Solo Travel with Grandkids

Where Are You Going?

Sandi Poindexter, grandparent and worldwide traveler has some suggestions for traveling solo with a grandchild in this two  part series. Understanding your motivations and asking some basic questions at the front-end helps increase trip rewards and make it enriching and enjoyable, according to Poindexter.

  Why are you going? Objectives range from helping parents and building memories to exposing a child to new environments and having fun while educating on the go. Will you take one grandchild, siblings of different ages or cousins of similar ages? Where will you go? Best choices include: somewhere you and your grandchildren want to go, you’ve been there before, you think your grandchild would like to visit, and you can afford to travel there.

Planning

 What will you do? Research activities to create a list of options within your budget and common interests. 

Research and Plan Your Trip Activities

Ask your grandchildren and their parents to narrow it down after discussion and looking at websites or travel materials.  Besides amusement centers, many museums and parks offer interactive learning with costumes, scavenger hunts and educational play areas. This selection process involves critical thinking, self-awareness and consideration for the grandparent. 

 Is it a trip goal to explore diversity? One advantage of metro areas is sampling foods from a variety of cultures at one time whereas visiting a region allows more in-depth discussion on a specific culture and life-style. If understanding travel options is a goal, try varying types of lodging within the trip – hostels, bed and breakfasts, and high-rise hotels in a city center, suburban chain hotel, rented cottage or vacation home.

New  Travel

  Is it possible to travel in a new way? Even a young child can 

Travel in a New Way - Why Not??

compare trains, planes and cars: trains are better because you can walk around and the windows are bigger,” “Planes get you there faster,” “You can stop when you want in a car.” 

 Long trips often produce the “When are we going to get there?” question. In an airport, give a child a copy of the flight information and show them how to navigate from check-in to the gate. In a car, it helps if a child knows where you are going and can track your progress on a map. Before you leave, point out the starting point, routes and end points. Map reading, whether paper or digital form, requires spatial reasoning. Explain the map annotations for roads and exits and compare them to the roadway signs . There are several ways to apply math skills on a driving trip --compute gas mileage, estimate time based on distance and speed. Ask, what does 60 mph mean? If we have 120 miles to go, how long will it take to get there? What if we stop for gas? 

For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos 

Keeping Children Happy Traveling

Everyday Objects - Great Discussions

Grandparents often need to transport children around town for shopping, to activities, the library, and home from school. These car seat times can be frustrating for both children and driver unless there is a plan for the trip. Of course, you can take along snacks, drinks, favorite blanket, toys, and books to help pass the time.  With the addition of verbal games children stay interested, take turns, and learn while the driver does not need to take eyes off the road no matter how long the trip.
 Discussion Games
   One game is called “What Do You Know?”  The adult makes up simple questions and children take turns giving their answers.  Questions are based on the age/interest/vocabulary and experience level of each player.  For example: Driver (for the younger child): “How many colors do you know?” or “What are the names of the people in our family?” or

What Do You Know?

“What are the names of the seasons?” or “What foods are orange?” or “What do we call a person who takes care of us when we get sick?” or “Who grows food for our grocery stores?”
  For the older child, the questions could be related to geography, history, etc.  Example: “How many states can you name that begin with the word New?” or “How many bird names can you remember?” or “Name a holiday for each season”, or “What is 9 X9?”  Once you get started, you will think of many, many possible questions.
  Another car game is called, “I’m Thinking of

Something” (pick a color). Children watch out the window to find something this color.

  Reading signs is a great way to encourage signal and word awareness.  “Can you find a sign with a number or an arrow or the name of a store?” “Can you find a sign that starts with the letter “S”,  etc.?”

Find a Sign That Starts With...

Learning Games
  Car games can help develop curiosity and improve thinking and speaking abilities, in addition to making the ride more fun and enjoyable for everyone.  Recalling facts, comparing, putting things in categories, reading signs, counting items, listening and taking turns, are important skills that will help prepare children for school
  Sing favorite songs, and make up your own words. Sing along with favorite children’s cd’s.  Look for cows, horses, and trucks of a certain color.  Retell a favorite storybook or movie.  Discuss favorite foods or places to visit. Think about how two things are the same or different. Example “How are a bird and an airplane the same or different?” Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest