Julie Henning – Family Travel 411

Ten Things You Should Pack for a Road Trip with Kids

Julie Henning — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 17:00:13 +0000

Road trips. One of the most cost-effective and flexible ways for a family to travel, they can also create enough memories to fill volumes of scrapbooks. But, if there’s anything we learned from the Grizwold family in the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation, is a little advance planning can avoid a few bumps along the way. Over countless hours and miles on the road, here are ten items we have learned to never travel without on a road trip with kids.

1. Sports Equipment

Space-saving frisbees are great companions for the road trip with kids.

If you resonate with the expression, “the journey is the destination,” your road trip style may be to take the back roads, stop at roadside attractions, and take the occasional detour. Slow, explorative travel is fantastic for families, as adults and kids need regular breaks to stay alert and interested in the local scenery.

Rest stops and parks present an excellent opportunity to do just that while tossing a Frisbee, kicking a soccer ball, or shooting some hoops. At a minimum, we always carry a tennis ball, so the dog can join us in an impromptu game of fetch.

2. Trivia Questions/Cards

Beat the Parents (or have fun trying) with the card game built for families.

When your last nerve can’t handle another “Are we there yet?,” break out a pack of Beat the Parents trivia cards. As the name implies, kids ask parents more challenging questions while they receive elementary-age questions of a similar nature. The team with the most number of correct answers wins the game.

We like trivia cards (vs. trivia games) because they eliminate the risk of miniature game pieces falling into air vents and door jams. However, you can always extract the box of questions from, say, the game of Trivial Pursuit and return it to the game at the end of your trip.

3. Travel Pillows

The 4-in-1 travel pillow for kids and adults.

When it comes to a cross-country adventure, travel pillows are a necessity for staying comfortable and power-napping as a passenger. We recently discovered this adjustable travel pillow with a belt strap that secures around your neck or back for sleeping and lumbar support (also good for driving).

As a bonus, the removable pillowcase can be removed and tossed into the washing machine. Tip: In colder months and climates, we also bring a few comfortable blankets and pass them around the car as needed.

4. Car Window Shades

Block the sun but not the view with car window shades for your family road trip.

If the mid-day sun is making travel hot and uncomfortable for passengers, a blanket or beach towel can be rolled up into a window to help create shade. However, when our kids were young enough to nap in the car, we used car window shades specifically designed to prevent sun glare and help block harmful UV rays. There’s no reason the family with older kids (or no kids at all) can’t take advantage of the same helpful products–especially when they lend better visibility than the old beach towel!

5. Paper Map/ Road Atlas

As the saying goes, Ain’t no school like the old school! Call me a fuddy-duddy, but believe there is merit in teaching kids to navigate with a paper map as a companion to using technology like Google Maps or a vehicle’s built-in automobile navigation system (and certainly as a backup when technology fails).

Not only does reading map help passengers orient themselves to the topography, it fosters curiosity about possible trip excursions and detours. Most US states offer free state maps at official welcome stations. We love the Rand McNally Best of the Road Atlas & Guide for the city insets and themed itineraries at the front of the book.

6. Ample Supply of Snacks

Ensure healthy snacking on the go by packing plenty of great options for any road trip with kids.

One of the biggest vacation expenses is feeding your family on the go. We’ve found a bit of advance planning and expert packing can help avoid impulse purchases from convenience stores and fast food drive through windows.

If heading out for more than a long weekend, we make a run to Costco or Sam’s Club a few days before the start of a trip (tip: travel with your membership card(s) and replenish on the road). Shop for non-perishable items you know your kids will eat, splurging for some special treats. If you’re short on shopping time, you can have Amazon deliver a healthy snack bundle (as shown).

And when it comes to washing down said snacks, traveling with a reusable water bottle also cuts down on bottled water purchases and helps foster a mindset of environmental responsibility. We invested in a set of Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottles years ago and they’re still going strong.

7. Books on CD or Audio Books

This suggestion is for anyone who has ever traveled on long stretches of the open road with two or fewer radio stations. Available to check out or download from most public libraries, audio books can both save your sanity and increase your overall family literacy.

Subscription-based services like Audible.com and Kindle Audio Books are popular alternatives to the public library. Popular with commuters, podcast downloads can fill several hours of empty airtime on your next mega trip.

8. Gallon Size Ice Cream Pail with Lid

Sand castles, car sickness, shell collecting, soggy clothing and then some. A gallon-size ice cream pail with snap-tight lid may serve many ways on your family road trip.

From the emergency potty to motion sickness receptacle, never underestimate the utility of the common gallon ice cream pail. And, when it comes to pail selection, a sturdy, locking lid will be the most important design consideration.

Beyond collecting bodily fluids, we’ve used ice cream buckets for spontaneous sand castle building and to carry home shell souvenirs. As a bonus, you first need to consume a gallon of ice cream! You may even want one bucket for every passenger in your car (stacked together for easy storage). Click here for a ready-to-go set of 5.

9. First Aid Kit

A road trip-ready emergency kit.

From legitimate emergencies to the occasional skinned knee, we feel every family should stock a first aid kit in their vehicle’s trunk or glove box. The most commonly used items in our family are crushable ice packs, tweezers, and scissors, but we like a kit with rubber gloves and mouth guards to protect everyone during CPR.

If you regularly camp or hike, consider an Emergency Preparedness and First Aid Kit (like this one) containing items like an emergency radio and flashlight, safety whistle, and thermal blanket.

10. A Battery Powered Jump Starter

From remote locations to your own garage, a battery-powered jump start may save the day.

Jumper cables are a must for anyone living in, or traveling through, a cold climate. A battery powered jump starter, however, is an excellent choice for anyone traveling to a remote location where they may not have access to a hot battery.

When we lived in Minnesota, a battery powered jump starter came to our rescue more than once in our own garage. A variety of choices are available in different price ranges, charging capacity, and durability. This is one purchase where you may want to read the customer reviews and consult your trusted auto mechanic. Click here to see several options with customer reviews at Amazon.

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Traverse City with Kids – Michigan Family Vacation Guide

Julie Henning — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:48:58 +0000

MICHIGAN, Traverse City with Kids – Deep and narrow, the cool, pristine waters of Lake Michigan stretch down like fingers into Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, forming the East and West Arms of the Grand Traverse Bay. Hugging the bay, Traverse City is one of the most popular summertime vacation destinations in the state, especially during the first week in July when nearly a half million visitors flock to Traverse City for the National Cherry Festival.

Whether your family flocks to the festival or comes to enjoy a quieter time, here are 4 great activities along with recommendations of 1 great place to stay and 1 great place to eat while visiting Traverse City with kids.

Activity 1: Run Down the Sand Dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Irresistible dunes at Sleeping Bear Lake.

Enveloped into the National Park System in 1970, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a breathtaking symphony of water, sky, and sand that spans over sixty-four miles of beaches, dunes, coves, hills, and islands. For kids, it’s a mind-boggling, giant sandbox.

Start your exploration of the region on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7.4-mile paved touring route loops through a good portion of the park and gives visitors a sense of place, as they take in the unique terrain and topography. Comprised of twelve designated stopping points-–which are also points of interest-–plan a few hours completing the entire drive. End at the nearby Dune Climb location just off South Dune Highway 109, where you’ll also find This location has modern toilets and a concession stand. Kids of all ages love climbing the multi-story dunes only to tumble down the sandy incline and start all over again. Website: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm

Tips: Bring towels for sandy feet and plenty of water for thirsty kids.

Activity 2: Experience History and Ecology on a Tall Ship

Set sail on a Traverse City tall ship.

Tall ships are woven into the fabric of Traverse City’s history. And the city houses more of these stately sailing vessels than any other port on the Great Lakes. To best get a sense of this 19th century mode of transportation, consider a two-hour sail on the Manitou, a 114-foot long replica of an 1800’s “coasting” cargo schooner. Tour options include a Noon Sail, Afternoon Moomers Ice Cream Sail, or Evening Sail. Or if you want more time aboard, book a Floating Bed and Breakfast package.

Alternately, the Inland Seas Education Association in Suttons Bay runs regular science expeditions for kids and families aboard the schooner Inland Seas. Passengers on the three-hour Discovery Sail trawl for fish, collect plankton, and sample the lake bottom. This hands-on experience often translates into an increased awareness of the Great Lakes and promotes environmental and ecological stewardship. Website: www.tallshipsailing.com

Activity 3: Canoe, Kayak or SUP on a River or Lake

Paddle to your heart’s content in Traverse City’s waterways.

A paradise for water-loving souls, Traverse City is a fine place to canoe, kayak, or SUP. Four rivers run through the region—the Boardman, Betsie, Crystal and Platte—all of which are suitable for beginners (with just enough current to keep things interesting). Bring your own equipment, or rent from one of the many outfitters in and around town.

The Leelanau Peninsula is also home to some of the most crystal-clear, glacially formed, lakes in the Midwest—many of which are perfect for fishing and rock hunting. (Do keep an eye out for the illusive Petoskey stone.) And, on a calm day, the sheltered waters of the Grand Traverse Bay make for an adventure the kids may never forget. WEBSITE URL: www.traversecity.com/outdoors/kayak-canoe-and-sup/

Tip: If you are on the water as the sun rises, sit still and listen for the haunting call of the male loon as he sings to his mate.

Activity 4: Step Back in Time at the Drive In Theater

Roll back the clock as you roll into Traverse City’s Cherry Bowl Drive- In movie theater.

Families have enjoyed the double feature at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theater for over sixty years. It’s one of the few remaining outdoor drive-in theaters in the country. Not to mention, it’s one where the Fabulous 50’s live on with original equipment including a nostalgic 1953 popcorn popper and a sound system powered by original vacuum tube motiograph amplifiers.

What’s more, kids love the miniature golf course and running between playground equipment, the sandbox, and inflatable bounce house. Inside Cherry Bowl Gifts & Goodies, they can build a souvenir stuffed animal. More than a concession stand, the food served at Cherry Bowl Drive-In is always fresh and homemade. What’s more, the movies shown here are family friendly–rated G and PG, with the occasional PG-13. Website: www.cherrybowldrivein.com

1 Great Place to Stay in Traverse City with Kids: Cherry Tree Inn & Suites

Kid-friendly and beachfront Cherry Tree Inn & Suites at Traverse City.

Nestled into the bend at the end of East Grand Traverse Bay, Cherry Tree Inn & Suites is at the end of the beach strip. Yet it’s near some of the more kid-friendly venues (including Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park). A bayside pool and spa is available to guests. However, kids may opt to spend the day making sand castles on the property’s sandy beach.

Ideal for large groups, many of the suites include a kitchenette, living room, and outdoor balcony with sweeping views of the bay. Families will also appreciate a complimentary, continental breakfast and free shuttle service into downtown Traverse City. Website: www.cherrytreeinn.com

1 Great Place to Eat in Traverse City with Kids: Sleder’s Family Tavern

A smooching moose, canadian smelt, and crunch dipped ice cream cones await at Sleder’s family-friendly tavern.

Sleder’s Family Tavern is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in the state of Michigan. It specializes in burgers and sandwiches with a side of “moose chips” or a basket of Canadian smelt. Located in the city’s historic Lumbertown District, Sleder’s has kept its brass and mahogany décor, with antique lamps and ice cream parlor-style chairs.

A highlight for kids is the opportunity to kiss Randolph, the restaurant’s Lucky “Smooching” Moose. Though they may be equally intrigued by additional mounted animals, including a jackalope and deer’s rear end. In warm weather, walk across the Randolph street for a sweet ice cream treat at the Dairy Lodge. We recommend the peanut butter and jelly sundae or the Cosmo cone; soft serve covered in crisp cereal and dipped in melted chocolate. Website: http://sleders.com