Going on vacation for a week....

So we are going on vacation for a week in about 2 weeks.  Our 3 kittens will be 9 or 10 weeks by then.  Right now, they are out of their cage more than in it.. At night, they are definitely in their cage.  We also have 2 dogs -- a 70lb lab, and a 35lb beagle mix

All 3 are getting along splendidly.  In fact, my lab loves the kittens.  She lets them crawl all over and and lets them play with her tail (which she never even allows us to touch her tail).  The beagle is indifferent to them.  She could care less about these 3 new interlopers that usurper her spot as primary attention hog.

So when we go on vacation, we couldn't find a friend to take the kittens to their homes. They are going around the same time we are.  We have a couple of reliable kids who are dog/fish sitting for us. So we are thinking we will just let them care for the kittens, premeasure their food (they are on raw), so all they have to do is pop the baggie in warm water, let it warm up, and feed them.  Plus change the litterbox of course.

Now question is that since the kittens and dogs get along so well, we thought we would let kittens have the same free run of the main floor, but have the sitters cage them at night, and at various intervals in the day.  Is this advisable?  Because the dogs have more or less free run of the house, too, except while we're on vacation, we confine them in the kitchen with a baby gate (which the kittens slip in and out of with ease).  The kittens' cage is in the kitchen, but they can run in and out of the kitchen.  Should I worry about aggression at this point, if they haven't shown any? 

 I think this is hard for someone else to answer that doesn't know your dogs and whether their prey drive might be triggered by the kittens  running  or the kittens teasing the dogs.     

 but if you're at all concerned,  it would be better to just keep them separately.   I dont really think day or night would make a difference.  

Or did you mean you want to crate & rotate , and have the dogs crated while the kittens are out and vice versa ?   It didn't sound like that was what you meant but I am just confused about why keep moving the kittens in and out of the cage and leave them and the dogs together the rest of the time?    Are you just thinking of a way to give them a break from each other? 

Also , are the kids going to be able to get those kittens rounded up and caged every night and  various intervals in the day ?   

 It seems like it may just be easier to keep the kittens and dogs in different parts of the house.  unless you totally trust they would be OK the whole time 

Yeah I reread what I wrote and it is confusing  LOL  Right now, the dogs have free roam of the house.  The kittens are confined to one floor for now but are caged at night (and sometimes during the day).  I live in a townhouse, so if I kept them in one floor, there's not many places for them to hide. So the kids (teenagers actually) will have no problems.

I guess I'll have to think about this more.  I definitely don't want them (the kittens) caged 24/7 for a week, but can't expect the kids to hang out in the house all day while the kittens are out.  

I think right now my biggest concern is that right now, these kittens are sooo uber loving and socialized w/ people and dogs.  But with us being gone all week, they will only get minimal human contact.  Maybe a couple of hours here and there.  I don't want them to become semi feral in my house after a week  LOL

In my honest opinion I think its a bad idea to keep the dogs and kittens together when your not home. What if (not intentually of course) one of the dogs hurts the kittens either by stepping on or playing to rough ect ect. I think a better Idea if you don't want them crated and of course if its possible would you be able to close them in a bed room or bathroom so they have more room. Then when the kids come they can let them out while they are there to run and put them back when they leave. Does that make sense LOL!

I just got an 8 week old kitten and tho hes not crated I don't leave him unspervised with the dogs. My dogs wont hurt him on purpose but they like to play and my one dog is 80lbs. It would make me nervous and if it were me I wouldn't be able to enjoy my vacation worrying about them and what could happen.

I'd keep them in a bedroom or bathroom, maybe take their crate in there so they can be comfortable and sleep in it at night.  If you go with the bathroom make sure you tape the toilet lid down so the kids no not to open it and accidentally leave it up for the kittens to fall into.

I doubt your dog would hurt the kittens even be accident but the chance is always there. The big dog in our house sometimes gets over excited and runs around like a maniac, all of the cats take cover! The kittens might drive the dog crazy to though lol, being alone most of the week and nobody to pick on!

 Oh ,  I like sugarandz  idea.   How about you just keep the kittens in one room,  bedroom or bathroom ( with toilet lid taped shut -- good thinking sugarandz)   .  then when the kids come over,  they could let the kittens out to run around with the dogs while supervised.  and ask the kids to play with and cuddle the kittens some each day.   This way they will still get some reinforcement of their socialization with dogs.  but won't just be constantly left loose with them unsupervised for a week,  where accidents could happen from a dog playing too rough.  

Isn't that what I said LOL

I'm sorry sheltieluvr, I meant to say you too. Yes that IS what you said and you said it first, I'm just agreeing that would be the best idea.