Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

Traveling via airplane with a toddler, that is.

A five hour and a half airplane ride. 

Oh yes!  We survived!  And it was the part of the trip I was most worried about.  It's not because Ethan hasn't flown on a plane before...because he has.  Many, many times.  It was just that we haven't traveled that far, for that long, with an eager walker, who is busy busy busy ALL the time, before!

But we made it.  And that was after a projectile vomit ride down to the airport.  Oh yes!  Here are the tips and tricks that helped along the way.

Travel Early.

Traveling early in the day, with a toddler, really is best.  Our flight wasn't even that early, it was at 9:30 am, but Ethan was dragging by his nap time and thankfully, with a little coaxing from Ryan, he was sleeping the last hour of the flight.  It was pure heaven!

Check your stroller at the gate.

We always travel with our BOB.  Sure, it's not an umbrella stroller, but it's so comfortable for Ethan at the airport and it folds up really easily at the gate.  The best part about having a quality stroller on vacation is that you can exercise and walk with ease once you get to your destination.  We took our stroller down to the pool every day and it was great for extra storage and provided a smooth ride for Ethan too.

Bring a blanket.

Maybe two.  And an extra change of clothes is always a good idea.  Ethan dragged his blanket all over the airport but despite how gross that sounds, it was the only thing that really comforted him on the plane.  AND it allowed him to sleep.  So it's definitely a necessity.

Provide lots and lots of snacks.

And it's even better if they are brand new snacks that your toddler has never tried before.  I stocked up at Target and it kept Ethan busy for tons and tons of minutes (ha!) trying new snacks.  He also loved the airplane snacks.  Oh and watered down juice.  And a banana is always a good idea too.

Board Books are your friend.

This is the part where we talk about distraction.  Really, that's the name of the game.  Distraction!  Because the plane is so loud, picture books are a lifesaver.  Ethan LOVES Brown Bear Brown Bear...and we don't even read the book.  I just point at the animals and we make the animal sounds together.  Genius.  Pick books that are bright and colorful, with animals and that are durable.  I promise you will thank me.

So are toys.

Also, buy a couple new toys.  We got a travel version of the Doodle Pro as well as some hot wheels.  Ethan loved driving them across the fold down tray.  Which bought us more precious minutes.  Also, totally random and not a toy, but Ryan brought his headphones and Ethan LOVED plugging it in the outlet on the arm rest and unplugging.  He would do it over and over and OVER again and then clap each time after.  It was awesome.

Download some new apps...and bring them out once you're more than halfway through your trip.

 The key really is to hold off as long as possible.  Wait until he tuckers out a bit and has the attention span to focus.  I find that in the beginning of the plane ride, they're so overwhelmed with all of the people, sights, and sounds that an app is virtually worthless.  But once you've hit the halfway mark, bust those apps out!  Ethan loves Peekaboo Fridge, Bubbles, Peek-a-Zoo Moo, Sago Mini Ocean, and Play Phone.  Like the board books, bright and colorful are the name of the game.  Don't depend on apps with sound because you really can't hear them at all.

Be prepared to be a jungle gym.
And last but not least, really prepare yourself to be a human playground.  Ethan climbed all over us and was busy pushing buttons, opening and closing the window shade, waving at everyone and jumping.  This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but Ryan and I really surrendered ourselves to Ethan and knowing that was the goal made the trip 1,000+ times easier.  I remember in the beginning of traveling with a little one, we would each bring our own magazines and expect to get a little nap in.  Wrong.  That's not going to happen and as long as that's your expectation, it actually makes the whole experience much more bearable.

See how easy it is?!  I'm even reading a magazine here!  Ha!

Questions?  Let me know!

xo natasha