The most fun part of planning a Lake Tahoe vacation is figuring out which of the best-selling attractions in Lake Tahoe you and your family are going to choose. You could lounge on the beach, parasail through the air behind a speed boat, or enjoy a lunch cruise while you tour the lake. The options are endless. The options are endless, even your choices of accommodation are amazing. Try to look at Lake Tahoe cabin rentals for best deals.
However, before you can have fun, you have to make sure you set everyone up for a successful trip. That can be especially difficult if you are traveling with children.
Make things easier by following these tips to get your kids ready for their Lake Tahoe vacation:
Discuss the Trip and Brainstorm What You Might Need
It is true that packing is not fun, but it is sure to be a lot more if the kids know what they have to look forward to. Before any mention of luggage is voiced, first discuss what they are looking forward to during the trip.
Once they know what you will be doing while on vacation, you can ask them to brainstorm what they think they might need. They will have a lot of fun making sure they are prepared for everything they will be doing while at Lake Tahoe.
Make a List of Things They Need to Pack
Once you have had a chance to brainstorm some of the things you might need, you should make a list. Ask your child to help you decide what should go on the list, providing support and suggestions as you are working.
Want to make sure you do not forget anything? Make your list at least a week before your trip. That gives you and your child time to remember things that need to go on the list that you might have forgotten.
A few things to make sure you put on the list include:
- Swimsuit
- Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Toothbrush
- Hairbrush
Challenge Kids to Choose Clothes with Dual Purposes
Kids can get a little overexcited about packing. Even adults can end up packing too much stuff. It is much better to pack less. That way, you do not spend more time digging through your luggage looking for your swimsuit than you do in the sun on the beach.
Ask your child to pick out a few of their favorite outfits. Let them know that they will be wearing what they choose more than once, so it is best to choose clothing with dual purposes. For example, a T-shirt can be worn during the day, but it can also be worn with pajama pants at night. If you are traveling with a teen, encourage them to choose a swim cover that can double as a dress.
Set Limits on What They Can Bring to Keep Themselves Busy
No matter what the age of your children, you can bet that they will want to bring some things to keep them busy. That is a good thing! Road trips and plane rides can be long, and there will certainly be downtime in the mornings and evenings.
If you have a young child, encourage them to choose just one or two favorite toys to bring. That way, you do not have to pack a separate bag for stuffed animals.
Setting screen time limits is important, especially while you are on vacation. Make sure expectations are clear before you leave and encourage your child to bring just one device that they can use while they are away from home.
Let Them Help Pack Drinks and Snacks
It is true that you can just pull over when someone in the car starts getting hungry, but eating out all the time is expensive. Your money would be better spent on renting a jet ski or taking a dinner cruise.
Make a plan to bring healthy snacks on vacation and include your child in the decision making process. Ask them what kinds of things they would like to eat in between breakfast and lunch, and lunch, and dinner.
Then make a special trip to the grocery store with your child to grab everything on the list. If they feel like they helped pick out what they are going to eat while they are on vacation, they are more likely to eat it without complaining about wanting a candy bar from the gas station.
It is true that getting kids ready to go on vacation is a time consuming process, but it gives you the chance to help your child practice habits that will carry on into adulthood. Not to mention, it gives you the chance to spend time together getting excited about the trip!
