Traveling with children
By Michele Prior, R.N., M.S.N.
A family vacation is a special time, but it may take some creativity to
make traveling to your destination fun for your child. Fortunately,
there are some activities you can plan to help keep your child contented
on a long trip.
It may be beneficial to start at a time when your child will be likely
to sleep for all or part of the trip. If that is not possible, plan
time-passing activities. Of course, paper and crayons or markers for
drawing are favorites with most children. Take along a tray with legs to
make it easier for your child to use his or her artistic talents. A tray
will also come in handy for putting puzzles together and for building
with blocks. Modeling with clay can also help to keep your child busy.
Pack a small cassette recorder along with some of your child’s favorite
music and story tapes. Children also love blank tapes for recording
songs they sing or stories they make up along the way.
Playing games can help the trip go faster, too. Many popular children’s
games come in travel-sized editions, and card games are easy to take
along. Children also enjoy having a list or pictures of things to look
for along the ride and seeing how many they can find.
Other things to include on your packing list are snack foods such as dry
cereal, raisins, and juice; moist wipes; a change of clothes; and your
child’s favorite stuffed animal or blanket. Always have a first-aid kit
available. Childhood accidents occur when traveling because of changes
in the child’s routine and environment.
Take along small, wrapped surprises for your child to open and play with
on the trip to reward him or her for behaving well. When traveling by
car, plan to stop often to let your child run off pent-up energy.
Knowing that there will be frequent breaks will help your child remain
safely seated. One of the most difficult parts of traveling with
children is having to confine them to their car seats or seat belts, but
remember that “buckling up” is the only safe way to travel, both close
to and far from your home.
With plane travel, there are additional factors to consider. Whenever
possible, plan to take a nonstop flight and request seats in the first
row or aisle, where there is more room. Although airlines provide
earlier boarding when flying with children, this may not be the best
option with active infants or toddlers, because they will be confined
longer. If you have a seat assignment, it may be better to board later
and let the child run off energy.
During take-off and landing, encourage your child to drink liquids or to
suck on candy or chew gum (if age appropriate) to equalize pressure and
prevent ear discomfort. If your child has cold symptoms and is prone to
ear infections, be sure to have the child’s ears checked before flying.
Children are usually thrilled about traveling and going on a vacation,
but keep in mind that changes in their routines, coupled with added
excitement, may alter their sleeping patterns and also cause changes in
behavior. Enjoy your trip—these are temporary disruptions. Life will
go back to normal after you are home for a couple of days.
