Many families travel during the winter, whether to visit family for the holidays or enjoy seasonal activities. While traveling during the winter has its challenges; planning and preparation can lead to a wonderful and memorable experience. Here are some tips for traveling with kids this winter that will keep everyone warm and entertained.
Make traveling with kids this winter comfortable and fun
Although traveling with kids this winter requires extra preparation, it’s a great opportunity to make memories and start family traditions they will cherish as they grow. The key to making traveling fun is having enough entertainment and comfort to distract from the length of the journey.
Bring books, games and coloring books. Download movies on their tablets to keep them entertained on longer journeys. You can play I Spy in the car if you’re taking a road trip or make up silly songs along the way. Also, ensure your children have comfortable travel pillows and lightweight blankets for napping.
If you’re taking a flight and have a layover, ensure you have enough snacks and water between meal times. You should also have enough water to stay hydrated.
Are you traveling with kids this winter on a budget? You can reduce costs for your trip with travel hacks. Ensure you get the best flight ticket price by deleting your cookies before a new search or looking for tickets in incognito mode. These methods will keep your fees as low as possible.
Create a detailed but flexible itinerary
After picking your flights and destination, it’s time to create an itinerary. Get travel guides for your destination and plan your vacation days around key events. Maybe your kids want to visit a museum or your oldest wants to upgrade their skiing skills — factor in time for activities that everyone will enjoy.
Include downtime for rest or free exploration. When traveling with kids this winter, it’s good to have a plan, as long as everyone is having fun, it’s a memorable experience. However, be flexible and let your kids explore and participate in new activities.
Take a snack bag wherever you go if they get hungry between meals. Pack water bottles and juice to keep them hydrated, too.
Exploring the outdoors will probably be the most exciting part of the trip, but you should have one night to make a meal as a family or watch a movie. This could be the first or last night in, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for activities or the journey back home.
Pack smart
Organize clothing in layers and pack extra items in case of spills or unexpected weather. A good winter travel clothing list includes base layers like thermal vests and tights, socks, gloves, something that provides insulation, and a waterproof jacket. Pack less bulky outerwear and more inside layers to mix and match on different days. Prepare for frigid temperatures with quality winter coats, boots, and hats.
For a warmer destination, pack swimsuits, sunhats and flop-flops. And while you don’t have to pack it, don’t forget to pack sunscreen!
Pack a first-aid kit full of items required for emergencies and injuries. While most resorts, airports, and hotels have one, there are items you may need for your kids specifically. You should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain and fever medication, and tweezers. Remember the necessary daily medication. Some regions or cities might not have what you need.
And if you’re on a plane, don’t forget to pack activities when traveling with kids this winter. Using something like Serenity tray organizer is great for keeping everything in one place and your kids entertained.
When traveling with kids this winter choose a destination based on activities
Where do you start? Look for family-friendly destinations with activities your kids will enjoy. It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast to ensure everyone will be comfortable. Keep an eye out for places with parks, museums, markets, and festivals. Some areas could be more affordable during the winter since it’s off-season, so keep an open mind.
Here are some great places when traveling with kids this winter:
Costa Rica
If you want to go abroad, this time of year is the perfect time to visit Costa Rica. Costa Rica is among the most biodiverse countries in the world, which allows you and your kids to explore multiple habitats with different kinds of animals, plants, and flowers. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park to see monkeys, deer, sloths, and colorful birds.
Cocoa Beach
Hundreds of surfers take to Cocoa Beach dressed up as Santa every year, which makes for an entertaining sight. While it might be chilly, remember to pack sunscreen. Clouds only reduce UV levels by 50%, meaning the sun’s rays can still affect your skin on colder days. There’s much more to do than visit the beach — head to The Dinosaur Store for an interactive fossil hunt.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe has lots of exciting family activities suitable for any personality. You can go skiing at the Heavenly Mountain resort or ice skating in Heavenly Village. Younger kids will appreciate the mini snow tubing at Adventure Mountain.
Your kids will love the Marshmology offered at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. It’s a daily afternoon event where people gather around fire pits for s’mores tasting. Accommodation ranges from self-catering cabins to bed-and-breakfasts, so you can choose the right one for your budget.
Gatlinburg
Although it’s mostly known for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, families love this small mountain town for its many kid-friendly activities. You can take a trolley ride through the Winter Magic Celebration or go to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to splash around with penguins or watch sharks and sea turtles from the underwater tunnel.
All it takes is some planning, smart packing, and an activity-packed itinerary to enjoy traveling with kids this winter. It’s an opportunity to create lasting memories as a family and a great way to stay active in colder weather.
