Ty Sawyer
Planning a family dive vacation? We've got a handy checklist filled with tips for making this a trip that will help you create a lifetime of memories.
1. Check the status of your children's immunizations: www.cdc.gov/travel/child_travel.htm and if your child takes any medications, make sure to refill your child's prescription medicine
2. Take along books, coloring books and markers, a tablet like an iPad loaded with music, electronic games and movies (and don't forget the charger for this and your cell phones)
3. For toddlers and small children, bring their favorite snuggly toy, blanket or pillow — and extra pacifiers if they still use one
4. Sunscreen: Pretest any product before traveling
5. Hat with brim (look for ones with UV protection built into the fabric)
6. Sunglasses (find a fun pair for younger kids and a cool pair for older ones, so your children will like wearing them)
7. Protective dive skin or rash guards for snorkeling, etc. Lots of dive manufacturers now make child-size exposure protection
- Purchase or make a small first-aid kit that has the basics, like band-aids, children's aspirin, antibiotic cream, anti-diarrheal medicine (for kids), Benadryl kids formula to help relieve itchiness should your child develop an allergic reaction to something, etc.
9. Bug repellent: Use a kids' formula and pretest it for skin reactions before you leave www.bfzee-usa.com
10. Take child-size backpacks for plane and car travel (and let your kids pack with things they want on the plane or in the car) and pack reusable canvas bags — you'll cut down on the use of plastic bags (and do the ocean a favor!) and these can serve as beach totes, shopping bags and day-trip bags, as well as dirty-laundry bags when you pack for the trip home
11. Small, refillable spill-resistant drink containers: Keeping kids hydrated in the tropics is extremely important. Keeping their drinks from spilling on you is an added benefit. Great for airline drinks, too.
12. Inflatable pool toys: These require very little luggage space but deliver big entertainment value. Bring extras; they make great icebreakers when meeting new kids.
13. Remember! Take what you need with you for the specific destination you are visiting. This could include a windbreaker for bad-weather days, extra pair of flip-flops, "dress-up" clothes for restaurant dinners, etc. Test any new products before taking them on a trip
14. If you're preparing your own meals, as in a condo-type setting, bring some favorite items that may not be available, such as macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, favorite cereals and snacks
15. Don't forget passports
16. Equip each child with a well-fitting mask, snorkel and fins
17. While at your destination, try to stick to normal nap and meal times, or at least establish a routine during your vacation. You can avoid a lot of cranky moments if everyone is well rested.
18. Ask your child for one activity they really want to do on the vacation and then involve them in the planning (for example, if they want to to try stand-up paddle boarding, let them check web sites of operators that offer this experience). Plan family activities around your children's attention spans.
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