Traveling With Your Kids

Taking a family vacation can be fun, but traveling to your destination with children can be taxing. There are many websites out there that are devoted to giving advice when it comes to traveling with kids. The following are some tips and strategies for traveling with children taken from some of these specialty sites.

• Things do not always go as planned; the same is true when traveling with children. Try to have a positive attitude and it will rub off on your children.
• When taking an airplane- if possible plan the flight around your child’s nap schedule
• Take toys to entertain your children. Stay away from toys that have small parts that can get lost easily.
• Books, stickers, crayons and paper are great ways to entertain children
• Make sure to take some of your child’s medication with you such as children’s Tylenol
• Pack some laundry detergent with you so you can do a quick spot wash in the hotel sink
• Bring baby wipes; they can be used to clean anything from faces to tables
• When traveling by plane, make sure you inform your children of the security process. Let them know that they will have to take off their shoes and that they will get them back
• Before boarding the plane- use the bathroom since the ones on planes are small and cramped
• Make sure to bring a change of clothes for you and your children
• Due to cabin pressure; your ears will pop. Pack some hard candies, pacifier, or bottle to give to your children during take off and landing

There are some airports that are kid-friendly. At Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport there is a designated play area for kids. If you are planning non flying, check out the airport’s web page to see if there are any family friendly attractions or areas in the airport. There are also some games and activities that you and your child can play while waiting in a terminal. Such as:

• People watching
• Airplane watching
• Conveyor belts
• Counting how many ‘red’ bags can be found
• Counting seats
• Explore by walking around the terminal

Additional web pages devoted to traveling with your children:

Flying With Kids, Kids Can Travel, Travel With Your Kids, Traveling With Kids