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    Tips for Traveling with Preschoolers
Kids in Penant Park, Australia
    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.
kids books
     
Airport  
Airport
Byron Barton

"People come to the airport. They come to fly in big jet planes." This is a good introduction for a plane flight – waiting to go, getting the plane ready, boarding the plane, and all clear for takeoff.
(Picture book)

 

     
Lisa's Airplane Trip
Anne Gutman, Georg Hallensleben

Hilarious story of Lisa, the in-flight movie, the airplane lady, and a glass of orange juice ... This is just one of our favorites! (Picture book)

 

 
Lisa's Airplane Trip
     
PUzzle Ocean  
Puzzle Ocean
Susannah Leigh, Brenda Haw

Stories and picture puzzles keep 3 year-olds entertained on a long plane flight. Highly recommended by a parent who travels a lot with a toddler. (Picture book)

 

travel for kids | travel tips | traveling with preschoolers