Charter buses are a great way to see the country. You don't have to do any of the driving, which means you can sit back, close your eyes, and relax – unless you have kids. If you're going to be bringing your kids along on your next charter bus trip, you'll need to take a few extra steps, especially if they've never taken a long-distance bus ride before. Here are four tips that will make your family bus ride more enjoyable.
Go Over the Rules
If you and your kids will be traveling cross-country on a bus, you'll need to go over the rules. Bus rides are much different than planes and cars. With cars, you can pull over whenever your kids get out of hand. With planes, you usually don't have to spend more than a few hours to get to your state-side destination. However, if you're traveling by bus, you'll definitely need to go over the rules of etiquette for bus riding. Here are some rules you should go over with your kids.
- Maintain indoor voices – other passengers may be trying to rest
- Remain seated – it is a moving vehicle
- Never throw things – they could hurt other passengers
- Don't distract the driver – it could cause an accident
Bring Plenty of Snacks
Most charter buses do not offer meals or snacks. To keep your kids from getting hungry between stops – and to reward good behavior – be sure to pack plenty of snacks for your kids. Try to include snacks that are easy to eat and that aren't too messy. Things like fruit snacks, animal crackers, and other small food items are perfect additions to the snack bag. If you have older children, allow them to choose a few snacks for themselves. They'll be less likely to complain if they've chosen their own snacks.
Remember the Distractions
Bus rides can get boring for kids, especially if they don't have anything to do. Some charter bus services provide movies, but if your child doesn't like the one that's been chosen, you could have a mutiny on your hands. To keep your kids entertained during the ride, be sure to bring along a few distractions, such as portable DVD players, hand-held video games, or mp3 players.
Bring a Hygiene Kit
Your kids will need to use the restroom during the trip. The on-board restroom will start out clean, but that doesn't mean it will stay clean – especially once the passengers start using it. To keep things clean and sanitary, bring along your own hygiene kit. It should include the following items.
- Hand sanitizer – to keep your kids hands clean
- Sanitizing wipes – for the toilet seats
- Small roll of toilet paper – in case the bus runs out
If you and your kids will be enjoying a charter bus ride across the country this year, be prepared for the trip. Use the simple guide provided above to avoid problems during the trip. For more tips, contact a company like Werner Coach.
