Just Plane Crazy
At Fat Tie we know active kids. We also know traveling. And traveling with active kids. We’ve learned a thing or two over the years, and we’d love to share some of favorite tips for traveling toting tots.
1. Most airlines today offer some type of free inflight entertainment; but if you plan to let your kids take advantage of it, be sure to bring your own kid-friendly earphones. Several companies make preschool-sized earphones, a few of which have a feature that does not allow the sound level to increase beyond a safe level for little ears. Also, you should consider bringing a personal dvd player or laptop, so that your kids can watch their own favorites.
2. Two words: Handheld games. Whether it’s one of the LeapFrog products, the VTech MobiGo, Fisher Price ixl, or Nintendo DS, kids love handheld video games; and they are generally good for passing at least 1/2 hour quietly. If you’re on an airplane or other crowded place, though, you’ll want to have headphones so that your children can listen to the games without bothering others.
3. Bring plenty of snacks. You know your kids and what they like – bring as many of their favorites as you can reasonably carry… especially the treats that are usually reserved for special times, since they can be a good behavior bribe tool if absolutely necessary. Yes, using food as a reward can send mixed signals, we get it doctor who doesn’t have to keep a kid quiet on a plane; but hey, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. And if a chocolate granola bar will save your sanity on a flight, then go for it!
4. Make sure the carry-on you carry on the plane fits neatly under the seat in front of you. Nothing is more annoying than having to get up every time your child wants a snack or a new toy; and flight attendants today will not let you slide with your big LL Bean Bag canvas bag sitting under your feet, no matter how much you plead.
5. Invest in travel bags for your stroller and car seats. If you plan to travel with “assist items” (strollers, car seats, etc.), which by the way are free to check on most airlines, invest in a bag that is meant to hold them for traveling. It is worth the investment to know that the items you use to carry your most precious cargo will be handled safely and the integrity of their fabrics will be protected.
We’d love to hear some of your favorite travel tips, too, so please let us know!