|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No matter what age your children are, it's a great time for
taking them on travels near and far. The surprise for many parents is that
the amount of preparation and effort put into a day trip with preschoolers
to a lake or on a picnic isn’t much different than for a month-long
trip to places farther from home. You just have to be prepared to take kid-sized
steps and expect to restock on “essentials” as you go. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Traveling with preschoolers is really fun – they
are so wide-eyed and ready for adventure, with few, if any preconceptions.
You already know what great ice-breakers kids are, they talk to anyone and
see other small kids as potential playmates. My kids always seem to find
playmates to share kites and balls and other toys in parks and beaches.
After all, sand castles are built from Bali to British Columbia! Kids are
also a great excuse for going to some of the best spots, like pony rides,
carousels and petting zoos. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More reasons why you shouldn’t put off travels with little
ones? Preschoolers have a wonderful ability to conveniently drop off into
naps during long train and plane rides – and the cost of taking them
on those trains and planes is usually far cheaper than for teens. They’re
also often a golden ticket to special favors and attention from strangers
everywhere. Traveling in Europe? Don’t be surprised to find waiters
greeting kids with a small plate of crackers and cheeses to keep them content
while orders are taken and prepared (how smart is that?) In fact, all over
the world, restaurants are used to indulging finicky little ones, easy to
do since little kids’ tastes usually run to the plain and unadorned. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Of course, it’s not all cooing waiters and napping babes,
so go prepared if you want everyone to enjoy the trip. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
The first preparation is packing, and you’ll find that
the "wants" and "needs" lists for little kids may actually
be only one list. The trick is to consider what’s needed for keeping
little ones content and you’ll soon realize that a lot of “wants”
like toys and treats, really are “needs” for a long trip. Get
lightweight nylon drawstring bags to hold fun stuff for each kid, then pack
them in your carry-on luggage. Or, if your kids are four or five, they can
have their own small backpacks full of toys, books, etc. or rollerbags they
can happily wheel around the airport. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The number one thing to remember? A beloved "snuggly."
Sometimes a toy is just a comfort item clutched when a child is in an unfamiliar
place or trying to get to sleep. Sometimes it's animated in a child's imagination
and confided to with whispered words in a corner. Whatever its role, don't
separate a child from a beloved stuffed animal, doll, or other snuggly such
as a blanket or pillow – the added bulk will more than pay its way. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Many times the familiar warmth of a small cozy blanket helped
my daughter drop off on a long plane trip, or made a strange bed seem inviting,
and a stuffed animal was a faithful companion when everything around her
was different and strange. For a wonderful story about the well-travelled
"Pengos," read "Traveling with
Stuffed Animals." |
|
|
|
| |
|
Another essential is a stroller that's lightweight and easily
collapsible. Airline crew will hang yours just inside the boarding door,
and you can hook it on a coat rack or under chairs at restaurants, etc.
In a pinch, many large hotels also offer "loaner" strollers (and
umbrellas) as well, just ask the concierge. Buying one? Get a model with
a sturdy mesh basket for "essentials," and easy to set-up or collapse with one hand. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
A few tips on toys: include some tried-and-true favorites;
have some brand-new, inexpensive surprises; don’t pack noisy toys (not
only will you get tired of the noise, the people traveling nearby may get
demonstrably irate) and plan on picking up local treasures along the way. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
You’ll also want to take along at least a couple favorite
books. Picture books
for non-readers are great, but bring some you can share as well. Slightly
older kids may like the suspense of hearing a chapter book read to them
a little at a time. Besides, cuddling up together
for a half-whispered story is a wonderful way to spend waiting time, or
bedtime on a trip. Tip: With eBooks on your iPhone or iPad, you can bring along plenty of books |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bring your own movies for long flights, and play them on iPads, tablets, smartphones, laptops. (Newer
planes may have an outlet in the seat armrest to plug in your electronics, but always bring along extra external batteries.) Bring
along one or two favorite movies for little ones – they will happily
watch them over and over. Remember to pack headphones (ones that your child
will wear) or turn down the volume while watching the movie. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Keep in mind that the most fascinating book, toy or game has
limited appeal. Don’t make kids go too far a stretch at once. Mix up
sight seeing with play time and snack breaks. An exhausted preschooler (or
parent) is no happy camper. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
For long stretches on planes, trains, waiting rooms stock
up on snacks like baby carrots, trail mix, crackers, dried fruit, cheese, that can satisfy little tummies quickly, then
restock as you go. One flight from Los Angeles to Denver was delayed for
over an hour before we boarded, and for another hour on the runway. The
crew refused to given anyone drinks or snacks while we waited, but my daughter
contentedly snacked on trail mix while we adults stewed. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
All this talk of snacks and toys and new purchases
probably has you a little worried about running out of room. Well, if you’ve
packed cheap crayons, coloring books, puzzles, etc. as your original “fun
packs” when you left home, then you have “expendable” things
you can ditch as you need to make room for new treasures. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
In the end it all comes down to flexibility. Pack
for preschooler needs, expect to be spontaneous, let your little one introduce
you to a few new friends and places and everyone will have a great time! |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Editor's note: Be sure to check the TSA
web site to find out the latest rules for carry-ons. |
