Digital photography is a great way to engage children during a vacation. Not only does it keep them entertained,
but it also allows them to record travel memories from their own unique perspective. These activities and photo
opportunities will help your child create photo keepsakes of your fun-filled days away from home.
Up, up, and snap away!
Taking photographs of the journey can be half the fun. It will give your kids something creative to do
during the long trip-and provide years of memorable photo moments.
Flying the friendly skies makes for great photo opportunities, like capturing the fluffy popcorn patterns
of clouds, or grid-like structures formed by the land below. Take-offs and landings are the best time to
shoot; the lower altitude results in less haze.
When taking photos from an airplane, keep in mind they won't be perfect. Plastic windows cause fuzziness,
and if the camera touches the window while shooting, engine vibrations will cause the camera to shake. But
don't worry so much about the quality of these shots. With younger children especially, just taking the
photos is so much fun that the clarity isn't much of an issue. They will still be ideal snapshots to add to
a travel scrapbook.
Train rides and road trips with your digital camera can provide hours of fun. We've all played the
games where you need to find a particular object. Your child can play a version of this game, using
his or her digital camera. Here are a few variations:
The alphabet game: Take a picture of an object beginning with A-and continue through each letter
of the alphabet.
The license plate game: Check off every state you see (and photograph). Or try to find-and
photograph-license plates that start with each letter in the alphabet. (This version is easier
for younger players.)
I spy: Update an old classic by having your child guess your answer by taking pictures. You start
the game off with a statement such as: "I spy with my little eye something green" and watch your
child go snap happy with the digital camera.
Before you hit the road, compile a stack of colorful, photo-filled books and magazines to inspire your child to take
some great travel photos of their own.
You can even make a game out of it by having your child compile a list of 10 sights they want to photograph along the
way, using travel images and maps as their guide. Not only are you providing inspiration, but you're also making a long
trip that much more fun.
Almost every gas station or rest stop along the way will have a postcard stand. Let your child browse the
selection and choose favorites. This will give them ideas about fantastic locations like amusement parks, zoos,
local festivals, and more.
They can also carry postcards in their pockets to use for inspiration.
Whether it's a sunset off the California coast or a moose wandering through any town in Alaska, each place
offers a wealth of locales to photograph. Here are some vacation scene ideas to get your creative little
shutterbug started on a scenic photo adventure.
Museums, zoos, and aquariums are ideal places to discover something new to
photograph. Museums change exhibits frequently, and animals at the zoo and aquarium are always up to
something new-there's never a dull moment.
Local festivals, parades, or sporting events are great places to people
watch with your digital camera. Capturing the costumes, clowns, and face-painted fans can provide
more fun than the event itself.
Signage and historical markers can identify locales, provide information,
or just make people laugh. They can also be used to mark progress in your travel album/scrapbook.
Beach combing with your digital camera is an ideal way to teach basic
camera maintenance, such as protecting your camera from sand and water. It's also a great time to
get your kids in on the action-teach them how to use the self-timer to take pictures of themselves
playing in the sand and surf.
Make the most of your vacation photos before leaving the house.
Printing and sharing vacation memories
provides tips for sharing photo memories before, during, and after your trip.
After you print your child's vacation photos and review them together, share the fun with family members
or your child's classmates by creating a show-and-tell presentation.
Get started at Snapfish
where you can order personalized photo books, calendars, mugs, and more. Think how pleased your youngster will
be to present a real book or memento of their own travel photos to their grandparents or school chums.
For travel frames, scrapbooks, and other fun, free projects you and your child can create together, visit the
HP Activity Center.
For instant fun, bring along a
portable printer
and print up pictures as you travel for an instant travelogue.
Use this HP Photo Printer Buying Guide
to compare models and choose the HP photo printer that's right for you. All the information you need is here, so you
can make an informed, confident decision when you visit your local HP retailer or purchase online at the
HP Home & Home Office Store.
Printable version
