Ideas for Surprising Kids

[cmorris303]

We are going from 12/12-12/15. We were just there in August, but got a good deal and decided to do a quick trip since we've never seen the Osbourne Lights. Since we planned this late, we are going to surprise the kids (6 and8). We leave at 5:00 am on the 12th, so I am thinking we will have to surprise them Friday night, but can't make up my mind. I am thinking of maybe having their elf on the shelf bring a note for Santa when they get home from school on Friday or having him deliver little Disney bags that say don't open until morning. I'm open to any and all ideas! Thanks!

 

[Jjs7one]

We bought Disney suitcases for our kids. We will have them packed and sitting next to their beds for when they wake up on the day of the trip.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We are going from 12/12-12/15. We were just there in August, but got a good deal and decided to do a quick trip since we've never seen the Osbourne Lights. Since we planned this late, we are going to surprise the kids (6 and8). We leave at 5:00 am on the 12th, so I am thinking we will have to surprise them Friday night, but can't make up my mind. I am thinking of maybe having their elf on the shelf bring a note for Santa when they get home from school on Friday or having him deliver little Disney bags that say don't open until morning. I'm open to any and all ideas! Thanks!

Last year we surprised our kids the night before. We wrapped up their magic bands and put the boxes under the Christmas tree. They are used to getting one early present from us - a Christmas mug, chocolates or a puzzle - so they thought it was something like that. Boy were they surprised to find a Disney trip was less than 12 hours away!

 

[kohlby]

We did ours the morning of - but they had to get up at 7am, not 5am, and they woke up on their own. I have 3 kids but the youngest was a little young to really get it. We gave then each an envelope to open. We told the youngest to open his first. His said "how" on the outside and had a picture of a car like ours on the inside. Then we had the middle child open hers. Hers said "when" and had a calendar inside with that day circled. Then the eldest opened his "what," which was a map with the names of the disney parks circled. Then we told them to change their clothes and get into the car. My eldest didn't believe us at first - we had to show him the car was packed. (They were 2, 5, and 8 when we did it).

 

[bjscheel]

Personally, with a super early departure, I would not do it morning-of. That kind of news can be hard to digest in the middle of the night. I would do it after school on Friday at the latest (and not right before bed )

How well do your kids take surprises? Will they miss school? Do either of them freak out about missing school or a change in routine? If you think it could be an issue, I would give them at least a couple of days to mentally prepare.

We surprised our kids once, at 10 days out. They thought that was perfect since they could plan a little, be ready to miss a couple of days of school, pack their own things, and get excited.

 

[cmorris303]

Personally, with a super early departure, I would not do it morning-of. That kind of news can be hard to digest in the middle of the night. I would do it after school on Friday at the latest (and not right before bed )

How well do your kids take surprises? Will they miss school? Do either of them freak out about missing school or a change in routine? If you think it could be an issue, I would give them at least a couple of days to mentally prepare.

We surprised our kids once, at 10 days out. They thought that was perfect since they could plan a little, be ready to miss a couple of days of school, pack their own things, and get excited.

I totally agree that three in the morning when we have to leave is too early for a surprise!

My kids are used to surprises and handle them well. This will be bigger than other surprises they've had. They are missing two days of school, but they won't stress about it. They're very laid back and easy going.

Thanks for your input. Definitely gave me lots to think about it!

I'm definitely leaning more towards the day before. I'm just trying to decide exactly what to do now!

 

[BLAZEY]

We are surprising our DD6 when we wake her up Saturday morning. We will up and ready, I will wake her just before 6am. suitcases will be packed and she will have enough time to pack any last minute must have items in her backpack. I will start packing Thursday when she is at her grandparents, and they will take her to school Friday morning (this is the normal routine).

 

[cmorris303]

We are surprising our DD6 when we wake her up Saturday morning. We will up and ready, I will wake her just before 6am. suitcases will be packed and she will have enough time to pack any last minute must have items in her backpack. I will start packing Thursday when she is at her grandparents, and they will take her to school Friday morning (this is the normal routine).

So you are telling her right before you leave? I'm going back and forth with having the elf deliver the surprise the night before or just having the elf tell them to expect a surprise the next morning and not telling them where until they figure it out.

 

[BLAZEY]

Yes we are telling her right before we leave. She knows we have a "family appointment" early Saturday morning, as to explain why she is at home and not Oma & Poppa's. She just doesn't know its at the aeroport to go to Disney World. We are gone for 9 days (2 travel 7 full days at Disney) only missing 2 days of school due to Stat holiday and 2 ProD days.

 

[Lori74]

we are surprising our kids on mon morning when they get up for school. they think dad and i are just going on a quick trip by ourselves, so their older brother is coming to stay with them. when they are ready for school i will give them wrapped presents saying "just a little gift before dad and i go" then when they open them, a balloon will float out with a card saying surprise! and i'm going to have a few gifts in the box for them... have fun!