{guest post: Kendra Thornton} Traveling with Kids

Hello there!  Today I have a special guest post from travel expert Kendra Thornton.  She is a travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman and proud wife and mama of three.  Kendra is here today to share some helpful tips for traveling with kids.  Welcome, Kendra, take it away! 

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Hi Everyone!

I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I've found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home. I have taken my excitement for travel and brought it to you with some of my favorite travel tips and tricks. Enjoy!

On the Road with the Kids for a Great Late Summer Getaway

The summer may be winding down as the school year creeps closer, but there is still time to plan a fun family vacation.  A family getaway is one of the best ways to not only relax, but to bond with your children and make cherished memories that will last a lifetime.  The best way to ensure a spectacular late summer getaway that everyone will love is to do a little planning ahead of time.

 

Break New Ground

We all have our favorite tourist spots to visit.  However, as the kids get older, going back to the same vacation spot loses its excitement for them.  Try going somewhere new this year, and even get input from your children about where to go. Present them with a few options you’ve researched and see if they have a place they’d really like to go. The kids will be far more excited for the trip if they have some input, and feel some ownership of the trip.

 

Fitting a Mountain of Clothes Into a Molehill of a Suitcase

Packing is a chore.  It's especially difficult when you're packing for yourself and your children.  Fortunately, technology can step in to ease the burden.  Try out a packing app like Packing Pro on your smart phones or tablet, and ensure you don’t forget anything while still fitting everything into your suitcase.

 

Mac and Cheese Is Always in Season

Part of the vacation fun for me is getting to try new foods.  For my kids, it's a different story.  Some of them just can't seem to get by without their staple foods like mac and cheese and grilled cheese.  When I choose a hotel, I carefully review the hotel’s restaurant (if it has one) and some online menus for nearby restaurants.  I used a site called Gogobot to read user reviews about different Orlando hotels, and was able to find one that was family friendly and offered a free continental breakfast (who doesn’t love pancakes?!). I always want to ensure that at least one place has a kid’s menu to keep my kids happy when eating.

 

Schedule Some Downtime

Visiting a new destination is exciting.  With so many tours to take and museums to visit, it's easy to fill up every day with activities.  However, it’s very important to schedule some downtime.  While I can sightsee all day, my kids sure can't.  Your kids need time to rest and relax. Maintain a regular schedule with regards to meals and sleeping.

 

Looking Glam, Feeling Great

When on vacation, it feels great to dress chic. Travel in style this summer, and do so for cheap! Load up the towels and swim shoes in a lovely tote bag when walking to the beach, all while sporting your favorite sunglasses.

The summer’s end is rapidly approaching, and there is no better time to start planning a vacation than right now! I hope these tips find you well, and remember to have fun on your family getaway!

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Thanks for the great tips, Kendra! I’ll have to check into that Packing Pro app and Gogobot would be super helpful for planning ahead for my little eaters.  We have one more trip ahead of us before school starts and we are heading to a super small town, so Gogobot may just be a lifesaver!

You can find Kendra on Twitter and on her website here.