When traveling with children, you open up your family’s world to new sights, new experiences, and, unfortunately, new opportunities for injury. From scrapes and sprains to aches and pains, a thoughtfully-packed first aid kit can be a real vacation-saver! Here are some must-haves to keep your trip in tip-top shape.
The Basics:
- Bandaids – Make sure to pack a variety of sizes and types (if you can find some with your kids’ favorite characters, even better!)
- Sterilizing wipes or wash – While soap and water is always best for wounds, it isn’t always available, so make sure you have a germ-killing cleaner handy.
- Sun safety – Be prepared for relentless rays with sunscreen for faces and bodies (and after-sun lotion if you’re prone to burns).
Mighty Medicines:
- Painkiller – In case of injury or fever, you’ll need your family’s painkiller of choice (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) in a form and dose you and your children can safely take.
- Antihistamine – Allergic reactions span from discomfort to downright dangerous, so be ready with child-safe medication in unfamiliar environments.
- Motion sickness medication – The phrase “I think I’m going to be sick” ranks among the worst things a parent can hear when traveling with kids. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of options to soothe upset tummies (and save the car upholstery!)
- Anti-diarrheal medication: Sometimes new places and new foods also mean new intestinal troubles. Proper packing can help your clan avoid this common travel ailment.
Extra Essentials:
- Depending on your family’s needs and type of travel, you may want to include items like tissues, lip balm, cotton swabs, gauze, hair ties and clips, and eye drops.
- Nail clippers, tweezers, and scissors can also come in handy, but be mindful of air travel restrictions!