We are pleased to welcome Naomi Richards from the Kids Coach as our guest blogger. She shares her top travelling tips for keeping children entertained.
Travelling is necessary but it can be boring and stressful. Children become tired, hungry and find it difficult to keep themselves amused. You can help them by planning ahead, giving them a little responsibility and making sure you have everything they could possibly need.
Give them a little rucksack or pull along suitcase to fill with their favourite toys and activities. Let them take responsibility for looking after it - making sure they have it and its contents when they get on and off the plane for example. It's good to give a little responsibility to children when they are young and this is fun responsibility!
In your own hand luggage, pack a variety of activities for them to do such as books, crayons and drawing books and anything else you know your children will enjoy. A small portable DVD player with favorite DVDs can also be invaluable. I have not met a child who does not like watching a Pixar or Disney film.
One of the most important things about travelling is making sure your children are not too noisy or going to disturb other passengers who perhaps may be sleeping or wanting to keep themselves to themselves. If you are travelling by plane or have a long train journey keep the toys and activities for the train or plane only. Don't bring them out in the departure lounge otherwise your children will be tired of them by the time they are travelling. You could even wrap a few small presents before you leave and give them to your children during the journey. They will be overjoyed at getting something new.
I would also suggest that you have a few games that you can play with them to hand. Imaginary or travel games go down well and can stifle the boredom. Think about the type of games your children like when you are planning what to bring.
Be prepared for them not always wanting to play on their own. Travelling should be relaxed and enjoyable for them but it should also be an interactive experience and an opportunity to talk and have fun. Talk to your children about your journey and talk about the places you want to visit and share with them in the future. Show them the destinations on a map so they can see how big the world is.
They need to be kept busy but they also need to be fed, especially on long journeys. Take some snacks you know they will eat. Often on an aeroplane they don't have food that your child will eat and you don't want a hungry child who then becomes a grumpy one. Snacks will keep your children busy and their blood sugar even.
Food and entertainment is essential for any journey no matter how long or short. You never know how long your journey will really take so always take too much!
What are your travel tips? Please share them below - we'd love to hear from you!
About Naomi Richards, The Kids Coach
Naomi Richards is The Kids Coach. She provides life coaching for children who need help with any behavioural and emotional issues that they have. She provides a space for children to talk confidentially about why they are unhappy and helps them resolve their problems in an interactive, creative and supportive way. For more information see http://www.thekidscoach.org.uk/
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