Thanksgiving Traveling Tips for Parents

Thanksgiving time is one of the busiest times of year to travel whether by plane or car making it very stressful. When you add kids or infants to that it gets about ten times more stressful. There are ways to make the traveling less hectic and more enjoyable. Here is a look at some tips for those who are traveling with kids during Thanksgiving.

If you are traveling with older kids keeping them busy is the most important thing. Preteens and older children should bring along lots of activities they like. If they have any handheld game systems these would be ideal to bring along or if they are readers maybe picking them a new book that they have been interested in would be a wise idea. For younger children parents should stock up on coloring books, washable crayons and markers as well as some easy card games for them to play. For road trips snacks are also important. Parents should opt for healthy choices that do make much of a mess. Chocolate or sticky candy should always be avoided as they will just make a mess and likely irritate the child. When traveling with infants parents should be sure to bring along lots of diapers, wipes, a changing pad, and plenty of formula and baby food if the infant is not breastfed.

When traveling by car it can be somewhat easier to deal with children if the ride is long and they become bored easily. Parents should be sure to make enough stops to ensure that the child is comfortable but not so many that the trip becomes longer than necessary. If traveling by plane especially if the child has never done so before they may become nervous or agitated. In this case especially with other travelers on board, parents should just try to keep their child as calm as possible. Promising them a reward if they sit down and behave is one way to get kids to behave during a flight.

Safety is another important issue to consider when traveling with children. When traveling by car parents should always ensure that their child is buckled in and in a car seat if they are under a certain age. Each state has different car seat laws so parents should do their research before traveling. If parents and children are traveling by airplane they should be sure to keep their young ones close by. Airports are extremely crowded during Thanksgiving and young children can easily get lost. Parents should opt for a small umbrella stroller they can easily take with them so they can put the child in it to help them keep an eye on them.

By following these tips both parents and kids will have easier, safer travels and will be able to enjoy their Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Sources Cited: My own personal experience.