Creative Travel - Empowering Your Child's Experience

Hello again! Today I'll be sharing some tips on ways that we, as parents, can empower our child's travel experience. By understanding what excites them and connects them more deeply to their experiences, your child will be more engaged in the richness of their travel adventures.

The key to creative, immersive travel for little ones is pace and space. Pace your activities so there is time in between to relax. Space your travel and activities for comfort and ease, and avoid cramming activities too closely, so that your child can maximise their engagement in a relaxed and easy way. The engaged yet relaxed, unhurried child will not feel boredom, and learns to become an appreciative traveller. These early developmental years can set the child up for a future of easy and fulfilling travelling, when they are eventually ready to explore the world independently, as young adults.

Each child has a combined learning style that can make any journey a more engaging one. Understanding your child's learning style - their preferences towards Auditory, Visual, or Kinaesthetic stimuli - can help with the three stages of their journey.

Enjoying All Three Stages of The Travel Journey

Engagement and a focus on experiential learning helps make children's journeys more fun, exciting, and memorable. There are three stages of any child's travel adventure:

1. The preparation and anticipation of the trip.

2. The journey itself with all its new experiences and discoveries.

3. And lastly, recalling the experiences and enjoying the memories of the trip.

During travel preparation, the Auditory learner prefers to talk about the trip and enjoys hearing stories or listening to music that conjures up the soundscape of the journey. The Visual learner loves to see images and photos of the places they'll visit, and likes to create drawings of the journey plan, and enjoys looking at maps. The Kinaesthetic learner relishes the tactile experience of packing items for the trip, and likes to chose their own items. Of course all children demonstrate a combination of learning styles, but there is usually a preference.

On the journey, the child will enjoy many modes of learning as the travel experience expands their world and opens their imagination. Culturally, there are new sights, sounds and textures. Geographically there are new terrains, weather and people to connect with. There are a plethora of new experiences for the child, many of which they can enjoy again in the evenings by recalling their sensory adventures. If a small portion of each day is dedicated to documenting or recording the journey, they will have memories for life.

After the journey, a documented trip is the source of much excitement, and a wonderful way to recollect their adventures and share with family and friends. Documenting their experience carves out lovely life-long memories. Children can create their own stories as they travel. When the travel experience is a mixture of fun and immersion into new adventures, then the recalling of events follows naturally. It is important for adults to create this 'sacred space' each day for the re-telling of events, through their child's eyes. It is also essential to keep the child's itinerary parred down, and not over-filled with too many adventures in a day. Keep some free time for play, meals, bathroom, rest. When the schedule is too full, the child will be over-stimulated and unable to recall as much.

Here are some ways you can empower your child's travel experience by supporting their learning styles:

The AUDITORY Child

* Enjoys listening to spoken word, music or stories, is often impatient to speak and is chatty. 

* Says words like “loud/soft, sounds like, listen”. 

* Sings, hums or chats to themselves, or to their pets, and gives different voices to their toys when playing, or to characters when reading books.

* Enjoys recalling their experiences, and is an expressive story-teller with a wide vocabulary.

Travel Tips for The AUDITORY Child

1. Pack their own special comfy headphones and device with children’s music or spoken stories. 

2. Engage in talking or read stories about your upcoming travel plans onboard the flight.

3. See local children’s shows, theatre, musical events or cultural events with sound and story telling, etc, eg: puppet shows, local cultural plays for children. 

4. Encourage conversations with other children and learn a few local words if the language is different to their own. Practice local, colloquial greetings!

5. Teach them to recall their daily experiences in spoken story form – and record in written or sound recording format. Capture local sounds or music and compile in MP3 to make a travel CD, or sound bytes to accompany their story book - which can be electronic or physical, on paper. If a paper book, simply insert a cd sleeve and make the cd a part of the book. If electronic, insert sound recordings of your child talking, with images.

6. Great travel purchases include cultural musical instruments, children's cds, or story books with local characters and fables.

The VISUAL Child

*  Assimilates information best when it is accompanied by visual and colourful imagery.  

* Enjoys movies, story books with pictures and loves drawing.

* Says words like “imagine, see, look”.

* Enjoys writing and drawing, often presents you with drawings and tells you about imaginary worlds and fantasy creatures or characters.

Travel Tips for The VISUAL Child

1. Take books and colouring in items, plus games like jigsaws or visual memory cards. Take a small file of maps and brochures - download from the internet and print.

2. Colouring books, writing materials and an art pad with pencils and crayons are fun! Get local colouring books to learn about culture. A clip board is useful, A5 sized ones can accompany any trip and are great to attach brochures, blank paper or note paper to.  

3.  Explore themed events, like make believe lands with fantasy characters and activities, that tell stories through visual mediums.  

4. Show them how to take photos and then print these on the trip every few days, add to a daily visual diary where they add and embellish with hand drawn experiences. 

5. Gift them with their own small camera for the journey, and create small video clips - which you can edit together later to make a film of the journey. This is a wonderful way they can show relatives or friends at each new place en-route!

6. Great travel purchases include cultural story books, colouring books or videos of local fables, characters or adventure stories. Local games or picture postcards to take home.

The KINAESTHETIC Child

* Responds to gesture and action. Moves, shuffles and 'demonstrates' ideas and actions when talking. 

* Says words like “feels like, hold, touch”. 

* Prefers to show through touch, takes your hand and leads you to toys, items, etc.

* Enjoys hugs, and is easily soothed with a cuddle.

Travel Tips for The KINAESTHETIC Child

 1. Take items from home that ground them instantly, like a favourite cuddly toy, doll  or character (that can accompany them on their travels - remember a few changes of clothes for the doll!), or a favourite blanket or pillow.

2. Pack a few small activity sets, so they can build an item that can be packed easily. Origami, modelling clay or tactile items like Rubic cubes will keep hands busy and are engaging on long journeys.

3. Scout out hands on play spaces and activities, such as cooking lessons, crafts or physical activities on your travels. 

4. Going to playgrounds often, enjoying short walking tours or cultural children's sports or dance, helps to develop co-ordination skills and creativity. 

5.  Create a small tactile piece of art each day, add local found objects for scrapbooking. Collect small found items in a travel box from cultural adventures or play experiences (be mindful of customs rules). These tactile collectable items will rouse wonderful memories each time the child handles them.

6. Great travel purchases include cultural toys or characters, regional craft supplies or local sports items.

Enjoy your holiday...and have fun creating memories that your child will cherish for life!

Keti Sharif

Travelling with Toddlers

This is all about travelling with toddlers… possibly the toughest phase for any travel parent. Three important things the travelling toddler needs to stay as happy, occupied and hopefully as quiet as possible, are:

1. Fun
2. Comfort
3. Security

For the fun component, they need their senses engaged positively. For comfort, things around them need to feel familiar and clothes need to feel comfy. Lastly security is a real issue at this age, so to help your toddler feel secure, they need to have the all things they need, like toys and snacks, and blanket, nearby - so you'll need to create a great travel pack. They also feel more secure when the parents are relaxed, smiling and having a good time. Parents set the tone of travel, so show them how much of a fabulous and fun experience it can be!

Babies cry to express their needs, but at least your toddler can communicate. They have the ability to communicate things like needing food or water, needing to sleep, feeling bored, etc. So at least toddlers are easier to understand than babies, which is a bonus for a travelling parent. The plus side is that the toddler can communicate their needs more easily and you can respond accordingly. The minus side is that toddler temper tantrums are pretty terrible! So to keep the tantrums at bay, everyone needs to be prepared, including your little one.

The hardest thing about traveling with a toddler is that now they are on the MOVE - toddling, running, wriggling, climbing. Oh dear! How does a squirming toddler survive waiting in lengthy airport queues, and how do they handle a flight, especially the long haul journeys?

Again, its really essential that the parent is relaxed and prepared, so organise your own travel items, and toddlers, way in advance. Before the trip, make sure everything on your to-do list is sorted, at least a day or two before the trip so you are not overwhelmed – tickets, packing, home, pets, etc.

·      * Give your toddler their own small suitcase. Tip - compartments are great. Pop some small plastic storage boxes in as ‘compartments’, with the item name and a picture of it, on the lid. Small plastic fishing tackle boxes or kitchenware are handy for this.

    * Backpacks can be too heavy to be safe. A heavy back pack is unsafe and uncomfortable, especially for long walks in airports. Considering a safe weight for a backpack is less than 10% of your child's body weight, if a child is 15kg, the bag could not weigh more than 1.5kg. So I suggest reconsidering backpacks and go for a roll-along suitcase instead. Roll-alongs are pretty cute these days with so many to choose from!

·      * Get them to help choose what small items they would love to take on their journey. Give them the opportunity to make decisions about toys, snacks, crayons, blanket, etc. Allow a week or so for them to become familiar with the travel case that they own. This allows them to establish a bond with their ‘special’ case and provides a positive experience for their travels. Even small decisions like choosing stickers and decorating their case makes them feel like they are creating something special!

·      * Trunkies and wheel along cases are fun to ride on, but can be tricky when toddler is fast asleep and needs to be held as you disembark. So only take these type of cases where you know the hours are ones little one should be awake.

·      * Take a sturdy but light stroller with you for your toddler, with a large storage space underneath, and one that can lean back. Remember that you can pop a small piece of luggage at the back, so these strollers can be useful to streamline your load, especially of they can store your hand carry.

·      * Its good to have your toddler’s suitcase attached at the side, so they can see it. Sometimes just knowing all their snacks and toys are in reach makes them feel secure. You can use a velcro band, small fabric covered hooks (like the ones you hand over doors) or a thick elastic band - even a woman's belt with a secure velcro attachment, can work to secure a light bag to the side.

·      * Make the most of your Stroller. As per the ‘Travelling with Babies’ article - ask if you may take your stroller into the airport to the gate and give it up at the flight gate on embarking. And ALWAYS ask to have your stroller delivered right to the door of the aircraft on disembarkation, especially for night flights.

·      * Make your toddler's suitcase magical! Pack your toddler’s favourite snack food, toys, and blanket their case.

·      * Don't add everything they need, into their case. Take the less exciting things like and nappies, extra frozen drink (if allowed) and bibs, or change of clothes, and nappies if they need them, in an easy access bag that you carry. Even if they are out of nappies, it can be an idea to have a few spares and one for the flight.

·      *  Pack snacks in small and colourful containers or boxes, within a box section. You can even put coloursed stickers on plain plastic packs to make them look more appealing.

·      * Remember their travel bib, a plastic one is easier to keep clean. Take a spare.

·      * Dress your toddler comfortably, for play. Dress your toddler in comfy clothes and shoes/socks, with a few layers like a cotton singlet, t-shirt and light sweater that can easily be taken off if they get too warm. Avoid fancy clothes or synthetics. I find that even for girls, pants and tracksuits are better than skirts, because they like to climb and move.

·      * Specially selected security items for sleepy time...their favourite sleepy toy and blanket will make it easier to doze off with a sense of security or familiarity.

·      * Pre-order a child’s meal on budget flights, or if you have an option, try to check the child meal content – as sometimes if its junk food like hotdog and chips, you might be better off ordering a simple meal for an adult like a pasta dish.

·      * Make sure that most snacks are nutritious ones, just incase they don't take to the airplane food. Pack a healthy sandwich and some chopped fruit and veggie sticks, just incase.

·      * Some airports have a play area, in fact more and more are doing this. If you are not sure, check it out online before traveling.

    * Temper tantrum bribery tip... at the onset of a rush of emotion, be prepared - you know the signs parents! Be sure to buy a couple of small interesting toys and wrap them up like a gift. You will know when its the right time to say "Oooooh look what I found! The travel fairies said you can have this special gift, but only if you be really GOOD." Not too often, or they'll catch on.

·      * Take some mild wet wipes for cleaning grubby hands and face. And take the flushable baby toilet wipes too! Actually, I never flush these, but I do wrap them and discard in the toilet bin area. Keeps the little one's bottom nice and clean. :) Tissues, plastic zip lock bags and wet wipes - save the day.

·     *  If you can take your child’s drinks onboard, freeze one if necessary on a long haul flight. Remember a little bottle for water too – they usually let you take water onboard (even where there is a 100ml liquids rule) if its for a toddler.

·     *  Try to secure the seat with the largest floor space in front of your feet. These spaces are usually just behind the toilets. Its handy for toddlers to play when seatbelt signs are off. Remember a plastic-backed piece of fabric – like a tablecloth, so they can play on that. A colourful one looks like more fun. This is also a great spot because your toddler can't kick the seat in front! I don't know why, but it seems to be a natural impulse for little ones, and really annoys the passenger in front.

·      * Have a handful of colourful toys and books ready for playing with. Drawing items are handy. They usually get a special pack of crayons onboard fro the airline. I find that  small sized clipboard is handy - the one with a safe clip at the top. Just bring some A5 sized sheets of paper along, thick paper or soft cardboard is much nicer and easier to draw on and to keep for later.

·      * Onboard, go for regular little walks up and down the aisle with toddler in front. Movement keeps them engaged, and they get smiles and waves or hi-fives, from many passengers.

·      * To ipad or not? It's definitely a handy techno ‘baby-sitter’ but I prefer to get the child used to traveling without that constant stimulus, so that they can learn to enjoy the experience of flying. Personally, I keep wi-fi off limits in the airport, and only allow ipad on long-haul budget flights when there is no TV entertainment available. Or, in more testing times, as a placator - only to be utilised for its 'zoning out effect' when the going really gets tough. But putting an ipad in your little one's hands right away, actually denies them of the amazing experience of being a fully engaged traveller. Make use of the free entertainment when you have games, but more importantly, engage their senses so that they learn to love travelling.

      

     So, keeping your toddler happy and all their little tactile senses engaged. Give them some room to move and play, and gifting them their own personalised toddler travel pack – makes the whole experience easier and more fun for everyone.

     Wishing you happy - and engaging - toddler travels!

Travelling with Babies 1-9 Months Old

Travelling and flying with babies can be a scary concept for many parents, mainly because they worry about the baby screaming and crying for the entire journey… while you hear people whispering “shhhh” and “geeeez” in seats behind you. Embarrassing and exhausting, right? Before they can walk or talk, babies cry a fair bit, as all parents know. They cry when they are hungry, tired, need a nappy change, feel constrained or are too warm – that may happen, but there are a quite a few things that can help minimize crying and flying stress for little tiny ones.  By addressing these issues in advance and being prepared, you'll have a more relaxed baby, less prone to crying.

The importance of being RELAXED...and organised.

Firstly, and most importantly, it is really essential that the parent is relaxed. I’ve seen it a thousand times on flights, buses, trains with parents on holidays; nervous, stressed out, frustrated or overwhelmed parents usually have a screaming baby. Which sets off the cycle. It is terribly hard and frustrating for both baby and parent, but it is an energetic or vibrational thing, I promise you!

By relaxing, and being prepared, your energy is more stable and you can cope with little things better...hence baby is also more relaxed. The baby also senses your mood, they are little emotional sponges, so they will 'feel' you. Especially when held. Babies - bless them, are so sensory and sensitive to subtle energies and emotions around them. Yet, its the practical things that help parents.

So, here are a few things a parent can do:

• Before the trip, make sure everything gets done and is organized at home, then give yourself a whole day of not doing much. Then you won't feel as stressed with last minute errands. Start preparing yourself early  - including packing, choice of stroller, etc in advance. Its a bit like event planning!
  
  

• Pack light and easy, have baby’s food, toys, blanket and nappies in an easy access bag.
  
  

• Dress baby light enough so he/she doesn't get hot and feel squeezed up. Keeping toes free seems to relax them.
  
  

• Avoid dressing baby up with pretty but awkward 'going out' clothes, or synthetics. Avoid headbands for girls or caps for boys, or wooly caps for little ones - keep the head free so they don't feel stifled. A soft cotton cap for travelling is best. Simple loose fitting cotton clothes are best. And some light little socks if it gets chilly (not shoes).
  
  

• Go for regular little walks up and down the plane with baby – they get excited seeing people and its engaging for them. Its movement and energy, which they enjoy. They’ll get a lot of waves and smiles too. :)
  
  

• If you are a Mama who breast feeds your baby, go for it! Don't worry about who’s around, just feed away when baby niggles. I breastfed my baby on the plane, and it was so easy and convenient. Breastfeeding Mama’s wear cool, loose easy access clothes and take a light muslin wrap to cover if needed. Get a corner seat and you’ll have privacy. Breastfeeding on descent is great to help babies equalize ear pressure.
  
  

• If bottle feeding, get the bottle warmed up in advance, so its ready to go, instead of waiting for a good cry to warn you. The stewardesses will assist. Have 2-3 small bottles ready to go, rather than one big one. Freeze one if necessary on a long haul flight. Again, bottle feed on descent for easing ear pressure.
  
  

• Bring a little bottle for water too – this can be filled up on the plane if it runs out. They usually let you take water onboard (even where there is a 100ml liquids rule) if its for baby.
  
  

• If they are eating, take a few snacks with you and some baby food and spoon.
  
  

• Teething? Take teething gel, teething rusks and teething rubber toy or frozen teething ring (they will cool it in the fridge for you on the flight if needed).
  
  

•   Have a handful of colourful toys and softly sounding distractions for baby, like things they can shake, hold and touch. A few different textures are exciting - don't pull all toys out at once. The trick is to rotate them to keep baby engaged.
  
  

• TIP: Finger puppets are fabulous!
  

• Be sure to have tissues and baby wipes on hand, tuck these into the magazine compartment in front of your seat, so you can grab them in an emergency!
  
  

• Take a spare set of baby clothes incase of emergencies, ie: vomit, slobber, food mess, spitting out lunch. Yes, it will most likely happen at least once. If you don't have kids, I hope that has not put you off having any!
  
  

• Grab that big space with a bassinet reserved for babies. If seated in the big bassinet area, you will have extra floor space (and leg room - a great bonus). Don't wait until check-in, because if there are more babies than bassinets, you could miss out. Call the airline early to reserve this prime space, or pre-book your seat if you can.
  
  

• Have a light piece of fabric like a small cheap (plastic backed) table cloth, for the floor infront of your feet for baby to play. They can usually play safely when seatbelt signs are off. They enjoy the freedom of being able to lie down and move in that floor space.
  
  

• Another piece of fabric (preferably plastic backed) is also good on the change table. It also is a reserve piece if the first gets dirty. Wash in the hotel later, its really handy - I carried one or two of these everywhere on my travels to put baby on floor. They are light, can be rolled up and weigh almost nothing.
  


• Smaller babies can play in the bassinet and they like it because its eye level.
  
  

• If you can be seated near another baby, they seem to really enjoy that, no matter how little. They usually keep each other amused - I have noticed this on many baby-filled flights.
  
  

• If babies look like they are getting friendly, and if you are travelling alone - offer to hold the baby of the parent next door, if they need to get up and visit the bathroom... they'll be happy to do the same for you. The babies are usually too fascinated with each other to notice the parent is missing for a few minutes.
  
  

• Take a good sturdy but light  weight stroller, one with a large storage space below, and one that can lean back when baby gets tired – instead of the lightweight summer strollers. I personally like Graco, as they are cheap (mine cost $100 and travelled to 43 cities) but best of all I was able to slide my small suitcase in the back easily.
  
  

• Or you could cheat a BIT and buy a stroller made for twins, and use the extra space for luggage on your travels!
  
  

• Jogger strollers tend to be really good for all types of terrain when travelling... they may be a bit pricier, but you can always buy a second hand one. The big wheels and great suspension are a godsend when you are on holidays. They are normally quite sturdy too.
  
  
  
• Ask if you may take your stroller to the boarding gate and give it up at the flight gate on embarking – some airlines allow this.
  
  

• ALWAYS ask to have your stroller delivered right to the door of the aircraft on disembarkation, as some airports are huge and require long walking times. To be able to pop baby and hand carry luggage into stroller is a welcome relief for tired parents… or sleepy babies.
  
  

• If you must have the stroller checked in early at the check-in counter, be sure to see if you can either borrow a hire stroller at the airport, or have your baby sling carrier on. To be extra sure, contact the airport beforehand to organize yourself better.
  
  

• A good stroller becomes your baby's transportation AND your bag carrier! Don't worry about the flimsy little strollers with no storage - pretty much every main travel area has lifts nowadays, and buses, trains, ferries, etc often have ramps or easy access.
  
  

• TIP: When you have a stroller, always look for the wheelchair access areas and lifts, including being on the lookout for disabled toilets or 'parent rooms'  as they have room to manoeuvre and often have change tables.
  
  

• Clever and minimal packing helps – see if you can limit your packing to two carry on pieces of lightweight luggage – eg: a small suitcase that fits snuggly into the back of your stroller, plus a lightweight backpack. This is why its worth investing in a stroller with a large storage at the back, they need not be expensive ones.
  
  

• Two small carry bags will make life easier - a light sling-across the shoulder bag that you can wear for documents, tickets, phone and pen for easy access at the airline counter. Plus a soft, compartmentalized bag for baby's stuff that can be hung on the stroller handles. Test all this weight-wise for safety BEFORE you leave for your holiday.
  
  

• YAY for Baby Carriers - be hands free! For babies under 6 months, a sling on frontal baby carrier is AWESOME! Just make sure to pop it on 10 minutes before landing – get your luggage together, and then pop baby in last. Staff will often help parents with hand carry when they have the baby carrier on! I enjoyed travelling and running events with one of these for the 2-6 months age. It was great! I got one that cost $30 second hand. Of course babies prefer facing outwards, to view the world. Then you can turn them to face inwards and snuggle in when sleepy. Here it is...
  
   

• Travelling with more than one child? It's a good idea to have one travelling adult for each child, it makes life so much easier. Most couples will travel together with two or more children, but if unpartnered or you are a couple with 3-4 kids, it can be worth bringing a family member of shorter holidays – even if it means buying their ticket, it will definitely pay off! You may even score a babysitter for a few evenings. The holidays I took my Mother along on were good fun, and I got pool time every day. :)
  
  

• Smiles and jokes with baby lift the energy all round, for you, baby and those around you!
  
  

• Parents, the main thing is to relax and enjoy your holiday and travel adventures, and treat it like a fun and easy event with your little one. Make sure YOU are relaxed, and enjoy the holiday spirit, and enjoy that glass of wine (if you are impartial to a drink) on the flight.
  
  

Stay relaxed, be prepared and pack light dear parents... and your child will be more relaxed.


I must say, in all the years I have traveled with my daughter, she never cried once. Except when she woke up once when I had gone to the bathroom, and she let out a little yell for her missing Mama.


Relaxed parent = relaxed baby traveller. :)


I hope this is helpful. If you have any other tips, feel free to post below!

Happy travels.

About This Blog

'How to Travel Easily with Kids' offers tips and ideas to make life easier for parents, when they set off for a journey with their little ones - from toddlers to ten years old. Articles focus on integrative planning and simple travel skills to make the parent's journey more relaxing, and the child's experience memorable and fun.

I've been travelling worldwide with my child since she was just a teeny weeny 19 day old baby, and we continued travelling for many years - mainly due to my work commitments in various continents. But we also enjoy travelling for holidays. By the age of 6, she and I had made 24 round-the-world trips to the USA, Europe and Africa, and countless smaller trips to Asia and within Australia - boarding almost 200 flights! This gave us the opportunity to try and test many different ways of travelling; from experimenting with packing, to food, entertainment, toys, transportation and more.

Travelling on planes, coaches, trains and boats for many years with a child, has been a wonderful way to enjoy variety of places and cultures. It has also been a great way to connect with other travelling parents and learn about their own clever ways of simplifying the journey and keeping the kids happy and engaged. Kids usually enjoy travel, but tend to get bored rather quickly with the process of getting there - especially if its a long trip. So, for parents who want an easy journey, it is a necessity to have 'kid-friendly' strategies in place for all kinds of travel events.

Exploration, discovery and adventures on travel journeys are quite different for a child, compared to what is experienced by an adult - so much of what I write is from the child's perspective as well. The aim is simplicity, ease and of course, the art of being prepared for travel and kid-friendly adventures!

In this blog I will be sharing some of the best travel tips I have learnt, to hopefully make your experience easier - and more fun - when travelling with children.