Tips for traveling with kids

Ryan's first flight at 4 months old.  

Anytime we return from a trip, we get asked a lot of questions about how we're able to travel so far with such a young child...so I thought I'd share a few of our travel tips.  Believe it or not- we've taken Ryan on as many as 4 plane rides in a day, and have never had to check in a suitcase.  We pack light.  ;-)

How much stuff do you take?  
Usually just a car seat, two backpacks and a few carry-ons. We don't use suitcases- they're too bulky and don't break down if they're not full.  We've found that travel backpacks are easier to maneuver/fit into overhead bins and car trunks, and as a bonus- also allow us to keep our hands free (for hand holding, stroller pushing or snack-feeding).

Most importantly, assuming the weather is constant, we usually only take 3-4 changes of clothes per person.  This does require some in-room laundering and/or a trip to a laundromat, but it's a huge space saver to bring a ziploc bag of detergent vs. 3 more sets of clothes.  Tip: We also try to pack clothing that uses dri-fit material- they dry quickly, are light weight and do not wrinkle.  I have dri-fit material shorts, pants, shirts, caps, gloves, long underwear, etc.  They certainly won't help me get into Nobu on a Friday night, but at least I'm comfy, wrinkle free...and can even pork up a little on the trip and still button my pants. ;-)

Tip: Additionally, if space is tight, we also either wear or carry-on our bulkiest shoes/jackets (vs. packing them in the limited space of our backpacks).  This is because three bulky down-filled Columbia jackets + three sets of Nikes can easily take up 2/3 of one backpack.

Tip: If you have an older, but still comfortable outfit/pair of shoes, don't toss 'em out.  Set them aside for your next trip so you can wear 'em and leave 'em!  You'll enjoy the added free space on the return home, someone will benefit from your kindness (you can place them on top of public trash cans for the homeless or leave them in the room for the maids).  Also, if you happen to be in a third world country- your 'homelier' duds will help you look less wealthy and you'll enjoy less slightly harassment.

I've also invested in tons of little cosmetic jars (if you have a good relationship with your cosmetics rep, they can often give you sample travel sized containers) so that I only bring tiny amounts of shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, facial cream (vs. trying to pack the larger 3 oz. sizes).

Tip: If your bag is already pretty stuffed and you're worried you won't have room for souvenirs, bring along a soft bodied, recyclable bag that folds up.  That way if you need it, you can use it as a carry on coming home, but you won't have to bring a bigger suitcase that needs to be checked in.


Tip: Checking a stroller and car seat are usually free, so take advantage of it if you need them.  Be sure to wrap them in a trash bag/tape if you're worried about them getting dirty.  Also, be sure to bring an extra trash bag/tape with you for the trip home too.


Tip: If you do pack a wrapped up car seat, we used to stuff Ryan's dozens of diapers in there (within a bag so they won't scatter) so we wouldn't waste space in our suitcase.  They're lightweight, just bulky, and since it doesn't actually take any more of the aircraft's space...I didn't feel bad about this.  :-)


What's easier?  Flying in the day or at night?
When we were in our twenties and childless, taking a red eye was a no brainer- it was cheaper, and we got to fall sleep and wake up in another country.  :-)  It doesn't work that way anymore.  Not only are we older, heavier and less comfortable on a 12-hour flight, but Ryan sleeps only sporadically and fitfully in flights (blaring in-flight announcements don't help), so we have to be on our toes the whole time.  Suffice to say, we avoid red-eyes now (even though they cost us valuable vacation days), but it's far better to be healthy and well rested than exhausted and sick.


How do you entertain Ryan on the flight?
Nothing fancy here, I use the standard stuff- crayons, books, toys, healthy snacks (& not so healthy when you get really desperate), games, craft projects (I've even packed a watercolor set), tattoos, sticker books...  Tip: Sometimes play dough will be seized by TSA, it's a toss up to bring it or not.  But most invaluable (even though I hate to admit it)?  A DVD player loaded with Ryan's favorite programs.  However, I suggest reminding your child that the programs are only for the flight, and not for car trips or while dining (so they won't whine for it later).  Tip: Netbooks generally have a much better charge than DVD players, AND you can take advantage of the free wireless at most hotels/coffee shops if you bring it.  Also, do not forget your own headset/ear buds for your child.  Not only are they required by some flight crews, but your child won't be able to hear the volume otherwise.  Practice putting on the headset at home first if its their first time wearing one because it may take some getting used to.


Tip: Bring your child's favorite blanket, pillow or stuffed animal to help stimulate comfort and the sleep routine.  INVALUABLE.  We've been traveling with 'green bati' (Ry's favorite green blanket) since the year he was born and never leave home without it!


Also, I've never drugged him on a flight.  Some people slip their kids a little liquid Benadryl to get them to sleep, with the thought being that having them go down keeps them on schedule and healthier (since planes are infamous for catching bugs in).  I get it.  But I didn't feel comfortable doing it when he was young, and at this point, he tends to go down once he's exhausted so I prefer to let his sleep happen naturally and be on the same sleep schedule together.

Do you bring a lot of your own food when you travel?
For the most part, no...however, I do think its important to bring enough food for the first few days.  Initially, it's to make sure your child is content and healthy on the flight, and then enough for the first day or two so that you have enough time to find a grocery store and/or in case you get stranded somewhere and don't have access to healthy, affordable food for your child.

Depending on each airport and country, you can sometimes pack your own beverages for your child (I used to bring boxes of organic milk and juice to make sure Ryan was properly hydrated...but if you do- allot yourself an additional 20 minutes to get through security...trying to bring on an Earth's Best milk box is much worse than them finding a balloonful of cocaine up your buns, I swear).  :-)

I try to pack foods that pack a lot of vitamins/moisture for Ryan (since keeping a child hydrated on a flight is always important).  Pre-sliced carrot sticks, apples, pineapple, bananas and watermelon are great.  I also make sure to pack his daily vitamins (a regular vitamin and an omega-3), and some healthy foods he's familiar with- like cashews, taro bread, fruit leather, dry cereal, etc.  If we have layovers, I'll also usually try to pick up a cup of yogurt for him, some OJ/apple juice and a bran muffin.


Isn't it expensive traveling with a child?
It can be, and especially when you're flying from one of the most isolated places on Earth.  But we tend to buy our tickets in advance, travel during the fall/winter (when fares/hotels are lower, attractions are less crowded) and where possible- try to book simple apartments with kitchenettes so we can eat in most meals (we usually do breakfast and dinner at home, but have lunch out so we still get to sample the local fare).  I also like the idea of supporting a local family vs. a large, international hotel chain.  Eating in a lot also means less stress at meal time- no more having to entertain a cranky toddler while you wait for a meal, and you also tend to eat healthier since you have more control over what goes in your body.

It also goes without saying that we take public transportation (bus/train) over renting a car/taxi and try to walk as much as we can.  Not only is it cheaper and more energy efficient, its the best way to get to know an area, meet people and explore lesser known, but equally fascinating sights.  If we need it, we nearly always pack the umbrella stroller over the jog stroller because its ten times easier to fit that in a train/bus (we get dirty looks sometimes with that one)!

We also almost never buy souvenirs.  This is partly because I'm knick knack adverse, partly based on budget, but also because over time we realized that many souvenirs look tacky after awhile.  I plead guilty to thinking it would be AWESOME to own not one, but TWO elephant-print silk skirts in Thailand.  Barf.  It's easy to get caught up in the moment and make ridiculous impulse buys.

We also tend to pre-select what kind of touristy activity we want to do (since I assure you, we are definitely not above participating in cheese ball, touristy, overpriced experiences) vs. getting sucked into doing them all.  Sometimes it also helps to  research in advance and find smaller, family-owned companies (that cannot afford the slick advertising of larger operations) that are more affordable and intimate than the bigger, impersonal ones.

Tip: A few months before you travel to any large metropolitan area, sign up for Living Social/Groupon deals for that area.  I've scored a number of great meals, museum/theme park admissions this way...just pay attention to expiration dates!


Tip: Also, if you're unsure about whether or not a destination is right for you, rather than dropping $24.99 on a new guidebook at the bookstore- request one from the library first, or buy a used one from Ebay or Amazon.  I also use Google and type in a city/country name plus the word "blog" to see other's experiences in that area vs. taking the word of an advertiser or travel agency.  Yelp and Travelocity reviews also help a lot with attractions and accommodation.  

I hope this has helped if you're thinking of braving the airways soon.  It's best to start your children young so they're used to the flying vs. waiting until they're older.  Ryan's been flying regularly since he was very young and he doesn't even flinch now when told we have to ride 2-3 planes, or having to sit with a seat belt on for 5-7 hours.  I can't say he's pleased, but he understands the concept.

I promise, you can do this.  Finding cheap tickets and accommodation are the biggest barriers to travel (for us anyway), so if you can get that under control- you can make any trip affordable and fun, even with Junior and all his diapers, soft foods, bottles, blankies and burp cloths...  ;-)