After 2 years of no international travel for most of us, they say it’s time for revenge travel! Whether that’s true or not, it’s definitely true for OUR family! In fact, we are bound for Canada in a few weeks and couldn’t be more excited!
A Little Family Background
For those of you who know us, my husband has always been very cautious. Even before the pandemic, you won’t find him without his trusty alcohol spray.
So you can just imagine how life intensified for us during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We hardly left our house and we followed strict safety protocols whenever we did.
We slowly eased intro traveling again when the numbers of active cases were down at the end of 2021 (and after we got vaccinated!) We’ve had a number of out of town road trips and some staycations. But this trip to Canada in a few weeks will be our first out of the country, long-haul trip in more than 2 years!
New Normal Travel Essentials for Kids
We already bring so much with us whenever we travel with kids. I totally get it!
1. KF94 or N95 Face Masks
We mask up! Data shows masking helps reduce the chances of infection greatly and so, we do it. Our kids do it as well and are used to it!
But we don’t trust regular surgical masks. Here are the qualities we look for in a good face mask:
- Officially Approved 4-layered KF94 or N95’s only (yes, even for kids!)
- Fits snugly on the face: No gaps!
Recommendation: We recently discovered BOTN Masks and love them. They come in different sizes and even have sizes for kids. All the masks are adjustable, which ticks of my second criteria! The small size snuggly fits both my 7 year old and 3 year old kids. The medium one fits me well and the large one is for my husband. You can get them here.
2. Disinfectant Wipes
I always bring with me two kinds of disinfectant wipes: one for surfaces and another for hands. Depending on your family, you may want to bring just one of these or both.
Personally, I use the one for surfaces to wipe tables and chairs whenever we would dine out. Then the one for hands, I use regularly to make sure in case my kids touch their faces accidentally (which is one of the ways the virus can get into their bodies!)
Recommendation: This is the wipes that I use for hands, and this is the one I use for surfaces.
3. Portable Sterilizer
As much as possible, we spend time and eat outdoors (which greatly reduces the risk of infection from COVID-19.) But for those unavoidable instances where we have to go indoors without our masks (restaurants, eating on the plane, etc.,) I turn on my portable cold plasma sterilizer.
Cold Plasma sterilizers emit plasma air in the surrounding environment. This plasma air is a mixture of positive and negative ions that actively kills pathogens, eliminates odors, and harmful VOCs. (Source) Depending on the device that you will get, you will be able to keep your air clean for about 30 cubic meters (the size of a room) or 300 cubic meters.
Recommendation: We love our Aller Plasma Nano+. We got 2 of these because we will be sitting separately on the plane (1 adult + 1 kid as per seat configuration). Also an idea: I would recommend also turning it on if you have an open bag, when you use public restroom cubicles!
Optional: Goggles/Glasses for Kids
As mentioned, one of the ways kids get the virus is because they unknowingly keep touching their faces. One of the ways we try to prevent this is by having the kids wear goggles that look like glasses. We’ve been doing this for more than a year and so far so good! 😉
This is my recommended goggles but it’s really just generic and I’m sure you’ll find others that suit your children best.
Reminders:
Of course, nothing beats following health and safety protocols. Here are some reminders for the kids (that can also be applied to the adults!)
- Have the habit of not touching your face: It’s not easy but I’m telling you, it’s not impossible! We regularly remind our kids that it’s slowly becoming a habit for them (by God’s grace)
- Wash your hands regularly: And when you can’t, use wet wipes.
- If possible, choose to meet outdoors with others: As the virus spreads faster indoors (especially in restaurants where everybody removes their masks)
—
Hope these tips help you feel safer as you travel in the new normal!
—