Category: Travel with Kids

Products, queries and real stories about Travel with Kids.

What I take on the plane

 

I use a great nappy bag, it’s a satchel style by day and converts to a back pack – ideal when travelling with a baby. Strap your baby into an Ergo Baby, put your back-pack on and you’re set to board (and have a free hand if you have toddlers). Together, these work really well in smaller airports where boarding and disembarking may entail a number of stairs.

The gear

Our ‘baby’ is 18 months old now, so our nappy bag also has his lunch box with snacks.

  1. One back pack, comfort toy and lunch box each for 3 & 4 year old. They’ve each travelled with their own back pack from 2’ish
  2. Heinz disposable bibs for baby and Sticky fingers wipes
  3. Drink bottle each
  4. a selection of Crayola or other colouring books and large washable crayons (comes in an 8 pack so I’m covered if some get lost or roll down the plane aisle)
  5. Medibuddy

Back Packs

Our 3 and 4 year old carry their own back-packs and have been comfortable to do this from around 2+. I have read other people suggesting that kids wont carry their own backpacks and that you’ll end up carrying them yourself? I haven’t had this problem, my kids love their backpacks and insist on having them on. I’ve found it’s all about routine.

Little Beetle backpacks are strong, lightweight and include a pop top drink bottle!

We range the Little Beetle backpacks because they fit all our criteria. They are gorgeous, comfortable and have lots of zip pockets. Easy to use for the kids and even come with a pop top drink bottle. Great quality, great designs.

In the kids back packs for these short flights I have a lunch box and a comfort toy. In the lunch box I always pack a few serviettes and numerous snacks. I generally let them pick “1” thing to eat at various intervals (otherwise they will just eat everything – been there, done that).

The comfort toy is seldom used, but handy to have in case they get sleepy or distressed. My eldest son is really keen on his teddy, but I asked my daughter to choose which toy she wanted to bring. So dolly is coming too.

For these ages I generally keep the play activities in my satchel. This way I can pass them out, based on timing in the flight and moods. It’s also easier to keep track on what they have. For older kids and longer trips I would keep a checklist of the activities we have with us (to make sure we don’t leave any) and only let the child use one or 2 at a time before putting away.

This is a short trip and we will be picked up at the other end by family. For longer trips I would look at Potette Plus (ideal to ensure you always have a clean toilet and no line up), colouring / sticker books, a selection of small cars or animals and I would consider a walking harness (especially when travelling with a baby and a toddler in busy areas like airports and shopping centres).

Little Gulliver have harnesses that range from wrist straps to cuddly toys. We understand that parents and children’s needs are varied and therefore have plenty to choose from.

 

Lunch Boxes

Drink bottle (water), serviettes, vegemite and cheese scrolls, pre-packed sweet biscuits, banana, apple and cheese sticks. This seems like a lot of food, but if you’ve read some of my other posts you will remember I have been stuck on the tarmac and run out of food on more than 1 occasion. Now, I pack big and limit ie – “you can pick 1 thing out of the lunch box now”. This seems to work well.

I also always try and travel over a meal time. I find having lunch or tea helps to pass the time. The scrolls work well, I usually have them ready frozen in the freezer to take out the night before. Of course you can buy food on the plane, but that just seems like extra work so I don’t tend to. Maybe when they’re older.

Diaperbuds
Vacuum -packed to save space and keep them fresh and clean

Now that our youngest is much more capable I carried him easily and use a satchel style nappy bag for him. Spare nappies, travel wipes, disposable change mats, disposable bibs and a lunch box full of snacks. I also put a snack for myself in his box. I have travelled before with no food for myself and then have been busy changing a nappy when the food cart went by or trying to stop someone from having a tantrum! And have arrived hungry with a headache!

Next instalment will be more about the flight – choosing flight times, airlines, boarding and using a CARES.

Travelling and Eating in Vietnam

This post is courtesy of Oscar’s mum and can be found at http://www.cookingforoscar.com/2010/09/30/travelling-and-eating-in-vietnam/.

I have a 2 year old son, Oscar, who was diagnosed with food intolerances just after his first birthday, following 4 weeks on an elimination diet. His intolerances include Salicylates, Glutamates, food colours, and most artificial preservatives. This means that most fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices and processed foods are excluded from his diet. I’m sure that I’m not the only parent trying to deal with these food issues, so I’ve decided to share our experiences.

Thursday, September 30, 2010
We have just arrived back from 12 days holiday in Vietnam, Oscar included.  Vietnam is probably not the easiest place to take a child with food intolerances, as it is almost impossible to find out what ingredients are in food.  But, with a lot of planning we made it through the holiday without Oscar having any food reactions.

Our plan was to stick to Oscar’s diet as much as possible for breakfast and snacks and pick the “safest” option for lunch and dinner.  We didn’t expect to be able to buy much from the safe list (other than bananas and pawpaws) and didn’t want to spend all our time there trying to find food either, so we took what we could with us.

The food we took with us for 12 days included:

  • 6 x Aunty Betty’s Vanilla Flavoured Creamy Rice (100g tin) – these were just the right size to take on the plane
  • 6 x Uncle Tobys Microwaveable Bowl Oats Original.  These can be made with boiling water, which is handy for hotel rooms.
  • 6 x 425g cans of pears in syrup
  • 8 x Fosters Chocolate UHT custards
  • Dried fruit
  • Mixed plain sweet biscuits – Arnotts Milk Coffee, Arrowroot, etc.
  • Arnotts savoy biscuits
  • Lollies (for bribery purposes)
  • Powdered milk (for taking on the plane in case we couldn’t get any on board)
  • Small box Rice Bubbles
  • Pear Jam
  • Assorted zip lock bags and disposable plastic containers for storing food and taking out with us in small quantities.

All of this took up quite a bit of space in our suitcases, but the upside was that once all the food and nappies had been consumed we had an empty suitcase that we could fill with shopping.

Because we were flying overseas the food we took for the flight had to comply with the liquids and gels limit of 100 ml/100 g per container and all the items to fit in a 25 x 25cm zip lock bag each.  In our hand luggage we took a couple of 100g Choc Rock yogos, and a small container of jam, a tin of creamed rice, bananas, pears, a packet of croissants and the powdered milk.  To keep the jam and yogo cold I bought a thermal bag (smash brand) that doesn’t need ice and a packet of the smallest gel ice packs I could find (also by smash).  I included one of these in the zip lock bag with the jam, yogo and creamed rice and had no problems going through security with it.  We took powdered milk because I couldn’t find any UHT milk containers that were 100ml or less.   There is supposed to be an exception for liquids that are food or drink for babies and children but I think it depends on which security person you get as to whether they will let something bigger through.  We didn’t need the powdered milk on the plane, as we were able to get it as part of the drinks service.  It did come in very handy though when our flight was delayed landing for 3 hours and we arrived at our hotel too late to go out and buy any.

Breakfast for Oscar consisted of Rice Bubbles or porridge with milk/water to drink followed by something from the breakfast buffet at the hotel – scrambled eggs on toast, bananas, pancakes/toast with butter and/or pear jam and, not to be left out when his parents pigged out on the pastries, a chocolate croissant.  Unlike his parents, Oscar wasn’t greedy, he pulled the croissant apart and only ate the chocolate centre!

Snacks came from the food we brought with us, plus we supplemented and provided variety with icecreams and drinks when we were out:

  • Banana juice
  • Banana and pear (Nashi) juice – Moderate Salicylate
  • Chocolate or Banana Smoothies/Milkshakes
  • Coconut smoothie – made from fresh coconut – Moderate Salicylate
  • Icecream – vanilla, chocolate, coconut (moderate salicylate)
  • Small can of lemon and lime 7up

We were also able to buy raw cashews, milk, bread to have with pear jam and plenty of bananas.

Lunches and dinners were a bit harder.  We tried to pick the safest option from the menu, which was usually a western meal, such as chips, chicken nuggets, fish fingers and pastas with cream sauces.  Not the healthiest diet, but the nuggets and fish fingers and some of the chip servings were freshly made, not the commercial  variety, so preservatives were less likely.  We also let Oscar try anything on our plate that he was interested in (apart from the chillies and really spicy food), and he did try some noodles and spring rolls.

Some other things we found useful for travelling overseas with a toddler included some great products from Little Gulliver – the CARES child safety restraint for use in planes, the Cushie Traveller folding toilet seat, the kids inflatable neck cushion, the Wrist Buddy for keeping us tethered together when out walking in crowded places, and the Little Gulliver disposable wrist bands for recording Oscar’s name and our details in case he got lost..

We also took a DVD player (cheap one from Dick Smith) – which was great on the plane when the lights were turned out and the entertainment system didn’t work – an MP3 player, and a set of Moshi Kids Headphones which are volume limited to protect kids ears, no matter how loud the volume on the device is.

Oscar carried (some of the time) his own backpack which contained some new and old favourite books, sticker books, Crayola twistable crayons (they don’t break when dropped) and colouring books, a special toy and a mini doodle.  I also took extra new books, colouring books and sticker books for the trip home and as a distraction at other times.

This post is courtesy of Oscar’s mum and can be found at http://www.cookingforoscar.com/2010/09/30/travelling-and-eating-in-vietnam/

Fear of Flying Cartoon

I’m putting together some information to help parents who have little ones “uninterested” in flying. Our 3 year old has recently shown some fear, such as not wanting to sit near the window and has more recently been uncomfortable looking out the window when decending.

I came across this old Tom and Jerry cartoon on You Tube. It stars ‘Droopy and Dripple’ and ‘Mr McWolf” where they help him overcome (using some interesting methods) his fear of flying. It runs for around 6.49 minutes. The kids should get a laugh!

Ten Tips for Keeping a Toddler Busy on a Plane

So, you’ve packed the bags, cancelled the papers and are really looking forward to being away for a couple of weeks free from the usual routine but you’re really anxious about keeping your young kids occupied on that long plane flight.

So, the seat belt goes through this loop?

So, you’ve packed the bags, cancelled the papers and are really looking forward to being away for a couple of weeks free from the usual routine but you’re really anxious about keeping your young kids occupied on that long plane flight.

Besides packing a few great new travel toys that your toddler hasn’t seen before, you’ll want to have some airplane activities that won’t break, get lost or cost the earth.

So here are some practical tips for travelling with toddlers and preschoolers that will help you to relax, enjoy the journey and help you all arrive with your sense of humour!

1. Bathroom

Make sure that your toddler has used the toilet before boarding the aircraft as they are spacious and much cleaner compared to the aircraft ones! It’s also a good idea to carry a supply of baby wipes and be sure to put them in a place where you can easily reach them throughout the flight.

2. Seat choice

Only choose bulkhead seats if your baby needs a baby bed as the armrests can’t be moved. Normal seats are far better if your baby or toddler wants to lie down on the seat with their head on your lap as the armrests can be moved up which is far more comfortable.

3. Ear pressure

If your baby is breastfeeding or on a bottle, give them the breast or bottle during take-off & landing as it is the best thing for their sensitive ears. They will be more relaxed and far less distressed and you will feel more at ease too.

If your child is older, then carry cotton wool or ask for earplugs as soon as you board the aircraft. Make use of them for take-off then save them for landing as the crew may not have any fresh ones left by then. Or play a yawning game with them to see how many times they can yawn on take off or landing as this helps pop their ears so the pressure doesn’t cause them discomfort.

4. Food

Carry a supply of biscuits, water, juice & healthy snacks for your toddler. Raisins are great for keeping little hands and minds occupied for quite awhile and also carry milk packets (the UHT small packets) yourself. Airline snacks run out in flight and milk is a shortage very often too so bring your own so you won’t panic if they run out.

5. Bottle heating

If you ask the crew to heat up your baby bottle check the temperature of the liquid yourself periodically and don’t depend on the crew as they are extremely busy. Most crew in Economy Class are not mothers themselves (as they are very young) so they don’t necessarily know the right temperature for your child’s feed. Airline crew are most willing to help but it’s always best to take responsibility for your own child’s bottle.

6. Health

If your child has a cold it’s a good idea to see a doctor before the flight to check if your child is fit to fly. Toddlers flying with a cold can experience terrible pain during take-off & landing and it’s also dangerous to their eardrums too!

7. Clothes

Always carry a change of clothes for your child and it is a good idea to carry a change of top / t-shirt for yourself too. You never know when you will need it…

8. Rubbish

Get a carrier or plastic bag from the crew, to put your rubbish in as you go along. It helps to keep your area clean and more organised. Also take fragranced bags with you to dispose of your nappies before putting them in the toilet bins provided.

9. Books

It’s always a great idea to carry reading books (new ones as well as old favourites), colouring books and crayons, as well as an ipod with their favourite songs and stories to listen to.

If you can carry a portable DVD player they are usually a big hit with toddlers. If you bring your own DVD player and your child’s favourite DVDs then you will have full control over the content and also the timing of their video entertainment which is good for maintaining a healthy balance about how much they watch. Another alternative might be to play their DVDs on your laptop.

10. Games to play

Toddlers often get naughty when they experience long delays to their journey, so being prepared is half the battle.

* Pack a goody bag filled with activities to keep them occupied and busy and include things like play dough, a few blocks, some small board books, a little car or your toddler’s favourite teddy. You could also wrap each item in wrapping paper a few times too and play pass the parcel with them, to add to the fun and excitement.

These ideas are best and most effective for keeping your child occupied during the normal waking hours on a flight as they encourage your child’s imagination and creativity.

* Put some fun pictures onto your digital camera of the people and places you are going to visit or pictures of a recent trip you’ve been on, like to the zoo, for your child to look at. During the flight, you can relive the fun and tell stories about where/who you’re visiting. It will keep your little one busy and relaxed which will make the flight a pleasurable one for all of you.

* When the flight attendant delivers drinks, ask for a cup, a couple ice cubes, and a straw. There are endless games you can make up with this combination as ice is fascinating to toddlers. Make sure that the ice doesn’t end up in their mouth though as it is a choking hazard.

* Bring a book of Finger Rhymes to teach your toddler. Great ones are “Finger Rhymes” by Marc Brown and “Little Hands, Finger Plays & Action Songs: Seasonal Activities” by Emily Stetson and “365 Games Smart Toddlers Play” by Sheila Ellison

* Learning how to fasten and unfasten an “old fashioned” seatbelt, jacket zipper and poppers or buttons on their clothing (or a carry on bags) can keep them occupied for a long time too.

* And don’t forget the old favourite of peek- a- boo if you’ve got friendly neighbours and “I spy”!

It’s all about relaxing, imagining the journey going really well a couple of nights before you fall asleep, so your unconscious gets ready for the journey positively, and planning ahead. It’s also about being flexible and relaxed when unexpected things happen that you have no control over. Toddlers will pick up on your vibes so lighten up, chill out and have a brilliant holiday!

This great article comes from www. Parenting Australia.com.au  

Sue Atkins is a Parent Coach and Author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies” one in the famous black and yellow series and mother of two children. She has written many books on self esteem and toddlers and her Positive Toddler Taming CD and ideas book is available from her website. To find out more about her work and to receive her free monthly newsletter bursting with practical tips and helpful advice for bringing up happy, confident, well-balanced children from toddler to teen go to => http:/www.positive-parents.com

Top Ten Travel Activities

Little Gulliver has launched a new ‘Travel Activities’ category. We have many of the above activities (and more still to come) for a flat rate $5 delivery, posting daily to your door.

What to take with us when travelling is a common question among parents. Having the right things with you can help keep everyone entertained and help pass the time with happy faces!

I try and think small, new and cheap. For babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in particular, it is easy to excite them with something new and fresh. This is why I like to present them with some new goodies on the plane.

I have included some of my favourite things, for plane travel in particular, in a list below. Just keep your child’s age and interests in mind when reading.

  1. Etch-a-sketch, Doodle pro – some sort of magnetic drawing system. They will have fun drawing, erasing, thinking about how it works and looking at the pen.
  2. Colouring books – choose a new one which may hold some interest for your child. A nice pencil case can also be entertaining (that zip). When it comes to your child, consider whether pencils or crayons would suit. For instance I prefer the twistable pencils for older kids, but younger children may just entertain themselves twisting the lead up and breaking it off (crayons only)!
  3. Aquadoodle – I fell in love with the Aquadoodle at a Toy Fair last year. Its fun for parents! The travel Aquadoodle is such a simple device. The child can pick it up, carry it, it is its own tray and comes with its own pen. Just add water to the pen and you’re set to go. The great thing about this is you don’t have to worry about the plane seat being marked and unlike some markers –  faces and hands don’t need cleaning later.
  4. Color Wonder – a great colouring activity where only the book can be drawn on with the special color wonder texta’s. These are another great travel tool. I only bring them out for trips, so they are a bit new an exciting each time. Choose a favourite character.
  5. Sticker books – they are a classic for travelling as they have some activities (the stickering) and often stories and colouring too. We have stickers stuck all over the house though, so consider the child in question when choosing. I’ll include some of the magnetic travel books and games here, but our pieces have tended to get lost or chewed on.
  6. Books – great for long haul, but these can be bulky so choose carefully – try and keep them small and light. This is where something familiar may be comforting, especially before a “nap”. Make sure the topic is especially popular with both you and your child or you may not be that keen to read it over and over. It should also have enough interest that your child may be happy to look at it on their own. Consider board books or lift the flap books for the smaller ones and bright pictures and a fun story for the older kids.
  7. Something with wheels – if it is something they already own and a favourite, be prepared to loose it. The problem about wheels is that they have a tendency to roll under things. (I had a brilliant plan and took some cars to a beach wedding – of course they got buried almost immediately)! I like the ‘Chubbies’ range – colourful and exciting, soft wheels they can’t do too much damage and we have used them as bath toys. Choose something like a plane or bulldozer as the moveable parts can add interest. They also come in a great range of colours.
  8. Don’t discount what you can find around you. We often read the supplied In Flight magazine during take off and landing (while you have to have all your belongings stowed away). My son enjoys any car ads, while my daughter looks at the “neckalaces” and clothes. You can also play “spot this or that” either in cabin or out the window. A plastic pen and paper cup (nothing that can be broken easily or eaten) can make for a impromptu pretend tea party. In one desperate stuck-on-the-tarmic time my daughter and I played “shoes on and off” – more entertaining than you’d think!
  9. Zoobies – if you’re travelling with a comfort toy then it’s hard to look past a zoobie. They are a cute toy to cuddle or role play with, a pillow and have a blanket concealed in them!
  10. A kids magazine – There are some of these on the market which you may find suits your child. Bringing out a Dora, Pets or Cars magazine can be exciting. There are plenty of things to look at, read or colour in.

Put it all in a bag, drawstring bag or a backpack and you have your own Travel Activity Pack – custom made for your child’s interests. You may want to put it away when you reach your destination (to keep it fresh) or save something in your suitcase to add in for the trip home.

Little Gulliver has launched a new ‘Travel Activities’ category called ‘Play’. We have many of the above activities (and more still to come) for a flat rate $5 delivery, posting daily to your door Little Gulliver Play.

Any other activities you love? Share your suggestions!

Japan with Kids

What a wonderful place to visit! Timing wise I think your kids are at great ages, with your 4 year old able to get around well, while your baby is (probably) still not quite mobile. And travelling despite your tight budget is admirable, as so often we put things off until the ‘right’ time. One of the things I like about Japan too, is that you get to experience such a different culture and only have an eightish hour flight!

Tani said: July 18th 2010 11:21 AM

Hi there

I was just wondering if you know of any blogs books or websites dedicated to travelling Japan with Kids? My husband and I are planning a 10day trip at the start of September with our four year old girl and 6 month old boy.

We are also doing so on a tight budget!

Any tips hints directions would be most appreciated!

Thanks

Tani

Donna @ Little Gulliver said: July 18th 2010 4:39 PM

Hi Tani,

What a wonderful place to visit! Timing wise I think your kids are at great ages, with your 4 year old able to get around well, while your baby is (probably) still not quite mobile. And travelling despite your tight budget is admirable, as so often we put things off until the ‘right’ time. One of the things I like about Japan too, is that you get to experience such a different culture and only have an eightish hour flight!

Here are some websites that may be worth a look;

I’m wondering whether a Japan guide book, such as those from Lonely Planet, Eyewitness guides etc might give you some food for thought (just without the focus on kids). Check your local library, they may be able to reserve some for you and give you an idea of which ones you like before buying. There are also a couple of books specifically based on Japan with kids which would be a good read. They may be a bit difficult to come by locally though.

They are;

  • Japan for Kids: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Their Children by Diane Wiltshire & Jeanne Huey
  • Kids’ Trips in Tokyo: A Family Guide to One-Day Outings by Ivy Maeda, Kitty Kobe, Cynthia C. Ozeki & Lyn Sato

I think too, pack some disposable containers like Glad ware and some zip lock bags. If you’re staying at a hotel you may be able to grab some fruit, muffins or even toast from the breakfast buffet. This can be a great saviour on day trips and give you some options in a hunger emergency or if you come by a nice park for a play .

Tani, I hope there are some good things here that you may find useful. I’d love to hear how your trip goes and how you find your airline goes with the kids. Now I just have to get the green eyed monster off my back!

Regards,

Donna

Flying With Babies

Flying with Babies

Flying With Babies

Booking a Bassinet
Check with your airline if you can book a bassinet. This may not be possible though, as not all airlines or planes have them. Also, there are a limited number of them available, so book early if a bassinet is really important to you.

Each bassinet is quite different from each other and have different features. The one pictured here has straps to hold the infant in place, others have a stretchy netting which is pulled over the babies torso.

Also, check the weight limits of bassinets with your airline. They vary. When planning future travel, the Child and Maternal Health graphs are handy at estimating your child’s likely weight at a certain age


Lap restraints
Under 2 years, your baby is considered a “lap child”. In Australia this means the child is to be seated on your lap and a lap restraint is given to you for use by the airline. To use you must adjust your own seat belt and loop the babies belt through, then fasten and loop around your baby. Some airlines will let you purchase a seat for a child under 2 years at a reduced rate.

The lap belt provided by our airlines is not used in many overseas countries, where car seats and more recently the use of CARES is more common. Local authorities don’t see that a carseat provides adequate protection for a child on a plane, as the car seat cannot be bolted onto the seat as in cars.

How to Help Babies Unblock their Ears?
Babies cannot intentionally pop their ears, but popping may occur if they are sucking on a bottle or pacifier. Feed your baby during the flight, and do not allow him or her to sleep during descent. Children are especially vulnerable to blockages because their Eustachian tubes are narrower than in adults.

Reference; The American Academy of Otolaryngology
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/earsAltitude.cfm

A word on Baby B’Air
Some consider, in an emergency situation that this restraint is no more ‘safe’ than the restraint already provided by our airlines. Don’t be confused by o/s blogs that talk about this product, as US airlines do not provide the lap restraint we have in Australia. Also, the Baby B’Air is NOT able to be used during take-off and landing.

CASA article
‘Flight Safety Australia, September-October 2013’ Page 16.
https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/g/files/net351/f/_assets/main/lib100217/fsa_sept_oct_2013_single_page.pdf