Tag Archives: family travel

5 Ways to Truly ENJOY Traveling with Kids

Ah, children. Our sweet angel-faced offspring who bring us so much joy, right up until the moment they start karate kicking the seat in front of them on an airplane… Or fighting with their siblings in the back seat during a road trip. Traveling with kids can be an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience, but it often comes with its fair share of challenges.

From restless toddlers to moody teenagers, there’s a spectrum of emotions and needs to balance while on the road. However, with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, you can turn your family adventures into joyful and enriching journeys that everyone will cherish. In this blog post, we’re thrilled to share five valuable strategies that will not only make traveling with kids smoother but also help you truly enjoy every moment of your exploration together.

Here are five ways to survive (and even thrive) while traveling with kids, before you go diving for some Xanax or a boatload of tequila… 

Expectations

Have them, lower them, and then keep repeating them to yourself. Traveling with children is different than traveling kid-free, and is often more of a ‘trip’ than a relaxing vacation. Knowing beforehand that you’ll be making memories, having fun, but quite possibly not sleeping in or getting much rest will help shoulder any disappointment at a vacation that ‘could have been’.

Compromise

Sure, we’d all love a culturally rich day of strolling museums or enjoying a ten-course tasting menu at a new restaurant – but will that keep your smallest travelers happy? Finding activities that can please everyone from tiny tots to adventurous teens may be tricky – but it’s certainly not impossible. The right destination, resort, and especially travel advisor can arrange activities that suit the entire family’s interests, abilities, and ages. 

Say Yes to Help

While it’s a luxury not all can afford, many resorts offer licensed nannies or babysitters – and in return, you get a few hours to yourself. Have a doting grandparent that would spring at the chance to spend more time with their grandkids? Again, another luxury not everyone has in their lives – but if you do, this may be the perfect opportunity to invite them on a dream holiday, and get a bit of built-in babysitting to boot!

Bend, But Don’t Break

Bedtimes, healthy meals, and routines are all great. However, it may be worth bending the rules just a bit to not be bound to super-strict guidelines while on holiday. You’re on vacation, remember? Know your hard lines and choose when to bend your rules to allow for a memorable vacation where everyone’s having a good time. This could mean your kids don’t touch a vegetable for days or stay up a bit later than usual. Whatever works best for you, your family, and your sanity!

Entertainment Coordinator: At Your Service! 

Consider building a special ‘vacation’ bag, for your kiddos to only open during their travels. Fill it with some new toys, books, stickers, whatever your kiddos happen to be into these days – pack it chock full. Got a tablet and are ok with your kiddos watching tv? Download a few programs in advance, so WiFi issues won’t hinder their entertainment (aka your sweet moment of silence), and for the sake of all that is holy: GET THEM HEADPHONES, this is your moment of silence, remember?  

Remember, the essence of family travel lies in creating lasting memories and fostering connections. By following these five strategies – embracing flexibility, involving kids in the planning process, prioritizing downtime, finding age-appropriate activities, and savoring the small moments – you’ll transform your trips from being mere vacations to becoming cherished chapters in your family’s story. Every laugh, every curiosity-filled question, and every shared experience will contribute to a treasure trove of memories that your kids will carry with them throughout their lives. So, pack your bags, embark on those adventures, and relish the joy that comes with traveling with your beloved kids.

I’d love to help you plan the ultimate family vacation and ensure that even your tiniest travelers are taken care of. Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with me.

Happy journeys!

Best Screen FREE Travel Games for Kids to Keep Them Busy and Happy + FREE Printables

I have extensive experience traveling with my two children. We have taken road trips, flown all over the world and spent countless hours on vacation. I have found some inexpensive travel games for kids that will help keep them both happy and busy to pass the time in the airport, on the plane, in the car or even in a theme park. Many of these activities are also great ways to entertain your kids while you wait in long theme park lines if you’re visiting Disney World, Disneyland or Universal Orlando Resort!

Eye Found It: My Disney loving kids #1 favorite travel game is World of Disney Eye Found It! Each player will receive cards featuring scenes from 12 different Disney films and all of the players will compete to be the first to find a specific object hidden on his or her card.

Sticker Books: My daughter absolutely loves sticker books! Your local Dollar Tree will likely offer a variety of sticker books, including sticker puzzle books, or you could order sticker books like Paint by Sticker: Zoo Animals, Paint by Sticker: Beautiful Bugs, and Paint by Sticker: Under the Sea.

I Spy: You can play “I spy” without any cards or objects, literally anywhere in the world. Or, you can try the I Spy Card Game for your kids to be able to play alone or challenge each other with pre-made cards rather than your surroundings.

Mad Libs: Mad Libs is most fun when your kids are old enough to read, but you can help your younger ones create their own story with Mad Libs, too! There are so many different themes available for Mad Libs! You can try Mad Libs on the Road for a road trip, Mickey Mouse Mad Libs for a Disney vacation, Summer Fun Mad Libs or Vacation Fun Mad Libs.

Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your kids occupied and engaged while they search for things around them. You can create your own scavenger hunt printable, based on your specific travel plans, or order this Scavenger Hunt for Kids Travel Card Game.

Would You Rather: You could create a series of “would you rather” questions for your kids to answer or take advantage of a Would You Rather book full of more than 200 questions.

Mess Free Coloring: There are so many ways to enjoy mess free coloring while you travel! We love the Water Wow! pads, Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Activity Set, AquaDoodle, or this doodle book set.

Connect 4: Connect 4 makes a travel size version so your kids can challenge each other on the go. The only concern with this game is losing the small checkers during play.

Simon: The handheld version of the game Simon offers two game modes, single player or pass it, and encourages your kids to remember the sequence to win!

Guess Who: You’re probably familiar with the traditional board game Guess Who. But, did you know there’s a travel version? You can purchase the Guess Who card game for a portable version of the classic and fun guessing game.

Card Games: There are plenty of games you can play with a standard deck of cards like War, Rummy, or Euchre. You can also pick up this 6 in 1 fun pack that includes a variety of games like Memory, Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Old Maid and more.

Magnetic Board Game Sets: We have seen a number of varieties of magnetic board games. We love this set of 12 games like tic tac toe, checkers, snakes and ladders, and more!

Bonus: Don’t forget to make or get a travel journal for your kids to be able to write and draw all about your adventures so they can look back on all of their amazing memories!

What are your favorite travel games for kids?

I have also created a FREE coloring sheet and License Plate Game for you to print and use during your travels!

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Why You Need a Travel Agent

Today, I want to share with you why you need a Travel Agent (like me).
  • There is NO COST to you!
  • Each location certifies Travel Agents
  • We are Experts in our specialties (Hawaii, cruises, all-inclusives, and more!)
  • We know all the Promotions and Special Offers- Seriously, we get daily emails
  • We do the boring research, pricing options, and more, then report back to you
  • We offer suggestions and will plan your trip with as much detail as you want
  • Free Gifts! – Really, why wouldn’t you want free things?
  • No Stress Vacation Planning
  • No hours spent researching
  • Knowledgeable advice on restaurants, park tours, and more
  • Travel Agents work around your schedule and budget
Still not sold on a Travel Agent? Well, if the lure of the free gifts doesn’t give you incentive, perhaps I can convince you another way. It can take hours to plan a week’s vacation. Why ever would you want to do that anymore? Travel Agents do all of that for you AT NO COST TO YOU!
Did you know that Travel Agents will also sit down and go through your trip, offer restaurant recommendations, perhaps even suggesting one you’ve never been to… I can make your resort and dining reservations and even any “extras” you may want to try on your vacation!
Are you getting married and starting to think about your honeymoon? Planning a wedding is stressful enough, book your honeymoon with me and you can have one less thing to worry about!
I will help you find the perfect vacation for you- whether you are looking for a family vacation, a honeymoon, a weekend getaway with the girls or guys, or something else!
Contact me at spreadingmagic@gmail.com for more information and help planning your next vacation!

Adventures by Disney Launches Tours Specifically for Multi-Generational Families

In 2013, Adventures by Disney encourages you to bring the whole family along on multi-generational departures to Italy, London/Paris and Ireland.

While all Adventures by Disney tours are designed for families, these specialized adventures are specifically tailored to support the needs of groups traveling with multiple generations.

Each departure features a professional photographer on-hand throughout the adventure to capture memory-making moments. And, you will experience the Disney Differences that Adventures by Disney is known for, including dedicated Adventure Guides, knowledgeable local experts, hands-on educational activities, VIP privileges, private ground transportation and extraordinary accommodations.

With all of the details planned in advance, it’s easy for grandparents and parents to relax and immerse themselves in the most valuable experience of all –quality time with their family.

Adventures by Disney presents three multi-generational departures, created with the whole family in mind:

The Emerald Isle

Aug. 13, 2013 – 8 Days/7 Nights

Dublin, Cashel, Killarney and Newmarket-on-Fergus

Families will feel like they have reached a pot of gold as they discover the treasures of Ireland with Adventures by Disney. With excursions through legendary castles and authentic Irish dancing lessons, one can’t help but embrace the luck of the Irish.

Cities of Knights and Lights

July 22, 2013 – 8 Days/7 Nights

London, Windsor, Stonehenge, Paris and Versailles

Your Clients will step into the stories of fairy tale characters and kings in two of the most magical cities in Europe. From Buckingham Palace to the Eiffel Tower, Westminster Abbey to the Notre Dame Cathedral, they will experience unforgettable sites through hands-on experiences designed just for families.

Viva Italia

July 18, 2013 – 9 Days/8 Nights

Rome, Orvieto, Tuscany, Artimino, Florence and Venice

From exploring the masterpieces of Rome to pasta-making with an Italian chef and floating along the grand canals of Venice, you will experience the spirit of Italy from the moment they arrive.

 

Email spreadingmagic@gmail.com today for more information or to book your Adventures by Disney vacation!