It is a fact of life that children have a lot more stamina than most adults. When the adults need time to regroup the children want to keep going. With older children that can entertain themselves it isn't a problem, but what happens if you have small children? Mom and Dad want to rest for a little while and the kids want to be taken swimming, fishing, quading or anywhere they need an adult to supervise. What a perfect time for a craft project.
No matter where you go on vacation, space is always a consideration. If you plan ahead the crafts don't have to take up very much room and can give you the time you need in between activities to be able to truly call it a vacation.
- The number one item to pack is glue. Lots of glue.
- The number two item is ziploc bags, the larger ones.
If you are going to be in the outdoors, during each activity have the kids look for items to put in their bags. They can be leaves, shells, sticks, small rocks, flowers, or anything that excites them. When you get back to your home base give them paper plates and challenge them to make portraits of each family member by gluing their found objects onto the paper plates.
If you are going to be indoors, at each rest stop and vacation spot have them collect brochures for their ziploc bags. They can also add wrappers from snacks and labels from souvenirs. During your rest period have them create a collage on paper plates all about their vacation. They don't even need scissors. They can tear out the pictures or words from the gathered items and glue them onto their plate.
Another small craft that travels well is watercolors. Watercolor sets are inexpensive and very compact. Just add a couple of paint brushes and you are good to go. The kids can use a disposable cup for water. They don't need paper. They can paint rocks or flowers, sticks or bark. Take them for a short walk to collect daisies and have them paint each of the flower petals a different color.
For older children add a journal that they can use to record their memories from each day. They can add pictures and words from the brochures they collect. Challenge them to fill at least four pages a day with all of their favorite activities and how they were feeling. Over time they will have a library that chronicles all of the best family moments that they can go back and relive.
