We travel with our kids several times a year and I am always trying to think of new ways to make the whole process a lot smoother.
For Christmas, we got both of our kids their own suitcases, like the Trunki from Melissa and Doug. They love to be able to pack their favorite toys and books. This also cuts down on them trying to stuff all of their prized possessions into my bag. They know they can pack their loveys, blankets, and few books and toys. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come with us!
Another priority when traveling is keeping them busy! Even though we do have a DVD player for the car, we don’t like to rely on that to keep them entertained. We always pack some activity pads, like Melissa & Doug’s Water Wow or Carry-n-Color activity pads. The Water Wow pads are great because they are mess free!
To help with the activity pads, a travel tray, like this one found at One Step Ahead, is a must. Not only does it give your child a flat surface to draw and color on, but they make a great snack tray as well. I love the side pockets on this one to hold cups, markers, crayons, and small toys.
When all else fails, family games always come through for us. Classic games like Travel Bingo and the License Plate game from Melissa and Doug never get old! It also keeps the kids busy by making them look around and gets them excited when they find what they are looking for.
Stephanie is a member of the 2013-2014 Toy Insider Parent Advisory Board. She is also a blogger at A Grande Life. You can follow her on Twitter at @thestephglover!
