Traveling with toddlers

Kelly - posted on 06/17/2010

We traveled a good bit with Jake when he was a toddler. I second Dana's advice to take gum and let them chew it during take off and landing. I also recommend a trip to the pediatrician before you go for something in case of anxiety. Some kids freak out--they are literally panicking and scared. They usually recommend benadryl b/c most anxiety drugs are too strong for little ones, and ONLY give it to the child if he/she is truly frightened, not just to make them take a nap.



My favorite carry on toy is a magnadoodle. They make mid-sized ones--smaller than the big ones, but not so tiny you can't play on them. There are tons of games you can play with it--tic-tack-toe, finish the picture (you draw a few lines and let your child finish the picture, then let your child start & you finish), Read a book to them & let them draw the pictures, just scribble (surprisingly relaxing).

Bring a few small books to read to them--I like the soft cover ones that are long and have an actual story. Board books are difficult to pack and are too short to keep their attention long enough.



If the stewards will let you get a way with it, Jake loves to tuck the bottom of his blanket into the tray and the top into the sides of the headrest to make a tent. We've only ever had one stewardess tell us to take it down for security reasons (I guess she thought my 3 year old was building a bomb?)



Jake LOVES his Leapster2, if your toddlers are old enough I highly recommend that toy.



Also, if you use flashcards for teaching, this is a great time to go through those a few times :)



But don't bring TOO many things. They end up being a burden and your child will not play with half of it and whine about the fact that you brought 4 things he didn't want and couldn't bring the one thing he wanted. I always tell Jake he can pick one toy to go with the magnadoodle and he can pick the books. (a stuffed animal or action figure for comfort is always good).

Dana - posted on 06/14/2010

We bought the girls a portable DVD player before we went skiing last winter and that has been a great thing to have :) We are going for my grandparents 50th anniversary so our whole family will be there to lighten the load...supposedly... I'm not thrilled about the trip just because of the timing. I've got my fingers crossed that I will still be feeling ok and that the girls will be as good as a 1 1/2 and almost 3 year old can be :) We've been on longer car trips than the plane ride will be, and they've been almost surprisingly good. But in a car it's only my husband and I that have to listen to any fit they might throw...

Shannon - posted on 06/13/2010

Yikes Dana! :o) take gum and chew it...kids too if they can because it will help with the pressure and ear popping. Some flights have movies and stuff to watch or you could take a Portable dvd player and dvds. Crayons and lots of paper/coloring books or any portable activity they enjoy! Sorry I don't have more ideas. I've flown but not with my son. Though I think basically anything you use to entertain in a car will work in the plane. Give yourselves LOTS of extra time, airports are huge and hard to get through in the best of conditions but worse pregnant and with 2 toddlers, car seats, luggage, carry ons, ect. Best of luck and enjoy your trip!