Family Vacation Road Trips Made Easy – A Guide for Parents
by: Dean Burgess
You’ve worked hard all year and you’re ready for some much-needed rest, relaxation, and quality family time on Oregon’s Adventure Coast. That being said, traveling with children of all ages can be stressful and requires some extra planning. The following guide offers helpful advice and resources to make traveling with kids easier and more enjoyable.
Planning Your Oregon Adventure Coast Visit
If your family is traveling to Oregon’s Adventure coast, you’re in for a treat. Not only is there plenty to do and see, but there are also tons of options for accommodations. To make the most of your trip here, consider a vacation rental over a hotel. You’ll have more privacy and a full kitchen, which can help you save money.
The Oregon Dunes is a great area for families, especially if beach time is your priority. In fact, if you choose to stay on the Oregon Dunes, you’ll have plenty of options for adventure, dining and relaxing. For example, places like Florence boast excellent rental opportunities as well as incredible adventures like sandboarding at Sand Master Park! Note that Florence also happens to be the sandboarding capital of the world! You can also enjoy other activities like boogie boarding, surfing, taking a boat tour on Coos Bay or even riding a dune buggy!
Once you’ve got your plans ironed out, it’s time to tackle your journey.
Eat Healthy on the Way
Traveling can make it hard to access delicious, healthy food. If you want to avoid the stress of searching for places to grab a quick bite, consider packing a variety of snacks, meals, and drinks. If you are traveling a long distance, invest in a cooler and a few bags of ice. If you want to save a bit of money during your travels, consider skipping restaurants and opting for a few grocery stores instead. Check out this list from KOA of car-friendly snacks and meals that will keep the whole family happy.
Get Some Rest
A long trip with kids requires much-needed sleep the night before you leave for the airport. However, not everyone is successful with this, especially those who share a fear of flying. If you’re feeling anxious the night before traveling, try taking a hot bath or shower, going over your to-do list one last time, and maybe some light stretching. And even if you find you can’t sleep, just resting with your eyes closed is worth trying.
Be Mindful of Motion Sickness
Kids are particularly susceptible to motion sickness when traveling in cars, buses, trains, and airplanes. Motion sickness stems from the sensitive center of the inner ear that reacts to motion and balance. When a child feels unbalanced, the inner ear sends signals to the rest of the body. However, parents can take precautionary measures to avoid motion sickness.
The first thing parents can do to prevent motion sickness is to be aware of what your child is eating while traveling. Before hitting the road, make sure your child eats a meal with limited sugars and grease. Vegetables, fruit, protein, and water are all great pre-travel meal options.
The second step parents can take to minimize travel sickness is to make frequent stops. If you notice your child has early signs of motion sickness, make a stop as soon as possible. According to HealthyChildren.org, early signs of motion sickness include mild stomach upset, sweating, headaches, and reduced appetite. If you can catch these symptoms early, you can prevent your child from becoming increasingly ill. Frequent stops allow for access to fresh air, facilitates body movements, and reduces inner ear imbalance. Making a stop can also offer a needed distraction for your child, and they may find that they feel better simply going outside.
Plan Games for the Car
By planning a variety of travel activities, you can keep your children entertained and enhance the level of quality family time. Before setting off on your trip, ask your kids what type of games they would like to play and plan accordingly. Mad Libs, card games, I-Spy, Checkers, Bingo, and pipe cleaner and bead creations are some great ways to pass the time. While you’re on the road, consider pre-planning some site-seeing or mini excursions. Not only will this break-up your journey, but it will also offer valuable bonding time for you and your kids.
Family vacations should be fun, memorable, and stress-free. When planning your trek to Oregon’s Adventure Coast, remember that healthy food options, a good night’s sleep before the trip, motion sickness prevention, and activities will not only make the trip more enjoyable for your children, it will make the trip more enjoyable for the whole family. Make this year the best family vacation yet by using the guide above. Happy travels!
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