Planning a kid’s day out can be exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Depending on their ages and how many you’ll be taking out, you definitely have a wild ride ahead of you. Although children are fun to be around, they can become very demanding and irritable after long periods of time. There are some measures you can put in place, however, to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, and you’re able to pat yourself on the back at the end of the day. Whether you’re going to take the little ones to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge or to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to ride camels, it is possible that you can do it and come back in one piece. This article will provide you with some useful information that will help when you’re planning a kids day out.
Create a Checklist
When taking kids out, it’s essential that you make detailed plans, so you know exactly where you’re going and what you’ll be doing on the day. The first thing you should do in the planning process is research places that are actually suitable for kids to go to on a trip. As much as you may like rock climbing, for instance, it may not be the most suitable option for children if it isn’t kid friendly. Consider choosing a location that has more than enough restrooms, enough open space where they have the freedom to run around, and food and refreshments in case you need to buy some. Once you’ve done this and you’ve selected your location, you can move on to creating a checklist. Write down all of the items that you’ll be carrying along with you. It should include a first aid kit for any sudden falls, spare clothes, packed lunch, extra snacks and refreshments. If you happen to be taking kids who aren’t yours out, ensure you have their parent’s contact details and two additional contacts in case of an emergency. Don’t forget to think of the best means of transport to get there as long rides without bathroom stops might be an issue.
Branded T-shirts
Children can tend to be busybodies, which means that in a split second, they can disappear. It’s one of the worst things that can happen on a kid’s day out as it can throw you into a complete frenzy. To make it easier for you to identify your kids, why not consider making branded t-shirts for the day? If you don’t want to do the t-shirts, you can buy lanyards as another way to identify the kids and make them easier to find if they get lost. Whether you choose t-shirts or lanyards, try and choose bright colours as they’re easier to see from afar. In the instance where you don’t want to get customised t-shirts or lanyards, you could just ask all of the children to wear what they have at home. Try and ensure they stick to the same colour code, however, just so there is some coordination.
Assistance
For those who have ever taken more than one child out, you’re more than likely aware of how much work it is. Having as many adults as possible come along with you on a kid’s day out should help ensure you aren’t overwhelmed. You can split up tasks such as who’s managing lunch, who’s going to be responsible for the checklist items and who’s responsible for making sure the kids are present at all times. If you’re taking a large group out or it’s a family vacation, it’s essential that you do a head count. Ideally, you should do one before leaving for your destination, when you reach your destination, and before heading back home. By doing this, you’ll be constantly aware of who is on the ground and who you need to do a wild goose chase to find. Hopefully, they’ll be wearing the bright coloured t-shirts or lanyards you got so even if you can’t spot them; someone else will be able to. Kids are easier to manage when there’s more than one adult around to help.
Food and Drinks
Children always seem to be hungry no matter how much you feed them. There are the exceptions who don’t ever seem to have an appetite, but for the most part, kids love keeping their mouths filled with food. On these premises, ensuring there are enough snacks as well as lunch is key. Don’t forget that children need a balanced diet, so you should always include a combination of proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy in the lunch and snacks that you pack for them. It could include sandwiches, yoghurt, cheese, and a couple of fruit, as well as whatever else you feel they’d enjoy eating. You could also opt to buy food at your destination, but remember that if you happen to be taking the kids to a tourist attraction, the price for food and drinks may be a little on the high side. If you’re trying to save money, then you might want to plan to bring your own food.
Activities
Children are said to need sixty minutes or more of physical activity every day. It doesn’t seem like an impossible task as most children are zooming up and down all day. To reduce your stress levels and the risk of accidents or lost children, it is sometimes best to have organised activities. If the place that you’ll be taking them to doesn’t already have some scheduled, you could plan a few of your own. By doing this, they’ll be able to get their daily dose of physical activity in, and you’ll be able to keep them entertained as well.
Children find a way to add colour to most environments that they’re in. Not only do they have amazing smiles and interesting views on just about everything, but they also have an immeasurable amount of curiosity lingering on the inside. By taking them out and allowing them to see different places, they’re able to learn new things and expand their thinking. By planning your outings and ensuring you’re as organised as possible, however, it’s more likely to go down in your memory as a day to remember.
