Toddlers can be seemingly impossible to entertain on a long trip.  They have short attentions spans, cannot sit still, are not able to read and, despite what the advertisers want you to believe, there is no wonder toy that will entertain toddlers for hours.  So what options does a parent have?  Use a well-stocked activity bag to survive the journey.

While no one toy will do the job, several small toys will.  In fact, the right assortment of simple toys, frequently traded out and some imagination are better than even the most elaborate toy.  The goal is a quantity of quiet toys.  Any toy that makes loud or repetitive noises should be left home – it will certainly drive you (and the other passengers) crazy and some airlines even prohibit toys that make noise.

Before the trip, buy or create a toddler activity kit containing a variety of age-appropriate toys.  A good activity kit will include items that engage a child’s imagination, fine motor skills and problem solving abilities.  We always include stacking cups, links, cars, puzzles, finger puppets or small squeeze animals and chunky crayons.  All of these can be used in multiple ways to entertain a toddler if you think outside the box.  For example, the stacking cups can obviously be used for stacking and nesting activities but you can also hide a small toy under a cup and play the shell game or practice pouring items between the cups.  Squeeze toys are always fun in the bathtub but they are also perfect for creating a distraction.  Puff some air in a toddler’s hair or on their arm and you immediately get their attention.  In desperate times you can even fill one with water and watch the giggles start.

Use their short attention span to your advantage by swapping out toys often.  If a toy doesn’t immediately capture your toddler’s attention, stash it back in the bag and pull out the next toy.  As every parent knows, it never works to force a toy on a child – they are sure to hate it.   I always save squeeze animals for last because, for my kids, a quick puff of air in the hair always stopped a melt-down.

Afraid your toy supply isn’t up to the task?  Check out my previous post on entertaining toddlers with everyday items – no toys required.

Happy Travels

toddler travel activities · travel activities

On almost every flight I see families that failed to bring any activities for their kids.  My classic example occurred on a 14 hour flight from Hong Kong to the US.  The family in the seats behind us brought nothing for their kids (ages 4 and 2) to play with, no snacks, and no comfort items – despite the fact that they had a huge carry-on with two laptops (apparently not for the kids as the adults used them the entire flight), books, blankets, and snacks (again, apparently not for the kids as they didn’t seem to share).   Their kids cried until my oldest could stand no more and offered to share her toys with them.

Seriously, what are people thinking?  The days of free playing cards and kid’s travel packs on US carriers are long past – now you are lucky to get a beverage!  Want to avoid a serious mid-flight meltdown?  Plan ahead and buy a TravelKiddy or spend the time, money, and effort to create your own.

In addition to the TravelKiddy, here are our other “must have” carry-on items:

1. Complete change of clothes for each child and a fresh shirt for each adult (accidents and spills will happen – be prepared)
2. Supply of children’s Tylenol/Motrin, Pepto, and bandages
3. Tissues, wipes, and Tide-To-Go pen
4. Chap stick
5. Snacks – no experimenting!  Bring a selection of sweet and savory items
6. Water purchased after clearing security
7. Zip top bags
8. Favorite comfort items (blanky, binky, stuffy, etc.)
9. Kid friendly maps and/or books about destination
10. Sense of humor
11. Sock puppets

Happy Travels

Flying with Kids · travel activities

Join me and explore the joys and pitfalls of traveling with kids!

I am often asked, “Why take the kids?  Isn’t it easier to leave them with grandparents or friends? Or stay home until they are older?”

My answer is a resounding, “NO!”   Of course, with four kids under the age of 8, I don’t have many people volunteering to keep them while I traverse the globe!  And staying home just isn’t an option for parents that love to travel.  Through this blog I will share the tips and tricks I learn as I explore the world (and my own backyard) with kids.

It seems appropriate for the initial blog post to focus on the Golden Rules of traveling with kids.  We have three:

Be prepared.

Smile.

Don’t over plan.

Be prepared for the trip – don’t start the trip without activities for the kids.  The days of airlines handing out toys and trinkets for the kids have long past and video games and DVDs only last so long.  Buy activity kits (we recommend TravelKiddy, of course!) or make your own.  Think variety – lots of variety – and pack twice what you think you will need.  Snacks and drinks are also a must to keep kids happy.

Smile.  Before I had kids, I always noticed the scowling parents eating in restaurants or traveling with their kids and swore that would not be me.  Flashing a smile (even a fake one) can lighten the mood and even garner much needed compassion from those around you.  During one challenging meal, a simple smile (ok, maybe a grimace) toward the table next to ours, brought out the grandmotherly instincts of the women sitting there and they proceeded to make faces and play peek-a-boo with our kids – it saved our meal (and theirs!) Things can and will go wrong while traveling with kids – a smile can help ease things along.

Don’t over plan.  Sure you want to visit every historic site while in Rome but the kids will be bored quickly.  Dragging them along to each and every one will guarantee a meltdown. Instead, pick out the three or four must see activities or sites, a few bonus things, and an equal number of fun kid activities.  Spend the morning in a museum and the afternoon at the local zoo.  You will both have more fun on the trip.

Happy Travels!

General Travel With Kids · kids travel · travel activities · travel with children