Travel Tips Needed
Sunday, 5 July 2009 11:24 pm byWe’re going to family camp with my husband’s family this month. It’s in Colorado, and this will be our first flight with Tate. I’m a little nervous…
He’s just so rarely willing to sit still, and doesn’t seem to ever fall asleep in our arms like in his younger months. So I need your help- what are your best tips for travelling with a toddler (17 months)?
I was really excited about these travel activity packets from Ohdeedoh until I realized that they’re for slightly older kids. If that’s what you’ve got, they have options for ages 3-5 or 6-8.
An idea that will work for us is from Susan Willis, writing at EZines: bring some new toys, but go the extra step and gift-wrap them. I’m sure the extra time it will take him to open them will be well worth it!
How about this tip for sanity, or at least a laugh, from Flying with Kids: “Wear spunky clothes and dark glasses so that other passengers think you are someone famous enjoying quality time with your kids.”
I’m planning to get some sort of leash/harness for the airport. Should I also bring our stroller- would it be worth the hassle, and do I need to check it?
Anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated, even if it’s something that did NOT work for your family!
Photo Courtesy:
Ma1974
Categories: Parenting
After working at MagnetStreet for 7 years, I'm now a stay-at-home mom to my son Tate. I love my new life, but as a firstborn raising my firstborn, I tend to over-analyze most things. Join me as I try to figure it all out! 
Rachel :
Date: July 6, 2009 @ 7:12 am
A Stroller is definitely a good idea, unless your hubby’s willing to carry him! There’s bags and other things in arms, so a stroller is nice, but I’d bring a cheap one, b/c we’ve lost a stroller b/c they didn’t put it on the plane at the end of the jetway. We got it back – AT THE END OF OUR TRIP! Good travel toys: magna doodles!!!! and color wonder markers – perfect for Tate’s age. Fruit snacks are a good distraction (not something my kids eat often) and dum-dum suckers can be helpful for takeoff and landings to help his ears. Have fun!
kimberly Sue Anderle :
Date: July 6, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
I have heard of an umbrella type stroller that collapses and then folds over one more time (much smaller that the regular umbrella) I did read that you can bring a stroller on the plane and it is not considered one of your carryon’s.
I am a mother that promised I would NEVER EVER EVER have a dvd player in our car (why? We traveled t the cabin every weekend my entire childhood with out it!) but caved in and borrowed one from my sister. Keira sits and watches a video for over two hours in the car now if she doesn’t fall asleep. I have to hide the screen so she doesn’t know it is in the car or she will want to watch it right away. I save it for when things get really out of control (which is easer in a car because it is just my husband and I having to listen to her melt down)
but we rent movies from the library and she watches them intently. I highly suggest borrowing one or maybe investing in your own. It has saved our lives! (ps-a laptop might work just as well)
Allison Harbecke :
Date: July 6, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
I traveled SOLO with my 15 month old, then again with husband at 20 months… not nearly as bad as I had envisioned. Maya is not a snuggler or one who likes to sit still either, but the DVD player was the best. Favorite books, lots of juice and SNACKS… but mostly the DVD. She was young enough and familiar enough that she didn’t really need the sound.
I always travel with the stroller, you can check it at the gate with most airlines, and it is waiting for you on the tarmac when you de-board. It is the best for keeping them in one spot when waiting in security lines and just getting to your gate.
The most important tip, is that his squirms and protests seem louder to you than anyone else, try to not worry about disturbing others!!!
Sonya :
Date: July 7, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
Hi Kara – I was just checking in on Facebook after quite a while and decided to stop by – I had to write since we did quite a bit of flying with Anna when she was young. The stroller is a great idea(the gate check is also what we did) – we also relied heavily on the other people who were lucky enough to be on our flight! We would visit anyone with kids whenever we could get up and around and Anna was distracted enough by the surroundings to last at least a little while! Here is a good little kids activity pack site:
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/2008/06/toddler-activity-bags.html
Good luck! It will be a great time – or at least an adventure with some good stories!
Matt :
Date: July 8, 2009 @ 8:02 am
We just got back from Colorado yesterday. Henry did really well although he was a bit squirmy. We gave him his pacifier for take off and landing to help equalize the pressure in his ears and went through a lot of snacks. We brought a finger puppet set that we bought from Ikea for $1 that was a big hit. He also like to look at the people in the row behind us (they didn’t seem to mind) and playing with the lights and air vents on the ceiling.
The baggage claim area at DIA is a hike from the Southwest and Northwest gates so like Allison, I’d definitely recommend a stroller. The airline let us gate-check ours and it was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
John :
Date: July 8, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Two words: Tylenol PM
(trust me!)
Kimberly Sue Anderle :
Date: July 9, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
ummm, Not that I need to tell you this but I might stay away from the Tylenol PM.
karen :
Date: July 9, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
I just flew to CO this week and noticed many children flying of all ages. Lots of strollers-in fact the airlines lets you board ahead to get settled. Cute leashes with little backpacks seemed to be popular, and every parent seemed to have to say, “keep going, keep going,” as the little ones stopped to greet passengers already seated. Very cute!