Whatever type of vacation your family
may decide to embark on, try to make every holiday an
adventure. The tips offered on this page can be used
year round for every type of
The family car trip is one of the most popular and
economical ways to enjoy a family vacation, however, many
families dread or avoid this time spent getting to their
destination, instead of being able to enjoy it as part of
the vacation experience.
Click
on the symbol to view Car Travel Tips.
Every child=s
reaction to car travel is different, and there are many
different ways to handle or try to avoid motion sickness.
Even if your child has never in the past experienced
motion sickness, invariably it will probably occur when
you least expect it. It never hurts to be prepared, so we
offer some tips - but remember - it is a matter of trial
and error to see what works best for each child to avoid
motion sickness completely, reduce the severity of it or
what helps when it does occur.
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TIPS
ON AVOIDING MOTION SICKNESS
WHAT
TO DO WHEN MOTION SICKNESS OCCURS
Be prepared, have a potty or plastic bags ready for the
onslaught. Sometimes fate intervenes and when you are
prepared, it doesn=t
occur.
Motion Sickness rarely occurs in infants, is most
common in preschoolers and toddlers and usually disappears
by age 6.
Motion Sickness can be hereditary, so keep this in
mind, especially if you are planning your first long car
trip and don=t
know if your child will suffer from Motion Sickness. If
either parent had it as a child, chances are it might
occur with your children.
If your child has experienced it in the past, speak to
your doctor or pharmacist about medications available to
reduce nausea
and
Click on the symbol to view First Aid Tips for packing a first
aid bag. Follow the directions and give the medication
before your start your trip. Some medications can leave a
child drowsy, but if you want to schedule your driving
time around nap time, this may allow for a smoother ride
for the child.
Plan your route along major highways instead of city or
winding routes. This avoids the many stops and provides
for a more stable ride. Less bumping and jarring may help.
Plan activities for in the car to take the child=s
mind off the travelling. Click on the symbol to view
travel games. Consider a tv with a vcr and
earphones to occupy the mind.
Cover the window beside the child with curtains - see Car Travel Tips.
This helps reduce stress on the eyes and
keeps the sun off the child.
Make sure the car is a comfortable temperature for all
occupants. It may be cool up front with the air
conditioning, but the back may be hot. Better that the
children are comfortable, you can always put on a sweater.
Individual battery powered fans or spray bottles can
cool kids down as they need and are fun too.
Some kids like to read in the car, while some like to
look out the window. Seating some children in the middle
seat where they can look out the front of the car helps.
some kids need to eat before they get in the car, some
should not. Experiment to see what works best
Being hungry can lead to a feeling of nausea and
headaches. Have plenty of healthy snacks available and
lots of water. Avoid sugary or extremely salty foods -
some suggestions include unsalted crackers, vegetables and
dip, bananas are great for upset stomachs, fruit
especially fresh apples, grapes, ginger snaps or graham
crackers - ginger is often touted as a remedy for nausea
and have plenty of water on hand (avoid juice if you are
pretty certain to have motion sickness occur). Avoid
carbonated beverages as these add to a feeling of
bloating.
Take frequent stops - if a child can last only two
hours before getting sick, stop at 1 2
hours and take a break.
Acupressure wristbands and copper bracelets help with
some people, but they work best if worn about 2
hour before travel time.
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Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared.
If your child becomes pale, sweaty, yawns a lot or
complains of nausau, take a break if possible and let the
child get some fresh air.
Being prepared means knowing that it may or probably
will happen, having a potty, bucket or bags handy,
premoistened towels or a wet cloth in a plastic bag which
can even be frozen on hot days to provide a cooling
effect. Make sure you have some bottled water and have
children take little sips to rehydrate.
See First Aid Tips on what to do if someone gets sick.
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All Tips are offered as suggestions only
While we have tried to provide you with
a list of suggestions to help parents when travelling with
children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can’t
think of everything and it is the responsibility of
parents to ensure their children’s safety.
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See the following sections for specific tips:
For General Travel Tips
Click on
For Travelling with
Teenagers Tips Click on
For Car Travel Tips Click
on
For Air Travel Tips Click
on
For Train Travel Tips
Click on
For Tips on Eating out with Children
Click Below:
For Travel Tips - Children with Severe
Allergies Click on
For Tips on Buying Toys
Click Below:
For Tips on Taking a Dude Ranch Vacation Click on
For Tips on Enjoying Live Theatre with
Children Click Below:
For Tips on Who and What to Tip Click Below:
For All-inclusive
Vacation Tips Click Below:
For Amusement Park Tips Click Below
For
Games to Play while travelling, Click Below
For Winter - Ski
Holiday Tips Click on
For Tips on Travelling with Grandchildren Click Below:
For Winter Driving Tips Click Below:
For Spring Car Care Tips Click Below:
For Tips on Taking Pictures Click Below:
For Tips on Protecting Your Home Click Below:
For Travel Safety Tips Click
Below
To Return to Travel Tips Click Below
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