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Are you afraid your toddler will be the center of attention – and not in a good way – during your next flight? Here are a few things to consider before your next travel with kids or young children.
Here’s a quick summary:
-Read notes from your previous travels (if you have any)
-Pack light and travel with a partner
-Engage your children in the traveling process
-Pack a few books or old photo albums
-Goodie bags (containing finger puppets, gel stickers etc.)
-Pack or build an airplane-type toy
-Pack some snacks they love, and few that they’ve never tried before
-Carry a stroller
-Write down your name and phone number on your child’s hand
1) Read notes from your previous travels
It’s a good habit to take notes on your travels about things that worked for you, things not to do, inspiring ideas from social media, etc… Over time, I’ve compiled many such notes, and I check them first before I pack. My observations may differ from those of others, but to give an idea of how this works, here are some of mine:
2) Pack light, and travel with a partner if possible
Remember, the airport is not a kid-friendly place. The TSA definitely doesn’t like it when baggage is left alone, which you might have to do if you’re alone with a bunch of baggage and you suddenly have to chase your child who’s wandered off (as kids are prone to do). It’s just not safe to do so. Since you’ll have your baggage and your high-energy toddler with you all the time, traveling with a partner and having small, light baggage will be a great help.
3) Use travel cubes
I love these traveling cubes. They help me keep things organized. They help during those unavoidable, not-so-fun security checks and diaper changes.
4) Engage your child in the traveling process
Treat your child with respect and explain to them what is going on. For instance, ask your child to help you push the luggage to the baggage check-in area. When you’re getting a boarding pass, tell him you’re getting it so that he can travel on the plane. Then introduce the child to the airline attendant and get him his boarding pass. If this is his first boarding pass, celebrate it! Walk around and explain what gates are, watch planes landing, the take-offs, and all the other things that happen in the airport. Just imagine how would you want to be treated if someone took you to a new and overwhelming place.
5) Pack a few books or old photo albums
Books with real-life pictures can entertain different age groups. If you aren’t afraid of losing them, pick some up from the library. Old picture albums can also be fun. They kill some time and give you a bonding opportunity since it’s always fun to browse through pictures and talk about the stories behind them.
6) Make goody bags
Make a goody bag full of miniature toys, puppets, gel stickers (NOT regular stickers, unless you’re certain that your child won’t mess around walls and chairs). Basically, include anything that’s small and that will entertain or otherwise occupy their attention for as long as possible. And that includes …
Lego
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Lego and travel? I know it’s hard to work with the little bricks without losing them during the flight. But if your child is into Lego and if you ‘re stuck in the airport, Lego can keep him busy. Lego takes up little spaces, provide some focused time, and you can always find cheap pieces you won’t mind losing. You know your child best, so think through what you can do for them if there’s a delay.
7) Build your own airplanes
I found a build-your-own-airplane set in a dollar shop, and it worked like a charm. My children and I spent some time building it, then talked about the parts of the plane. Then the children walked around with it for a while.
8) Pack few snacks they love, and some they’ve never tried before.
I made a goody bag with a few different kinds. Between the snacks that the flight attendant handed us during the flight and the few that we carried, the kids were engaged for quite some time (although they didn’t eat much).
9) Carry a stroller
When the kids are tired, wheel them around the airport in the stroller. They might nap. If your older child won’t nap, this would be a good time to hand him an iPad while the younger one naps.
10) Consider marking them for safety
Of course, during your travels, you’ll be watching your kids all the time. Still, it’s a good idea to write your name and phone number on your child (say, on their hand), just in case they wander off and someone needs to help them find mom and dad.
