Traveling with children

I’m sure many of us have heard horror stories about being locked in a car or plane for hours with irritable children. “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “Megan is ‘watching’ me!” “I have to go to the bathroom – RIGHT NOW!” There are endless cases in which children can get on our nerves when they travel. Here are some tips that can help smooth out travel problems …

Create a TRAVEL SURVIVAL KIT packed with small toys and travel games. Use a bright backpack or purse dedicated to the purpose. Include age-appropriate toys such as an engraved sketch for preschool drawing fun, magnetic board for toddlers, stickers, puzzles, or joke books for an elementary school child. Interactive games can keep siblings happy, like Brain Quest cards with age-appropriate puzzles and questions, or even a simple deck of cards. Today, portable DVD players and handheld video games can keep kids busy and trouble-free for hours. If you carry electronic things like a Game-Gear, be sure to bring extra batteries.

Snacks can be carrot sticks, crackers, pretzels, cheese, or healthy fruits. Try to keep the sugar content low for less hyperactive children. Choose juice boxes and water bottles over canned sodas.

Bring CDs along with your favorite music, as well as family music that everyone can sing together on the go.

Make sure your child uses the bathroom at every opportunity: before leaving home, at the airport before boarding the plane, right after eating on the plane (lines for the few bathrooms can mean a long wait), before get on the plane. bus to go to the hotel or for sightseeing.

If you are going on a vacation to the beach or on a cruise, of course a suntan lotion is a must, as well as hats and sunglasses. Also take a skin cream in case of sunburn. Be sure to include fun bandages and a small first aid kit. Include some stomach pills like Gravol for car, bus, or plane travel, and medicine for constipation or diarrhea.

Another item to take with you on your travels would be a history or fact book about the place you are visiting to keep the child involved. Play games asking if they can find the historical site you are visiting in the book, or a game of eye spying by locating various types of trees, flowers, or birds. Even allowing them a childproof disposable camera to take their own pictures would be helpful in keeping the child interested.

Make sure the children have had enough rest before the trip. Tired children are irritable children. And limit your intake of exotic foods to prevent stomach problems. It’s good for kids to taste and enjoy different fruits in another country, but too much papaya or avocado can wreak havoc on even the most mature stomachs.

Many resorts are kid-friendly and these can be a family traveler’s best friend. These ‘kid-friendly’ venues offer everything a kid or parent could want, from kid-focused snack bars (serving pizza, burgers, and mac n cheese), kiddie pools, specialty computer rooms, sports and activities, to group games (where children can interact with others in their own age group). Many of these family complexes also offer babysitting services that allow mom and dad to spend some quiet time on their own.

Bring a special safety blanket or teddy bear with you so traveling is not so scary for younger children. Travel pillows, window sun shades, and a warm blanket can increase your child’s comfort level when sleeping in a car or on an airplane and reduce the sadness of travel.

Traveling with children doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With careful planning, plenty of rest, and controlled activities, parents and children can enjoy the holidays together.