Are you considering taking a trip with your grandchildren? What a wonderful experience you can give them by showing them different parts of the world. While the thought of spending quality time with your grandchildren sounds like an amazing idea, it does take a bit of planning on your part. It is not easy to know where to start when planning your trip but here are some tips that will make traveling with them easier than you thought.
1. Choose most places with the children in mind. Ask their parents what they think will interest them. You may not know exactly which activities will be of interest to your grandchildren and that is where their parents can help. They know the children’s nap and bedtime, when they take their meals and how much physical activity they can handle. Having a worn out hungry child makes them cranky and is no fun at all. Taking them time to get a schedule based on their needs will make for a much more fun trip.
2. Long trips might be a little risky at first. Try taking a couple of trips that are only an hour or two away first. This keeps you close enough if the trip doesn’t go as planned. If the children get too homesick, you will be close enough to take them back home. After a couple of short trips you may feel more comfortable taking them on a longer trip since you have learned what their needs are.
3. Planning can be a way to bond with your grandchildren and give them choices in the activities they will be participating in. The children will be more excited to go on the trip and will enjoy it more because they got to pick the activity. This is a good way to know they will enjoy themselves. It also gives you more time to spend with them and you will get to know what they like. If you are not close enough to do it in person, you can email, talk or text. As long as the children are involved in the planning, that is what matters.
4. Helping your grandchildren experience new things will make them a more rounded person. After they engage in an activity of their choice, show them something new like a museum. They will be more open to it after a fun activity. Children should experience a variety of things and this is a good way to broaden their horizons.
5. Getting an adjoining room can be a lifesaver. This gives everyone their space. The children may have a bedtime but you might want to stay up a little longer without interrupting the children’s sleep. This will allow you some time to yourself to read or watch television. You may need some time to go over the next day’s activities. Whatever the reason, having time to yourselves is a good idea.
6. Always have a backup plan for when it rains, illness or anything else that might pop up. You will want to bring the families insurance card and letter from their parents stating you can take them for medical care. Planning ahead is the key to a wonderful travel experience with your grandchildren that will create memories to last a lifetime.