Just got back from another out-of-the-country trip with my family. My kids grew up traveling especially my eldest, when I would take him along with me (alone) on domestic flights. They say babies can be tough but traveling with toddlers and little kids can be a challenge too!
My kids are way older than being toddler travelers but I’ve been there done that. I have avoided tantrums and cries on flight by making sure they are fully rested before a flight. The key to a happy flight with toddlers is to keep them occupied.
Toddlers can be a lot of fun since they are just learning how to play, run, walk, and express an interest in their surroundings. But, when you’re in a confined space like a train, car, or plane for a prolonged period, getting rid of all that energy can be a challenge.
Keeping them occupied is the best solution. You could give them a tablet to keep them busy, but too much screen time is never a good idea. Especially when there are loads of toys specially designed with toddlers in mind, to make it easier on you, select toys that are compact, light, and mess-free. You can keep these toys in mind to hold your toddler’s interest while taking a long trip.
Here are my suggested travel toys that you should put on your carry-on bags to have fulfilled and tantrum-free flights with your toddler:
Sticker Activity Books
Most of the time, stickers are just right for a single application. Kids peel them off a sheet, place it somewhere where it stays. However, with a sticker activity book, you can reuse the durable stickers repeatedly, since these books come with plenty of stickers and have various colorful “game boards” where the stickers can be affixed.
With this toy, your toddler can have fun and kept busy for hours on end, even when they are in a car seat. Younger kids can stick and re-stick the stickers all over the booklet, while their older siblings can engage in other activities like mazes, matching games, counting games, and more.
Collectibles
Across generations, the items which are most generally collected include shells, eggs, rocks, stamps, coins, sports cards, and figurines like ooshies, Marvel toys, etc. Collecting is linked to a kid’s natural curiosity, and it entails a process of making sense of things by gathering and categorizing.
Children have fun while counting and subdividing their precious collections into categories. Younger kids typically care more about how much they have than considering the aesthetic factors.
Crayons
Many children love crayons and a coloring book. It is an activity that has been practiced for centuries to keep children occupied. A good box of crayons has gotten parents through many road trips and flights. Some parents even take this to restaurants, other people’s houses, and doctor’s appointments to ensure their toddlers stay occupied and well-behaved.
Nowadays, you can get large washable ultra-clean crayons, which are perfect since the marks can be wiped off quickly from most surfaces with only warm water and a paper towel or damp cloth. Washable crayon smudges can be removed from windows, walls, tabletops, leather upholstery, and much more. Therefore, kids can be given free rein with their art supplies.
Lacing beads
The multiple block and bead shapes with colorful strings have been a winner with kids alike, captivating their minds. Whether they use it to create a necklace for mom or dad, string the beads in exciting patterns, or merely enjoying the tactile feel of sliding the beads onto the woven cords, lacing beads are a fun pastime for young kids at different stages of development. They are also durable, meaning they are long-lasting but be prepared to lose a few along the way.
On top of these toys, make your toddler happy by packing on their favorite treats. Likewise, make sure they went to the bathroom prior to your flights to avoid going to the plane toilet while seatbelt light is on.
With these simple tips, there is no worry for parents like you to fly with your toddlers. Raising traveling kids are great for their overall development and you should start traveling with them as early as you can.
