Comments on: Top 5 Tips for a Successful Outing with Kids

By: Historic Forestville near Spring Valley, Minnesota | Travels with Children

Historic Forestville near Spring Valley, Minnesota | Travels with Children — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:39:42 +0000

[...] the bounds of a day trip for me, but when the opportunity arises, I try to take it. (See #5 of my tips for outings with kids.) A longer car trip is much more palatable on a sunny fall day, so I packed up the kids and we [...]

By: Missives From Suburbia

Missives From Suburbia — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:44:24 +0000

I’m so bad with the snacks! Great at drinking containers, but bad with snacks. I need to concoct some sort of laminated list to hook onto my diaper bag.

By: Mara

Mara — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:58:37 +0000

Nice post. Since I’ve been trying to do this every week, I can vouch for your tips. A few additional ones:

Bring a few water bottles. You can refill them in many places and don’t end up paying 2 bucks each time.

Don’t be afraid to abort a mission is no one is having a good time (I guess this fits with the flexbility part).

If you are doing anything in nature, bring binoculars. Heck, just keep a pair in the trunk. They come in handy more often than you’d expect.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:24:35 +0000

These are all important to consider and can make for a better outing.

By: Sandra Foyt

Sandra Foyt — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:25:51 +0000

We tend to go on spur of the moment field trips, but for the longer expeditions, planning is essential. You get so much more from a trip when you prepare for it.

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:13:38 +0000

Good points, all.

Definitely agree with just going for it. You have to just try to take the kids and hope for a good day. It usually goes well. I don’t want to have regrets when my kids are grown that I didn’t take them and do fun things.

By: Anya Clowers

Anya Clowers — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:21:44 +0000

I like the flexibility part – I think parents should have a training on flexibility before leaving the hospital – because that is really the key to sanity!

One other thing, you mentioned not having the stroller. I have also had this happen when it was removed from the car. Having a stroller along is important even for older kids. When I hear from parents who are contemplating not taking the stroller on vacation – I cringe! Strollers are necessary assistants- around town or around the world! Even if the kids don’t sit in them, they hold your drinks, toys, snacks, bags, and eventually tired kids!

Happy to help if you travel by air – http://www.JetWithKids.com