A Vacation Countdown Chain is a great way to leave the kids with something to look forward to each day that you are away.
This past May, my husband and I left our 3 kids with grandma & grandpa for 10 days and went on a Mediterranean Cruise. It was the first time either of us had been to Europe, and it was also the first time we had left the kids for that long!
Part of our vacation preparations included making a countdown chain for the kids. Since the cruise line set our itinerary and we booked our shore excursions before we left, we knew pretty much exactly what each day would entail, and I wanted the kids to know what mom and dad were up to each and every day. Here is how I made it –
Vacation Countdown Chain
Materials Needed –
- paper
- computer & printer
- stapler
- Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses, optional
Directions –
1.Type a little blip for each day that you will be gone to tell the kids what you are doing that day. Here are what some of our notes said:
Sunday, May 9
Today mom and dad are in Spain and we get to board the big cruise ship! Mom will probably eat a ton of ice cream and dad will probably eat a ton of shrimp at dinner. Be good at church today! Ethan, remember you are saying the scripture in primary! You will do great! We love you!
Tuesday, May 11
Today mom and dad are in Naples, Italy. We are going to visit an old city that was completely covered in ash after a volcano explosion thousands of years ago! We’ll take a lot of pictures and maybe even buy you all something fun! Be good for grandma, we love you!
2. Cut each day into strips. Assemble them in chronological, stapling them to secure.
How It Works –
Each morning, the kids get to tear a link off & read what mom and dad are doing that day.
Each night they got a candy Hug & a candy Kiss just before saying their prayers- our way of “tucking them in” even though we were thousands of miles away! ♥
This post originally published on Somewhat Simple in August 2010.
how sweet. great parents!
Hi Steph. I love this idea – simply adorable! I'll be featuring this today. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase party! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
What a thoughtful idea! I'm so going to use it. Found you on the Shabby Nest (and so glad I did).
My husband and I are taking a vacation soon without the kiddos. I am so glad I came across this! Thank you!
I think this is a great idea. i may do this the next time my husband deploys
What an awesome idea! I know the time will come when my hubby and I go on a vacation without the kids…doing something like this would make me feel so much better! (oh and I mean it's for the kids too right? :P)
Fantastic idea! Although the date is 5 years away we're already planning our first child-free vacation- can't wait!
Count-down chains are such a wonderful idea. I love that you personalized yours with notes on the inside.
That is such a sweet idea! 🙂
I love this idea— it's so thoughtful!
We did this too when we went to China to pick up our daughter. I just wrote on plain cardstock but the boys loved it. I will have to do it your way next time since you can fit alot more words on the strip this way.
Darling idea! What a great way to let your kids feel connected while you were gone!! So fun.
I've done the chain thing before for my kiddos… but never the little notes inside. Brilliant, I love it. I'll definitely remember that for next time! 🙂 Thanks!
WHat a great way to help your kids feel involved while you were on your trip. This is such a sweet idea.
What a neat way to make your kids feel included as part of the trip! Thanks for sharing the idea!
What a sweet idea! We got married in Spain and went on that cruise for our honeymoon 🙂
What a awesome idea…If we ever go away without the kids I'm going to make one 🙂
This is fabulous!! I'm linking this under my "Inspirational Projects" section on my blog.
We were on a 10-Day Mediterranean Cruise aboard the Disney Magic in May! :o)
Awww this is so sweet!! What a lovely story and a great idea.