G.B.
Traveling with kids is a unique challenge. Not only do you have to juggle luggage, plane tickets and itineraries, you are responsible for entertaining and watching out for someone else. Whether you are traveling by plane or automobile, try these tips to help your child avoid “the long and whining road” and preserve your sanity.
Pack A Travel Bag
Traveling with kids is a far cry from the “throw-a-few-things-in-the-bag” packing of your pre-parenting days. A good travel bag will keep your child happy – and help you retain your sanity.
INFANTS
Include your child’s pacifier, teething ring, any medication, several changes of clothes, several disposable diapers, bottles, snacks and disposable towelettes. Pack a few toys such as a stuffed animal, favorite warm blanket or cloth books.
PRESCHOOLERS
Include any medications, some towelettes or a damp washcloth in a plastic bag, a snack, a sweater or jacket and a favorite stuffed toy. Picture books with accompanying audiotapes and tapes of favorite songs are nice for preschoolers. Drawing and coloring projects are easy to do in a confined area and a creative outlet for children’s new experiences.
5-7 YEAR OLDS
You may want to pack a couple of new toys, a storybook and/or an activity book. Many board games come in magnetic travel-size versions – a great activity when traveling with more than one child. Music and headphones are also good time-passers on trips.
8-12 YEAR OLDS
Music, books and a few toys are on the docket for this travel bag. You may want to take along a Polaroid or disposable camera that the child can use to shoot pictures of whatever he or she likes on the trip for a personal scrapbook.
FOOD
Every travel bag should include some snacks for kids.
When traveling with a young infant, prepare some bottles using pre-measured, instant formula. Then all you need to do is add water and shake. Ask your pediatrician for a recommendation and try it out a couple weeks before the trip.
For the older infant who is eating solid foods, pack a few jars of familiar strained food, bottles of fruit juice and snacks.
For younger children, pack finger foods such as crackers, juice boxes or a small plastic bag full of your child’s favorite cereal.
If you are carrying a cooler, you can include vegetable sticks or fruit.
FIRST AID KIT
It’s always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit in the trunk or your bag, but it is especially useful when traveling with children. For your next trip, add the following items to your kit:
Children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Children’s decongestant
Ipecac syrup
Sunscreen (infant sunscreen is available)
Insect repellent (not appropriate for infants)
Thermometer
Dramamine or other motion-sickness drug
If your child is taking medication, it should be packed in the original container labeled with the name of the drug, the dosage and the date of purchase.
Prepare for Car Travel
WHEN TOURING
Touring by car gives you a different opportunity. Since you will be spending most of your time in the car, your goal should be to create excitement and interest in what you will be seeing.
If your child is old enough, involve them in the planning process – choosing what they want to see, places they want to go or things they may want to do. Appealing to their interests will make the trip much more enjoyable for them.
Before you go, get your child a disposable camera and scrapbook to build and keep souvenirs in during the trip. Contribute to it as you travel. By the end of your journey, the child should have both a trip to remember and something to be proud of!
Scavenger hunts work well on any long car ride and can entertain children for a long time. If you are following a historical trail or touring a historic locale, get a book on the subject from the library and make a historical scavenger hunt for your child to play throughout the trip (i.e. find the home of a famous person, an important landmark, etc.).
Kids seem to have boundless energy, but seeing new sights and meeting new people can be tiring. Make sure everyone get some “down time” to do and explore what they like.
Intersperse those activities that require a long attention span and staying quietly seated with more energetic activities, such as an afternoon of swimming.
WHEN TRAVELING
If you are traveling to reach a destination, the activities you plan for your trip should be time consuming to help your child remain distracted and calm.
Games, especially travel games, are good when other children are along on the trip.
Music and headphones are excellent time passers on long car trips
Take a break every couple of hours or as needed. Try roadside rest areas along the highway where your child can get out, run or throw a ball around.
Planning For Plane Travel
Traveling on the plane with a child means you have to juggle luggage, tickets and a dependant child all at once. But preparing your child properly for the trip ahead will make it all easier. Try out these tips for a more pleasant – and peaceful – flight.
FAIR FARES
Younger children under the age of 11 are often eligible for discounted or free fares when flying. If your child is under the age of 2, he or she can travel for free on most airlines in your lap or in a vacant seat if there is one nearby.
TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF FLYING
A plane ride may be scary to your child, especially if they are younger. Discuss what to expect ahead of time. A week or so before the trip, read a story about a child who is going on a plane ride.
AVOID EARACHES
Let your child chew gum, eat or suck on something during takeoffs and landings—it will help prevent any ear discomfort as a result of air pressure changes.
If your child has a cold or has just gotten over one, consult your pediatrician about giving a decongestant and/or nose drops before plane takeoffs and landings to avoid pain from pressure building in the ear.
KEEP THE PEACE
Short tempers due to fatigue can easily put a damper on a trip. Try to keep to your child’s normal eating and sleeping schedule as much as possible. Schedule frequent, but brief, periods of rest. In addition to a well-stocked travel bag, try for non-stop flights for infants and young children that are likely to sleep. For the more active child, consider stopovers to stretch legs and break the monotony of sitting in one place.
sorry for more info than you needed