Tips for traveling with toddlers by car and airplane.
The key to taking vacations with toddlers is very simple, be overly prepared and expect the unexpected. When traveling with toddlers, you don't have to be exhausted and stressed out by the time you reach your destination. It actually can be an enjoyable experience that you look forward to each year.
We have vacationed every summer with our children and I have found out, sometimes the hard way, that the key to any successful vacation is planning and also to going with the flow. It will be somewhat of a challenge but with proper preparations you will be singing the popular Willie Nelson song, "On the road again" with much enthusiasm.
I'll start with car trips. The first preparation before you even get on the road is to have the family car serviced and inspected to make sure it is ready for the trip. Make sure you carry a spare tire. I have to tell you that once we had two flats during one trip so we had to buy a tire on the road. We were pleasantly surprised that the cost was not any more than it would have been at our local tire dealer. This is why you have to expect the unexpected. A sense of humor will come in handy in all situations.
Next, you need to map out your trip, keeping in mind that your children will need rest stops and some fun stops. If time permits, a stop at a simple playground will give the children some much needed recreation to get all the wiggles out and be able to return to the road refreshed and hopefully ready for a nap. This is extremely advisable just before you will be traveling through a difficult intersection that would require concentration on the road. If the children are not ready to settle down this might be a good time to offer them a small snack. Which brings me to what you should pack for the trip. Here's where the extensive planning comes in play. You have to be ready for every twist and turn that the road will take.
The advantage of traveling by car is that you will usually have extra room to bring along stuff that might not even be used normally but if you experience heavy traffic you will be glad you packed extra provisions. I like to have more food than we will need; maybe that's the Italian in me. We travel with a cooler and freeze some drink boxes for the end of the trip. Usually they will be just right at the end of about eight hours on the road. Pack your kids favorite foods in small portions that can be dispersed throughout the day. I like to carry everything in zipper seal plastic bags to prevent spillage. We also keep trash bags in the car and dispose of them at each rest stop. If your child has special dietary needs, make sure you have what they need in amply supply in case you will not be able to get the needed supplies at the final destination or if you meet with unexpected delays on the road. I recommend stopping for a potty break every two to three hours. This gives the driver a chance to stretch their legs as well. It's always better to stop before it becomes an emergency. If you have a toddler still in diapers, it's better to use overnight diapers for the entire road trip.
My favorite game for little ones to play on the road is for each child to pick a car color and count how many cars they spot in that color; you get two points for a truck. The children each win a prize as they reach a certain number of cars. There are no losers in this game, they all win. The younger children count as high as they can and then begin again. Also, most roads have mile markers so we sometimes count them. After the children learn the alphabet, they can play the license plate game of finding each letter of the alphabet. We also play, I'm thinking of a color, which has to be a color in the car. The driver may not play this game because sometimes the colors picked may be in the back of the car or somebody's shoes, etc. We sing songs and the children get to make up songs. We make up silly stories by having one person start the story and each person add a sentence or two. The kids really like this and laugh at the final stories. I write them down and read the stories back to them. Currently, we are traveling with grandkids and seem to be playing the same games and having the same fun. The modern convenience of a DVD is an added tool to use on the road when you need a break to navigate the road. Also, consider auto bingo, which is popular today.
When we reach our destination for the night, I have one bag to carry in containing one day's clothes for each of us. I also carry one small toiletries bag with everyone's needs in it and with the children's sleep toys and bedtime story in it. Also the emergency medical supplies should be in this bag. I find it easier to carry small bags with everybody's one-day needs together in one bag. When we are on the road again, the main thing is to keep your sense of humor and you will approach each challenge successfully.
Air travel poses other difficulties but once again it is, also, possible to keep your sanity and remain a positive, confident, person while traveling with your toddlers. With a little planning you can also return home with children that have broadened their environment and remained safe, healthy and happy. You will also have a sense of pride in accomplishing your goal of still being fond of your children after the vacation. A very important feeling if you ever attempt vacationing with your toddlers again.
Now for a successful flight the key is providing surprises to the children. Hopefully, the time spent traveling will be shorter than the car trips but more intense because you do not want to ruin the flight for those around you. The easiest way to avoid that is to take a red-eye flight, which is very conducive to sleep for children. You may not be able to sleep but the flight will be finished in no time and the stress will be minimal. When a red-eye is not an option try to minimize anxiety as much as possible. The first thing is to allow enough time for security checks etc. Once we traveled during a Columbus Day weekend and the security lines were so long we were in danger of missing our flight even after allowing what we thought was amply time.
If you will be using a stroller and car seat, the seat must be FAA approved. Usually it will have a sticker that says approved for Air travel. It is helpful to gate check the stroller so you have it until the end. Usually they don't count that as another piece of luggage. Some Airlines have the stroller waiting for you when you disembark. Always check with your airline to see where you will be retrieving it.
If the children are a little under the weather, you may want to check with their doctor to see if the change in altitude will have an effect on their ears during ascent and landing. It is a good idea to have the children either drinking a bottle or sucking on a lollipop to minimize the discomfort of change in pressure.
It is imperative to have in your carry-on bag some emergency medical items such as children's Tylenol, Band-Aids, baby wipes and diaper rash cream and any other items that your child needs on a regular basis. If traveling to a warm climate, sunscreens (at least SPF 15) and children's insect repellent are recommended.
All children should have their own carry-on bag containing a favorite toy, and also a book to look at. Toddlers enjoy keys and songs, keeping in mind your surrounding travelers. It is helpful to give the children a new toy during the flight to hold their interest. I recommend toys that are one piece so they are not dropping small pieces that you will have to retrieve when they lose interest. When all else fails a small snack or drink will always distract them for a time. It's always magic to introduce another surprise bought just for them. It can be a simple touch and feel book that they will enjoy or a flapdown book that they have to open the flaps to see the whole picture. Squeaky books also work well with little ones. When they master how to make it squeak it will still hold their interest for awhile. Another surprise could be a small picture album with pictures that would interest them such as pictures of them, their pets or grandparents, etc. The trick is to keep the surprises coming and relax and go with the flow.
Also, keep in mind the children's routines. If it is time for a snack give them something and if it is nap time, read them a story and help them to relax as you would if you were home to facilitate their resting. If their schedules are thrown off, they may become cranky and not want to cooperate with what you suggest next.
Most children are fascinated with having their own ear phones, even if they are not interested in the movie, they will love pressing buttons and changing volume and channels without disturbing any other passengers. As long as no damage is being done and the children are happy it gives you a few more minutes to relax. It is essential to arrive at your destination stress free. This is possible if you plan well.
In addition to traveling with your own children, traveling with your grandkids is another challenge. Here too, planning is essential. All the usual supplies should be carried but also some additional items are essential. I suggest that you carry a note from their parents saying that you have permission to take the kids wherever you are taking them. Also, in case of emergency you will need a note saying that you have permission to get any necessary treatment that is required. Next, you need to know what medication they can take, if they are allergic to anything and when they had their last tetanus shot. If they ever get cut, the medical personnel will ask you when they received their last shot. If you don't know, they will recommend that they get it as a precaution. So why should the grandchild have to endure that pain if it is not necessary? It is advisable to get all notes notarized.
It is,also, a good idea to bring stamps and address labels that have already been made up to send to their parents from wherever you travel to. The kids are very excited to send postcards to their parents. Even real little ones can dictate to you what they want to say.
In addition if they start to get a little homesick for their parents, I carry pictures of their parents to give them and that usually solves the problem. The cell phone comes in handy to contact the parents if they need to talk to them.
It is also thoughtful to allow them to buy a little gift for their parents. I carry some tissue paper and tape to wrap the presents. They can try to do that themselves. It's fun to watch them try. Your grandkids will be so proud to have a gift to give when they return home. Seeing things through the children's eyes is very rewarding and it ends up being a fun vacation for everyone.
