Summer is almost here and that means… VACATION!  Exposing our children to new places, people and activities helps them learn, which is a great benefit! We plan our summer getaways with anticipation and excitement. As mom's we know that when traveling with kids - getting there is part of the journey! Whether driving or flying, keeping kids busy while in the car or on a plane is part of the experience.

My personal criteria for a good travel activity was that it was light, easy to transport, not too messy, and something I wouldn't mind leaving behind (like in the trash can!). I find that some of the most basic things can be entertaining to toddlers, children, tweens and even teenagers! There are MANY blog posts with lists of airplane activities and road trip activities, it can be overwhelming. My list is pretty simple, you likely have many of these things laying around your house, why make it more complicated than it needs to be?

Below I listed a few of my favorite activities to take in the car or on a plane. This list is very manageable, affordable, easy and offers something for every age.

Enjoy these suggestions of ways to entertain your kids while traveling:

Personal Favorites:

• Wrap up a few 'presents' and open one every X minutes (your choice how often!) - I used to hide small toys for a few weeks before a trip and then wrap them up, along with some new ones from the dollar store and let my kids unwrap them every hour during a long car ride!

 

• Silly putty/Model Magic - this would entertain my daughter who never could sit still!

 

• Pipe cleaners - a forgotten craft that is as versatile as your imagination! Light and easy to transport too!

 

• Bag of rubber bands - make a rubber band ball - then you also have a toy when you arrive! You will be surprised how some kids really get into this activity!

 

• Slow Down - when you let your child do things without help, you're not only teaching them to figure things out on their own, but it also takes longer! The extra time they spend opening a package, peeling tape, buckling, etc. - the less time you need to spend entertaining or planning the next activity.

 

• Travel Journal - great activity for any age and only requires an old notebook and a pen! Toddlers can put stickers or cut out pictures from a brochure and glue them into a book. School aged kids and tweens can write something simple like their favorite activity of the day. Teenagers can be more elaborate writing observations, thoughts, creative poems, a blog or a story.

Tried and True:

• License plate game - write the license plates from every state you see (or count how many of each state you see). We never started with a pre-printed list, we had to write the state ourselves (helped with penmanship and spelling!)  Bonus points for naming the capital of each state.

 

• I spy - Find something of a color or shape that you see and have others guess what it is

 

• I'm going on a picnic - not necessarily for travel, but always a great way to pass the time

 

• Count American Flags - this is especially great on a Fourth of July road trip! 

Things I wish I knew when my kids were younger:

• Baggie of water - fun to squish, doubles as a magnifying glass, easy and cheap since water is available everywhere! (I frown upon single use plastic, but in the name of ease and travel with kids I would definitely make this exception!)

 

• Cookie Sheet as a magnetic tray table - a tray table but even better - magnetic! There are so many things you can do with magnets from alphabet magnets to magnetic travel games you buy in the store!

Whether your summer plans include traveling by plane, car or simply staying local - I hope you have a fantastic summer break!
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Share your favorite travel activity below in the comments!

There are different methods to avoid lines at the airport. Some assist with SECURITY lines while others are designed to assist with CUSTOMS lines. These are very different so let's get them straight:
CUSTOMS - refers to items being brought into a country upon the return from your trip

IMMIGRATION - refers to people entering a country either as a visitor or returning home

SECURITY - everyone traveling by air in the US (domestic or international) must pass through security upon leaving for your trip.
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To avoid the masses and get through lines quicker, you can choose to join a program to expedite the process. See the chart below to decide which program is best for you!

I have no affiliation with any of these programs.

I personally use Global Entry because I travel internationally at least once a year and domestically many times a year - I love the TSA precheck for both domestic and international flights and expedited immigration/customs lines when returning to the US.  In addition, my credit card covers the cost of Global Entry, so getting it for free was a no brainer. 

Here are the links to sign up:
CLEAR:  https://www.clearme.com/
GLOBAL ENTRY AND TSA PRECHECK  https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
MOBILE PASSPORT: App Store
AUTOMATED PASSPORT CONTROL: no membership

When thinking about a honeymoon, most people at least consider an all-inclusive. But is it right for you?
Here is a quick look at whether or not an all-inclusive is a good fit for you:

​Worth It Because:

1. Food and Drinks Included - and that typically means ALCOHOL. All inclusive resorts have come a long way when it comes to food! At high end resorts, food is fresh and delicious! With coffee bars, local cuisine and many dining options to choose from, the all inclusive option is great for leaving your wallet in the safe and splurging on meals!
2. If you are thinking about an all-inclusive in the Caribbean consider that most beaches are open to the public. At an all-inclusive resort, you are more likely to find a secluded or private beach for a more romantic setting.
3. ALL inclusive - many of the resorts offer complimentary airport transfers, in-room dining, watersports and credit toward the spa or excursions!
4. Stress free - you don't have to worry about foreign exchange rates, language barriers, or unexpected costs at the end of the trip - the price is agreed upon up front with no surprises.

Might not be for you if:

1. You are seeking a local and authentic experience. Yes, you can take excursions, but you likely will not be immersed in culture throughout your stay.
2. You may feel like you are paying for things you won't use. For example: alcohol is included, but if you aren't big drinkers, it could feel like a waste of money.
3. You prefer to see and do something every day. The best value of an all-inclusive happens on property while using their offerings, once you start leaving the resort and paying for additional services, you start to decrease the value.

​Is an all-inclusive right for you? Let me know!