Air Travel Made Easy With Toddlers

For those of you who have traveled with a toddler or young child, you will note, that it is typically an opportunity that you DON'T relish. I have had a number of friends, myself included, who have acknowledged that this wasn't their finest parenting moment. We all know how we USED to feel about passenger with unruly kids when we flew back in the day child-free, without a care in the world except to bring the appropriate reading materials on board. Well, you are officially that person, a parent flying with a child. Yikes! Kid Trips is here to help.

Here are some fabulous recommendations that were sent in by Amanda from Vienna, VA. I wish I had met her sooner!

COME FLY WITH ME: Each of my children have a child size travel backpack that we use when we are flying. I pack each child's toys and goodies in their pack. Each child carries their own backpack as much as possible. This helps to keep your arms free to carry other important items like a car seat. I let them pick a couple of small toys to put in their bag and fill the rest with surprises (new coloring book, stickers, new toys, a favorite doll, etc). I try to select items that are popular to them at the moment. If My Little Pony works that month, the toy makes the trip. The kids are always super excited to find out what's in their pack. And they know they can't open it until the plane takes off.

I think the key is having some new things. I determine the volume of new items based on the length of the flight and the age of the kid. You'll need more for a young toddler because you simply can't reason with them! I wait until the very last minute to board the plane. I do this so the kids have as much time as possible unconfined. I don't like to waste the entertainment of plane while we are still on the ground. If you run out of fun things to do, a DVD with a favorite movie or show always seems to work to quite a child. Be warned, you will need a fall back plan for the end of the flight. You should save a toy for the time just prior to landing when electronic devices need to be turned off, belts must be fastened and passengers need to stay seated. Have a great trip!

Image Credit:

Ability Path - Flickr