You may or may not be traveling “over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house” this holiday season, but if you have small kiddos traveling alongside—you might be scrambling for some survival tips. We’ve got you covered!
- Suitcases
In most cases, Grandma has a washing machine and dryer at her house, so no need to pack your entire closet. With younger preschoolers, a good rule is taking two outfits per day—but max at four days’ worth. For older children and adults, one outfit per day should suffice. Then wash and re-wear as needed. Remember a nicer set of clothing for special outings such as Christmas Eve Services or other holiday programs and concerts.
- Snacks
Kids and snacks go hand-in-hand, so be prepared. Purchase bulk snack items as much as possible and then baggie them up for the trip. A must-have for young preschoolers are the catch-all type cups that eliminate, or reduce, the number of spills in your car seats. For older kids, nix anything that could become a melty car seat catastrophe (such as chocolate or peanut butter) and add items that provide good taste and ease such as crackers, jerky sticks, and assorted nut snacks.
- Blankies
Young ones love their snuggie blankets! Be sure to take them along to keep toddlers less tearful, as they provide familiarity and coziness for your child. Also, regular sized fleece blankets, possibly used by adults in the car, may later be used for the perfect covering—or extra padding for a floor pallet—if older kiddos are sleeping on the floor at Grandma’s house.
- Toys
Keep young hands and minds occupied for your trip with items they’re interested in. My niece, Sara, who has a one– and three-year-old—uses a fun idea for travel time with her kids. She takes along a small metal cookie sheet with magnetized doll shapes and other play characters that use dress-up pieces and props. Her preschoolers are absorbed for long stints of time creating new options for the characters. Other magnetic items such as numbers and letters are fun for older preschoolers to play with in the same way. Brilliant!
Yes, traveling over the holidays brings about a change in location and routine for everyone—but also memories that last a lifetime. Keep travel plans simple (to save your sanity) and then make the most of the Christmas season with fun times spent with family and friends!