Avoid Peak Travel Times
The best times to travel are Mon afternoon through Thurs morning, with Sat thrown in for good measure in the summer. If you have the flexibility, don't book things when all those business travelers are stressed about their work travel.
http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=185&category=13
The best times to travel are Mon afternoon through Thurs morning, with Sat thrown in for good measure in the summer. If you have the flexibility, don't book things when all those business travelers are stressed about their work travel.
Buy Your Toddler A Seat
I highly recommend getting your toddler his/her own seat. Although airlines let children 2 and under sit in a parent's lap, I don't recommend this option for flights over 2 hours or so. You and your toddler will be much happier with an extra seat.
http://www.babycenter.com/404_should-i-book-an-airplane-seat-for-my-child_7297.bc
I highly recommend getting your toddler his/her own seat. Although airlines let children 2 and under sit in a parent's lap, I don't recommend this option for flights over 2 hours or so. You and your toddler will be much happier with an extra seat.
CARES Child Aviation Restraint System
Parents rave about the CARES flight harness. So much better than squeezing a toddler car seat in. You can always check the car seat if you need it on the other end or simply rent one along with a rental car.
CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to...
http://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B0012E4FV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308597879&sr=8-1
CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to...
Parents rave about the CARES flight harness. So much better than squeezing a toddler car seat in. You can always check the car seat if you need it on the other end or simply rent one along with a rental car.
DON'T Preboard
I know this is controversial but I recommend against preboarding with toddlers. Let them run around the airport as long as possible. If you don't have a carseat to install, no need for much extra time. Or send one parent ahead to get ready.
DON'T Preboard
I know this is controversial but I recommend against preboarding with toddlers. Let them run around the airport as long as possible. If you don't have a carseat to install, no need for much extra time. Or send one parent ahead to get ready.
Some Airlines Are Better Than Others
Some airlines are more kid-friendly than others. Virgin comes out high on mothers' lists. The inflight entertainment is one good feature. And the employees just seem to like kids more. You can click on this link to see what airlines other women prefer to fly and share your own favorite.
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/lists/ranked/my-travel-favorites/preferred-airline
Some airlines are more kid-friendly than others. Virgin comes out high on mothers' lists. The inflight entertainment is one good feature. And the employees just seem to like kids more. You can click on this link to see what airlines other women prefer to fly and share your own favorite.
Well-Stocked Diaper Bag
Check out my other list on what to keep in your diaper bag. For airplane travel, pack some extra diapers and ensure you are well stocked on wipes and sacks for dirty diapers.
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/eden/diaper-bag-essentials-checklist
Check out my other list on what to keep in your diaper bag. For airplane travel, pack some extra diapers and ensure you are well stocked on wipes and sacks for dirty diapers.
Bring Something To Suck On
Bring your toddler something safe he/she can suck on - sippy cup of milk or lollypop work well - during take off and touch down. If your child still uses a pacifier, you are home free on this one.
http://search.candy.com/b/q?k=lollypops&x=0&y=0&sn=160447305
Bring your toddler something safe he/she can suck on - sippy cup of milk or lollypop work well - during take off and touch down. If your child still uses a pacifier, you are home free on this one.
You Can Never Have Enough Snack Foods
Bring plenty of baggies or tupperware with snacks. Some of my favs: grapes, bananas, dried fruit or raisins, yogurt in easy-to-suck containers, pretzels, goldfish, carrots, cut up grilled cheese or PB&J sandwiches, chicken nuggets (good even cold).
http://www.tipsfortoddlers.com/20-easy-snacks-for-toddlers/
Bring plenty of baggies or tupperware with snacks. Some of my favs: grapes, bananas, dried fruit or raisins, yogurt in easy-to-suck containers, pretzels, goldfish, carrots, cut up grilled cheese or PB&J sandwiches, chicken nuggets (good even cold).
Related Post on Feeding a Picky Toddler while Traveling
Here are some tips I learned from traveling with a picky toddler that I hope can help you as you navigate this frustrating phase with your child, as well!
Tips for feeding a picky toddler while traveling.
http://www.sixtysecondparent.com/_webapp_499459/Toddler_travel_-_Feeding_a_picky_toddler
Tips for feeding a picky toddler while traveling.
Suggested by Michelle Hutchison:
Here are some tips I learned from traveling with a picky toddler that I hope can help you as you navigate this frustrating phase with your child, as well!
Combine Snacks & Activities: Cheerio Necklaces
Remember candy necklaces? It's fun and kills some time on a flight.
Who can turn down a cheerio necklace? Especially if you purchase the multigrain Cheerio purple box, it's tasty enough to chow down on in front of the television. Better yet, leave in the car when the kids are starving and you don't have anything else...
http://www.urbankimchi.com/test/2010/09/breakfast-snack-cheerio-necklaces-for-the-kiddies.html
Who can turn down a cheerio necklace? Especially if you purchase the multigrain Cheerio purple box, it's tasty enough to chow down on in front of the television. Better yet, leave in the car when the kids are starving and you don't have anything else...
Suggested by Darya Mead:
Remember candy necklaces? It's fun and kills some time on a flight.
Blue painter's tape
This is a STAPLE in our travel bag and can be used to make tic tac toe boards on the tray table, hopscotch layouts on the airport floor during delays/layovers, make a collage of photos torn from SkyMall, hang funny items from the ceiling, etc.!
http://www.scotchblue.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotch-BlueBrand/Scotch-Blue/
Suggested by Kelli Agnich:
This is a STAPLE in our travel bag and can be used to make tic tac toe boards on the tray table, hopscotch layouts on the airport floor during delays/layovers, make a collage of photos torn from SkyMall, hang funny items from the ceiling, etc.!
Milk As A Sleep Aid
The amino acid l-Tryptophan found in milk is thought to play a role in making you sleepy by raising the level of serotonin in the brain. So bring a good no spill sippy cup and let your toddler have plenty of milk.
http://www.amazon.com/Thinkbaby-Spill-Sippy-Orange-Natural/dp/B003LPUPVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308600202&sr=8-1
The amino acid l-Tryptophan found in milk is thought to play a role in making you sleepy by raising the level of serotonin in the brain. So bring a good no spill sippy cup and let your toddler have plenty of milk.
Prepackaged Activities From Travel Kiddy
Check out this company for a variety of travel kits for kids of different ages & stages. You can buy one (there are very reasonably priced) or use the contents as inpiration.
Travelkiddy.com has a great selection of kids travel activities. These are great when flying with kids. We offer the best travel games for kids on the web.
https://www.travelkiddy.com/category_s/111.htm
Travelkiddy.com has a great selection of kids travel activities. These are great when flying with kids. We offer the best travel games for kids on the web.
Check out this company for a variety of travel kits for kids of different ages & stages. You can buy one (there are very reasonably priced) or use the contents as inpiration.
Bring Some New Items Wrapped Up
Buy some smaller things that you can wrap up and unveil as the flight goes on. A fun thing that your toddler can look forward to at intervals. See this Amazon list for ideas like sticker books, easy art supplies, magnetic games & more.
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-toys-for-kids/lm/R2VWQO7XYSI2X6/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_2_rsrsrs0
Buy some smaller things that you can wrap up and unveil as the flight goes on. A fun thing that your toddler can look forward to at intervals. See this Amazon list for ideas like sticker books, easy art supplies, magnetic games & more.
Portable DVD Player For Each Child
My children started getting into watching DVDs at about 2 years old. Certainly by 3 they can entertain your child for hours. Don't forget to get good earphones that stay on toddlers.
Enjoy movies, music and photos on the go with the Sony DVP-FX750 Portable DVD Player. This compact, stylish player includes great features like a seven-inch (diag.) widescreen display, three hours of battery life for extended viewing, and two...
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVP-FX750-7-Inch-Portable-Player/dp/B003CHMCXG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1308602347&sr=8-4
Enjoy movies, music and photos on the go with the Sony DVP-FX750 Portable DVD Player. This compact, stylish player includes great features like a seven-inch (diag.) widescreen display, three hours of battery life for extended viewing, and two...
My children started getting into watching DVDs at about 2 years old. Certainly by 3 they can entertain your child for hours. Don't forget to get good earphones that stay on toddlers.
17 More Ideas on how to Entertain Kids on Planes
With thousands of miles of international travel logged with six kids under the age of ten, these two moms have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly and they're sharing their advice with you.
http://www.ciaobambino.com/ciaobambinoblog/index.php/2009/09/entertaining-kids-on-planes-3/
Suggested by CiaoBambino:
With thousands of miles of international travel logged with six kids under the age of ten, these two moms have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly and they're sharing their advice with you.
Ignore Rude People
People will be rude. It's life. Just ignore them. There will be others on the plane willing to help. And remember - what goes around, comes around. I always try to offer help to other parents travelling with kids.
Ignore Rude People
People will be rude. It's life. Just ignore them. There will be others on the plane willing to help. And remember - what goes around, comes around. I always try to offer help to other parents travelling with kids.
More Family Travel Tips from Delicious Baby
A good read for some additional tips and details around planning your travels, checking in, getting through security and boarding.
The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for traveling parents. While we can't promise that your kids won't have a melt down, our travel tips will help streamline your air travel and keep everyone in a better mood!
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/family-travel-tips/making-travel-days-with-kids-work/air-travel-with-babies-toddlers-kids/
The idea of flying with kids is probably the biggest single cause of stress for traveling parents. While we can't promise that your kids won't have a melt down, our travel tips will help streamline your air travel and keep everyone in a better mood!
A good read for some additional tips and details around planning your travels, checking in, getting through security and boarding.
Even More Travel Tips including Handling Toddler Temper Tantrums
This post covers a lot of ground and I particularly like the section on handling temper tantrums, Even the best laid plans may result in a tantrum and Glennia does a nice job providing guidance on how to handle such situations.
http://glenniacampbell.typepad.com/silenti/2007/05/traveling_with__2.html
This post covers a lot of ground and I particularly like the section on handling temper tantrums, Even the best laid plans may result in a tantrum and Glennia does a nice job providing guidance on how to handle such situations.
Short & To-The-Point Post From A Parent Coach
Kerrie LaRosa, MS, LCSW Parent Coach shares some more advice on travelling with a toddler including getting your child prepped for travel and some good books to read.
http://www.parentcoachsf.com/1/post/2011/06/hello-summer.html
Kerrie LaRosa, MS, LCSW Parent Coach shares some more advice on travelling with a toddler including getting your child prepped for travel and some good books to read.
