Play Dates And Power Lunches
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03/03/11
By Christine Garcia /

Spring Break Family Travel Tips

We have become fans of driving vacations. It's not because we necessarily want to spend hours upon hours in the car but we want to steer clear of the airport. By the time we get everyone and numerous bags to the airport, go through security and spend a long time at the car rental asking for four child seats we've found that it's just simpler to load everyone in the family truckster and hit the road.

Last year we drove to the Smokey Mountains. We had a great time. The drive was 11 hours door to door and most likely the furthest we can get away with at this point.

As many families are gearing up for Spring Break vacations in 2011, Sue Kirchner,
Family Fun Coach and Founder of Chocolate Cake Club and Chocolate Cake Moments, is offering her expert advice. Working moms want to know what the hottest travel toys are, new games to keep young ones occupied and how to get the most "fun time" out of the family vacation. Her number one suggestion: plan ahead. "Prior to traveling, conduct a mock packing session for everyone in the family to see what needs to be washed or purchased. You don't have to carry everything with you! Ship what you need ahead of time or check out baby and toddler rental companies", said Kirchner. I've had friends who flew to Hawaii and had toys from a local company waiting for them when they arrived making it much easier to pack.
Kirchner also recommends:

Give everyone a backpack or travel bag so they can easily carry it themselves (load this with snacks, extra clothing books or favorite toys.

  • When traveling with toddlers or babies, plan your trip around nap or sleep time to avoid meltdowns (if possible).

  • If your kids are older have them help with the plans. Drawing maps, learning about the area you are visiting and hearing about the activities in the area will get everyone excited and help them feel involved.

Once you have the family riled up for your journey it's time to focus on what to bring. Kirchner has a family travel packing list at ChocolateCakeMoments.com just click here to download it.

Some road trip car essentials include:

1. Snacks: Little, individual size snack bags work perfectly. Avoid crumbly snacks and skip the juice boxes to avoid a mess. Grapes are good, easy to eat and no peel to worry about.

2. Water Bottles: Always have a bottle of water in the car. Even if you don't drink it, it's nice to be able to rinse off your hands or that binky that fell in the back seat and is now wearing a dog hair fur coat!!!

3. Garbage Bag: Always have a bag in the car to throw out trash. You don't want to hold a snotty kleenex or ketchup covered wrapper or banana peel for 4 hours.

4. Pillows, Snuggle Buddies or Neck Wraps: While most kids are resilient and flexible they shouldn't have to kiss their navel while they are napping. Give them some support and they might sleep longer.

5. Boredom Bag: You'll need plenty of entertainment to keep the kids (and adults) amused during the long car trip. Try books, toys and travel games. Click here for some additional ideas.

Something I try to do to remember why we are doing these trips in the first place is to reach into my memory for the fun times spent with my sister in the back of my parents green pick-up truck while we went camping around Michigan one summer, or the car rides that my sister and I played numerous card games swiveling around in captains chairs while my parents took us cross country to visit relatives in our conversion van. My sister and I spent hours reading, playing card games and creating wonderful memories.

Kirchner has some ideas on how to get your kids involved before, during and after your trip. Read books about the area, try local recipes, create a count down calendar to get excited about your trip. Once you arrive learn more about each other and spend time playing games such as Box Girl's Road Trip Box of Questions and similar activities. When you get back create a scrap book or travel journal". Kirchner encourages the family to work on the memory books together to focus on the highlights of your trip.

Have a great Spring Break!

PS, as a special bonus to our readers Kirchner is offering a special discount on her website. Just visit ChocolateCakeClub.com and take 20% off your order. Use the coupon code TCW2011. The deal expires on April 15, 2011.



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Christine Garcia is founder and president of Plan It PR, a public relations and marketing firm. She dishes tips and survival stories in “Play Dates and Power Lunches.” Ms. Garcia started working public relations after a long career in broadcast journalism, which included work as a television anchor, reporter and producer.

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