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Traveling with Kids? Here’s What to Pack

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Traveling with your kids can be a wonderful way to help build cherished family memories. Admittedly, though, these trips can also be stressful, with surveys mentioning that parents get overwhelmed within five hours of a trip with little ones.

To make things easier, 72% of parents say they pack at least one bag with helpful necessities for their children. You can do the same and make travel with your kids more enjoyable. Wondering where to start? Here are some essential things you can bring for a fun and hassle-free trip.

Traveling with Kids

Kid-friendly sunglasses

The World Health Organization reports that children and adolescents are vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) because of their skin and eye structure. Excess exposure during childhood may also lead to an increased risk of eye damage in the future. Even more concerning is that sun damage is cumulative and will not heal over time. Since sun exposure can also cause dryness and straining, this can cause some kids to get fussy and uncomfortable.

That makes it crucial to pack protective eyewear for them. Make sure you get kids’ sunglasses that are durable, fit properly without slipping, and have lenses that are certified to offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. It’s also vital for kids to have sunglasses with slightly extended profiles to provide optimal protection around their eyes. To encourage them to wear the sunglasses regularly throughout the trip, try letting them choose a pair in exciting colors and designs.

Wide-brimmed sun hats

Sun hats are underrated accessories, but they offer significant protection because of their ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends hats with a minimum three-inch brim around the circumference with a permanently attached drape to cover your kids’ neck and ears. Wearing this hat in combination with the aforementioned sunnies provides optimal sun protection, thereby ensuring painful burns are kept at bay. If you are able to find a sun hat with a waterproof fabric, it can even double as rain gear. Just make sure that you dry out the hat in between uses so as to prevent bacteria and odors from building up.



An entertainment device

No matter where you go, children will eventually get bored. After all, kids usually have shorter attention spans, and spending long hours on the road or in certain destinations can make them restless. To get them settled back down, you may want to try giving them access to a fun activity, such as an entertainment device.

Depending on how old your child is, you may want to pack them either a tablet or a smartphone so the display is large enough for their viewing comfort. If you don’t have Internet access for video streaming, you may want to prepare some of your kid’s favorite films or shows. While you do want to teach your children about how to properly handle gadgets, it’s also worth putting device guards on so as to avoid any screen scratches or breaks. If you are going to be using these devices for extended periods of time, you should also bring power banks for the road.

Delicious snacks

Children are notoriously peckish, and their appetite often influences their mood. As such, it helps to pack healthy snacks to keep them full. You can do this on the go by bringing small reusable containers or baggies and filling them with unsalted nuts and unsweetened dried fruits. In addition, you can squeeze in some low-fat string cheese sticks or whole-wheat bread and rice cakes with nut butter. Aside from these foods being mess-free, so you don’t have to worry about cleanup, they are also free from any pesky additives that may ruin your children’s appetites.

Be assured that your efforts as a loving parent will not go unnoticed. Your kids will thank you for providing these essentials to keep them safe and comfortable throughout your travels.