May 01, 2024

Tips for Travelling with Toddlers

Whether you are flying in planes or driving in the car, crossing borders, seeing the country and discovering the world is exciting and exhausting.

For toddlers it is a brand new experience, with boredom and excitement and so many new things to learn.

We have some tips and toys to help ensure that the memories are good ones. Well as much as we can! There are some things we can't help you with....but entertaining kids, that we know how to do!

1 - Start by talking about the trip.

We are going on a plane, we will be in the car for a while.

Planes take off and fly in the sky. and we will be inside looking down. When we do our car trip, we will stop for lunch.

When we know what to expect there is less anxiety and frustration as parents and as children too.

We suggest having a toy before the trip that they will being with them. Introduce the trip and the toy. A wooden plane or a car toy, a doll to be their friend on the trip.

Having their own little plane is great for a toddler about to fly.

2 - Pack my bag.

Let the kids pack their own bag with some favourite toys, snacks and a book. With guidance of course. You don't want them bringing their favourite rocks away with you!

Younger kids can 'help' folding clothes into the suitcase. Older kids can have some agency in their choices.

And make no mistake, you will be carrying that bag, so make it a small one.

A magnetic book allows for imagination and play and the pieces stay!

3 - Things to do.

We love toys and games that keep the kids busy during a visit to a cafe...and those toys work really well in a plane or a car as well.

Colouring in, Magnetic play books, fidget toys, Magic water colour books. A game of snap will fill many a quiet moment.

Magic painting means painting with no mess. The water reveals the image.

4 - More than one

One of my go-to travel toys is Squigz. Because if you lose one or two it doesn't matter. They stick to windows meaning they can be used anywhere and gerat for bath time!

If you child has a favourite - teddy - toy - doudou. See if you can get a second one in case you need a spare. Losing it will be worse when travelling.

A pack of squigz is great for the tray, the window and fun when you arrive.

5 - Snack Snack Snacks

I'm an adult and I get grumpy and irritable when I'm hungry...so I pack snacks! Kids are the same and snack boxes will entertain the kids as well as helping their blood sugar stay in the happy zone. Have seperate snacks so they are new each time.