THERE IS MORE TO FLYING WITH TODDLERS THAN KEEPING THEM ENTERTAINED:
... There are long airport lines, security checkpoint(s), boarding the plane, sitting in a confined, shaking, noisy space that can pressure little ears, and travel etiquette issues like not kicking the seats...
But when children understand what to expect and what is expected of them, they are always much better behaved.
If parents are prepared and prepare their children as well, travel with little ones can be an absolute joy!
We find when we fly that parents have to do most of the entertaining, but there are some great travel toys for the toddler and preschooler set that are just as much fun for parents to play too ... and may even give a parent a well-deserved break!
Experience has taught us to bring only items that:
- have few (or no) extra pieces that aren't securely attached to the game (or you will spend the majority of your time fishing things off the dirty airplane floor);
- pack easily and don't take much room and
- will hold attention and be reusable (at least for the flight home!).
We are big fans of
DK Series Sticker Books and
Mudpuppy Press Play Scenes, quality
Magnetic Travel Games (like those made by
eeBoo), low-tech creative fun like
children's chopsticks (let toddlers 'fish' for their goldfish or raisins),
crayons and
drawing pads and
Lacing Cards. See below for some of our other favorites.
Where to find more recommended travel toys?
Our selection of high quality, family-tested, recommended products can be found at GoodLittleTraveler.com. Links to reputable vendors with even wider selections of travel toys and games can be found in the margin at left on that page as well.
- Also from GoodLittleTraveler.com,Travel Books for Children, equally appropriate for before you go and on the plane, are listed separately.
- JetWithKids.com - Plane Entertainment & Toys
Have a wonderful trip!
When I made the first appointment with my daughter's new dentist, we received a lovely packet that included a checklist to prepare my daughter for what to expect and what was expected of her at the dentist's office. As I am a firm believer in just that type of preparation (it is never too early to teach children to be responsible for themselves insofar as they are capable), you can imagine how pleased I was ... especially in one of the more obscure line items: "Please have your child dress up for their first visit."
Having been in the business of preparing toddlers to travel for a few years now, that line item is near and dear to my heart. As small a consideration as it may seem, attire can actually play a big role in the whole flying adventure.
Honor the journey, weight it with preparation, anticipation - and then dress for the occasion. That's not to say be fancy, but is to say: Match. Layer. Wear clean clothes that aren't ugly t-shirts. It's unconventional common sense advice, though not commonly found on family travel websites (which often focus on the comfort of the clothing). But comfort and decent attire are not mutually exclusive.
Just as Shae's dentist knows from experience, I can assure you that dressing yourself and your children in matching, comfortable, nice clothes (and by nice, I just mean lacking stains or holes) has at least two positive results:
1. Your fellow passengers' first impression of you (and we all know how important first impressions can be) is that you respect them, and the journey, and that you and your family are not taking the experience lightly. People are far more apt to be patient and less likely to presume that your kiddos will be a detriment to their flight if the parents and their kiddos appear respectable; and
2. Your children will understand, not only because they are told, but also because it is evident in the extra care taken in getting dressed, that traveling by air is something special. When they are not dressed as if it's just another day at daycare or preschool, and you are not dressed like the family is making a quick run to the supermarket, it sets a positive, exciting tone. And children who are excited to be doing something are far more apt to listen and behave in order to continue doing it. This is an airplane trip! Whether it's the first or the 500th it is still thrilling. My daughter has been on countless planes now, and every time it's exciting - for both of us - and we dress for the journey.
Update (12 June 2008): A recent article entitled "What Not To Wear On the Plane" by Christopher Elliott and featured on CNN.com further expounds on this subject.
Children - even toddlers! - have the capacity to understand what to expect and what is expected of them, and with that the ability to be respectful, Good Little Travelers.
Most TSA agents, flight attendants and airport personnel recognize that traveling children are often ill-prepared for the journey and for the most part are mindful of that fact and quite helpful. But traveling families have a responsibility to prepare themselves and their children for likely delays, long lines, the need to be flexible.
There is more to flying with toddlers than keeping them entertained and hoping for good behavior on the plane: there are long lines at busy airports, security checkpoint(s), boarding the plane, sitting in confined space that shakes and makes noise, not to mention puts sometimes incredible pressure on little ones' ears, and travel etiquette issues like not kicking the seats in front... all things that don't get addressed in the usual checklists.
Children learn best when they can use a variety of senses. The Shae by Air DVD Toolkit™ includes a DVD movie: something visual children could recognize and emulate, shot at their height - to see a good example set, to hear the process explained in words that encourage, not frighten or bore them. The Picture Packing List allows children to do something - to be a part of the trip. Helping pack makes it the children's trip too, not just something they are dragged along on. What is a DVD Toolkit? It's more than just a movie! It's everything your child needs to prepare to travel.
Endorsed in Northwest Airlines' inflight magazine, NWA World Traveler, as well as USC Childcare Programs, TripConnect, Inside Motherhood, and more, Shae by Air was filmed from a child's perspective and everything is shot from their height and eye level.
The Shae by Air DVD Toolkit contains:
- Entertaining Live Action Movie introducing air travel to young children
- Fun Airplane Music Video
- Video Message to Parents for use of the video as a preparatory tool
- Shae by Air Picture Packing List for toddlers
- Two I'm a Good Little Traveler! Luggage Tags
By watching Shae by Air, and using the tools included with the movie, children will: - Be comfortable and aware of boundaries and expectations before and during a trip
- Become familiar with travel environments, such as airport security and the airplane cabin
- Learn travel and social etiquette through peer role modeling
- Feel empowered with a sense of responsibility for themselves while traveling
- Look forward to their next big travel adventure!
We find when we fly that parents have to do most of the entertaining, but there are some great travel toys for the toddler and preschooler set that are just as much fun for parents to play too ... and may even give a parent a well-deserved break!
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