Traveling without your kids can come with a lot of emotions. You can be excited about the trip and still miss your kids. Your kids can be perfectly safe and happy with Grandma and still miss you. Both things can be true. Parents are allowed to take a break, spend time together, celebrate an anniversary, or simply take a trip they’ve been dreaming about. That doesn’t mean you love your kids any less.
When my husband and I went to Greece for 11 days, I knew our kids would miss us, so I wanted to leave them something that would make the time apart a little easier—and a little more fun. Before we left, I made a note for each child for every day we were gone. Each morning, they got to open that day’s note along with a little surprise. According to Grandma, it was basically Christmas every morning. They couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for them that day.
The surprises weren’t anything big or expensive. Gum. Candy. A book. A small toy. Something to do. The best part wasn’t really the gift anyway. It was knowing there was something waiting for them from Mom and Dad.
What Do You Put in the Notes?
Of course, you can write that you love them and miss them, but I think it’s even more fun to tell them a little about what you’re doing that day. Something like: Today we’re going to see the Acropolis in Athens. Find Athens on your map and mark it. Can you find a picture of the Acropolis and guess how old it is?
What you put in the notes—and the activities you include—will depend on the ages of your kids. A younger child might love putting a sticker on the map or coloring a picture of something you’re seeing. An older child might enjoy looking up a landmark, learning a fun fact, keeping track of your route, or answering a question about where you are.
Keep it simple and make it something your child will actually enjoy. This is supposed to give them something fun to look forward to, not feel like homework.
You could include:
- Where you are that day
- What you’re planning to see
- A fun fact about the place
- Something for them to find on the map
- A question for them to answer
- A little activity or challenge
- How many days are left until you come home
- Something you can’t wait to do with them when you get back
- Plenty of reminders that you love them
For a child who is having a harder time with you being gone, the notes can also offer a little reassurance. We’re having a great time, you’re having fun with Grandma, and we’re thinking about you. Every note you open means we’re one day closer to being home.
Let Them Follow Your Trip
One thing I wish I had done was give the kids a map of our trip. They knew we were in Greece, but it would have been fun for them to actually follow along as we traveled from place to place.
For your trip, a simple map is an easy way to show your kids where you are each day. Mark your starting point, then let them add a sticker to each new stop, color in your route, or move a little airplane or other marker from place to place as you travel.
You could even number the stops to match the daily envelopes.
Day 1: Athens
Day 2: Santorini
Day 3: Crete
Instead of Mom and Dad simply being “gone,” they can see where you are, where you’re going next, and how the trip is moving along. It also gives you something to talk about when you get home. They already know a little about where you went because they followed along with you.
Keep in Touch While You’re Gone
Of course, technology makes staying connected while you travel much easier than it used to be. FaceTime, Zoom, or even a quick phone call can be a great way to check in, see their faces, and hear about what they’ve been doing while you’re gone.
Depending on where you’re traveling, though, time zones can make that a little tricky. When it’s a good time for you to call, your kids might be at school—or sound asleep.
That’s another reason I like the daily notes. They’re there every morning whether your schedules line up or not. Then, when you do get a chance to FaceTime or call, they can tell you about their note, show you where they marked the map, and hear a little more about what you did that day.
Match the Surprise to the Day
You can make some of the daily surprises even more fun by connecting them to what you’re doing.
- Going to the beach? Leave sunglasses, sidewalk chalk, or a beach-themed activity.
- Taking a train? Leave a toy train.
- Going on a boat? Leave a little boat or water-themed toy.
- Visiting a castle? Leave a castle coloring page, a little knight or princess, a book, or a small puzzle.
- Trying a local food they’ve never heard of? Put a picture of it in the note and ask: Would you eat this?
Little Surprises to Leave With Each Note
You can mix it up—little treats, activities, or an occasional gift.
Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
- Gum
- Book
- Candy bar
- Sucker
- Activity book, notebook, or drawing pad
- New board game
- Gift card for pizza
- Gift card to go to the movies
- Map to track your trip
- Fun pencil or pen
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Some days can include a little surprise. Other days, the note itself can be enough. You don’t need to buy something for every day you’re gone. The idea isn’t about the stuff. It’s about giving your kids something from you to look forward to while you’re away.
Want to make this even easier?
I created a FREE While We’re Away Travel-Along Kit for Kids with 30 little-surprise ideas, love-note templates, a countdown, a trip map, activities for while you’re gone, and a few things to do together when you get home. It’s designed for kids ages 5–12 and trips up to 14 days.
You’ll find the free download at the end of this page!
Make the Last One Special
I would make the final note a little different. Something as simple as: You opened the last one. That means we’re coming home! You could include one final little surprise or tell them something you can’t wait to do together when you get home.
You might also bring home a small souvenir from your trip—one last surprise that actually traveled home with you.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
You don’t need perfectly decorated envelopes, elaborate gifts, or a Pinterest-worthy setup. A handwritten note and a sucker count.
Our kids were safe, happy, and very well cared for while we were in Greece. They still missed us. We missed them too. The notes gave them a little piece of us each morning, and according to Grandma, they absolutely loved opening them.
We took the trip. They followed along from home.
Planning a trip without your kids?
Download the FREE While We’re Away Travel-Along Kit