Travel Tips
Travel Tips for travelling with Children
Pack an entire day's worth of clothing, a change of clothes, disposable diapers, and food in a Ziploc bag. Make one bag for each day of travel. Then put one on baby and a spare in the diaper bag!
To help build the excitement for the trip, make a countdown chain, make a construction paper chain and hang in their room one link for each day until the trip every night before bed tear off one more link. As the days get closer the excitement really builds!
When traveling with kids purchase disposable items, things like disposable bibs, anti-bacterial wipes, even plastic eating utensils. When you are done with the items, just toss!
When traveling with children, especially if one parent only may accompany the children out of the country - make sure that you have a signed and notarized letter from both parents stating that permission is given to the accompanying parent (or temporary guardian) to take the child out of the country. Make sure also that the accompanying parent or guardian also has the necessary medical release forms for said children.
Discuss the security clearance process with your children so they will not be frightened or surprised. Don't travel with toys that could be mistaken for weapons. If you have photo IDs for your children, bring them.
Snacks snacks and more snacks. Airline food is not always appealing to young children ( make sure you ask ahead of time for a children's meal ) but always bring your own snacks. This is reassuring to children knowing they will have their own favorite things to munch on during a trip.
Think light! Toys that have many uses are the best. Buy a package of Pipe cleaners ( my kids love the neon ones) they can made into any shape then crushed and made into something else! Other great activities have been ONE really long book for the older set ( think Harry Potter) to keep them busy for long periods of time. White unlined paper to be used for drawing,
folding etc.
Take individually wrapped hand wipes. They are great for faces, hands and stains on clothing. (you can also bring "shout" wipes, they work wonders as well!)
"Surprise bag" make a bag for each child that they cannot open until they get on the plane or in the car. Some people swear by wrapping a new toy or present for every hour of the trip and putting those in bag as each hour comes the child gets to open a new toy. You can purchase them from the dollar store or if you're like us, you can use the stash that is out in the garage of the toys they haven't seen in awhile
Books on tape are always a hit.
Felt books are a BIG hit in our house! They come in a most every character and can be hours of fun. Colorforms are a great idea also.