Traveling with toddlers comes with its own set of challenges. Fortunately, several items you can pack will better prepare you for the journey. Not only will the right gear set you up for an easy trip, but mentally preparing your toddler and yourself for air travel is critical to making it as pleasant as possible.
Traveling with Toddlers: Easy Packing and Preparation Tips for Air Travel
Traveling with Toddlers doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Learn how to prepare for air travel with your little one with our easy-to-remember packing and preparation tips.
Be Ready for the Disruption in Routine
Kids love routine. It brings them comfort and a feeling of safety. Chat with your toddler and let them know that they’re about to experience something very different from what they’re used to. This doesn’t have to be a daunting conversation. Make it exciting by focusing on the fun things you will be doing when you arrive.
The trip itself can also be full of fun activities. Snacks, movies, quiet games, and a story or picture books are a great way to prepare for the inevitable boredom your toddler may experience. Talk about the plane, the clouds, and the view from the window, and watch your toddler’s eyes light up at the prospect.
Bring Extra Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are an item you can never have enough of while traveling with toddlers. (as a parent of a toddler, you probably already know about the uses of baby wipes, don’t you?)
Whether cleaning a dirty face or cleaning up a spill, baby wipes are compact, easily accessible, and easy to pack in your hand luggage. Any wipes you don’t use can be used on your trip, saving you the inconvenience of buying more when you’re there.
Pack Sunglasses with Ideal Polarization & Sunscreen
One of the most common disruptions parents experience when traveling with toddlers is the irritation of the sun’s glare on the eyes. To avoid this not-so-mild annoyance, pack sunglasses with ideal polarization in your carry bag.
Keeping the sun out of your toddler’s eyes will serve you well if the weather is sunny and bright. Plane windows have a way of accentuating the glare, something your toddler will not enjoy and likely make a fuss about.
Not only are these sunglasses great for air travel, but they will also be invaluable while you’re on your holiday. Together with skin-friendly sunscreen, polarization sunglasses protect your small child’s sensitive skin & eyes.
Get Multi-Purpose Toddler Travel Toys
You might be tempted to pawn your toddler off to your mobile device and keep them busy. However, starting with this can be a mistake as it won’t be long before your little one gets fidgety in their seat.
When a small child is forced to sit in one place for hours, they tend to get excruciatingly bored. Quiet fidgeting toys can help with this. It’s a great way to keep your toddler still while keeping their mind active at the same time.
Chances are your toddler will be in a better mood at the start because of the novelty of their new surroundings. So, leave the best for last. Keep the toys for the first half of the trip—a well-designed toy that isn’t too noisy or disruptive will do wonders—and leave the technology for the latter half.
Prepare a Travel First-Aid Kit
As a parent, you should know the importance of packing a first-aid kit before travel. But you can also pack a much smaller version in your hand luggage for the flight. A few basics will do:
- Plasters
- Disinfectant
- Herbal relaxant
- Gauze
- Any essential allergy medication
- Treatment for burns
- Antihistamine for sinus trouble
Knowing that you are prepared for anything about the above will set your mind at ease. Oh, and don’t forget those baby wipes!
In Summary
For the sake of your sanity and everyone else’s on your flight, remember that your toddler will want to make a noise and move around a lot. This can be mitigated by ensuring your carry bag is packed with quiet yet stimulating activities and comforting paraphernalia to almost entirely guarantee a super easy travel period.
