Family vacations are great any time of year and are the perfect way to have fun and unwind with the people you love. Unfortunately, as some of us know all too well, family holidays are not always plain sailing, especially with young children in tow. Kids will become bored in between the day’s highlights (it’s a fact of life!), but don’t dismay – there are many ways to keep them engaged from start to finish. If you’ve made plans for a special family vacation in the New Year, keep it special with these fail-safe ways to keep the kids content.
On the journey
Unless you happen to be vacating close to home, you now have a considerable distance to cover and have a handful of restless kids to contend with until your reach your destination. Freak out and turn back? No. There are many ways to stifle the dreaded chorus of ‘are we there yet?’. For younger children, old-fashioned question games can work wonders, while older kids will appreciate handheld distractions to zone out with such as mp3 players, game consoles or portable DVD players. These all retail at well under $40 – a bargain for peaceful traveling!
In your lodgings
There’s no guarantee of great weather all through your family vacation together, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for those rainy days spent indoors. If you are in a hotel resort, there are usually indoor leisure facilities and clubs that children can join. If you are staying in a remote log cabin or cottage, pa
ck a handful of your kid’s favourite DVD’s to play when you get there. In the instance that your holiday lodge doesn’t have a TV or DVD player, many will have board games, toys or books hanging around to pass the time.
Out and about
Holidays are all about pacing yourself and spreading out the highlights evenly over your stay, which is why it may be a good idea to plan more low-key activities and crafts to avoid a lull in between days. Research the area as much as possible before you go – take a guidebook with you or consult the net for the nearest beaches and parks to ensure you’re never short of something to do. These mini activities needn’t cost the earth either – a picnic in the park, an afternoon on the beach or a walk round a local gallery or museum are all cheap and effective ways to fill the gaps.
Fortunately, there are many holiday packages that make it even easier to please the kids (and even amuse mom and dad in equal measure too!). Imagine taking in beautiful and peaceful scenery in the knowledge that the kids are safe and secure in a play area. A breathtaking Norwegian cruise experience offers all of this and more, catering to all ages so you can enjoy family holidays at your own pace.
Disclaimer: 24/7 MOMS has received compensation for this article.