How to Travel With Kids to California

Traveling with your kids can be a memorable experience.

Traveling with kids to California can be an exciting adventure or a nightmare, depending on how prepared you are. Traveling is a stressful time for anyone, but that stress can be compounded when kids are traveling with you. There are ways to make traveling with children to California an enjoyable experience for everyone. Keeping kids engaged, comfortable and happy during your trip can turn an otherwise disastrous experience into a fun family adventure.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Gather important documents to carry with you. Some airlines, buses and railway lines, as well as some customs stations, require a birth certificate when traveling with children, so be prepared to present them upon request.

2. Remember the basics. Things like children's pain reliever and baby wipes are often forgotten when heading out the door for trips. You can avoid unnecessary stops along the way by remembering to bring the basics. Before you leave, pack a small bag of might-need items and keep it nearby so it can be accessed quickly and easily during the trip. Pack early and be sure to take along medications.

3. Purchase travel-friendly games to bring along. Take the kids shopping with you and have them pick out the games they would like to play along the way. Many popular games, such as Connect Four, Tic Tac Toe, and Scrabble come in travel-friendly versions that can help curb boredom on long trips to California.

4. Bring electronic games and devices with you. Travel-sized DVD players, laptops and gaming devices help keep kids occupied on your trip to California. Keep in mind that electronic devices may need to be shut off during certain periods when traveling by airplane.

5. Stock up on snacks and drinks. A great way to keep kids happy and avoid grumpy meltdowns is to make sure they don't get hungry along the way. Travel-friendly, healthy snacks such as vegetables, crackers, and fruits, along with boxed juices and bottled water will alleviate hunger without having to make several stops along the way. Keep snacks within reach so you can grab them quickly without having to stop or dig through luggage to find a quick meal.

6. Bring favorite toys along. If your child has a favorite stuffed toy or blanket, make sure to keep it within easy reach. Traveling can be stressful for children, and often something as simple as a favorite toy or blanket is enough to calm their nerves and help them relax on a long trip.

7. Make frequent stops. When driving, it's important to make frequent stops to allow your children adequate time to stretch and move around. Since kids tend to have a more active metabolism than adults, it's harder for them to sit still for long periods of time. Scheduling frequent breaks to allow your little ones to use the restroom and run around will result in a much more pleasant experience for everyone.

8. Engage children in the trip. California is an exciting place to visit for kids and adults alike. Engage your children in the trip by having them countdown mile markers, play road games, or talk about the exciting plans you have when you arrive. Keeping children involved in the travel keeps their mind off minor discomforts and can alleviate cases of boredom.

9. Don't expect complete silence. Kids will be kids, and that goes for travel time as well. Don't expect your kids to remain silent on a long trip to California. Instead, engage them in conversation and keep them entertained along the way. Turn up the radio and invite them to sing along or play a game of 20 questions to avoid bickering and whining.

References

• Travel for Kids : Travel Tips
• Travel With Your Kids : Top 5 Family Travel Tips