Travelling with toddlers

A holiday means time for the whole family to relax, bond and share new experiences together but travelling with toddlers comes with a special set of challenges and having done it quite frequently with my two, I think I’ve finally gotten it down to as fine an art as a recalcitrant toddler will allow. Here are some of my top tips for taming travelling toddlers.

Choose a destination where kids can get physical – make sure there’s plenty of space to run about and plenty of safe energy depleting activities to keep them busy. And remember that, while many resorts and hotels have fantastic facilities catering for older kids, it can be hard to find ones that provide for toddlers. The good news is that more resorts are realising that exhausted parents of babies and toddlers could use a bit of a break too and are offering more services geared towards their needs – from equipment, special meals and babysitting services through to designated toddler kids clubs that offer mum and dad time alone to reconnect, or simply catch up on some much needed sleep.

Once you’ve found the right destination you can begin the worrying about getting them there. And to be honest this is the trickiest bit with a toddler as even the most well behaved tot can struggle to sit still for extended periods. This can make transit grueling for everyone and given that strapping them to their seat with duct tape will likely be frowned upon, you’re going to need to arm yourself with other toddler taming tools.

I’ve watched on in horror on flights as parents offer candy and chocolates as bribes to their recalcitrant offspring, knowing full well the implosion is what usually follows as their sugar-hyped spawn spiral out of giddy control. Sweet treats are only going to make sitting still less likely and have a tendency to come hand in hand with a crash… swiftly followed by a dramatic public meltdown. This is something that, as a parent, I personally prefer to avoid. For your own sanity and peace, I’d suggest you just avoid the sugar trap in favour of healthy snacks!

Pack plenty of engaging items like books and puzzles. A portable DVD player with some favourite movies can be mum and dad’s best friend and keep busy toddlers still on holidays and in transit. For longer haul trips, pack a few little gift wrapped surprises that you can bring out at peak boredom points!

It seems pretty obvious but be sure to keep them safe! All toddlers are curious and keen to explore and new environments can create temptation. Keep them supervised and out of danger by child proofing rental cars and hotel rooms on arrival. Try to book a room on a ground floor or with an adequately fenced balcony. Make sure you keep balcony doors locked and move any furniture near railings.

Keep in mind on overseas journeys that local socket covers may not fit in international power points. If you’re concerned just pack some heavy duty tape to cover the socket. Rubber bands are an on-the-go baby proofer’s best-friend. Use them to tie up curtain and blind cordsand to keep cupboards shut.Make sure windows are kept closed and use the deadbolt on external doors to avoid your toddler heading off on an adventure without you. Check for sharp edges on low furniture and either tape a wash cloth on the corners or ask the hotel if it can be temporarily removed, they won’t mind.

Plan your days well. Unlike their exhausted parents, you may surprised to discover that toddlers aren’t going to want to lay about a pool reading bestsellers or drinking cocktails. Make sure you get them out and about to age appropriate playgrounds and attractions to keep them entertained and wear them out so they’ll sleep well at night.

Finally put your little ones needs before your own – you might want to visit that vintage porcelain museum but your busy toddler (and the curator) would most likely prefer you didn’t.

140 Comments

- - meimei said
  - 27 Dec 2013
    11:27 am
We love local travel too. We always bring some toys and snack for my toddlers. He can play with toys during travel so not feel boring.

- - coppin85 said
  - 22 Dec 2013
    2:26 pm
Thank you for sharing 🙂

- - kathryn said
  - 12 Nov 2013
    3:51 pm
Thankfully my little one loves to sleep in the car. When we stop we aim for parks so she can get out and run around. So important to burn off the energy!
- memo replied
  
  29 Nov 2013 , 10:08 pm
  agree, park stops are wonderful for a play, food etc, and a break for all the family from a long drive.
  - ilees68 replied
    
    03 Jan 2014 , 10:27 pm
    
    I love when the kids sleep in the car. But that just means they have more energy.
- - coppin85 said
  - 11 Nov 2013
    6:47 pm
Thanks for the great tips

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 31 Oct 2013
    5:16 pm
great tips . fantastic article . thanks

- - rainbownerds said
  - 30 Oct 2013
    10:49 pm
some good advice and tips

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 29 Oct 2013
    3:23 pm
thanks for the great tips

- - liz007 said
  - 17 Oct 2013
    3:58 pm
Real good advise. I enjoy the read. I must be a mean mum I paid my mother to look after our two year old for a week a d we went away…I did pay her 500 dollars yes that’s right she was baby sitting 24/7 she did not want it. But it was piece of mind..

- - meltingmoment said
  - 16 Oct 2013
    9:39 pm
Its hard to keep them amused as they don’t tend to play with any one thing for too long.

- - kjgarner said
  - 01 Sep 2013
    9:46 pm
We had 3 kids aged 4 and under when we went on our trip and if you have plenty of entertainment for them and lots of stops for running around or just out of the car its great. We had a great time… Loved it!
- jocelynwong31 replied
  
  20 Sep 2013 , 1:17 pm
  Definitely lots of stops. I removed my expectation of ‘reaching on time’ when on holidays.
  - kjgarner replied
    
    31 Oct 2013 , 10:00 pm
    
    Yes with kids I don’t think you could really be “On time” because you wouldn’t know how many stops you need to do.
- - rocky1991 said
  - 30 Aug 2013
    10:38 am
Definitely not looking forward to the first road trip with tot!

- - cenewell said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    4:05 pm
Some fabulous tips – thank you! Am always wanting to plan a family holiday, but feel a bit nervous about it. Will definitely take on board the tips from this article. Thanks 🙂

- - gemair said
  - 21 Aug 2013
    4:26 pm
We try to mix up our days with different activities and while I could easily just have a day lazing about they are so excited that the energy is contagious and we always end up doing something.

- - traceyi said
  - 17 Aug 2013
    1:42 pm
oh it’s no fun on the plane, but we’re doing a road trip soon. Cross my fingers for this 1
- a-edwards replied
  
  31 Aug 2013 , 8:13 pm
  Good luck I hope it all goes well for u 🙂 🙂
- - seachtheteach said
  - 12 Aug 2013
    5:18 pm
Great ideas here. Patience, rest and a whole lot of TLC works wonders. Toddlers are so emotional and variable that understanding is a must. Zapping their energy at rest stops is a definite winner, as are healthy snacks 🙂

- - sallty said
  - 08 Aug 2013
    10:36 pm
We just had a holiday with four flights etc with my two year old. We followed these tips, i.e. ran around a lot when we could, only ate healthy snacks, etc, and it was way easier than I thought it would be! Only thing was he didn’t want to poo in a strange toilet and got really constipated as I didn’t get on to it quick enough. But I know for next time what to do.

- - vikram77 said
  - 08 Aug 2013
    6:38 am
Seems like trick is to keep toddlers busy and occupied in some physical activity

- - lynzstevo said
  - 07 Aug 2013
    11:45 am
My kids love having things that we’re passing pointed out to them as we’re driving – cows, rollers and diggers, cane harvesters, trains, even simple things like trees. Its good to keep their little minds busy 🙂

- - vicky_guillaumier said
  - 06 Aug 2013
    12:40 pm
Some of my happiest memories are of family holidays.

- - delwyn_davis said
  - 31 Jul 2013
    10:41 pm
We sing and play games in the car and also have paper and pencil handy etc.