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10 Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel with Kids
Travel Tips for Family Travel
I recently wrote about tips for navigating the new TSA security guidelines at airports with kids. But once you get through security, you still have to make it through the flight.
USA Today’s Liz Szabo compiled a handy list of things that parents can do (and bring) to make traveling with kids easier. Babble’s own holiday guide features tips for how to have a stress-free family vacation. I’ve perused both articles and have generated my own list of 10 Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel with Kids:
1. Consider taking a train instead of driving or flying. Kids generally love trains and you’ll love the ability to get up and walk around with them.
2. Bring lots of plastic bags. They’ll come in handy for dirty diapers and clothes, left-over snacks, or in case of car or air sickness.
3. Consider shipping your baby gear ahead or renting it at your destination. Be sure to bring enough diapers and changes of clothes for the trip itself, but consider buying diapers at your destination.
4. Wear slip-on shoes so you won’t have to fuss with shoe laces at airport security.
5. Don’t forget your child’s favorite stuffed animal, toy, or book (but no need to bring the whole toy bin!)
6. For toddlers and older kids, prepare your child by telling them what to expect when traveling. Talk about things they may encounter (such as airport security!).
7. Schedule travel time during your child’s usual sleep time so if you’re lucky, they may sleep through the bulk of the flight or drive. Also, try to travel during off-peak times if possible.
8. Don’t forget snacks – but try to avoid anything that is sticky or messy.
9. Bring a change of clothes for you too — in case your child has a diaper blow-out or throws up on you (this has happened to me countless times!)
10. Finally, take a deep breath and try to have a sense of humor. Getting stressed out will only make things worse. Relax and try to enjoy yourself.
Do you have any other holiday travel tips to share with Strollerderby readers?
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0 Comments
PlumbLucky commented on Nov 22 10 at 11:30 am2 – the only time I ever bought diaper disposal bags…worth their weight in gold as they contain stink. Even throw “really really bad” cloth diapers in there to deal with once we get to our destination.
7. In spades. Added bonus – we went through Chicago at 2 a.m. hence no issues.
9. Make that two changes. And a spare Snugli or sling if you have one. Just trust me.
11. Hit up the Target dollar section for cool cheap “car distraction devices”. My son’s favorite car toy was a set of four plastic cones…I’m not sure exactly what they were for, but they were his favorite.
12. Make sure you have a leak proof sippy cup if you have a toddler.
13. Expect that driving will take double the amount of time it used to.
14. Better to hit truck stops on the interstated than random gas stations – truck stops (at least the ones we hit along I-94) had wonderful baby change stations. Gas stations were hit or miss if they even HAD them.
My favorite though: stay the heck home!!!!
Shannon78 commented on Nov 22 10 at 3:42 pmGood lists! My additions would be to use pacifier clips and no-throw straps for sippys, teethers and favorite toys. That way you can cut down on time lost cleaning them when they would otherwise inevitably hit the floor. Also, I usually decide what toys we are taking about a week in advance so I can tuck them away for a few days and they are new and fresh for the journey. Happy travels, everyone!
Marilyn commented on Nov 22 10 at 5:23 pmIf you take a favorite toy along, make sure you don’t leave it in the plane, train, automobile or hotel along the way. We had to tell our daughter that the chambermaid needed to give her daughter the doll that we left in the hotel room because she didn’t have the money to buy her little girl a doll to play with. She seemed to accept that.
SPA commented on Nov 23 10 at 2:43 pmAlso — dress in layers (you and kids) or bring blankets because inevitably its always too cold or hot on the plane. Slip on shoes are good for car trips and flights because they can take them off easily and put them on easily. In terms of activities, I always look at the dollar section, but last fligth my SIL bought my daughters a sticker book that they played with for the entire 2 hour flight. Basically an activity book where you put the stickers into different pages to complete a story…….a total gem! We are also bringing a great new movie that they have never seen so that they can stay occupied in case nothing else works. Finally, we bought a great new book – Knufflebunny Free…its part of the series by Mo williems, and the cool part is that in the book, Trixie forgets Knuffle bunny on the plane and the book deals with it super well! Ok thats all!
paulabernstein commented on Nov 23 10 at 3:27 pmSPA, thanks for sharing your great ideas! Sticker books are great. Also, a movie can sometimes be a life-saver! I also love the “Knufflebunny” series.
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