Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a guest post about ways to keep your kids close when traveling.

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Traveling for work or leisure has become a big part of all of our lives, and our kids can’t always come traveling with us. Luckily, with some help from technology we can still spend some time in the day with them nonetheless. But did you know there are infinite things you can do together via laptops or phones, besides chatting? Whether you’re leaving your kids at home with your partner or grandparents, there are things you can do to disrupt your routine minimally, and feel like you’re close together at all times. From precious keepsakes, to spending quality time together, here are a few ways to give your travels an extra dose of togetherness, no matter the distance.

Keepsakes

Keepsakes are a cute and easy way to keep your kids close to you when traveling. You can find some wearable keepsakes that act like accessories, and you can also make some keepsakes to keep in your wallet or a bag.

Personalized Birthstone Bracelet

Birthstones traditionally represent birth months of each individual, but they can also represent your values and can be meaningful by themselves. You can create your own custom birthstone bracelet by choosing birthstones of your loved ones, and keep them near to you at all times in a form of wearable art. That way whenever you feel disconnected, a gentle touch to your precious bracelet instantly brings you closer to them.

Wallet-sized Art

Before leaving, you can organize a fun and chill evening with your kids, where you create arts and crafts together. Motivate your little bundles of joy to create a mini drawing, collage or anything they’d like for you to keep in your wallet. Whether they’ll create a small “lucky” coin from clay, make a drawing of your family or do something completely random, it will surely bring a smile to your face any time you take a look at it on your travels. You can also photocopy bigger drawings, and print them in a smaller size, if that’s easier for your kids.

Virtual Quality Time

Technology can also broaden your options of spending time with your family while you’re not physically there. Here’s some ideas on how you can spend some time with your kids, that will be fun for both of you.

Cooking “Together”

If your kids are staying with your partner or grandparents, and if you have access to a kitchen you can organize a facetime where you can call each other and cook the same recipe together. While doing that you can also talk about your day, and it will also bring fun memories.

Online Puzzles

Multiplayer games are also a great way to bond with your kids while you’re away. And by multiplayer games we mean puzzles – these will riddle your little one’s brain while spending time together. Google offers a variety of games you can play, and if you go to the puzzle section there’s even a way to solve puzzles together with your friends and family. Solve a puzzle and chat while you’re at it. That’s quality time you and your little one will both enjoy.

Shared Digital Journal

When you’re away and can’t seem to find a time you and your close ones could talk in real time, maybe establish a shared digital journal. Open a shared document on Docs or start a shared Powerpoint, and add pictures, stories and thoughts to keep your loved ones updated on what’s going on on the other side of the world. 

In the end, there’s a lot of options to keep your connection strong, even if you’re not actually together. If you decide on keeping a keepsake, and plan on hanging out in digital ways while chatting, it will make the whole traveling part feel like a breeze. These ideas make your travels just a physical journey as they make sure you’re still right there with your loved ones, even if you’re actually far away.