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Have kids, will travel: 8 tips for family trips

Kids should learn how to travel, and parents should learn how to support kids to make travel fun and adventurous. I polled a number of friends and family who have traveled with their kids, asking them for their favorite travel tips. Here are eight favorites relating specifically to airplane and road trips, but I am sure these same lessons apply to most every form of transportation.

3. When in route, wear them out

Andy Nelson / The Christian Science Monitor, File
Unfazed by the beginning of an overnight train trip, 10-week-old Kiran waits as he waits for his mother and brother to finish the ticketing process at the Amtrak counter at Union Station in Washington, DC.

When they were smaller, we always booked bulkhead, then put a blanket on the floor with some toys (after take off of course!). Put your bag at the aisle side and it creates a mini play area – Priscille, mother of Rachael, 8 years, and Matthew, 6 years  

When flying, I sometimes skip the early boarding call to allow more time for wiggles before we lock ourselves in a plane. Before you fly, also try to book a bulkhead or aisle seat to maintain access to the aisles without disturbing other passengers and giving kids the option to move around in-flight.

If your baby is still small enough to be worn in a carrier, wear them when you travel through an airport. Too often I’ve watched beautifully adorned fluffy pink car seats slammed face down onto the conveyor belt at airport security, soiled for eternity because TSA personnel cannot allow you carry the baby through the scanner in the seat. If you do decide to take the car seat with you, either for use in-flight or at your destination, purchase a bag for the seat to avoid getting it dirty. The same tip applies to strollers. 

Road trips offer multiple chances to stop and get out and play with the kids and snack along the way. Allot 2-3 extra hours per 6 hour trip to stop for food, bathroom and play breaks. If your road trip is more than 8 hours, consider making an overnight stop.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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