I love lists of books for kids that fill a need or interest. Today, Erin from Bambini Travel is guest posting for us. She is sharing her favorite books for children about traveling home to see friends and family over the holidays. We hope that this book list puts you in the mood to travel with young children this holiday season!
Traveling home for the holidays brings mixed emotions. You anticipate the warm houses filled with festivities and loved ones. The memories and traditions are what encourage us to pack our car trucks or buy plane tickets every year. However, traveling around the holidays can also be stressful. Young children might be anxious about the unknowns of travel, worried about Santa finding them, tired from disruptions to their schedule, and more.
As with all trips, we do our best to prepare our twins for traveling home for the holidays. Before big trips we always do two things, start a trip countdown and share books. Books are a way to present topics, introduce language and start conversations. Here are some great books to read before you travel for the holidays this year.
Books for Kids: Traveling Home for the Holidays
1. Going Home by Eve Bunting
Carlos and his family are going home to Mexico for Christmas. He is hesitant about it because it doesn’t feel like home to him. Soon he gets swept up in the village festivities. Gorgeous illustrations by David Diaz and a spirited unique story about the holidays from Eve Bunting. Ages:4+
2. I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie
We adore Toot and Puddle. These humorous books about two piggie friends tackle a wide range of issues in sweet ways perfect for little ones. In this tale, Puddle is cuddled up at home while Toot is off having adventures. Toot promises to be home for the holidays and despite cancelled flights and snowdrifts, he finds a way to be with his friend. This addresses many of the common winter travel troubles in a child friendly way paired with cozy, softly lit illustrations. Ages:3+
3. Dance at Grandpa’s by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Growing up I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder series countless times. My twins are not quite old enough for these books, but the delightful abbreviated picture books of the My First Little House are a perfect way to introduce them. This is the story of the family traveling to visit their family over the hills and through the woods. A glimpse at old fashioned travel and celebration of the warmth of being together with family. Ages:3+
4. The Noisy Airplane Ride by Mike Downs
While not specifically about travelling for the holidays, this is the best book I have found for preparing children for flying. In many ways the most impressive thing about airplanes to children is their noise and this book helps them to be prepared for what they will hear. Ages:2+
For more books for a first plane ride, check out my full list.—>First Airplane Books for Kids
For more tips for traveling with children and helpful book lists, visit us at Bambini Travel. In the meantime, I wish you happy and safe holiday travels.
Erin Buhr is an early childhood educator, freelance writer, and mama of twin three year-olds. She lives with her family near Jackson, MS where they enjoy playing in the sunshine and traveling to new places. She blogs at Bambini Travel.
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Erin Buhr says
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Amber. Toot and Puddle are two of my all time favorite characters. Hope you have a happy holiday with your family!
Amber {Laptime Songs} says
Love this perspective on holiday books. We are far from family and are lucky enough to have them coming to US this year! We’ll definitely be talking about holiday travel. Plus, we love Toot and Puddle so I’m looking forward to checking that one out.