Teach Middle East Magazine Apr-Jun 2022 Issue 3 Volume 9 | Page 50

Travel

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY ABROAD WITH CHILDREN AS AN EXPAT

There is no doubt that summer is a fun season , and one thing that happens during summer , is travel ! If you have kids , this might not be as fun for you as for others . Travelling with kids often means struggling with your kids in the plane or hotel , for hours , instead of going on an adventure , which can be joy killing . Nevertheless , your summer trip can be exciting for you and your kids if you bring the right things with you .

If you are a parent looking forward to enjoying a fun-filled and peaceful summer with your kids abroad , this article provides you with some valuable information on some essential items to have with you as you fly across the world . Let ’ s get started !
AIRPORT ESSENTIALS
Every parent has their airport horror story when flying with their kids , which can go a long way to affect the entire trip . It is essential to have some airport essentials to start your journey right , especially when flying with younger kids .
The first airport essential is your family ’ s travel documents . These should be well arranged and placed in a travel organiser to make them easy to access . Finding your documents can get tough when soothing a crying child or taming a toddler on the loose . To make navigating your luggage easier with kids , you should always pack light .
In addition , you should also consider roll-on bags for your kids if you are keen on them carrying their luggage . These bags are easy to drag around and serve as a good seat for tired legs , while waiting at the airport . While your kids may be old enough to carry their luggage , they might still be young enough to lose them . For that reason , you should invest in luggage tracking devices , so that you don ’ t start your trip by losing a bag .
CHALK BOARD
After making it through the airport , you would want to make sure you make it through the long flight , by making it comfortable for your kids . Little children get frustrated being stuck on a flight with very few activities . For this reason , you should come up with a wide variety of fun , non-tech games and activities for your kids to engage in on the plane .
A good example is a trace and erase portable chalkboard . This educational and non-tech device eliminates parent guilt and keeps your toddler occupied for most of the trip .
GOODIE BAG
Another travel essential for your kids is a goodie bag . This can go a long way to make your road trip or flight a lot more bearable . If you are a parent with younger kids , your children will find nothing more interesting than a bag full of surprises . This goodie bag can range from a regular backpack to a cartoon-themed backpack , to make it more interesting .
A typical goodie bag will contain chewy stuff , games , and toys . It is advisable to take toys that your kids will not miss so much if they get lost in transit . The snacks you bring on a flight will differ from that of a road trip . So , this should be taken into consideration when packing .
For a road trip , you can never go wrong with snacks like dried apricot , dried pineapple rings , raisins , pretzels , etc . You can opt for M & Ms , fruit loops , jelly beans , or any of your children ’ s favourites for a flight .
EXTRA CLOTHE AND COMFORT ITEMS
Clothes are essential for any trip . When travelling with kids , you should bring extra clothes aside from those
50 Term 3 Apr - Jun 2022 After the Bell