Travel is one of the best educators. It not only teaches culture and geography, but it also fills minds with curiosity and real-life challenges travel is never without incident). I plan to travel with my grandchildren, so I am starting to look into what I need to know. So far, the information is fairly generic so I will add to this blog and write others over time.
Seven tips for travelling with grandchildren
- Plan together, imagine together
Planning a trip with the grandchildren you will travel with makes sense, but it is something grandparents probably have to make a distinct effort to do. We have been planning and managing travel our whole lives, so making decisions comes naturally to us. This made me pause and remember who I am travelling with and how to include them in the planning process. Instead of thinking “obviously they will want to do this”, I know I have to stop and ask them what they want. Knowing grandchildren, their answers will surprise and delight.
- Choose kid-friendly destinations
To me, this is obvious but as kids get older, water slides and rollercoasters may only be part of the fun. I now know that of my grandson. Anything with animals will draw his attention. He looks at zoos now with more appreciation and inquisitiveness as he wants to understand the animals not just be able to feed them.
- Pack wisely and pack light
This is a parent-child conversation but one we can touch on as the grandparent. We can talk with the grandkids about what they think we need to take. My grandson is old enough for taking responsibility for making a clothing list to speak with his parents about. My granddaughter is five years younger and still needs some guidance. When the family was going to go camping, her mother asked her what she wanted to take with her. Her response was a matter-of-fact “makeup and jewellery”.
Seriously though, It is a good time to talk about the limitations of a suitcase and what would be a carry-on on the plane versus checked luggage. Always, always essentials in the carry-on.
- Prioritize safety including your identity
Safety when travelling is a good learning for grandchildren. It is something we take for granted in a safe country like Canada. But still, we have to make it a priority. Thankfully authorities are on high alert for children travelling in captive situations but it means, as grandparents, we have to respect their responsibility. We have to be prepared for questions about our presence as their guardian. The federal government has good pointers for travelling with the proper consent forms signed by the grandchildren’s parent(s). They tell what information to have and how to write the consent letter. It made me think that it’s a good idea to prepare that paperwork and have it with me no matter where we go, even within Canada.
- Allow for flexibility
Patience is a virtue of every traveller and a good learning experience for grandchildren. Cancelled flights, wrong information posted about an exhibit, a beach being closed unexpectedly, or weather that doesn’t cooperate. Learning to deal with the situation and coming up with alternatives helps develop problem-solving skills. Involving grandchildren in finding solutions always makes for intriguing conversations.
- Snacks and entertainment
This is a throwback to being a parent. We know what worked with the grandchildren’s parent would probably work for them. However, times have changed and access to entertainment and books is very different. Instead of a bag of books, one e-reader would take care of it all. For me, I will never enjoy reading on a Kindle but it saves space when packing and really is practical when travelling.
- Capture the moments
With today’s technology, taking photos and videos is easier than ever. Before they have smart phones, giving them a camera to take their pictures gives them the independence to choose the pictures to take. As the kids get golder with their smartphones in hand, their photos and videos will be taken and uploaded to Instagram and TikTok within minutes. When back home, take time to create an e-book of the trip or a scrapbook. What an excellent opportunity to relive the fun times of this cherished shared experience.