Special Page for 

...and Grown-Ups who promise to behave.

I am going on a long trip to a new country. What will it be like over there.

Before you leave: Get picture books and travel guides from the bookstore or the library and learn about the country. 

On the trip: After you go see something interesting, read about it again in your guide book. See if you can take photos that show the same things the guide book shows.

What will the airplane flight be like?

Before you leave: Read about the airports you will be visiting. Read about the your airline. You can get lots of information by visiting the airport and airline web pages. Look to see if they have special stuff for kids. Some airports will give kids special behind-the-scenes tours if you make advance arrangements!

Pack a little bag to take with you in the airplane. The airplane flight will be really long, so you have to have some stuff to play with. Here are some suggestions:

• Books
• Maze puzzles
• CD or cassette player with headphones
• Game Boy (please turn off the sound)
• Word puzzles
• Playing cards (Old Maid, Hearts, Go-Fish)
• Stuffed toys
• Dolls
• Small cars, airplanes or trucks
• Ask your parents to pack some little snacks in case you get hungry.

On the trip: Try to sleep in the airplane seat. Look out the window. See if another kid or a grown-up will play cards with you. The flight might have movies that you watch from your seat. Almost all flights have music programs that you can hear with little headphones. If the flight attendants are not too busy, they might give you a tour of the airplane. 

(Pssst... A long airplane flight is a great time to read Harry Potter books without any annoying interruptions.)

Will I have to eat icky food over there?

Before you go: Ask you parents about making some special dinners at your house before you leave. That way you can see what kind of food they will have in the foreign country. If you get to help prepare the food, then that's even better.

On the trip: Yes, you will sometimes have to try some icky food. For some kids that is part of the fun of taking a trip. You might find something really delicious. Try new varieties of ice cream and chocolate. They taste different in other countries.

(Psssst.... They have McDonalds almost everywhere. If you get really desperate, try to make a deal with your parents to go to McDonalds once in a while.)

What are the bathrooms like?

Before you go: Look in your guidebook to see what they say about bathrooms in the foreign country. 

On the trip: If the bathroom looks really weird, ask your parents to show you how it works (just a demonstration with clothes on). Then you can go in alone and know what to do.

(Psssst.... There are all sorts of slang words for "bathroom" in other countries. Ask people you meet and write down the really funny ones.)

What kind of money do they have over there?

Before you go: See if your parents can get you some foreign money from a change office or bank. Read your guide book and look at your samples. Figure out what 50 cents or a dollar is in their money.

On the trip: See if you can collect all of the different kinds of coins they have. See if you can add up a handful of coins to see how much you have. Check out the different colors and sizes of paper money.

What if I get sick?

Before you go: Do your best to stay healthy in the days before you leave. Special good advice is to drink lots of water before you go and while you are on the airplane.

On your trip: There are doctors, nurses and hospitals everywhere. If you get sick, your parents will take you to a good doctor who speaks English. 

Do they speak English over there?

Before you go: Find out what language people speak in your destination. Even if English is not the main language, there will probably be people who do speak English. They will have a different accent, though, but it's fun to hear their accent.

On your trip: Kids are really fast language learners. Experts say that kids' brains are especially wired for language learning. That's really good news for YOU. Learn it first, then help your parents!

Just point at stuff and ask people to tell you what it is in their language, then repeat it as best you can. Don't be shy! Lots of people will be happy to help you learn their language.

Would you like to read a story written by another kid? Click on The Spookey Woods by Marissa, Age 8.

08/09/2003