Summer is nearly here, and a family trip may be in your future. Whether it is a short visit to Grandma’s house or a trip across the country, traveling with children can sometimes be challenging. When embarking on a family trip, consider selecting a destination that is geared toward children.

Whether you are traveling by car, plane, train or bus, the key to an enjoyable trip with your child is to plan ahead. Advance planning will ensure a successful, fun vacation and reduce the stress associated with traveling as a family.

What parents can do:

• Talk to your child about the trip. Tell your child where you are going, who you will see and how long you will travel. Order brochures and get visual aids to help explain the trip to your child.
• Try staying at family-oriented Bed & Breakfasts, which usually have spacious rooms and suites with special amenities for children.
  
• Visit the library and check out children’s music tapes, books on tape and DVDs for portable DVD players.
• Allow your child to choose the toys he or she wants to take on the trip.
• Create a travel art kit. Fill a large zip-top bag with art supplies, such as crayons, stickers, paper and coloring books.
• Pack plenty of healthy snacks for the trip.
• Make goody bags. Collect items from dollar stores or party stores such as small toys, games and snacks to surprise your child when boredom or irritability set in.
• Keep you child’s sleeping and eating routine as normal as possible. Children will behave better if they follow their regular routines.
  

Car travel:

• Allow extra time to reach your destination and stop often to let your child stretch.
• Plan fun stops along the way, such as visiting a park.

Air travel:

• Carry current photos of your children in case they wander away from you.
• Plan activities during the flight in 10-minute segments. This is the approximate length of a child’s attention span. Be sure to bring enough activities in case of delays and time in the airport.
• Bring something age appropriate for your toddler or child to chew or swallow to help with air pressure changes.
  

Ronald Pupp, PhD, is director of Counseling for Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin.

FAST FACT: Children make great travel companions. According to the Travel Industry Association, one in four household trips in the U.S. include children. Popular activities on trips with children include visiting a historical site, attending a social or family event, engaging in an outdoor activity, going to the beach or going to an amusement park.