Travelling with children
WHEN you’ve got tots and you hit the road, tempers can fray. Although you may not have a meltdown-free trip, you can try and avoid a few with the help of these tips.
If they’re old enough to walk and point, give them a camera. A throw away camera or an old phone is good enough.
Let your little one picture the journey from the view of the truck out of the back window to the chocolate display at the rest stop. For older kids, make it a treasure hunt: capture three red cars, two dogs, four cows, etc.
Don’t buy sweets
Chocolate and ice-cream are easily available but then you have to deal with the sugar rush too, which will add to general crankiness.
Pack savoury snacks like cheese triangles, mini sandwiches with peanut butter, and peeled, chopped fruit. If you’re feeling fancy, satay sticks with cubes of meat, cheese and cherry tomato are fun, too.
Buy some audio books
There’s nothing like having great actors read out stories, especially if there’s a book to read along at the same time!
Companies that make cartoon films also tend to produce CDs with original character voices and sound effects from the film. Kids read along and turn the pages at the sound of the chime!
Pack a special game
There are tonnes of great travel games sold today, from travel scavenger hunt card game to magnetic checkers.
Look for something the kids will like or better still, let them choose themselves a week or two before the trip but don’t let them play until you set off on your journey. That way it won’t be old by the time you crack the box seal.