I'm taking my kids on holidays to theme parks etc and worried if they get lost.?

Question

One of them is too young to read. Has anyone got ideas about how to give my kids personal info so they can contact me if they are lost or find their way back to me?

Thanks for all your great answers - it really helps. My kids are 4 and 7 and defintely NO they are not wondering around without myself and their dad. The problem is they are both chatty and friendly and I don't know how many times I've taught them stranger danger they still seem to chat to whoever! (frustrating). Anyway I'm worried I'll turn my back for a second and one will be gone - so thanks again for all your ideas, much appreciated!

Answer 1

First, dress them in bright easy to spot clothes, and remember what they are wearing. Stand them next to you and see how high they come up, when kids get lost, we hold our hands up to show how tall they are and we often underestimate.
One great idea I picked up is if your cell phone has a camera, or if you have a digital camera, take a pic of them that day so you can show authorities.
Teach them how to stop in a crowd when they get separated, and not to go off with just anyone. It helps to teach them throughout your regular errands, what authorities look like,
examples:
in wal-mart you look for the blue apron people
each time we would see any police, or sherriff, or even national guard, we would look at their pants and shoes, pointing out what is remarkanble.
Kids see the bottom half, and these guys are pretty unique in there dress. It also can help them from being fooled.
Another school of thought says that if you really need help and can't find a worker/authority, go to a woman with kids, as she is most likely to help and least likely to harm.
Take a preliminary cruise around the park to solidify landmarks.
If all else fails, teach them how to wail loudly,
both that they lost there mommy,
and my favorite stranger saftey phrase:
this man is not my father!
this sounds like a lot, but you just work it in.
also with the age difference, your 7 year old is old enough to learn never let go of the little one, should they both be lost from you. He will jump at the chance for authority, and if he can grasp this well, it will really help, as looking for 2 kids together is much easier, and safer for the kids.
You are right to be preparing now instead of wishing you had.
Have fun on your trip!

Answer 2

hi Mike i think of the easy Coast has extra going for college little ones as think ofyou've have been given....... a million.) The seashores 2.) Aussie international exciting Park 3.) under Water international 4.) the huge Pineapple 5.) Ginger production unit 6.) Your not a great way from Australia Zoo, homestead of Steve Irwin. 7.) Markets are on everywhere in the easy Coast yet Eumundi Markets are assume to be the suitable. 8.) Plus you have the cities to circulate to up on the stages, particularly the montville shops which your spouse will love. 9.) Glass homestead Mountains and do some bush jogging. 10.) Wappa Dam picnic section for extra jogging and a picnic. eleven.) hire a ship for the day at Maroochydore. properly if this would possibly not convince you with this great checklist, then i've got faith your going to be one problematic case to thrill. Cheers.

Answer 3

When I was younger the first thing my parents would do when we arrived at a theme park was to pick a big landmark (Ferris wheel etc) that you could see from anywhere in the park and tell us that this was our meeting place if we got lost. That way no matter where we were it would be easy to find the spot to go to to find them, picking smaller stores or concession stands may be difficult to find if they are truly lost, especially when they are surrounded by lots of taller adults.

Answer 4

Teach them their full name, their parents names, and their address and telephone number.

Teach them that if they ever get lost, they are to remain in the spot they are in when they realize they have been separated (do not wander around looking for you, in other words).

Teach them to look for another Mother with children, because other mothers are generally going to be helpful. We used to teach children to seek out someone in uniform, but now there are so many uniforms that look similar to a policeman that it is not as safe.

Pin an index card on them with your contact information (especially if you are not at home-it should have your cell number, the name and number of the hotel you are staying at, etc). Teach them that if they get lost, they need to give that card to another Mommy.

I was worried when we went to Disney World two years ago, but it was not at all as bad as I made it out to be. Just be sure your children understand your rules-I tell mine that if they are too far for me too reach out and touch them, then they are too far away.

Dress them in matching, bright colors. Wear the same colors yourself, so that they can also see you easily i fyou become separated.

I hope some of this helps! Have a safe trip!

Answer 5

have a meeting spot in several areas of the park, if you and your children are seperated for more than a few minutes. give them a card with your cell number on it, and your name. choose meeting spots like gift shops, or concession stands where they can tell the cashier that they are lost, and that they have your contact info. do not put thier names on the cards, kidnappers are more likley to be successful if they know the childs name. be careful, and i hope you have a fun and safe holiday at the theme park!

Answer 6

Depending on ages but I wouldn't let your kids out of your site......Especially in a theme park I mean think about it any pedifiles out there where is the best place to go to watch little kids....I would invest in a double stroller so they don't have to walk first off and wont get so tired so easily and then you will always know where they are!!!

Answer 7

You could pin a small piece of paper to thier pocket or shirt with your contact info like cell number ect. or one thing I did a while ago was buy a couple of really cheap key chains, the big rectangle ones that have spaces to write on and I wrote my name and number, ect on it with permanant marker and hooked it to thier jean or pants belt loops, they stayed on the entire time and were waterproof so they worked great!

Answer 8

Put a business type card in their pocket and when you get to the park, show them the only people to go to if they get lost. Also pick a spot to go if you get lost. I always taught my daughtet that I was lost, nor her so she wouldn't panic.

Answer 9

Firstly are you going to allow them to wonder around by themselves? That would be pretty silly considering the one child is so young he cant even read! my advice to you is to keep them close - get a kiddy leash (i know it sounds really mean, but for the saftey of your children its not) i have a kiddy leash and it works like wonders giving me and my child the space and i dont have to stress about him wondering off without me.

Answer 10

Don't let them out of your sight for a second. Teach them to yell help if any stranger goes near them. These are creepy times my friend.