Here are a few notes, mostly to myself, from the trips I’ve taken with my kids.
Before the trip / packing
- Bring along devices with downloaded content — don’t rely on in-flight entertainment that works.
- Check all your devices the day priority to make sure they are charged and have everything they need
- Bring along a few paper-based activities and card games
- Have the kids put together a list of people they want to get things for, even if it’s just photos
- Make sure all the things that security could pull out are in one page.
During the trip
- Get food early each day
- Plan for physical activity each day
- Give kids choices and some autonomy on the trip — pull them into the decision making, make them part of the plan
- Give kids some space away from parents
- Set expectations for the day
- Emulate the behavior you expect for the kids
- Check in with the kids to see how the trip is going
- Reflect each day
Post trip
- Get a map that the kids can color on and make notes about their trips