Travelling with Children
Caravanning and camping holidays are a great way for families to enjoy the great outdoors together.
It is important to plan when travelling with kids and the following tips will provide you with the knowledge and ideas to make your holiday a pleasant one for all.
- Ensure your kids are comfortable and safe whilst travelling.
- When planning your trip allow time for frequent stops including toilet stops.
- Book ahead to prevent missing out or the frustration if you arrive at your destination and you have to keep going with tired, hungry kids in the back.
- Establish a daily routine for everyday actions such as meals, showers, sleeping. Predicable routines will provide a sense of security and will limit those trying moments. A certain amount of flexibility and spontaneity is required for caravanning, but staying as close to your routine as possible can help you avoid unnecessary confusion.
- Involve your kids in planning the itinerary. They will respond to being a part of the trip and make it exciting. Show them on a map the journey and manage expectations by advising how long it will take. Let them choose one or two places or attractions to visit.
- Laundry can become overwhelming and accumulates faster with kids. Aim to wash every second day. Lightly soiled clothes can be scrubbed and rinsed in the shower or bucket and hung out to dry and take advantage of holiday park washing machine facilities.
- Plan your meals for the week including snacks and buy groceries for that week. Make it simple and easier to prepare.
- Visit the Visitor Centres of the area as they can provide information on current kid friendly activities and local events and advise on the local playground or swimming pool. Let your kids help plan your stay and choose brochures of interest. Some centres have interactive maps and displays.
- Always travel with a first aid kit stocked with band aids, bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream, children pain reliever, baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Waterproof mattress protectors or sheets are recommended for the little ones for sleeping.
- Ensure kids are aware of safety when travelling such as the dangers of the bush such as wildlife (snakes, spiders), jumping on logs, running around the campsite / campfire, unknown water, becoming lost if they wander.
- Stranger danger is just as important when camping as it is at home. Teach your kids to be aware of strangers and always know where your kids are.
- Water safety is very important when camping. Rivers and lakes aren’t usually fenced and a split second can end in tragedy. Teach your kids to swim and never leave them unsupervised.
- Kids tire quickly with long hours on the road, so plan frequent and longer rest stops. Stops should be at a park or playground with toilets.
- Don’t forget to pack the kids favourite toys. Tiny colouring books, stickers, word searches will pass the time. Board games are also handy on those rainy days or when the technology goes flat!
- Encourage older kids in making a travel journal and allow then to take photos or use a map to track the journey.
- With today’s technology encourage kids to visit the local areas website and read the history or identify the attractions.
- Download children songs for a sing a long or dance once your have set up camp.
- Travelling should be fun for all so if things change discuss your plans and adjust accordingly.
Games To Play While Travelling
I spy with my little eye something beginning with (a letter).
If the kids are younger use a colour instead of a letter.
A-Z Geography
Starting with the letter A, take turns in naming towns or countries that begin with the next letter e.g. Bourke, Caloundra. You can adapt using animals or fruit.
Find the Alphabet
Players have to find each letter of the alphabet in order from objects outside the car.
The Yes Game Take turn on asking random questions. That person tries to answer your question without saying ‘yes’. If they do they ask the next question. Keep your questions short and quick.
Treasure Hunt
Give your kids a list of items that they need to spot on the trip. The first one to cross everything off on the list wins.
20 Questions
One person secretly thinks of either an animal, mineral, or vegetable. The other players then take turns asking yes-or-no questions, such as “Can it fly?” or “Does it grow in the ground?” After the players have asked 20 questions, each player gets a chance to make a guess.
Disclaimer
The staff at CCIA &MHIA have used their best endeavours to ensure that all the information provided is correct at the time of release andthat the information has been obtained from reliable sources. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or any outcomes as aresult of ause of this information. The information is provided for general guidance on industry issues only and should not be used as asubstitute for legal or other professional advice.
