[2littlekiddies]

We just got back from a trip to Thailand for my DH's brothers wedding. I was a bit nervous about taking our daughter but it all worked out fine.

One thing I would like to pass on is seating. We found the best spot for seating was right at the back of the plane where the seating starts to thin out on the sides. On the window side the seating goes from a 3 seater to a 2 seater and the 1st 2 seater has quite a bit of room next to the window. Our DD slept on the floor in this area quite comfortably with a pillow and a blanket. There also tends to be spare seats (if not completely booked out) at the back of the plane and on the way over DD slept between 2 seats with the arm rest up.

The food they serve for toddlers isn't quite the best. Unless you have a toddler who will eat ANYTHING, it is best to take on some food sealed up for the trip just as long as you don't take it off the plane they will allow it for children.

The experience of travelling overseas is definitely worth it with a toddler. Especially when they hardly cost a thing to get there and back.

Also would like to add that when we were in Thailand, we never needed to book a babysitter as the staff at our resort looked after her when we had our dinner or had a swim. And DD LOVED all the attention. It was a great holiday for all of us.

[rainbow4]

For travelling on long car trips a portable DVD player is fantastic! It can also be used once you reach your destination if where you are staying does not have one (or a TV).

[Keropi]

These are absolute great tips, thanks ladies, I will certainly be putting into place a few of these tips next year on our 3 month adventure.

[kittenlips]

Can anyone tell me what they did when formula feeding. I will be travelling to the UK in May with my 9 mth old who is FF. Did you take pre-sterilised bottles onboard with pre-sterilised water and the powder separately? Or did you make up some bottles ready? How did you sterilise stuff onboard? I take it you are allowed to take Formula onboard a plane? Help please any tips would be gratefully appreciated!!

[playeveryday]

Find some games to play with your child during the trip. Such as


Find Items
Give children lists of things to watch for during the drive. Children can cooperate or compete to see who can find all the items on the lists.

Guessing Game
Have one child think of a person, place, or object and keep it a secret. Have other children take turns asking yes/no questions until someone is able to guess what the secret is. The child who hold the secret has responsibility to guide the other children get close to the answer.

Adding Words Game
Following the letters of the alphabet, have one person start with A and say for instance, "My name is Anna and I am going on a trip to Africa. In my lunch box I have an apple." The next person would begin by saying, "My name is Billy and I am going on a trip to Belgium. In my lunch box I have a banana and a burger." On to the letter C. Keep adding to the number of items in that lunch box.

Opposite Word
Have one adult in the bus or car give a word and the kids give the opposite. For example, started with hot and cold, dry and wet, laugh and cry, up and down, left and right, out and in, etc. Then work the way into some hard words! This was one of my students' favorite kids travel games!

Twist Stories
Ask Children to tell a favorite tale with a twist, such as adding or substituting a strange or silly character. They might want to add an astronaut to “jack and the beanstalk,” a computer salesperson to the “Three Little Pigs,” or a talking fish to “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Brainstorm ideas for unusual or funny characters for favorite stories. Then choose one of the characters to include on one of the stories. Then children can retell the story with the new character, making changes as needed.

True or False
Have children slap their thighs to create a rhythm, have them chant: “ Apple, peaches, pear, pie… Is it true, or is it a lie?” Then have the children take turns making true or false statements about themselves each time the chanting stops. For example, a child might say:” I gave my dog a bath yesterday”; “Today I am going to the park with my mom”; or “ my dad gave me a real bear for my birthday.” At the end of the statement, have the whole group guess whether the statement was true or false by putting their thumbs up for true and thumbs down for lie. This is one of popular kids travel games in my school.

Coin Game
Start with ten coins. Have one child conceal several coins in either right or left hand. Everyone guesses how many coins he or she has. No one can guess the same number as anyone else. Child who guesses correctly becomes next “coin concealer”.

[renee-becker]

Couldn't agree with PP more - the ERGO saved our lives when we travelled to Canada! NOTHING is worse than being in a busy airport with a curious and active DS and having to carry him for 4 hours while your plane is delayed as happened during our previous trip!

Great for getting out and seeing places too- no need to pack/buy a stroller, and means you don't have to negotiate stairs or desecrating sacred churches with your pram wheels

[lcc76]

1 question and a couple of ideas...

Question - is the Ergo big enough for the average 2 year old? My DD can piggy back, but only with me holding her behind, and my arms get sore!! I thought the Ergo looked like quite a good option. How small does it go- can you roll it up?

A couple of ideas - for smaller children - we went to Thailand and Vietnam with DD when she was 3 months and then 10 months.

At 3 months, what worked brilliantly was a small blow up toy surfboard and a blow up mini pool. I am not joking, they took up no room, weighed nothing. We put her on the surfboard to carry her around the airport while she was asleep (with our arms around her of course) but it meant we could put her on a table, pass her between us, and put her on the ground (with us sitting next to her). She could also sleep in the blow up mini pool at the airport, and we used it (with bottled water) for baths.

The biggest use for the surf board was with the bassinet on the flight - you can put it in the bassinet under the baby, and then when there is turbulence (and you have to take them out), they are on the surfboard and you are much less likely to wake them!! Nifty, hey.

No reason why you couldn't use these techniques on an older child, of course you do need to be vigilant that they don't roll off and hurt themselves!

[larabelle75]

Re: Ergos, they are great for 2 year olds, but don't fold up super small, due to the padded straps and waist. You can clip it around you waist and let it dangle down when not using it though (if doing lots of up/downs).

[lcc76]

Thanks, I think the Ergo sounds like exactly what i am after. I'm going to a 'babywearing' meeting in Brissie next weekend, so hopefully someone has one that I can look at.

[eamber]

Great advice.

Lots of nibbles, drinks, games and creativity