Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Photo by Joe Mazzola

Yes, I’m crazy. Well, maybe not certifiably; but unhinged enough to think I can and should take my kids lots of places. Whether by plane, minivan, train or rental vehicle, I think it’s my duty to show my kids our world. From the get go I take them anywhere and everywhere I can to show them places that will give them a greater understanding of our world. I take them to places close to home, places dear to my heart and places that spark that spirit of adventure and wonder that lives deep in my soul.

People often ask me, “You took your kids WHERE?” and more often than not the answer is, “Yes!” The follow up question is almost always “How do you travel with small kids?” Well, dear friends, I’m going to share with you a couple of my tips. My top 5 to be almost exact. It actually takes more than just 5 tips to travel with small children. I would love to share with you all of my travel tips that I’ve accumulated through the years but here are 5 (or so) as an appetizer.

1. SNACKS – LOTS AND LOTS OF SNACKS – I’m talking enough to sustain a small village for a while. I’m also taking about the “good stuff.” Now is not the time to scrimp on the snacks. Bring the stuff they love, the stuff you don’t buy on a regular basis, the stuff they beg for in the market. We had a flight delay and a subsequent rerouting once that left us in an airport after all the retail shops had closed. I’ve never been so grateful for a stash of goldfish, skittles and bottled water in all my life.

2. ENTERTAINMENT – KEEP ‘EM BUSY. Get them something they’ve never seen before and it can be as simple as post it notes. An airline tray table and a package of post it notes can provide loads of entertainment. Kids can stick and unstuck those crazy fluorescent squares for quite a while. They can make patterns if you have multiple colors and when all of that fun is done – draw on them, make a picture that spans multiple post-its and BAM you have a puzzle for a toddler.

3. BE PREPARED – have extra everything – especially diapers. I repeat, always have extra diapers if you have a child that small. Once they became a bartering item, a currency if you will, on a trip when a flight of ours got cancelled leaving us stranded in Washington DC with 2 kids past bedtime. I traded diapers and wipes with a woman for jarred baby food. Her baby smelled and mine was hungry – problem solved.

4. KNOW YOUR GAME PLAN WHEN YOU ARRIVE – give the kids something to anticipate. My kiddos have always been thrilled at the prospect of scoping out their destination. We dream of what we will see and how we will see it. One easy way to get them excited is a ride in a motorcoach, train, trolley car, gondola or something that they normally don’t see in your own garage. One of my girls still talks about the trolley tour she took in Zurich. We loved feeling the fresh air in our faces in the open-aired trolley and learned a little about the city and its people. Ok, my husband and I learned about the city and its people – she tried to figure out how many pets she could spot.

5. PREPARE FOR THE WORST….HOPE FOR THE BEST – I always bring along current shot records and medical info from their last check up along with a small first aid kit with Tylenol, Motrin, a thermometer, band aids, Neosporin, etc. and a correct dosing chart for any and all medication per kid. Luckily, I have rarely had to use the kit. I think that’s because I have it with me at all times. The token trip I didn’t take it on, we ended up in a doctor’s office nearly 1,000 miles from home.

Ok so I promised 5 tips but I couldn’t stop at 5 so here’s a bonus one and arguably the most important:

6. HUMOR – if you don’t take along a large and healthy dose of humor you might as well stay home. Some of the best laughs of my marriage and my family have happened when we travel. How else could I have a photo like this one….

Author's Child Entering The Great State of Nebraska

What are your great travel tips with kids? Share your tips and tricks in comments below.

It’s almost summertime; therefore, it’s almost time for road trip season! Whether you dread the annual 12-hour journey across the country with your screaming family in the minivan, or relish the thought of windows down and music cranked with your girlfriends, one thing is consistent – you’re going to get hungry. Road trip snacks can be tricky, because you’ve got to make sure you keep the aromas neutral and the crumbs nonexistent. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

1) Turkey Jerky + Diet Cola = SO GOOD. (and the jerky is full of protein!)

2) Ants on a Log: a throwback from childhood for sure, and nutritious enough to feed those screaming kids in the way back bucket seats.

3) Frozen Grapes: not only do they taste like the Dippin’ Dots of the healthy food world, but they also double as an ice pack. Bonus.

4) Anything Packed in a Mason Jar: or reused peanut butter jar. Trail mix, veggies, wasabi peas, whatever your little heart desires. They can roll around all they want and nothing will spill.

4) Local Flavor: no that’s not an off-brand soda flavor, I mean oranges in Florida, anything green chile-flavored in the Southwest or apple cider donuts if you’re lucky enough to be in New England in the fall.

Now that you know how not to starve, grab your sunnies and your road trip companions and get ready to enjoy the summer sunshine!

What’s your favorite road trip snack? Leave us a comment below!

“It’s the journey, not the destination.” Repeat that to yourself 3 times, and then listen up while I do my best to convince you that hitting the open road on your next vacation could just very well be the best time of your life.

First, let me say sure, there’s always the option to fly.  You’ll arrive in a few hours and be on your way. That is, after you’ve dealt with airport parking, security, baggage fees, a flight delay, and a guy in the seat next to you that may or may not be coughing up a small kitten. If that sounds like your thing, by all means, check those flight times and pick that perfect itinerary.

If, however, you’re like me and prefer freedom when you travel – to go anywhere, at any time, to do anything – fill up the gas tank, grab a road map, and prepare to go road trippin’.

Like choosing chocolate or caramel, your road tripping options are pure win-win. All you need to decide is who’s coming with (if anyone at all), and in which direction to start heading. To make things really complicated (note the sarcasm), you might also want to pick some tunes to set the mood for the trip. Personally, I’d select some good ol’ Grateful Dead for a solo trip through the national parks of the Northwest, rock an 80’s playlist for a trip with a friend through Southern California, or pump some Willie and Waylon driving through the Smoky Mountains with the fam.

Are you following me now? These decisions are FUN.  Not to mention, limitless. Why always go left when this time you can go right? Take some time to explore the way that you want to do it.  If you want to go see the House of Mud like Clarke W. Griswald in the movie ‘Vacation’, go see the House of Mud! If you’re dying to see the great peaks of the Grand Tetons, make the drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and see the Tetons. If along the way to the Tetons you decide that you’d rather stop in Montana to camp under the stars, then by all means, stop in Montana and camp under the stars!

Enjoy the freedom of the open road.  Share some quality laughs with your family. Blast your favorite song with the windows open. Get out and take a goofy picture in front of the Grand Canyon. I guarantee you it will be worth it.

What are your summer road trip plans? Tell us in the Facebook comments below. (having trouble viewing comments? click here)