Headed to a Relative’s for the Holidays? Pack your “Play Bag!”
- Dr. Briegel Payne, EdD
- Nov 21, 2021
- 4 min read
Whether you are heading down the street or across the country - don’t forget these tips to keep your kids playing all the way!
Holidays are filled with fun, food, and family. While this combination is joyful, it can also be a little bit stressful. With so much on your mind, one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is making sure you have what you need to keep your children happy, healthy, and engaged with play. Here are some simple tips to cut the stress by packing the right things for your trip over to your relatives’ house for the holidays.
Whether you are heading down the street or across the country - don’t forget these tips to keep your kids playing all the way!
Start with these 5 types of toys and grab one or two from each category
Games - A card game, board game, or game that invites others to join. Games promote interaction and inviting play. Games can be a great ice breaker, which is especially nice if you are with relatives your children do not see that often.
Books - Books are a holiday classic! We love anthologies because they have many different stories in one place (easier to travel with). Books are a great way for your kids to take a quiet moment to themselves if they need it, also they are another great way to engage with relatives. Everyone loves reading to a child, and your kids will so appreciate it!
Imagination Toys - A truck, a doll, a few stuffed animals - whatever your child’s favorite special friend is, bring it. Family gatherings are wonderful, but can be overwhelming and new to small children, especially with the past two years limiting large group interactions. A favorite friend can help soothe a child, or be a good talking point for them to share with family and friends.
Art Supplies - Crayons, stickers, playdoh (maybe), and paper are usually pretty safe art supplies to travel with, but know your relatives’ level of comfort with mess. A fun, festive coloring book or stickers can add some excitement to the holiday. A quick art project can be something everyone can get involved in, and creates an instant special memento of your time together.
Building Supplies - Legos, Duplos, Magnatiles, small blocks. These are a great way for kids to sit in a room with adults and have something engaging to do. Bonus, building toys are another great ice breaker for relatives and you’ll see family members hopping right in to build. Who doesn’t feel their imagination spinning when they see a set of Legos?
You don’t need to pack a suitcase full of toys - Kids are able to find magic and play in almost everything - so let them! Pillows, pots and pans, books, and things other items you can find around the house make for great toys while you are away from home. So pack a few of their favorite things using the tips above, but look for the magic of play in your new location. Check out our post on loose parts for inspiration.
If the weather permits, get outside! - The fresh air is good for everyone. It is a natural stress reliever for adults, and a great opportunity for one of our favorite types of play - “big body” play. Finally, it helps you feel less “underfoot” in someone else’s home, especially when you have little ones!
Just do what you do at home! - Regular routines can be extra fun in a new location. Do bath time, go for your morning walk, make food together, cuddle and read books, do dishes - everything that is just routine at home can be extra fun somewhere new! Plus it is very comforting for children to recognize their normal routines in a new location. It provides them with safe mental and emotional boundaries, and creates touchstones in their day that they can rely on.
We hope these few tips help you feel confident and prepared to enjoy a wonderful season of thanks with your family, wherever they may be. Just remember, less is more. Wonderful options for play and engagement are all around you. Everything is a toy, if you let it be. For more inspiration about finding the play in everything - check out our post on the magic of "Loose Parts."
About the Author: Dr. Briegel Payne, EdD is the founder and owner of Foundations Whole Child Development - a Louisville, KY based Educational Consulting firm.
About Foundations Whole Child Development: Foundations Whole Child Development provides support to families through Educational Assessments, Customized Enrichment and Tutoring, and Educational Advocacy (school choice consultation, homeschool support, etc).
About The Playroom Edit: The Playroom Edit is a full service playroom consultation, organization and design service from Foundations Whole Child Development. It is part playroom transformation - helping parents curate a space in their home full of joy and opportunity for their children, and part play coaching - teaching parents The Playroom Edit System, based on 12 types of play to keep the playroom engaging and developmentally appropriate.
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Heading to a relative’s for the holidays? Packing a “Play Bag” can make trips much more enjoyable for kids. Including open-ended toys like small blocks fabric scraps or creative activity kits encourages imagination problem solving and independent play. It keeps children engaged while giving parents a little breathing room.
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Reading about the idea of packing a play bag for holiday visits feels like rediscovering the magic of simple moments like how a few toys, a favorite book, or a well-loved stuffed animal can bridge new surroundings with comfort. At times, I catch myself glancing at my to-do list and whispering, maybe I should pay someone to article writing services just to clear a bit of brain space. But then I picture kids launching imaginative adventures with blocks on a couch and I’m reminded that real connection, like creative play, can’t ever be outsourced.
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