Family-Friendly
Lodging
Flying with Children
Family Car TravelBefore you
even leave the house, it's a good idea to prepare your kids for the
trip. If they are old enough to read, give them books about
the area you are traveling to. If not, read to them and show them
pictures of the places they will see. If you are traveling to a
foreign country, introduce them to the food they will taste at home
before you go to help ease the culture shock upon your arrival.
Family-Friendly Lodging
The more space the better. Rather than booking a handful of
rooms, or worse, trying to cram everyone into two standard double
beds, you might want to try renting a weekly apartment or condo.
This way, you will have more room and probably a small kitchen,
which can save a bundle on food. There are many companies that
provide these vacation rentals all over the world; here are some
tips on
finding one that's right for
you.
If you have a large family, you may want to consider renting a
vacation home. You'll have more space, privacy, and cut down on the
bickering that comes from cramped quarters. Don't miss our guide
to
Vacation Rental Packages
for more information.
If you don't mind the idea of allowing another family in your home,
house-swapping allows an economical, comfortable and fascinating way
to vacation far from home. You arrange to occupy someone's home at
your destination while they occupy yours. Intervac International is
a large home exchange agency that offers access to thousands of
swappers worldwide. Read more about
it in
Home Exchanging.
If you do decide on Kid-Friendly
Accommodations, try our family
travel bargains for moneysaving strategies,
and when you arrive, inquire about any perks for the kids -- some
hotels will offer a free room for children staying with adults. Taking the kids to Disney World? The
Holiday Inn Family Suites has
some great rates that include fun amenities for the kids and privacy
for parents.
Flying With Children
Before you take off, let the kids burn off some energy. Walk (as
opposed to carrying them) around the airport. Show them the planes,
and when you board, take them to see the cockpit and meet the pilot
if you can. It also doesn't hurt to allow them to stay up a little
past their bedtime the night before; this way they may actually nap
on the plane. If you're traveling with a baby in a stroller, keep it
until the last possible moment. If your flight is delayed, your
child has a place to sleep.
While in flight, make sure children are comfortable and
occupied. Prepare them for experience by describing what they can
expect to feel (turbulence, ear-popping, etc.) and let them know
that it is normal. Many airlines offer something special for the
kids, like American Airlines' Landing Zone magazine, full of games,
puzzles, activities, and short stories to occupy their in-flight
time. If the flight attendant doesn't volunteer anything, ask. Many
wise parents opt to bring their own. Travel
Tots is a great place to buy them.
If your child is anxious to fly, there is a great book called
"How to Fly for Kids", which explains what the child can expect
to experience, like the "G" force, and turbulence, in a
very UN-scary way. If your child is flying any portion of the trip
alone, be sure to read our guide about Children
Flying Alone.
Family Car Travel
No, we're not there yet! A great way to avoid the inevitable
question is to give kids a map, or, even more fun, let them help
create their own. You can trace the route together and point out
interesting landmarks so that they will have a sense of where they
are going.
You might also want to let them take their own travel pack, which
they can pack themselves. This will get them excited for the trip,
ensure that they have what they want with them, and save you the
trouble of carrying their things. A great place to go for these is Travel
Tots; they have a variety of travel packs, which differ
depending on the age of your child and include fun things like
coloring books, stickers, handheld games and puzzles. Their
Traveler
Series is designed for 3 to 5 year olds and the Explorer
Series is designed for 6-8 year olds, and both are very
reasonably priced.
For older kids, audio book tapes are a great way to keep them
occupied, and a Walkman will prevent them from disrupting the rest
of the car. On a long trip, car games are a MUST! Here are some great video games to play,
and don't forget to visit the family
travel message board.
When renting, bring your own car seat with you. Car rental agencies
charge about $5 a day to rent a car seat and chances are it won't be
of as good quality as your own. Don't forget to dress the kids in
loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes and bring an extra
sweater with you. If your child is prone to carsickness, don't
forget the Dramamine. Have A Good Lime!
Other Family
Guides
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