| Family vacations, whether they're spent at a | | | | continues to reinvent itself, but if they're |
| campground, a hotel, in the mountains or on a | | | | not an option, consider renting one or |
| beach, are a great way to spend quality time | | | | borrowing from a friend. |
| away from home relaxing with your loved ones. | | | | |
| If you'll be spending your much-needed | | | | It's also fun to give the kids their own |
| vacation with your immediate family or even | | | | disposable cameras so they can capture |
| with extended family for a larger, | | | | favorite parts of their vacation. Voice |
| intergenerational event, having a creative, | | | | activated tape recorders make great gadgets |
| organized plan will make your trip a | | | | to take along on a family vacation to record |
| memorable success. | | | | candid moments that can be saved for |
| | | | generations to come. |
| Use the following five helpful tips to have a | | | | |
| vacation that the whole family will talk | | | | Another keepsake to treasure from your time |
| about for years to come. | | | | together would be artwork done by the kids. |
| | | | Give each child their own set of 'art |
| Make a List, Check it Thrice | | | | supplies' so that they can convey their |
| | | | thoughts or memories of the vacation. They |
| While over packing can have its own host of | | | | could draw something they saw at the beach, |
| problems, not packing enough or forgetting | | | | or a certain ride in an amusement park, or a |
| some of the essentials can be much worse. | | | | picture of a new friend they met on the trip. |
| Consider making a list and following it | | | | Whatever it may be, imagine what fun it will |
| closely to be your best defense against | | | | be years later get them out and reminisce |
| forgetting something important. With all the | | | | about your times together. |
| hustle and bustle that often comes along with | | | | |
| preparing for a vacation, without that list | | | | Play the Waiting Game |
| it's pretty much a guarantee that you'll | | | | |
| forget something. | | | | Unfortunately when traveling using just about |
| | | | any mode of transportation, chances are |
| You can certainly have more than one list to | | | | you'll be doing some waiting and will be |
| make things even easier, one for items to | | | | delayed at some point for one reason or |
| pack, one for things to buy, and one for the | | | | another. By staying positive and having a |
| actual vacation complete with itineraries and | | | | sense of humor you'll realize that getting |
| things that are an absolute must to remember | | | | there really is half the fun! |
| like medications. | | | | |
| | | | For each child, or vacationer, prepare a |
| Stay Close to Your Regular Schedule | | | | personalized vacation survival kit to pass |
| | | | the time. These can include snacks, books, |
| Children, especially younger ones, can be | | | | comic books, coloring books and crayons, |
| greatly affected by changes in their routine. | | | | hand-held video games, and pens and notebooks |
| Whether it's their sleeping schedules or | | | | as travel journals for the older kids. |
| eating habits, they'll feel more secure, and | | | | |
| also be more likely to behave, if the | | | | Music to Soothe the Savage Beast(s) |
| regularity of home still applies on the road. | | | | |
| If possible, try to keep bedtime relatively | | | | The chances that everyone in the family |
| close to the normal time for youngsters, | | | | enjoys the same music are usually very slim. |
| within reason, of course, after all it is | | | | If they don't already have one, consider |
| vacation! | | | | buying the kids their own portable CD players |
| | | | with headphones. Most kids will be satisfied |
| Creatively Capture Memories | | | | with a ten dollar set that will serve a great |
| | | | purpose and get a lot of use. In the months |
| While nearly everyone brings a camera along | | | | prior to your vacation have your children |
| on their vacation (check your list), there | | | | compile a list of their favorite songs or |
| are several other ways of capturing your | | | | groups to make personalized CDs to go along |
| special memories. The prices of camcorders | | | | with their new players. |
| have dropped greatly as of late as technology | | | | |