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!