When you’re preparing your travel checklist, packing a crayon in your wallet may seem like an odd suggestion.
However, this simple, lightweight item can become a surprisingly useful tool in various travel-related scenarios.
Here are 5 reasons why carrying a crayon in your wallet can make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
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1. Prevent Credit Cards Warping
Have you ever retrieved a credit card from your wallet only to find it slightly bent or warped? This can happen due to the heat or simply the way your wallet presses against the cards over time.
A warped card may not work in a card reader, which can be a major inconvenience when you’re traveling, especially in places where cash isn’t king.
A crayon, due to its cylindrical and sturdy structure, can prevent this. When placing a crayon alongside your credit cards, you create a buffer that reduces bending, which keeps your cards in their best shape, ready for usage whenever you need them.
2. Write Symbols
Language barriers can pose significant challenges when traveling abroad. If you’re in a country where you don’t speak the local language, communication can become a series of frustrating gestures and hopeful guesses. This is where a crayon comes into play.
A crayon allows you to draw symbols or pictures to communicate basic needs or questions. For example, drawing a simple picture of a train and a question mark can ask for directions to the nearest train station. Similarly, sketching out a plate with a fork and knife can convey your need to find a place to eat.
This way of talking can help people connect more easily, even when they speak different languages.
3. Entertain Children On The Road
Traveling with children can be a delightful experience, but it can also test your patience, especially during long flights, train rides, or car trips.
Kids easily grow restless and bored, and in the confines of a travel environment, entertainment options can be limited.
A crayon can provide endless entertainment for children. They can draw on napkins, the back of receipts, or any scrap piece of paper. Encourage them to depict what they’ve seen on their travels so far or to imagine and draw what they’re excited to see at their destination.
With a crayon in hand, it not only keeps them busy but also sparks their creativity and gets them more involved in the travel experience.
As you can imgine, on a long-haul flight, you could encourage your child to draw the different types of clouds they see out the window or their favorite moment of the trip so far. During a lengthy car ride, they could draw a map of your journey, including all the stops you’ve made along the way.
These activities not only serve as a distraction but also create wonderful memories and keepsakes from your trip.
4. Label Luggage and Personal Items
In the hustle and bustle of traveling, it’s easy for luggage and personal items to get lost or misplaced. Having a crayon in your wallet enables you to quickly label your belongings with your name, contact information, or any distinctive sign that makes them easily identifiable.
Unlike pens, which may not work on certain materials or in all weather conditions, crayons can write on a variety of surfaces ( including fabric, plastic, and even metal), and the wax in crayons is water-resistant, ensuring that your labeling remains visible.
Imagine you’re at the airport, and you realize that your luggage is identical to several others on the carousel. Therefore, marking your suitcase with a crayon helps you spot it quickly and prevents mix-ups.
Similarly, if you’re staying in shared accommodation, marking your food items or personal belongings with a crayon can ensure they don’t get taken accidentally by someone else.
5. Use as a Temporary Fix for Small Tears or Cracks
Crayons aren’t just for writing or drawing; they can also act as a makeshift repair tool. If you encounter a small tear in your clothing, a backpack, or even a crack in a travel accessory, a crayon can temporarily fix the issue until a more permanent solution is available.
The wax from a crayon can be used to fill in small tears or bind edges together. For example, if you notice a small tear in your jacket, you can gently rub a crayon over the area, creating a temporary wax seal that holds the tear together.
Furthermore, for small cracks in items such as plastic travel containers or even a shoe sole, a melted crayon wax can act as a binding agent.
This makeshift repair can be particularly useful in conditions where you’re in remote areas or on the move without immediate access to repair services.
Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or on a multi-day hike, a crayon can provide a quick solution to prevent the problem from worsening, giving you enough time to seek a long-lasting repair once you’re back in civilization.
Conclusion
Packing a crayon in your wallet may seem like an unconventional travel tip, yet, as we’ve explored, its versatility and practical applications can greatly enhance your travel experience.
From preventing credit card warping, facilitating non-verbal communication, entertaining children, labeling luggage, to makeshift repairs and marking personal items in shared spaces, a crayon proves to be an excellent tool.
So, before you set off on your next journey, consider slipping a crayon into your wallet. It’s a small step that may make a big difference, ensuring smoother travels and creating happier memories along the way.
