Do you ever just sit and wonder how to entertain your kids during weekends or midweek holidays? Sometimes us parents get used to the routine and our first choice and last resort are one and the same, a mall or a restaurant with a playground. But what if we think outside the box and choose an activity that will not only entertain, but educate?
I can’t remember exactly when, but around one year ago I had decided to stop the predictable weekends and opt for road trips. To me, dining with my kids at a restaurant or chasing after them at the supermarket didn’t exactly count as a nice time. Now I know that with young children long destinations are more a hassle than fun, but the benefits outweigh the inconveniences and week after week (or as much as possible) you and your family will build a repertoire of locations you have visited in Lebanon.
But just as you need to prep for a plane ride, same goes for a long car ride with a different checklist of course. To minimize restlessness in the car for the 1 or 2 hour drive, pack a few snacks that won’t make a mess in the backseat as well as some books and toys depending on each child’s age and interests. You might need them in the car amidst the countless “are we there yet?” questions, or while you’re having lunch at your destination. Since Lebanon is made up of a coast, mountains and valleys the weather is never predictable so pack light jackets, caps, sunglasses, sunscreen and a change of clothes and undergarments and you’re set to go!
What I have experienced firsthand as advantages is my kids getting used to being contained in the car to arrive to the destination which in my opinion helps prepare for flights, and they are seeing historic landmarks in our country as well as beautiful landscapes, and I make sure to explain to them the function and meaning of whatever we visit making them more tolerant of cultures. As a bunch, we get to create memories, take souvenir photos, and become tourists in our own country.
So next time a holiday approaches or you simply need a new idea on where to take your kids, don’t think twice, start visiting heritage sites in Lebanon, mountains, forests, the coast from North to South and the unlimited options our gem of a country has to offer. Don’t forget to stop along the way to purchase from the locals, have lunch at small kiosks or well known restaurants, and wrap up the long day with fun songs on the way back home!
Maria Najem
Photo: 360degrees.blog
