Flying with two kiddos is so different than flying with just one. Add the toddler factor and it makes it much more difficult. Add flying solo with kiddos and just say hello to insanity!
We've traveled to Seattle, Honolulu, San Diego and Jacksonville, and the longer flight wasn't necessarily the most challenging. My flight to Jacksonville was the shortest and the most humiliating. Why you ask? The terrible threes! But when you get to your destination, you very quickly forget about the in-flight craziness and are able to enjoy the new venue. Or perhaps you want to live in la-la land for a while, and pretend that you never have to get back on the plane to make that return flight. Either way, you make the most of the trip and you chalk the flight up to another accomplishment.
I have a bag of goodies, a bag I add to with every plane trip I take. I got many ideas from the web including the below. I buy everything from Amazon.com because I have prime membership and I can get everything mailed to me in two days and Diapers.com, also fast shipping!
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/products/travel-toys/
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/products/travel-toys/?age=toddler
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?siteId=117&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85218&N=85218
Let's start from the beginning though-getting through security and on that plane. If you have an infant, then I highly recommend bringing a carrier like the Bjorn or Ergo Carrier.
If traveling with just an infant, you can check the stroller and just use the carrier, or gate check the stroller and use it to lug your carry-ons through the airport. The smaller the stroller, the better, but then you give up a lot of the luxuries of your nice stroller. I always feared that my Bugaboo would get damaged in the flight and the airlines have all kinds of disclaimers that state that they are not responsible...blah, blah, blah. I do miss the ease of my nice stroller once I get to the destination, but never enough to reconsider my choice.
If you are flying with two, I borrowed my friend's Peg Pergo Aria. You can either hook the infant car seat into it and gate check both, or baggage check the car seat--most airlines do not charge you for that. Make sure you ask them for a large bag to put the seat into, to minimize any damage. As for the toddler's car seat--what a pain! Sometimes we use the Go Go Kidz Travelmate and convert that car seat into a stroller and use that seat to lock the kiddo into the seat of the plane. It kinda gives my little guy the sense of having to stay seated, just like in the car. If the car seat is narrow enough, you can just wheel that seat down the aisle of the plane, and the Go Go Travelmate folds up in seconds and can be stored in the overhead compartment. You will need the extension belt to add to the seat belt to hook the car seat into the seat on the plane, so ask an attendant as you go aboard. If you are traveling alone, you could check the stroller and then use the car seat/travelmate as a stroller, with the little one in the carrier. It all really comes down to comfort level. One disclaimer, make sure you buy one of the newer Go Go Travelmates that disassemble faster. The original has you screwing and unscrewing the seat and from what I hear is a nightmare. All of the above depends on if you have a layover, especially in a large airport, where you might have to run from one terminal to another to catch your connector with kiddos in tow. That is when the stroller comes in handy, with little else. You can just pop those kids in the stroller and infant carrier--load the other bags into the other side of the stroller and run. But if there is no connecting and it is a long flight, I always check the stroller and bring that car seat on to strap my little guy in for the long haul. Of course, you can always leave the car seats home too and rent them when you rent your car. They are not the nicest, but get the job done, and it is one less thing to get through security.
I always laugh when they announce at the gate that they are pre-boarding families with young children. Why on earth would you want to be trapped on that plane with your munchkins for any longer than need be???? To each their own though. I try to let my little one run around a bit before getting on the plane. They are going to have to stay seated for a long time, so no sense in rushing to get them seated. So wait a little bit, or send your spouse on first to secure the overhead storage, then come on a little later with the kiddos. Once on the plane, you'll want to have your bags of goodies very organized and easily accessible. I pack two carry-ons--one with diaper supplies and toys and the other with food/snacks and the dvd player. Keep in mind that not all planes have a changing table in their lavatories. I was surprised, but it's happened several times, including on my flight to Hawaii--that's right! So make sure to pack a changing pad and also disposable changing pads . Even if you do find a changing station, sometimes they are just too gross to put your changing pad down. After all, you are just folding it up and putting the exposed side that touched that nasty table into your bag to touch everything else. Disclaimer, I am sometimes a germaphobe. Also bring a change of clothes for the kiddos AND YOU! I have a friend whose child got a terrible case of the runs upon takeoff. Needless to say, they too were flying to Hawaii from the East Coast and had to stay in their stinky clothes the entire flight. I have another friend who didn't know their kiddo had motion sickness issues until his stomach contents erupted all over the two of them (and their neighbor), again with no extra clothes. Another friend's luggage was delayed--a nice way of saying LOST, so she relied on her extra outfits for the next day before her luggage was delivered. Honestly, I've never had to use the extra set of clothes I've packed, but I am fairly certain that the time I don't pack that extra set will be the time I need them. I have good luck like that--the best of luck most of the time, but the worst of luck, especially if I am already down. Story of my life, but that's for another posting or for when I find a therapist.
Ideas for toys and in-flight entertainment for the wee-little ones... The list is endless and SOOOOOOO necessary. I didn't let my first kiddo, my now three-year old son, watch TV/DVDs until he was 15 months and on our way across country to Seattle. We did a bunch of Baby Einstein--the Wordsmith series, like Baby Einstein: Baby Wordsworth - First Words: Around the House, Baby Einstein - Baby's Favorite Places - First Words Around Town, Baby Einstein - On the Go - Riding, Sailing and Soaring, Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals, or Baby Einstein - Baby MacDonald - A Day on the Farm. You don't get to sue Disney and Baby Einstein for your kids not becoming geniuses-that's already been done, but at least they are learning words and some sign language--so getting some educational value instead of watching some yellow sponge moan and groan about living under the sea. Other DVDs we love are Mickey Mouse Club House, Backyardigans--love the music, Leap Frog's ABC Letter Factory and Curious George. Though, sometimes I wonder about George--does he actually give my son ideas on how to act like a monkey and cause mischief??? Hmmmm, the verdict is still out, but George has really enhanced my son's role playing and summarizing story skills. I'll overlook the jumping off the couch, while making monkey noises on this one, but maybe not if he were leaping from seat to seat on the plane. Here are some comfy kid earphones that are safe for kids-Maxell 190338 Kids Safe Headphone.
Other ideas for the plane if you are not into letting your kid zone out with the DVD...finger puppets, play-doh, etch-a-sketch, flap books (open flaps ahead of time to eliminate any frustration), small plastic animals, hot wheel cars, magnet toys, latch puzzles, nesting cups, aqua-doodles, and even painter's tape. I personally love and Lauri Toys Toddler Tote and
Moody Bear Travel Bag. I also peruse the bargain aisles at Borders and Barnes and Noble a week before a trip and get some great deals and some fun, new books/toys that are always a hit.
I have more specific toys below and link from amazon for travel toys.
A small picture album with pics of your family in it so you can have him identify the different people
http://www.amazon.com/Ss-Photo-Albums-Dspl-7-25/dp/B001IYKUUW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272302070&sr=1-6
Finger puppets
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Made-Wool-Finger-Puppets/dp/B001B8P3XO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272301898&sr=1-14
Magnetic Joey Dress-Up Doll
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Joey-Magnetic-Dress-Up/dp/B000VO3HC8/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4_rsrsrs1
Magnetic alphabet maze--inside plastic cover so alphabet pieces can't fall out
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7CLL676~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/blockplaymanipulatives/finemotordevelopment.jsp Magnetic color maze
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/p%7CJJ453~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/blockplaymanipulatives/finemotordevelopment.jsp
Other toys that may work
http://www.amazon.com/Wonderworld-Eco-Friendly-Rainbow-Blocks/dp/B00005BHUU/ref=pd_sbs_t_6
Maybe velcro toys--so he can put it on and take it off over and over again?
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Catch-Stick-Monster/dp/B000O8PHVA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272302217&sr=1-4
Some people wrap each toy so it gives the kiddos one more activity and some kids love unwrapping toys. Whatever you choose, dole them out one at a time and make the most of each one.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks that your kids love and some drinks. Again, as long as you have the kids, you can get through security with all of this, it just takes a few more minutes for them to go through your bags. I would hold off on too much sugar and if you want to pack milk, Horizons has individual sizes that don't need to be refrigerated. There are these new NurturMe Dried Baby Food . Just add water and little baby has yummy baby food! There are also little pouches of Plum Organics Baby Second Blends and GoGo Squeez appleapple, Applesauce on the Go--just squeeze and serve.
Anyone have any other suggestions? We'd love to hear about it!
Happy travels-may your journey be stress-free, tantrum-free, and full of adventure-the good kind of adventure! Oh, and have someone ready with a drink on the other side--you'll need it.
We've traveled to Seattle, Honolulu, San Diego and Jacksonville, and the longer flight wasn't necessarily the most challenging. My flight to Jacksonville was the shortest and the most humiliating. Why you ask? The terrible threes! But when you get to your destination, you very quickly forget about the in-flight craziness and are able to enjoy the new venue. Or perhaps you want to live in la-la land for a while, and pretend that you never have to get back on the plane to make that return flight. Either way, you make the most of the trip and you chalk the flight up to another accomplishment.
I have a bag of goodies, a bag I add to with every plane trip I take. I got many ideas from the web including the below. I buy everything from Amazon.com because I have prime membership and I can get everything mailed to me in two days and Diapers.com, also fast shipping!
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/products/travel-toys/
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/products/travel-toys/?age=toddler
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?siteId=117&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85218&N=85218
Let's start from the beginning though-getting through security and on that plane. If you have an infant, then I highly recommend bringing a carrier like the Bjorn or Ergo Carrier.
If traveling with just an infant, you can check the stroller and just use the carrier, or gate check the stroller and use it to lug your carry-ons through the airport. The smaller the stroller, the better, but then you give up a lot of the luxuries of your nice stroller. I always feared that my Bugaboo would get damaged in the flight and the airlines have all kinds of disclaimers that state that they are not responsible...blah, blah, blah. I do miss the ease of my nice stroller once I get to the destination, but never enough to reconsider my choice.
If you are flying with two, I borrowed my friend's Peg Pergo Aria. You can either hook the infant car seat into it and gate check both, or baggage check the car seat--most airlines do not charge you for that. Make sure you ask them for a large bag to put the seat into, to minimize any damage. As for the toddler's car seat--what a pain! Sometimes we use the Go Go Kidz Travelmate and convert that car seat into a stroller and use that seat to lock the kiddo into the seat of the plane. It kinda gives my little guy the sense of having to stay seated, just like in the car. If the car seat is narrow enough, you can just wheel that seat down the aisle of the plane, and the Go Go Travelmate folds up in seconds and can be stored in the overhead compartment. You will need the extension belt to add to the seat belt to hook the car seat into the seat on the plane, so ask an attendant as you go aboard. If you are traveling alone, you could check the stroller and then use the car seat/travelmate as a stroller, with the little one in the carrier. It all really comes down to comfort level. One disclaimer, make sure you buy one of the newer Go Go Travelmates that disassemble faster. The original has you screwing and unscrewing the seat and from what I hear is a nightmare. All of the above depends on if you have a layover, especially in a large airport, where you might have to run from one terminal to another to catch your connector with kiddos in tow. That is when the stroller comes in handy, with little else. You can just pop those kids in the stroller and infant carrier--load the other bags into the other side of the stroller and run. But if there is no connecting and it is a long flight, I always check the stroller and bring that car seat on to strap my little guy in for the long haul. Of course, you can always leave the car seats home too and rent them when you rent your car. They are not the nicest, but get the job done, and it is one less thing to get through security.
I always laugh when they announce at the gate that they are pre-boarding families with young children. Why on earth would you want to be trapped on that plane with your munchkins for any longer than need be???? To each their own though. I try to let my little one run around a bit before getting on the plane. They are going to have to stay seated for a long time, so no sense in rushing to get them seated. So wait a little bit, or send your spouse on first to secure the overhead storage, then come on a little later with the kiddos. Once on the plane, you'll want to have your bags of goodies very organized and easily accessible. I pack two carry-ons--one with diaper supplies and toys and the other with food/snacks and the dvd player. Keep in mind that not all planes have a changing table in their lavatories. I was surprised, but it's happened several times, including on my flight to Hawaii--that's right! So make sure to pack a changing pad and also disposable changing pads . Even if you do find a changing station, sometimes they are just too gross to put your changing pad down. After all, you are just folding it up and putting the exposed side that touched that nasty table into your bag to touch everything else. Disclaimer, I am sometimes a germaphobe. Also bring a change of clothes for the kiddos AND YOU! I have a friend whose child got a terrible case of the runs upon takeoff. Needless to say, they too were flying to Hawaii from the East Coast and had to stay in their stinky clothes the entire flight. I have another friend who didn't know their kiddo had motion sickness issues until his stomach contents erupted all over the two of them (and their neighbor), again with no extra clothes. Another friend's luggage was delayed--a nice way of saying LOST, so she relied on her extra outfits for the next day before her luggage was delivered. Honestly, I've never had to use the extra set of clothes I've packed, but I am fairly certain that the time I don't pack that extra set will be the time I need them. I have good luck like that--the best of luck most of the time, but the worst of luck, especially if I am already down. Story of my life, but that's for another posting or for when I find a therapist.
Ideas for toys and in-flight entertainment for the wee-little ones... The list is endless and SOOOOOOO necessary. I didn't let my first kiddo, my now three-year old son, watch TV/DVDs until he was 15 months and on our way across country to Seattle. We did a bunch of Baby Einstein--the Wordsmith series, like Baby Einstein: Baby Wordsworth - First Words: Around the House, Baby Einstein - Baby's Favorite Places - First Words Around Town, Baby Einstein - On the Go - Riding, Sailing and Soaring, Baby Einstein - Neighborhood Animals, or Baby Einstein - Baby MacDonald - A Day on the Farm. You don't get to sue Disney and Baby Einstein for your kids not becoming geniuses-that's already been done, but at least they are learning words and some sign language--so getting some educational value instead of watching some yellow sponge moan and groan about living under the sea. Other DVDs we love are Mickey Mouse Club House, Backyardigans--love the music, Leap Frog's ABC Letter Factory and Curious George. Though, sometimes I wonder about George--does he actually give my son ideas on how to act like a monkey and cause mischief??? Hmmmm, the verdict is still out, but George has really enhanced my son's role playing and summarizing story skills. I'll overlook the jumping off the couch, while making monkey noises on this one, but maybe not if he were leaping from seat to seat on the plane. Here are some comfy kid earphones that are safe for kids-Maxell 190338 Kids Safe Headphone.
Other ideas for the plane if you are not into letting your kid zone out with the DVD...finger puppets, play-doh, etch-a-sketch, flap books (open flaps ahead of time to eliminate any frustration), small plastic animals, hot wheel cars, magnet toys, latch puzzles, nesting cups, aqua-doodles, and even painter's tape. I personally love and Lauri Toys Toddler Tote and
Moody Bear Travel Bag. I also peruse the bargain aisles at Borders and Barnes and Noble a week before a trip and get some great deals and some fun, new books/toys that are always a hit.
I have more specific toys below and link from amazon for travel toys.
A small picture album with pics of your family in it so you can have him identify the different people
http://www.amazon.com/Ss-Photo-Albums-Dspl-7-25/dp/B001IYKUUW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272302070&sr=1-6
Finger puppets
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Made-Wool-Finger-Puppets/dp/B001B8P3XO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272301898&sr=1-14
Magnetic Joey Dress-Up Doll
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Joey-Magnetic-Dress-Up/dp/B000VO3HC8/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4_rsrsrs1
Magnetic alphabet maze--inside plastic cover so alphabet pieces can't fall out
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7CLL676~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/blockplaymanipulatives/finemotordevelopment.jsp Magnetic color maze
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/p%7CJJ453~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/blockplaymanipulatives/finemotordevelopment.jsp
Other toys that may work
http://www.amazon.com/Wonderworld-Eco-Friendly-Rainbow-Blocks/dp/B00005BHUU/ref=pd_sbs_t_6
Maybe velcro toys--so he can put it on and take it off over and over again?
http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Toys-Catch-Stick-Monster/dp/B000O8PHVA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1272302217&sr=1-4
Some people wrap each toy so it gives the kiddos one more activity and some kids love unwrapping toys. Whatever you choose, dole them out one at a time and make the most of each one.
Make sure to pack lots of snacks that your kids love and some drinks. Again, as long as you have the kids, you can get through security with all of this, it just takes a few more minutes for them to go through your bags. I would hold off on too much sugar and if you want to pack milk, Horizons has individual sizes that don't need to be refrigerated. There are these new NurturMe Dried Baby Food . Just add water and little baby has yummy baby food! There are also little pouches of Plum Organics Baby Second Blends and GoGo Squeez appleapple, Applesauce on the Go--just squeeze and serve.
Anyone have any other suggestions? We'd love to hear about it!
Happy travels-may your journey be stress-free, tantrum-free, and full of adventure-the good kind of adventure! Oh, and have someone ready with a drink on the other side--you'll need it.
interesting article,, thanks for sharing .. I am glad to read it because it adds to my knowledge
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the article helpful-happy traveling!
ReplyDelete