Tips For Traveling With Children

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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While finding cheap travel options, such as cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages are great ways to plan for a trip, unhappy children can make any trip miserable.

Smart travelers make certain to pack snacks, craft projects and games that can be played as a family. When kids get fussy and need to chill out, giving them a portable DVD player or game device will often do the trick.

The following are different types of travel gear for children that can help make your trip easier:

• Instead of trying to bring a 20 pound car seat, pack a CARES restraint system that weighs only one pound and fits easily in carry-on. This lap and shoulder device is Federal Aviation Administration approved and keeps kids snug in their airplane seats. Sold by Kidsflysafe for $75.

• Sticker scenes are available in a variety of backgrounds (such as zoos and pirate ships) and are made on paper so that kids can use crayons or pens to decorate them. Many toy stores sell such stickers for around $10.

• Lego kits to build objects like cars or cabins are great for occupying kids. ...
... Toy stores sell such kits starting at $12.

• Arts and crafts kits consisting of scissors, crayons, markets and paper that fit into a single manageable case can be purchased at most toy stores or assembled by a parent. TravelKiddy makes age appropriate activity kits that come in colorful totes or backpacks and include separate fun packs for the trip home. They are priced $35 and up.

• An inflatable beach ball and bubbles prove handy for occupying kids at rest stops.

• The Trunki is a small ride-on suitcase available in assorted designs including a ladybug and tiger from Kidstravelhappy for around $40.

• BoostApac is a hand luggage backpack that converts to a booster seat from alexandalexa for $74.

• Chalkboard Placements help keep kids occupied in cars, planes and restaurants while waiting for meals. A two pack comes with roll up placemats, chalk that fits inside the pockets and sponge and is sold for $17.95 by Leapsandbounds.

• Alex Toys sells a car valet that acts as a fold out desk and storage unit that attaches to the back for car or plane seats for easy access to supplies. Amazon sells this item for $25.

• Travel size games including Candyland, Hi Ho Cherry-O and Zingo helps make time fly.

• The Go-Pod is a collapsible activity seat for babies and comes with a floor pad, seat height adjusters, drink and snack holders and toys loops. Sold by Babiesrus for $55.

• Potty Protectors are biodegradable, with no-shift adhesive strips and oversized to keep children’s hands off toilet seats. Sold as a 10 pack for $6.95 by Leapsandbounds.
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