T
he holidays can be a hectic time, but throw
long-distance travel with kids into the mix and
you’ve got a recipe for a high-stress experience
that’s not so merry and bright. It doesn’t have
to be that way, though. Whether you’re traveling by car
or plane, here are some tips to keep everyone full of joy
and good cheer.

a first-aid kit (Band-Aids, cotton swabs, cotton balls,
antibacterial ointment, etc.), treatments for common
ailments (headache, upset stomach, car sickness, etc.),
a flashlight (with fresh batteries), age-appropriate
drinks (in an insulated bag or cooler), nonperishable or
properly stored snacks and a change of clothes for babies
and smaller children (including extra socks and shoes).

IN THE CAR
Pack smart. If you’ll be doing a multi-day/night trip,
pack one overnight bag with the basics everyone needs
for the night—pajamas, toothbrushes and the all-
important bathing suits (because you have to stay in a
hotel with a pool—it’s the least you owe kids who have
been stuck in a car seat/seat belt for hours!). That way
you only have to take one suitcase into the hotel each
night—no need to unpack the entire car, carry in three-
Anticipate needs. Have these items on hand at all times:
Tissues (for nose blowing and wiping), antibacterial
wipes (for cleaning hands and faces), disposable plastic
bags (for wet items, soiled items or diaper disposal), an
umbrella (for rain or to provide shade on extra-sunny
days), a sweater or jacket (appropriate for the season),
plastic rain ponchos (in case of an unexpected shower),
10 December 2015 washingtonFAMILY.com



TEXT HALEY SHAPLEY
Holiday Travel:
Jolly Tips for Getting to Your
Destination in One Piece
child and an analog clock. Before you pull out of your
driveway, give each child a set of driving directions and
note the estimated total trip time. Have them predict if
they will arrive at their destination earlier, later or just
as predicted. During the trip, kids watch the passage
of time on the analog clock while they get data at set
intervals (parent decided) about where they are along
the route. It turns “Are we there yet?” into a fun activity.

Let the music play. Prompt your kids to come up with
a playlist of their favorite songs in advance of hitting
the road. Then, create your own road trip radio station
that will broadcast ‘live’ over the course of your travels.

Let your kids take turns in the role of ‘guest DJ’ for a
30-minute block of time and introduce and comment on
each of their tunes as the on-air host of their own radio
show. plus suitcases, clutter up the room, and then repack and
carry everything out again the next morning.

Think outside of the (letter) box. Search letterboxing.

org to find letterboxes along the way to break up the
monotony of the driving. On the site, there are clues to
locations of letterboxes, typically containers that carry a
book, a stamp pad and a pen. Once you follow the clues
(which vary wildly in the degree of difficulty and the
time required), you find the box, in the nook of a tree,
a prairie, a library, virtually anywhere. You can stamp
your own letterboxing book with the stamp included,
and leave a note for those who planted the box.

Consider nap times. If possible, always schedule your
departure when it’s almost a baby’s nap time. If you
leave one to two hours before they normally sleep, you
can get a little bit of chill time with them when they first
adjust to the road. You’ll have a little playtime, and then
the feeding and next thing you know, they are asleep
and you just got a good three to four hours of driving in.

Listen up. Bringing audio books for the whole family
is both a shared experience and entertainment, plus
some kids are less likely to get carsick than if watching
a DVD. Depending on the age of your kids, bring a book
the whole family can listen to together and talk about.

It makes for great conversation, both explaining parts
the kids might not understand and trading turns giving
opinions on the characters, their motivations and actions.

Make it a game. To get your kids to stop asking “Are
we there yet?” get them involved with the trip itinerary.

Print the fidgety little ones a copy of the directions
with the miles, time estimates and map included. Also,
carry along a clipboard and colored pencils for each
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! To stay alert, snack
on healthy foods such as carrots and almonds, and keep
water on hand to stay hydrated. Yes, drinking may make
for an extra bathroom break, but it can give you a chance
to stretch your legs and refresh.

washingtonFAMILY.com December 2015 11