Tips, Tricks, and Accessories for Traveling with Kids

If you have kids then you know exactly how hard it can be to juggle taking care of the little ones, getting from A to B, while still enjoying yourself. Even though you love your children, having them around does make travel a little more stressful and little more difficult. With so much focus on your family, you might easily forget to take some time to take care of yourself and enjoy the moment. This is why we've created this list of tips, tricks, and the best accessories for making travel with kids simpler, more relaxing, and fun!

TIPS

1. Plan at Least 2 Weeks in Advance so you have enough time to gather everything you need before a trip. Life can be very busy, so giving yourself at least 2 weeks should be more than enough time to put the small details of the trip together. 
2. Make Lists: having lists to check off may sometimes help alleviate the stress of having to remember all the details of a trip. Because kids take so much care, you don't want to forget anything important at home, and having a list will help.
3. Visit the Doctor: If you are taking a relatively big trip to a foreign country, make sure you visit the doctor before taking your child along with you. Kids are very susceptible to illness so you should make sure your trip will be suitable for a child. 
4. Help Them Pack: If you have babies, then you will definitely be doing all the packing for them. However, if you have toddlers and older children they may have preferences on what they would like to take. Kids feel empowered and important when you let them make decisions on their own, and they will often be much happier on the trip if they know they chose to pack a particular item themselves. You should definitely guide them in the right direction and make sure all the necessities are met, but let them help decide what they might want to bring. It's also a good way for kids to learn what steps are taken when planning for a trip.
5. Talk Ahead of Time and Prepare Kids: It can be shocking for kids to just get put in the car or a bus or a plane and just take off to another place. Make sure the entire week before a trip you start to let your kids know where your going, when, and what types of things you might be doing. The day and hours before entering the car or plane, let your kids know what types of sensations they might experience, and let them know you'll be there to take care of them the entire way. Mentally preparing them might help them act braver about travel.

TRICKS

1. Snack Organization: There are plenty of ways to organize snacks, but we've seen a couple we really like. One way is to use a jewelry or bead box organizer to fit very small amounts of many different types of snacks. Another way is to just utilize ziplock bags with each persons name on it. If one kid wants a snack but not the other, you will know exactly which bag to pull snacks from. 
2. Activity Organization: Use a hangable amenities or beauty bag to store different activities for kids. These can hang on the back of the seat or from the clothes hooks in the car. For plane trips, the activity bags roll up to fit in a bag while still remaining organized. 
3. Hard Candy for Airplanes: Taking a hard candy like life savers on an airplane is great for kids because letting them suck on candy can often help with pressure equalization. Giving them a couple pieces during takeoff and a couple pieces during descent will probably do the trick. 
4. Surprise Kids: Keep a surprise treat or toy in your bag until part way through the trip and surprise your kids with something special. It will uplift their mood and feel like they just received a nice present. 
5. Separate Outfits in Ziplock Bags: Putting each outfit in a bag for each designated day or occasion makes getting dressed easier, and less fussy. 

BEST ACCESSORIES

1. The Travelrest Bundle: Travelrest's pillow, blanket, and memory foam cover are must have items for traveling with kids. Have enough for each child or person in your family so everyone can get some quick shut eye when they need it. Travelrest's sleep accessories for travel make resting simple, comfortable, and quick. 
2. Kids Backpack/ Luggage: Let kids take some of their own items in a small backpack or luggage. It will help keep their items separate and easily accessible to them. You won't have to worry about misplacing your kids items amongst yours since they will be toting some things themselves. Not to mention, offering them the responsibility of taking their own bag can make your kids feel like adults. Just make sure they don't leave their bag anywhere!
3. Snack Stackers: Stackable, portable, small snack bins that give you options and eliminate mess. We really like ZoLi's stacking snack dispensers. 
4. Tablet or Portable Media Player: Having a tablet or portable media player for your kids on long trips can help keep them entertained, while leaving you relaxed. Although you don't want to leave your child unattended with a media player in hand all the time, it can definitely make the car rides and airplane rides easier to manage. 
5. Books & Games: Don't underestimate the power of a good read or some simple board games. Kids can find entertainment and fun in simple things, so make sure you bring books and games for them to keep busy. 

Adventures of the TravelRest Blanket: Best Uses and Tips for Folding Back Up

The TravelRest blanket is one of the best travel accessories to have for people who need to travel cheap. Nowadays, airlines rarely provide blankets for customers unless you pay the premium to sit in business or first class. It can be very chilly while flying, and the TravelRest blanket offers a perfect solution. Despite its ability to store back in a fairly small carrying case, and the lightweight quality of the micro fleece, the TravelRest blanket keeps you plenty warm on flights and much more. So what can the blanket be used for and in what circumstances will you need it the most?

Ways to Use the TravelRest Blanket

When the blanket is already folded up in the carrying case, it can be used for lumbar support and as a more traditional feeling pillow. Although smaller than a full sized pillow, it still offers the right amount of cushion and comfort to help you get some shut eye.

If you are someone who needs to place something soft between your knees while sleeping, then the folded up blanket can offer you relief.

When the blanket is expanded to its full size you can choose to wear it like a normal blanket, or you can use the hole in the blanket to wear it like a poncho. The poncho style is nice, because it keeps the blanket from moving or slipping after you fall asleep. This method definitely keeps you the warmest, as it creates the feeling of being tucked in bed.

When the blanket is folded in its carrying case, you can also attach it to the outside of your luggage or bag with the small snapped loop on the case.

Places to Use the TravelRest Blanket

1. Car: Long road trip? No problem! Leaving a Travelrest blanket in the car for long car rides, or for your family and friends to take naps in the car has never been easier. Because the Travelrest blanket stows away in such a small and storable case, it will take up barely any space in your car. 
2. Airplane: Like stated earlier, airlines rarely offer blankets anymore. The Travelrest blanket is perfect sized blanket to fit in any carry on bag, and if it doesn't fit it can snap to the bag handle. You'll never have to worry about being cold on a plane again.  
3. Train: Make short and long train rides more comfortable. Trains are often air conditioned and in the summer when you might hop on the train in shorts, having a blanket to keep you warm until your destination will truly be helpful.
4. Bus: Traveling around by bus? Buses can often be the most uncomfortable method of travel. Space is crammed, the seats recline very little, and you have no place to get up and stretch your legs. Having a Travelrest pillow could really help you sleep through the situation, and the blanket would be the extra touch of comfort. 
5. Home: the Travelrest blanket is the perfect stowaway blanket for the couch or living room. It will take barely any space and is great for curling up to read a book, watch a movie, or take a quick nap.
6. Camping: Curl up next to the campfire, or add an extra layer in your sleeping bag! Camping can get a bit cold at night, but no one likes carrying extra weight when they camp. The Travelrest blanket is a perfect solution. 
7. Wheelchair: people who have to use a wheelchair often don't conduct body heat very well due to the lack of body movement while sitting. The Travelrest blanket is great for those who suffer from lack of circulation and body heat. 
8. Beach: Use the Travelrest blanket to keep warm when the beach gets breezy.

Tips for Folding

Check out the video that teaches you to fold the blanket properly. It took me watching the video two times to figure it out. Here are my tips:

• When the instructor says to flip the pocket inside out, that means to make sure its flipped where the Travelrest logo snap is on the outside. 
• If you don't want to fold it nicely, you can simply stuff the blanket inside the pouch. It isn't as flat or comfortable, but it works. 
• After the pocket is properly flipped, fold the blanket along the seam of the zipper but make sure that after you lay it down the pocket is sticking up above the folded blanket like a top hat. 
• After this part, the rest of the instructions are pretty straight forward. 

Contact Us if you have any more questions about how to use the Travelrest blanket or if you'd like to share your most creative places and ways you've used the blanket!

6 of Our Favorite National Parks Around the World

Most countries have national parks where the most beautiful monuments are preserved in nature. If you are an outdoor enthusiast and love to travel, then national parks definitely make your bucket list. With so many to choose from it can be difficult to decide which national parks will give you that awe factor the most. Luckily, Travelrest has had some experience with national parks and we can offer you some insight into which were our favorites. Let us break it down by area.

UNITED STATES

The US has hundreds of parks you can visit, and each one is filled with different wonders. If you haven't been to a ton of national parks in the US we highly recommend exploring here before moving on to other countries. 

1. Yosemite National Park: Yosemite is one of the most pristine, and heavily visited national parks. The famous John Muir Trail begins in Yosemite, along with a variety of other spectacular hikes. Yosemite has enormous waterfalls, lookout points, advanced hiking and beginner hiking, and easy access to many of the park's best features. If you dare, try making the hike to the top of half dome. This will certainly give you perspective on the enormity of this national park. Everyone can enjoy some natural beauty at Yosemite.

2. Zion National Park: Zion has a lot to offer in terms of hiking. If you are an advanced hiker and a bit of a daredevil, then Angel's Landing is an incredible journey. Many people attempt this hike, but few finish as they realize the difficulty and dangers of it. If you make it to the end, the reward is like being on top of the world! Zion also offers easier hikes that take you along winding rivers through the multi colored sandstone canyons. The colors in the rock are incredibly beautiful, and you'll find awe around every corner. 

EUROPE

3. Plitvice Lakes National Park: Plitvice Lakes is a series of lakes all in a single area in Croatia. Each lake cascades into the next with breathtaking waterfalls, and clear emerald water. The national park has set up boardwalks that allow you to walk right across the lakes for the best views of the waterfalls. This national park is so remarkable that it still made this list even though we visited on a cold, overcast, rainy day. 

SOUTH AMERICA

4. Patagonia National Park: Recognize that name? Probably because you've seen the clothing brand named after the national park being sported by other outdoor obsessed people. Patagonia covers a huge area of about half of Argentina and Chile. Patagonia has penguins, glaciers, pumas, the Torres del Paine and so much more! You could spend a lifetime exploring Patagonia alone. When visiting Patagonia expect to experience all four seasons in a single day. It's common to begin a hike wearing shorts in the sun, and end the hike bundling up because of snowfall. 

ASIA

5. Fuji Hakone Izu National Park: This national park in Japan is famous for its seemingly perfect, cone shaped, snow capped Mount Fuji. Take a hike on Mt. Fuji or go for a relaxing dip in a natural hot spring. The landscape ranges from coastal, islands, to mountains and lakes. You can find plenty to see and do at this national park in Japan. Make sure you take a delicious traditional Japanese bento box for lunch on your excursions!

6. Komodo National Park: Komodo national park is located in Indonesia and is perfect for someone looking to have a bit of a tropical vacation. Go looking for Komodo Dragons in this park, or visit one of the flourishing reefs for a dive. This place is perfect for people interested in seeing abundant wildlife, and taking lots of mini excursions and adventures.

There, you have it! Although it's difficult to choose favorites when it comes to natural wonders, these 6 stood out to us. Let us know which national parks are your favorite! And don't forget to take a Travelrest pillow, blanket, or mask when making the trip to these amazing places. Good times require good rest, and there's no better way to rest on the go than with Travelrest. 

Packing for Travel Made Easy

Are you someone who has difficulty deciding what to take with you on a trip? Do you tend to overpack, forget important items, or take half a day to finish packing? Well, you aren't alone. Tons of people struggle with packing! Luckily, there are plenty of online resources to help you with your packing troubles. Here are some of the best resources:

1. Pinterest

We are always pushing pinterest for anything travel related. People post tons of packing lists for different locations, and you can be sure to find whatever packing help you need there. Whether its an image of a packing list, or a link to a packing website, pinterest is a great place to start for some packing help.

2. HerPackingList

Her Packing List is a blog site for women who travel. It offers tons of options for packing lists based on where you are going, what time of year, how long you will be traveling and more. HerPackingList is a great website for females packing for a place they've never been. It always good to have a little insight into what you should wear and take with you. It is important to respect the cultures of different places and dress can be a large part of that. This blog site is sure to take all those factors into account give you some of the best packing tips out there!

3. PackWhiz

PackWhiz is a website that allows you to customize your own packing list. It's been featured on Oprah, Lifehacker, and cool website of the day. Packwhiz give you the choice to use someone else's pre-made packing list for yourself, or create your own custom one to share with others. Use the packing list online or print it out and cross things off as you go.

4. Travel Tips and Tricks

Look on the web or pinterest for travel tips and tricks. Small tips and tricks can save you tons of space, and can help you avoid taking too much. If you check our TravelRest's pin board on Pinterest for travel tips and tricks, we are constantly finding little things that can help make your travels easier. From DIY mini single sized ointment packs, to car activity packs, to fire starters, to packing techniques that save space, theres a solution for everything!

Sleep is another one of those essential things you need to travel and enjoy your trip. Make your trip a little more enjoyable by making it easier to nap wherever you go. TravelRest makes rest easy and comfortable, so don't forget to take a travelrest pillow with you on your travels!

8.5 Hour Train Rides with the TravelRest

Traveling by train has both positives and negatives. Some of the best things about traveling by train is that its pretty hassle free, convenient because train stations exist everywhere in Europe, and you get to see a lot of beautiful scenery on the way.

If you have a train pass like I do in Europe, then you probably want to get the most out of it that you can. Train passes aren't cheap, but they are definitely worth your money if you make trains your main form of transportation. That stated, you may opt for a pretty long train ride somewhere over a plane flight in some cases. In one particular case on my way to Croatia I chose to take the 8 and a half hour train  ride from Munich to Zagreb. It was the longest train ride I had encountered since I began my trip, and didn't know whether the train cars would be old or new. Well, the the train was pretty old, the seats were rather rigid, and the seats were also too short in height to be comfortable. 

Yet another moment when the TravelRest saved the day! I set the pillow up so it was partially attached to the headrest, and the bottom half would be used freestyle. I shift around in my sleep, so this method of using the TravelRest pillow is great because the pillow will automatically adjust with my varying positions. One exception is that it won't automatically shift to the other side of your head. We're still trying to figure out how that might be incorporated one day. 

If you haven't tried this using the TravelRest pillow like this, definitely give it a try and let us know what you think :) Or if you ever have feedback for us, we would love to hear from you so we can improve your experience with the TravelRest! Email us at info@travelrest.net

On another note, it might be beneficial to bring the TravelRest blanket with you on a European journey too. I've encountered hostels where providing your own blankets is expected. Almost all the trains I've ridden completely lack lumbar support, and the TravelRest blanket is a great way to support your back and keep from ending up in a slumping position.