Posted on Sep 22, 2011 in
Featured,
Travel |
0 commentsIt’s no secret that I love traveling with my husband and daughter. Even though I already have (at least) a vague idea of what we’re going to do once we get to our desired destination (it takes a lot of research on our part—checking out good places to eat, family-friendly places to stay, activities we could do as a family at the place), I still believe in packing a well-stocked “art kit” for moments when my child would just want to plop down on the floor and unwind in our room for that getaway.
TIP #1: Pack an “ART KIT”
For our most recent getaway to nearby Tagaytay, I still made sure I packed an “art kit” for her, and here’s a glimpse of what it looks like:
Since my daughter is a day or two shy of turning three years old, I packed art materials that are most appropriate for her age, and ones I know she truly enjoys, stuff that a three year old would be able to handle without difficulty:
- a handy sketch pad (white paper)
- a box of crayons
- a set of water-based colored pens
- a few small tubs of colored clay (She discovered a new interest in Play-Doh just a week or two ago)
- molds for clay, rollers and a plastic knife to use for the clay
I had an option to include finger-paint but decided against it since we wouldn’t be staying very long and cooped up in our hotel room for our out-of-town stay.
The art kit that I planned to bring along for our Tagaytay trip (and suitable for nearby getaways where we get to check in a room for one to about four nights at the most) was really just filled with necessary items for doodling, coloring, and yes, to stimulate her creativity (that’s why there’s clay!) in between breaks of sightseeing, eating out, and a lot of running around and cuddling.
TIP # 2: ALWAYS BRING A FEW BOOKS ALONG
I realize that apart from an art kit, it’s also wise to bring AT LEAST two books, ones that have interesting topics or characters she can relate to or knew about most recently that can spark her interest in at least browsing through the pages.
In this case, since we watched the musical “Seussical” just a few weeks ago, I picked up the two books by Dr. Seuss: “Horton Hears A Who” and “Horton Hatches The Egg.” The character of Horton the Elephant made such a vivid impression on her after watching the musical that I know that these books would come in handy when Drian would want to take a break from using her little art kit.
Of course, it goes without saying that reading together is a highly recommended bonding activity for parents and children, and books are the best things you can take just about anywhere!
TIP # 3: Bring along your child’s favorite stuffed toy or blanket.
Having something familiar around that your child can hold can offer a whole lot of comfort, especially when you’re on your way to and in a new place. I always make sure we have Drian’s favorite stuffed toy that she can cuddle on the ride to our destination, and as a back-to-basics toy, stuffed toys or dolls are also simple yet effective toys that stimulate pretend play. They also double as soft pillows.
Tip #4: Play engaging music during the car ride, and when your child is sleepy, pick the kind of music that can lull her to sleep and offer comfort to her ears.I am thankful that our child loves listening to music, whether it’s classical music by Mozart or upbeat kiddie tunes by her favorite kiddie video group Hi-Five. I also make sure that we pop in a CD of bible songs, that way we are planting seeds of peace, comfort, and the Word even while she is happily gazing out the car window, exchanging stories with us, and quietly listening to the music being played on the car cd player. It’s always wise to choose the kind of music your child listens to. Some parents just switch on the radio and forget that there very loud and disturbing and unwholesome songs being played there that are best to be avoided, especially with a child listening.
Hope these few little suggestions will come in handy as you enjoy your family getaway, making sure that whatever it is you and your child will be busy with, you’ll prioritize quality time with each other as you take in the beauty of nature and relish time making new memories. Have fun!
