A really fun and memorable part of childhood — and parenthood! — is the dreaded and anticipated trip away from home solo for the kiddos. Whether your little ones are being whisked away to the beach for a week with grandparents, or spending a few days with a friend's family on vacation, it can be an exciting and scary time for both kids and parents! Here are some tips on what to pack to make the trip more fun.
Besides the standard overnight packing list (clothing, pajamas, toothbrush, etc.), plus the location specific needs (swimsuit? jacket? hiking boots?) here are some extras you may want to consider:
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• insurance cards, phone numbers, and important medical information (given to adults)
• small toy or stuffed animal as a "traveling buddy"
• disposable camera or inexpensive digital camera (depending on age): let your child document his or her travels to show you when they return!
• journal or notebook to record experiences, thoughts, and feelings (check out this Travel Journal Roundup for ideas on buying or making your own!)
• spending money (given to adults, or kids, depending on age)
• pillow and blanket for car ride; check out this post for inspiration on making a travel pillow for kids!
• plenty of books, travel games, and scratch paper for long car trips; or check out some suggestions from our readers for toddler-age kids.
• washable, refillable water bottle or canteen
Being separated from parents — especially for days at a time — can be a frightening, yet empowering experience for kids. It's important to encourage them to be independent, take on new adventures, and above all — have fun!
(Image: Sarah Dobbins)
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A mobile phone.
Their medicines like tylenol/benadryl with correct doses written on the container, and an easy to use thermometer in case they come down with something while with the grandparents. Maks it much easier for them to get the little ones feeling better.
If they are flying with other adults, make sure they have notarized documents signed by both parents (if applicable) allowing them to board the plane. This is especially important if they are leaving the country. If you are a single parent, they must have documentation that you have sole custody (mother or father), or their birth certificate showing only the mother.
As a child my extended family lived oversees and most summers, since the age of five, I went to visit them on my own. I found, that all though packing all of those things was helpful in avoiding boredom, they made my backpack very heavy which when traveling alone became very cumbersome, and made it very easy to leave things behind. The only thing my parents always packed for me was a passport, and in it a document simply stating where I was going and who was in charge of me during that time (signed by my parents of course)
Hi all, please remember that before your kids leave for their summer adventures that they know how to spend their pocket money wisely. You can get them ready for this big responsibility by practicing with their allowance. There are so many tools out there to do this. My family uses a program called KidsCash at http://kidsca.sh which is a completely free to use e-wallet for kids. Basically I give them their allowance through the website and then they figure out how to budget it. Not only is it great practice for using cash in real life, but they can also spend their money on the website on real video games, toys, and gift cards. My kids love it!
Regarding Barbara Smith's post on spending money wisely, I had to chuckle remembering what a delightful time I shared with Sarah's two older sons as they shopped for little gifts for their mom and dad. They are my 2 oldest grandchildren and they made my summer beach trip a memory I'll never forget. I agree that the experience was a milestone for the kids as well as their mother!