Vacations can mean time in the car, a bus, a plane, or a train. Besides pit stops and breaks for bathroom visits, kids need to move their bodies. Besides needing to wear off some energy, kids also need exercise for their bones. Childhood is the most important time for a healthy skeleton. Activity makes children’s bones stronger and can even change the shape of bones, (Dr. Heather McKay, The role of exercise on healthy skeletal development, 2010). So, just for the bone of it: jump, hop, skip, run, walk, climb, roll, wriggle, twirl, twist, crawl, bend, stretch, push, pull, dance…
And if you’re staying home, here’s an adaptation of an old campfire song to take an imaginary trip.
(Based on Goin’ on a Lion Hunt) Leader: We’re going on vacation. (Everyone else echos each time.)
L: We’re ready to go. (Repeat) L: We’ll pack a bag. (Repeat ) L: Pack. (“) make packing motions
We’re going on vacation. (“) We’re ready to go. (“) We’ll run to the store. (“) Run. (“) running motions
We’re going on vacation. (“) We’re ready to go. (“) We’ll load the car. (“) Load. (“) loading motions
We’re going on vacation. (“) We’re ready to go. (“) We’ll drive down the road. (“) Drive. (“) driving motions
We’re going on vacation. (“) We’re ready to go. (“) We’ll stop for gas. (“) Gas up. (“) filling up motions
We’re going on vacation. (“) We’re ready to go. (“) Oh, oh, bridge out. (“) Swim. (“) swimming motions
Add as many more verses as you can think of, detour, climb up the mountain, rough road, bumpy bridge, etc. To finish off: We’re there at last. (“) Ah, relax!! (“) Relaxing motions!