Travel Tips

Hello, I would like you to meet Kendra Thornton. She is going to share some fabulous ideas with you about traveling with children. This is a brief bio of Kendra: 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 mixed my excitement for travel by bringing the taste of authentic cuisine to my own home with some of my unique recipes and sharing some of my personal traveling tips. Enjoy!

Follow Kendra at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendraThornton

Website: http://www.thorntonpr.com/

Travel Smart with Your Kids this Summer

Even though is now in the swing of things, it’s never too late to plan a fun family vacation. I love to travel with my family, but it has taken quite a while to fine-tune our travel process. With a bit of preparation, you can have a hassle-free trip.

1. Be Prepared

It is always best to be prepared. Make a list of things to do and pack in the weeks leading up to your vacation. You would hate to miss something, like forgetting diapers or enough socks. You can even use an app on your smartphone like Packing Pro to help you keep a list.

2. Destination Fun

Anytime you choose a destination, look for nearby activities to keep the kids entertained. Family friendly resorts are great because they offer fun for everybody. Look for a hotel with an indoor water park or a ranch with riding lessons. You can score bonus points if you book a room with a kids club, allowing your spouse and you to have time alone. I used Gogobot to find a great Orlando hotel that was affordable and family friendly. Always look to find a hotel that has something to offer every member of the family.

3. Surprise Getaway

Try not telling the kids where you plan to go on your vacation. Just tell them to pack a suitcase and let them guess where you are going ahead of time. If you drop some clues ahead of time to entice your children, they will be excited and eager to reach the destination. The only catch is that the reveal must be surprising—there has to be a bit of a “wow” factor attached.

4. Structured Playtime

Having an all-day adventure can be tiring for the whole family. Integrate playtime into the plans, breaking up sightseeing or guided tours into chunks. Engaging the children is essential to keeping them happy. Find playgrounds and swimming pools they can enjoy. Just remember that it’s more difficult for the kids to keep up with your lengthier activities.

 

5. Document the Trip!

Documenting the trip can be a great way for the family to bond, and can ensure that you capture those memories made during the trip. Bring your camera (with an extra battery and/or a charger), but also provide the youngsters with their own disposable camera to take pictures on their own! They will love being able to snap their own memories along the way, and putting together a scrap book afterword can be tremendous bonding time for the whole family!

 

A little bit of preparation can go a long way. Remember to have fun and to plan accordingly!

 Thanks Kendra for being All Boxed Up's first guest blogger.