Traveling with Kids: Part 2

Traveling with our kids is important to us. And travel is different than "taking a vacation". I remember a tour guide once saying to our group “there is a difference between taking a vacation and traveling. You are here because you love to travel!” That saying has rung true in so many of my adventures. While sitting on a beach sipping a fruity drink has its time and place, most of our family adventures are about traveling. The experiences, the people, trying new foods, exploring a National Park, trying something new! That requires a different mindset than a vacation. 

Here are some things I’ve learned that make the adventure all the more exciting and enjoyable, especially when traveling with a family:

1. FLEXIBILITY: I am a lover of structure and organization. But flexibility is key, especially when traveling with kids. I start our day with a rough outline. A general time we want to get out, potential pre-researched lunch places bookmarked, and important details like anticipating rush hour traffic if in a big city, etc. I think about cool things to see en route. But all of this is with lots of options and knowing we will need to adjust along the way.
2. VARIETY: We have a wide range of interests in our family. Art, books, outdoors, science, architecture, you name it. So I try to find a mix of activities that will please everyone. We might visit a cool beach on the same day we attend a baseball game. Or walk through a bookstore on our way to a bakery. And I keep a few things a surprise to help everyone stay engaged, looking forward to what’s next.
3. PACE: Our pace on vacation needs to somewhat match our pace at home. We are a very active family and spend little time on screens or sitting around. All of us enjoy a decent amount of variety in our days. But we all require a certain amount of alone time with a good book or other solo activity. We might spend the morning exploring a bustling farmers market, but enjoy an afternoon at a park where the kids can roam and meet other kids. If we have a long day on the road, I make sure there is a pool or place to stretch our legs at the final destination. 
4. CONSISTENCY: To balance the sometimes draining excitement of travel, I try to keep some things consistent with our at-home routine. We eat meals at the same time as at home, making sure that everyone gets a high-protein breakfast. And keep the sugar intake as low as possible, especially on long road trips when physical activity is low. Kids have the same responsibilities as at home - cleaning up after themselves, keeping track of their belongings, setting up their own tent at the campsite just like they would maintain their bedroom at home. This also means mom and dad can enjoy the adventure as well!

Do you travel with kids, tweens or teens? What has helped your family travel well together? 

Missed part one of this series on traveling with kids? Check it out here.