The world has become a different place, and part of that has meant many of us have had to change the way we live our lives. Some of those changes have been huge and damaging: Moms and dads are struggling to balance working their jobs while their kids are enrolled in distance learning at home. We've also had to change how we plan for seasons, how we shop, and even how we travel. As the health crisis persists and it becomes clear that, at least in the United States, we will probably be dealing with the virus for quite some time, many families are hoping that there are still safe ways to travel.
It turns out there are; you just have to be a little creative, and you have to be willing to work with the new constraints of the health crisis instead of against them.
Here are seven tips for families who are looking for safe ways to travel right now. Don't worry: You can do it.
1. Consider a staycation.
For a lot of families, a big family trip means getting out of town, preferably somewhere pretty far away. Maybe you guys usually go to Disney or a theme park, or maybe you like to visit the beach. While theme parks are open, and people are definitely flocking to beaches, neither location is exactly at the top of the "safest options for families in 2020" list.
Instead, consider taking a staycation. You can look around on Airbnb or Yonder for homes and stays that are close(ish) to you — maybe somewhere that wouldn't require you to stop for gas. It's always novel to go somewhere new, even if it's only an hour away. You can look for a place with a pool if you don't have one, find an actual working farm to stay at, or just pick a random town you've never been to and make an adventure of it.
2. Make sure your kids practice wearing masks.
If you are mostly keeping your kids at home, they might not have a lot of practice wearing face masks. Before you go anywhere, you'll want to get them to spend some time donning masks that they like and that are comfortable, because a lot of places are requiring masks in public now. Wearing a face mask is also one of the easiest things each of us can do to protect other people (and ourselves).
Obviously, you need to also make sure that you're doing the same! There are so many masks out there. Shon Simon Co. sells solid-color face masks that are breathable and super soft for only $3.50 each.
3. Stock up on reusable water bottles.
Whether you're venturing out nearby, road-tripping somewhere, or even braving a flight with your kids, you'll want to make sure everyone has their own reusable water bottle that's easy to tote. Bringing your own drinking vessel is infinitely safer than relying on buying drinks or a public water supply, no matter where you are.
4. Make sure you have tons of hand sanitizer.
While washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds is still the best way to keep germs at bay, hand sanitizer has definitely become a hot commodity these days. If you’re traveling with your family, you will probably need a lot more sanitizer than you think you do. Make sure you buy in bulk!
5. Triple-check hotel and airline policies.
Back in the pre-virus days, it was pretty easy to book a hotel, Airbnb, or flight with the knowledge that you more or less knew what you were getting yourself into. If you're getting ready to travel, make sure you know the new policies inside and out. You might find that you need to cancel your trip at the last minute, especially if the virus spikes in the area where you're headed.
If you are flying internationally, make sure you know whether or not you can actually enter the country you plan to visit. Many countries, including the United States, aren't allowing a lot of foreign visitors right now.
6. If you're flying, plan to check your lugguage.
If you're flying anywhere with kids right now, it will be much easier on everyone if you just go ahead and check your luggage. You will probably have to pay extra to do so, but you won't have to deal with the added frustration of dragging luggage through the airport while you're feeling more anxious than usual about flying.
7. Build social distancing into the trip.
If the idea of being on a plane with your kids makes you really nervous, consider building social distancing right into your trip. Rent an RV and camp at a national park, or see if there are campsites near a beach that you've wanted to visit for ages. There are a lot of beautiful, natural areas all over the United States (and the world), and now is a wonderful time to connect with nature and visit them.
