Barneblad: Let’s take a trip!

A feature to share with kids and grandkids

Brought to you by Lori Ann Reinhall

Traveling is a very special activity: not only can you learn a lot on a trip, but you can also have a lot of fun.

For our special travel issue, this month’s Barneblad offers some tips on how you and your kids can make the most of a trip with activities that are—well, yes—both educational and fun. So come along with us, as we get ready for a trip to Norway!

Image: Wikipedia Commons

Make a map: Maybe you are going to just one destination, or perhaps you will visit several places. You can ask your parents for a map, or it’s easy to find one on the internet to print out. Mark your destinations on it, so you will know where you are going. You may want to ask yourself how many miles you will travel; put your math skills to work!

Image: Wikipedia

Find a flag: If you are going to another country, it’s important that you know something about it. Getting a flag is the first step. If it is not possible to buy one, why not simply draw and color one of your own?

Photo: Andy Meyer

See the sights: Ask yourself what you want to see on your trip. You may be going somewhere for only a day, so you don’t want to miss the most important things there.  For our trip to Norway, the capital of Oslo is a must. I would not want to miss the Royal Palace, the Viking Ship Museum, or the Holmenkollen ski jump.  Of course, there is much, much more to see, so depending on how many days you will be somewhere, your list will get longer.

Photo: Steinar Hovland / Pixabay

Save some money: One of the most satisfying things in life is to pay for your own things, so it’s time to start saving! And did you know that they use kroner (Norwegian crowns) in Norway instead of dollars? One dollar is worth about nine kroner or so, so you can keep a tally how many kroner you have—again, it will put you math skills to work!

Image: congerdesign / Pixabay

Enjoy eating: Food is different in Norway, so it’s time to think about what you will want to eat—and there is a lot of yummy food to look forward to. What about the little heart-shaped waffles, the fantastic Kvikk Lunsj chocolate wafers, Norwegian ice cream, or even brown goat cheese? There will be lots to explore and enjoy!

Image: tirlik

Plan your packing: What time of year are you traveling? You will need to find out something about the weather in advance. Be prepared for special situations, too: will you be taking a hike or attending a fancy party? And remember, don’t try to take too much: there is nothing worse than having to carry a suitcase that is too heavy.

Shop for souvenirs: You will, of course, want to bring something back home to remember your trip. It might be a beautiful Norwegian sweater, or it could be a hat, a doll, a troll figurine, a book, or a postcard: the sky is the limit. Family photos will also capture your special moments, you can also keep a little diary, and there are little mementos to pick up along the way. Why not pick up a little stone and paint on it the name of the location where you found it? You will treasure it forever …

There are so many ways to have fun and learn while traveling, we wish you a wonderful trip, or as they say in Norwegian:

God tur!

This article originally appeared in the January 24, 2020, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.