another city or maybe going on a day trip nearby! Whatever you’re doing, here are my four tips to make the time successful.
VISION
Now this may seem silly, but I’ve found it really helpful to have a vision of what I want our trip to look like. And then… I think about whether that’s realistic for the stage my kids are at.
For instance, the first time we went on an all inclusive vacation, my kiddos were 2, 4 and 6. My number one priority at the time was to relax (as much as I could with 3 young kids). We packed their life jackets and goggles, so we didn’t have to be too stressed near water. We didn’t leave the hotel grounds, so we wouldn’t be packing the kids around. We had a routine of every afternoon having a movie/siesta in the room. Yes of course, things were still busy. BUT having a vision of what we wanted our vacation to look like really made some relaxation happened!! If you’re travelling with a partner, other family or friends, it is so helpful to communicate with them your vision for the trip BEFORE you leave. That way everyone is on the same page and expectations can be managed!
GAMES/TOYS
The first few family vacations we went on, I packed very few toys or games. I thought the kids would find things to do wherever we were. I WAS WRONG, ha. Now every time we go on a trip, I pack things for them to do in each of their backpacks. Whatever we bring has to be light enough the kids can carry their own bag. Some of our favourites: card games, colouring books and markers, figurines, water colouring, matching games, crossword puzzles and sticker books.
SCREENS AND YOTOS
Each of our children has a tablet, Yoto and wired headphones they use when travelling. I know wireless headphones seem nice, but it’s another thing to charge while on vacation. We download several movies/shows on each of their tablets. Even at resorts where there’s wifi, we’ve found the internet isn’t always reliable. I also put one movie on each tablet that all three kids like. On our last vacation there was a huge delay waiting for our airport transfer. Luckily I kept one tablet at the top of my backpack and put a movie on for the kids while we waited. It was a lifesaver. And so much easier than getting 3 tablets/headphones out.
For the Yotos, I check that all of their favourite cards are downloaded onto the device. You can do this via the Yoto app on your phone. When my kids were younger, I had one Yoto card book in my backpack and I would give the kids one card at a time. Now that they’re older and more responsible, they each have a card book and can access the cards themselves.
I start downloading content onto my kids’ devices about a week before we leave. It always takes longer than I think! Then two-three days before I make sure all the tablets and Yotos are completely charged. Once that’s done, the cables get packed.
SUSTENANCE
Whether we have a short or a long travel day ahead of us, I find having food and snacks super helpful. I usually pack a bento box of food for each kid. Once we’re at our destination I find it really helpful having the bentos to use. Each child has their water bottle in their backpack. If travelling by airplane, water is the one thing I don’t mind spending money on in the airport (if it’s not safe to drink from a fountain). I also have a ziploc bag full of snacks - fig bars, gummies, fibre bars and lollipops. The lollipops are so handy if you are taking off/landing on an airplane or if you just need 5 minutes of silence!! I pack a similar bag in our luggage for the trip home.
While these four tips have helped me so much on vacation, you can’t plan for everything! Rolling with whatever changes come your way and finding the levity in the tough moments is key.
Bon Voyage!
Alex Turner, mom of 3 living the chaotic, suburban dream near Vancouver, Canada