ARE WE THERE YET? Survival Tips For Parents During Summer Travels
As a mother of three children, ages 9, 6, and 3, Deanna DeFazio has survived many days of car and air travel, and knows all to well the joys, sorrows, regrets, and insanity traveling with children can bring. Yet, she says, with some careful pre-planning, parents can greatly reduce the stress of traveling while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
There are many products on the market today that can make the trips themselves, less painful, and in many cases, more enjoyable.
Prices on personal electronics devices have come down a lot and can help pass the time quickly, especially in-car or portable VCR/DVD players. Handheld video games are also a good bet.
However, there are less expensive, educational, and fun alternatives. Deanna DeFazio, Senior Independent Discovery Toys Educational Consultant, offers some suggestions.
No matter what the age, a car activity box is a must. It can easily be stored under a seat and left in the car for outings. This is just a shoebox or plastic container filled with the following items: white and colored paper, tape, washable markers, pencils and a sharpener, a deck of playing cards, yarn or ribbon, stickers, small envelopes, and rounded edge scissors (be sure to remove if taking on an airplane).
From her website, DeFazio highly recommends “52 Fun Things to do in the Car Activity Card Set” and the “Discovery Travel Pack Activity Set.” She also offers these other ideas by age range to help the summer trips go more smoothly.
Ages 2 and under – Children this age love toys with a variety of colors, sounds, textures, and smells.
Great choices include:
-Teething rings – keep one at room temperature and one in a cooler
-Rattles
-Books with peek-a-boo flaps or that can hold pictures of family members
-Fun cassette or CD’s with music they are familiar with
-Links – can be used to attach the above items to car seat or hand rest. Be sure not to make the chain long enough to pose a choking hazard.
Ages 3-5 – Children this age are very active and need to keep busy.
Some great options for them include:
-Books – coloring, flap, simple dot-to-dot, shapes, colors, counting, books on CD/cassette, or record and playback books
-Lacing sets – have them lace in patterns then create a story to go with the different pieces
-Dry erase markers and boards
-Magnetic games, dolls, or playsets
-Felt boards
-Small hand-sized puppets
-Crayola Wondercolors books and markers
-Edible Jewelry – you can even make this along the way. Use a large piece of rope licorice and then add cheerios, frosted cheerios, fruit loops, and small licorice pieces. When they need a snack, they can eat their design and then make a new one.
-Small action figures
Ages 6 and up – Children this age become bored very easily while stuck in the car or plane.
Some good ideas to help them have fun are:
-Books on CD/cassette
-Puzzle, maze, optical illusion, or how-to books
-Camera – a disposable camera can be a great way for them to remember their trip. This will allow them to create their own memories.
-Video camera – let them use the family video camera and document the trip. They will enjoy being the directors of their own movies.
-Road atlas with path highlighted – Then they can see where they are and where they are going. AAA Trip ticks are great. They can see where the next rest area is, look for construction areas, and count miles between two points.
-Play car games – Phrase plates, name that tune, story round, crack up, padiddle, I Spy, and Slug Bug/Punch Buggy
-Play pencil and paper games such as tic-tac-toe or hangman
To avoid over-tiring, stop every 2-3 hours and allow them 15-20 minutes to run and play. Utilize play places at fast food restaurants along the way, even if it’s the last thing you want to do. DeFazio says “They’re great for getting out the extra energy.” However, if you prefer to stop at rest areas, have a few things they can play with that encourage them to run, like a frisbee, ball, or a jump rope.
Bring along each child’s favorite blanket, doll, stuffed animal, and pillow. These things will not only comfort and sooth for the long ride, but the entire vacation.
Most of all have fun and be flexible. Leaving home without your sense of humor could be your biggest mistake, because you will need it. No matter how much you plan, things will change. Take the time to listen and enjoy your children. These times go by very quickly.
Discovery Toys offers award-winning educational toys, books, music and software with an unconditional guarantee. Busy parents can visit DeFazio’s Discovery Toys web site (www.discoverytoyslink.com/sunnyd) for more great travel ideas or call 724-913-6754 for a catalog. Pre-packaged Travel Totes are also available for different age ranges.
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Deanna DeFazio, please call her at 412-913-6754 or email at defazio@alltel.net.
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