Tips for Traveling With Children This Summer

The childcare experts at the Goddard School are sharing 10 tips for traveling with children during the summer months. These tips can help families traveling via plane, train or car.

• Plan for an active stretch at a rest stop or playground, let the children walk or toddle for twenty or so minutes before continuing in the car.
  
  
• Pre-measure formula for infants into bottles and carry a room temperature bottle of water to mix on the go.
  
  
• Traveling by plane? Car seats double as feeding chairs or nap location. Call ahead for a crib to be available in your hotel room.
  
  
• Remember music, books, stuffed animals and foam shapes that will "stick" to the car seat. In a plane, bring or purchase headphones for music and rest them on you child's shoulders rather than their ears.
  
  
• Have active playtime before leaving and plan for frequent stops. In planes, let children walk down the aisle periodically at their own pace.
  
  
• Airports can be busy places, check your luggage at the curb and focus on your children without the hassle of luggage in tow.
  
  
• Play window games to keep your child entertained, count trucks, cows or red lights.
  
  
• Buckle up a toy bin in the sit next to the children so they can help themselves. Having a variety of books, links, stuffed animals and puppets can keep them from getting bored.
  
  
• Use a laptop desk for drawing with paper and crayons
  
  
• If using a hotel babysitter, check the sitter's credentials, including criminal or child abuse clearances, check the room and equipment in the room, always carry your phone and check your service when you arrive.