Tricks and Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

One of the best rewards of traveling is making memories with the entire family. Some would say that's the entire plan, in the first place. However, any family trip, whether in-flight or on the road, may be difficult once you have a toddler in tow.

The safety of your child should be your main concern for every part of your journey. Here are some tricks and tips from many parents’ actual experience traveling with their little ones. You may use this check list every time you plan for a trip to ensure your child and you create entirely happy memories during the whole ride.

1. Days before your trip, research in detail regarding your destination, especially if it is in a different country. Find a map online and print it. For example, most theme parks have downloadable maps from their websites. Study the map carefully. Where are the clinics? Restrooms? Should something happen, a parent should know where to go.
2. A day before your trip, explain to your kids what will be going on. Let them know what will be going to happen on the day of your trip. This will lessen child’s anxiety as you assure him that you will be with him all the time.
3. Set aside your expectations for your child’s behavior during the trip. This may include asking quietly your child if they want something, and if they behave there will be a reward.
4. While waiting to board, let your child burn up some energy by running in open spaces in the airport. You can also use this time to change diapers, explore the airport, visit the loo, and buy some bottled water.
5. Once on the plane, try to put your child to sleep by doing his familiar bedtime routine. That may be giving them milk, singing to them, or read a book.
6. Select restaurants that provide al fresco dining experience so that the toddler is entertained by a lot of visual stimulus from the person walking by when dining out.
7. If you are bringing a stroller, make it sure it has a tag with your name, address, and contact details. Then, marked it fragile.
8. Bring some snacks and put it in your handbag together with some small toys that they can play with. You may also bring your trusty iPod or books.
9. You should never runs out of these essential supplies: coreless toilet paper, baby wipes, alcohol, hand sanitizer, liquid soap, band-aids, skin antibiotic treatment, and paracetamol.
10. During sightseeing, keep in mind that anything could happen such as vomits, spills, change of weather. So always bring extra clothes for yourself, disposable raincoats, some face towels, and foldable umbrellas. Use a waterproof trolley bag rather than a backpack to carry this around. At the end of the day, you will be happy you kept extra weight off your back.
11. You need to understand that not all restaurants have high chairs so have your stroller ready for such cases.
12. Once you arrive at the hotel, ensure that all furniture in the room is stable. Have some duct tape ready that you can use it to cover all outlets that are within their reach.

Parents can’t at all times expect toddlers to be in their perfect behavior, however keeping them happy and always being ready for what may come are the keys to making your family trip a truly memorable one.