Traveling with your kids can be a fun adventure, but teaching kids how to travel is essential. I know from experience that you can’t just wing it! After all, leaving home means throwing your routine out the window and encountering countless unfamiliar people, places, and things.
Here are a few of my favorite tried-and-true tips for traveling with kids to help make it a more pleasant experience for you, your child, and your fellow passengers.
Communication is key
If your child is not a regular traveler, take the time to prepare them for what they can expect. Describe each major step of the journey, from the ride to the airport or train station to the onboarding process and the journey itself.
Flying, in particular, can be scary so be thorough with your imaginary walk-through. If you have younger kids, make it fun by acting it out, involving a favorite stuffed toy, or anything that will help them envision the experience. After all, don’t we all feel better when we understand what we’re getting into?
Pack provisions
If you’re traveling by plane or train, there are usually plenty of food options in the waiting area, but you should always have a few snacks on hand. Why?
– You will always pay a premium for airport or train station food, so bringing your own saves money.
– You could be running late with no time to stock up, or arrive in the middle of the night and the restaurants and shops are closed.
– There’s a delay and you’re sitting on a plane or train for hours.
– You’re taking off or landing in a plane and your child needs something to munch on to clear their ears.
Remember the comforts of home
Does your child have their version of a Linus blanket, i.e., a special pillow, a stuffed toy, or a favorite book? If one or two of these beloved things are packable, you can significantly ease your child’s anxiety by bringing those personal effects.
You’ll have smoother travels and, once you arrive at your destination, smoother transitions.
Bring entertainment
If you have a long journey ahead, bring things to keep your child occupied. That might be a game you can all play together, a music player/phone, a favorite book, some compact art supplies, a portable video game, or a laptop or tablet.
If you’re flying, don’t rely on seat back entertainment on the plane, even if you checked ahead. Circumstances can change!
For electronics, don’t forget the headphones. You and your fellow travelers don’t need to listen to hours of Spongebob.
Also, if you have screen time restrictions at home, consider being more flexible on the road. Travel time can be long and tedious, and a bored child can make the trip challenging for them, you, and those around you.
Traveling with infants
I’m going to be straight with you. If you’re traveling with an infant on your lap, your trip is probably going to be challenging. To ensure that your baby – and your fellow travelers – have as good a flight as possible, you’ll need to be prepared to keep your baby entertained and fed, and to stroll the aisles if your baby is restless.
Bring plenty of snacks, all the “lovies,” and, if you’re flying, make sure you can nurse or have bottles ready during takeoff and landing, which will help ease the pressure in their ears.
Of course, babies cry. And the people around you need to accept that, but these little tricks can help make for an easier trip.
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