Kids On Vacation - Traveling Tips

We were fortunate enough to have a few days with the kids during their spring break.



This was a trip that we booked well in advance and all I was prepping was the food.
No plans. No schedules. No - well minimal - rules.

Here's an overview of what we packed and how we did it with minimal effort -

What we packed?
Travel bags - full of activity books, car games, mind games, fidget spinners and books. They also had their iPads (yes, all kids have an iPad #divorceperks) but were not allowed to use them for the first half of the 3hr drive and until they've read for 20 minutes.

  • This isn't typically an issue for us, as our kids love their education and enjoy simple mind games. My stepdaughter will read for hours and the boys enjoy math. We make sure that there is a variety. As you may know, kids get bored easily, so it allows them to jump from one thing to another. 
  • My advice is not to tempt them with the electronics. Start the expectation before you ever get in the car. 
  • My mother (Grandma Betsi) gave them all "Travel Bags" for their first trip. We keep those in a special bin and get them out during trips. Each kid has their own and they're easy to find. No need to be frazzled by all the bags and who should get what. 
  • We listen to Podcasts - Wow In the World is a favorite - when they run out of activities but the first half isn't over yet. 



A cooler and a food bin - We didn't want to eat out every meal so we made sure there were plenty of fruits and veggies that I had cut up. We packed lunch meat and cheeses. We had plenty of snacks and protein powder. 
  • Don't forget the paper supplies. Cups, plates, plastic wear. 
  • We also stuck in a paring knife for the apples. 
  • Pack a plastic bag or two for trash. Pack a ziplock bag or two for leftovers. 
Snacks - On vacation, you're always on the go. The bonus of eating picnic lunches is nothing goes to waste. It's vacation, let them eat when they're hungry. Just make sure you're packing healthy, protein-rich, low-sugar snacks. Here's a few options. 

  • I made protein balls that they could grab and go. Of course, I used the Arbonne powder, which gives them vegan protein (easiest to digest) and simple sugars that allow the energy without the tantrums and crashes. 
  • Trail mix. Find a good trail mix - I picked Trader Joe's individual packs. We do require the whole pack gone. No picking out M&Ms. 
  • Cheddar crackers and fiber bars. We find these helpful for quick snacks. Now - These. Are. Messy. Any bar or cracker that has crumbs will leave a trail behind any 6-year-old. Just be prepared. Don't let them eat these on the pool deck or on their bed, but the car seats have seen better days. It's a great car snack. 



What we did?
We wanted it quick. Too much family time can ruin the magic of a school vacation. If there's no place to escape, you want to make sure it's short. 
We didn't have written plans. A few days away doesn't need detailed planning all the time. We knew we had wristbands to the indoor water and theme parks. We knew we had a few board games. We knew we had iPads. My husband is AMAZING at gauging the kids. So when they were tired or hungry (or maybe that was me) we were able to move on and not feel frazzled for not "sticking to the plan". 
Set expectations.  Unlike our other vacations, we weren't going for souvenirs, we weren't taking thousands of pictures, we weren't obligated to let them participate. We were able to tell them that we were going to have fun - and that Dad and Tricia would keep them safe. Us female Fitzl's have a hard time going with the flow. But that was the expectation. 



There were a few stressful moments. And there's a little more I'll know for next time. 
In the end, it was a success and we will definitely be back!

~T

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