Tips for lengthy trips with kids

[S Spring]

Looking for tips to make my sons first long trip as least miserable and more enjoyable for my 10 year old.

He’s been on day trips and a several overnighters. Some successful and many that were not.

This will be his first year with a tag.

We will have 9 days consecutively that we can take advantage of. Not saying we will take all 9. But that’s what we can make happen.

Thanks

 

[Jimmy]

Audio books are good, they can listen but still look out the windows and see whats going on.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Leave when it's their bedtime...drive all night...Only way we traveled long distances when my kids were little..plus traffic is better..

 

[survivalistd]

Leave when it's their bedtime...drive all night...Only way we traveled long distances when my kids were little..plus traffic is better..

I've done this before.

 

[The_Jim]

I think your asking how to keep him engaged for 9 days - which can be a lot for an adult!

I think I would be prepared for some off days to go to the nearest town for lunch, maybe let him sleep in a morning, and just don't take it too serious. I've never taken my boys out for that many days, but that's where I would start.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Been a while as my youngest is 22 now, but some things that come to mind are to pack snacks no matter how noisy the wrappers are, lots of breaks and "not hunting" time, look for arrowheads even when you know there are none (or sheds, sticks, whatever), throw some rocks... If you can tell they're done head back to camp and challenge them to build a fire. Big pee bottle for the drive if it's a long one, boys think that's hilarious and it makes for good jokes especially if you hit a bump while they're all propped up in the back seat. These days I'd imagine there's a lot of phone doohickeys to kill down time but might have a rule to keep it to a minimum during actual hunting time, gentleman's agreement. We didn't really have phones when the boys were younger but a couple of them would bring the old Gameboy for the trip and that was the compromise, it couldn't come out while actually hunting. I didn't like the idea of them using it in camp, but it did give me the opportunity to cook or clean or do some chores and stuff but that gizmo was great for long drives.

edit: ^oh yeah for some reason these boys absolutely loved going to town to grab lunch, or ice, or anything really. No idea why but it was like a reward to them to run to Dairy Queen mid-day.

 

[ODB]

Get some conversation starter cards. They are pretty good. And better than just trying to think stuff up because your kid can grab a card and ask you so you answer as well

 

[hikenhunt]

I would do whatever I could to minimize the pressure of filling the tag. Even as an adult, that can take some of the fun away. Make it fun and he will have many more tag opportunities in the future (he will want to keep hunting).

 

[MountainTracker]

Multiple audiobooks and depending on what time of the year it could get dark early I always include a movie download also. Playing cards. I mix in other things than just hunting like navigating, or scenario based questions leading to teaching , like how to build a shelter or making a fire, either in the field or at camp if conditions allow. Build a small survival kit and go over the uses in the field during midday lulls.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Billogna]

I've never taken my boys out for that long. It's on the list of things to do! But when I was about that age my dad took me on an extended float/camping trip). About 5-6 days or so camping out of a boat floating one of the Ozark rivers. Before we left he handed me an envelope, had me put it in my tackle box, and told me not to open it until he told me to. Along about the second or third day I was feeling really homesick and griping about everything (making camp, getting wood, being cold/wet). It can be hard for a youngster to handle that much stillness all of a sudden. He asked me to get the letter out and read it. In that letter he explained that right around day 2 or so I would miss home, my mom, my pets, my bed etc. And that it was OK! He did too. It just takes time to settle in to where you are. He called it the Day 2 Blues. But just get through today and something special will happen when I woke up tomorrow. "Once you get used to the sounds and sights and smells, you won't want to go home" he said. I swear that letter was like he was looking right through me! And he was absolutely right! That next day I felt right at home! Anyways. Hope this helps someone out there! Hope it's a great trip!

 

[WCB]

Don't have a kid that age yet but a 5,7, and 1.5yr old. All of them have been on multiple multi day driving trips. 7-10 days of trying to entertain them on family vacations etc. Including just a month or so ago a 7 day Snow Goose hunting trip. We did basically 3 all day hunts in the field the first 3 days (best weather window). Couple hour break in the afternoon at the truck for some grilled burgers, hotdogs, etc. Weather was in the mid to upper 50s each day but 20s in the morning and of course temps drop quick in the evening.

Key to all of it was:
- Comfort: Proper clothes or proper items like we packed a couple blankets to cover them early in the morning.
- Snacks and drink: plenty of good and "bad" snacks. Not all candy and junk but we relaxed a bit from strictly "good for you". Being mornings were cold Hot Cocoa was essential and water/juice for the rest of the day and plenty of it.
-entertainment: Bluetooth headphones and some music and a little tablet time midday when the birds slowed down and boredom crept in.
-Exploration: When it got a bit slow we let them be kids and wonder all over the field...go find cripples or dead birds, look for tracks etc. We answered every single question the had about every single rock, track, cloud etc.
-Rest day: Even though the 4th day would have been good hunting we took a break and let the kids choose to sleep in, we at at the cafe/bar in town, went driving around and saw who could spot the most animals etc. This is also key for us on regular vacations when we want to cram everything in...we have to remember to just take a nothing day and relax.

I would also say take the 9 days...doesn't mean you have to hunt all of them but pick and choose the best days weather/opportunity wise. Hunt sparingly the borderline days and if a day is 50mph winds or rain out don't sweat it and lay low.

 

[doc holiday13]

Depends on the activity de jeur. I got my 4yo to hike 12 miles a month ago. 2-6 hour days. It was a painful .9 mph. She wanted to play with everything and I had to make up stories to keep her attention. She already loves camping and sleeping in a tent.

I kept her moving by motivating with gummy bears and granola bites. Every 200 yards or so she got a single gummy bear or granola bite.

In the car, its a combination of stories from spotify, coloring books, streaming on a tablet, singing. If you're hunting, you'll need to have days where your child learns a new skill. You show them how the skill should be executed and they get hours to practice it. Give them a job they can fail at and it doesn't break the trip. Have them learn to use the camp stove or start the evening fire. Bring a long book for them to read. without much detail on your trip I can't give much more in terms of suggestion

 

[S Spring]

Planning on going into town after a few days in get a motel room for showering and to “switch” things up.

Definitely cards and some movies downloaded

He’s a book worm so I’m sure he will want to bring some books along.

I’ll also be bringing the quads, he will be able to go rip around camp when we aren’t out.

He has his own binos.

Also planning on getting a new tent such as a Kodiak canvas lodge or something similar just to make things more comfortable

 

[Buglebrush]

When I hunt with my kids we each put an ear bud in and listen to audio books together while Glassing. Also listen to them while driving. I also keep a .22 pistol with subsonic and a can on it for plinking at small game.

 

[mjh]

The art of boredom is best learned young, for when young one can find innumerable ways to engage the mind. Might lead to a little mischief as well.