Elena Elisseeva
By Kara Murphy
Staying organized and being prepared for the unexpected is key when traveling as a family, especially when small children are involved.
Follow these smart packing tips, and you may actually enjoy the trip -- or at least maybe you won't feel like you need a vacation from your vacation once you've returned.
Got a tried-and-true packing tip for family travel? Share your best packing tips on the Frommers.com Packing Forum.
Photo Caption: A family passes the time in the airport terminal by watching planes take off and land.
If they're old enough to do so, involve your kids in gathering their stuff for the trip. Not only will it shorten your to-do list, but it also will help to make sure their favorite snack or toy is not forgotten.
"Kids do have things they definitely want to bring," says Elizabeth Thorp, founder of Poshbrood.com (www.poshbrood.com). "I let my kids pack their own small bag to take with them on the plane or in the car."
Just make it clear to them that they will also be responsible for handling their own bag throughout the entire trip. Kid-size wheelie bags and backpacks are easy for children to manage. Consider fun, brightly-colored bags from brands such as Trunki (www.melissaanddoug.com), Lands' End (www.landsend.com) and Heys (www.heysusa.com). Samsonite (www.samsonite.ca) has a Sammies collection that is specifically for children.
Pack the rest of their gear, including clothes and toiletries, in a larger suitcase. Try to keep things organized by child or by type of item (tops, bottoms, onesies, socks, underwear, toiletries). Ziploc bags or packing cubes from brands like L.L. Bean (www.llbean.com), Eagle Creek (www.eaglecreek.com) and Travelon (www.travelonbags.com) make this a cinch.
Photo Caption: Trunki's Ruby children's suitcase, $39.99, www.melissaanddoug.com
"A hungry kid is a cranky kid, so snacks are key when you're traveling with kids," Poshbrood's Elizabeth Thorp says. "In addition to letting them pack their own toys, I also put my kids in charge of packing their own snacks. I take them into the kitchen and have everything laid out -- crackers, granola bars, peanuts, raisins. Then they pick what they want to put in their carry-on or bag for the car."
Whenever possible, go for items in individual packages. Wash fruits and vegetables ahead of time, and if it makes them easier to eat, cut them into bite-size pieces and store them in Ziploc bags. Avoid foods that are sticky or create extra garbage (like peels and pits).
Whether you're traveling by car or plane, you'll also want to have plenty of drinks on hand. If you're going on a road trip, stock a cooler in the trunk with juice boxes and water bottles. When flying, once you've gone through security, buy enough drinks to at least tide you over until drinks are served on the plane. You may want to consider bringing along a few extra treats like M&Ms to give in a pinch as a reward for good behavior.
If you're traveling with infants, you should know that baby formula and food, and breast milk can be brought aboard in "reasonable quantities" beyond the TSA's 3.4-oz regulations.
Photo Caption: Don't skimp on packing snacks for the road.
Keep a change of clothes for each kid in your carry-on. "Even if it's an older kid, someone inevitably spills something on themselves and then they're miserable," says Poshbrood.com's Elizabeth Thorp. If you're traveling with babies or toddlers, you may want to pack an extra outfit for yourself as well.
For your second bag, choose a large tote with plenty of pockets inside and out so that everything has a place. Make sure that it will fit easily underneath your seat on the plane or on the floor in the car. Pack it with any items you will need access to throughout the trip, including snacks, extra toys, and bandages.
As a general rule, if you're checking luggage, it's always a good idea to pack your carry-on bags with at least two days' worth of clothes for each family member. This way you're covered if your luggage is lost or delayed.
You should also plan to carry on plenty of extra diapers and baby food or formula. These items are all tough to find in airport shops, so you'll be glad you have them if your plane is delayed.
Photo Caption: Large nylon travel tote by LeSportsac, $98, www.ebags.com
Most stroller brands, including Britax (www.britaxusa.com) and Bumbleride (www.bumbleride.com), make models that fold flat. If you're traveling with an infant and will be doing some driving on your trip, consider buying a stroller frame that your baby seat will snap into. Baby Trend (www.babytrend.com), Graco (www.graco.com), and Maclaren (www.maclarenbaby.com) all make them.
You can also opt for a stroller that does double duty. "One of the best things I ever bought is this stroller called the Sit'n'Stroll by Lilly Gold (www.lillygold.com)," says Thorp. "It's a car seat that turns into a stroller and that fits in a seat on the plane."
Photo Caption: 5-n-1 Sit'n'Stroll by Lilly Gold, $319.99, www.lillygold.com. Use promo code Frommers to buy the Sit'n'Stroll from www.lillygold.com for $269.99; valid for purchases between Nov. 15-30, 2011.
The best strategy for traveling with kids is to distract, distract, distract! The more you can preoccupy them and make the time pass more quickly (especially on long-haul flights or car rides), the better.
"Bring small packages of crayons, fresh coloring books, and pads of paper," says Poshbrood.com's Elizabeth Thorp. Also pack their favorite toys, pillows and blankets, especially if you're traveling in the car where you have more room.
"One trick is to wrap up old, forgotten toys and surprise your kids with them along the way," Thorp says. "I get small toys and books they haven't used in a long time from the bottom of the bins in the playroom -- or even old Happy Meal toys from the junk drawer -- and I wrap them in wrapping paper and keep them in my bag. It's the presentation, being able to unwrap something." Dollar stores are another great source for cheap surprise gifts.
Gadgets are also great distractions. An iPad, Nintendo DS, and portable DVD player are all kid- and travel-friendly. Budget time to complete any downloads before you leave the house (the night before is best, especially if you're downloading movies).
Photo Caption: The Nintendo 3DS system, $169.99, www.amazon.com
Do your research and check what amenities and meals are provided or that can be purchased on your flight. It may affect which flight you decide to book as well as what items you decide to bring with you.
For instance, if you don't have room in your bag for a portable DVD player (or you don't own one), you may want to consider booking an airline that has in-flight entertainment systems on their planes. JetBlue (www.jetblue.com) and Virgin America (www.virginamerica.com) planes have seatbacks with individual TV screens. Just remember to bring a set of headphones for each of your kids. Most airlines with in-flight entertainment systems provide them, but they may not fit your child's head properly.
You can take your stroller with you to the gate, but it must be checked before you get on the plane. The stroller does not count as one of your carry-ons, and will be delivered to you plane-side when you arrive at your destination.
Photo Caption: Virgin America offers great in-flight entertainment for kids
Be sure to bring whatever devices you use to take pictures and videos, along with their chargers, backup memory cards, and batteries.
If you want to share pictures with friends and family back home, think about investing in a camera with built-in Wi-Fi to make sharing on-the-go a cinch. Already have a camera you love, but isn't Wi-Fi-enabled? Consider an Eye-Fi (www.eye.fi) memory card. The company's enhanced SD cards allow you to wirelessly upload files from any camera or camcorder to your favorite sites (Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube), or to your phone, tablet, or computer.
Photo Caption: Mobile X2 memory card, $79.99, www.amazon.com
Staying organized and being prepared for the unexpected is key when traveling as a family, especially when small children are involved.
Follow these smart packing tips, and you may actually enjoy the trip -- or at least maybe you won't feel like you need a vacation from your vacation once you've returned.
Got a tried-and-true packing tip for family travel? Share your best packing tips on the Frommers.com Packing Forum.
Photo Caption: A family passes the time in the airport terminal by watching planes take off and land.
"Kids do have things they definitely want to bring," says Elizabeth Thorp, founder of Poshbrood.com (www.poshbrood.com). "I let my kids pack their own small bag to take with them on the plane or in the car."
Just make it clear to them that they will also be responsible for handling their own bag throughout the entire trip. Kid-size wheelie bags and backpacks are easy for children to manage. Consider fun, brightly-colored bags from brands such as Trunki (www.melissaanddoug.com), Lands' End (www.landsend.com) and Heys (www.heysusa.com). Samsonite (www.samsonite.ca) has a Sammies collection that is specifically for children.
Pack the rest of their gear, including clothes and toiletries, in a larger suitcase. Try to keep things organized by child or by type of item (tops, bottoms, onesies, socks, underwear, toiletries). Ziploc bags or packing cubes from brands like L.L. Bean (www.llbean.com), Eagle Creek (www.eaglecreek.com) and Travelon (www.travelonbags.com) make this a cinch.
Photo Caption: Trunki's Ruby children's suitcase, $39.99, www.melissaanddoug.com
Whenever possible, go for items in individual packages. Wash fruits and vegetables ahead of time, and if it makes them easier to eat, cut them into bite-size pieces and store them in Ziploc bags. Avoid foods that are sticky or create extra garbage (like peels and pits).
Whether you're traveling by car or plane, you'll also want to have plenty of drinks on hand. If you're going on a road trip, stock a cooler in the trunk with juice boxes and water bottles. When flying, once you've gone through security, buy enough drinks to at least tide you over until drinks are served on the plane. You may want to consider bringing along a few extra treats like M&Ms to give in a pinch as a reward for good behavior.
If you're traveling with infants, you should know that baby formula and food, and breast milk can be brought aboard in "reasonable quantities" beyond the TSA's 3.4-oz regulations.
Photo Caption: Don't skimp on packing snacks for the road.
For your second bag, choose a large tote with plenty of pockets inside and out so that everything has a place. Make sure that it will fit easily underneath your seat on the plane or on the floor in the car. Pack it with any items you will need access to throughout the trip, including snacks, extra toys, and bandages.
As a general rule, if you're checking luggage, it's always a good idea to pack your carry-on bags with at least two days' worth of clothes for each family member. This way you're covered if your luggage is lost or delayed.
You should also plan to carry on plenty of extra diapers and baby food or formula. These items are all tough to find in airport shops, so you'll be glad you have them if your plane is delayed.
Photo Caption: Large nylon travel tote by LeSportsac, $98, www.ebags.com
You can also opt for a stroller that does double duty. "One of the best things I ever bought is this stroller called the Sit'n'Stroll by Lilly Gold (www.lillygold.com)," says Thorp. "It's a car seat that turns into a stroller and that fits in a seat on the plane."
Photo Caption: 5-n-1 Sit'n'Stroll by Lilly Gold, $319.99, www.lillygold.com. Use promo code Frommers to buy the Sit'n'Stroll from www.lillygold.com for $269.99; valid for purchases between Nov. 15-30, 2011.
Always bring a fully-stocked first aid kit and put it in your purse or carry-on so that you can access it at all times. Pack everything in something that's clear and waterproof, such as a Ziploc bag or a Tupperware container. You can make one yourself, or buy one already assembled. AAA (www.aaa.com), Johnson & Johnson (www.jnj.com) and the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) all make great first aid kits in packable sizes. ME4KIDZ (www.me4kidz.com) makes kits especially for kids.
A basic first aid kit can include:
- Adhesive bandages (in different shapes and sizes)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Thermometer
- Sterile gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and an antihistamine
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Gloves
- Insect repellent
Depending on where you're going, additional items may also include motion sickness medication. In case of more
serious emergencies, compile your family's important medical information and have it somewhere that's readily
accessible. Whether you print it out, e-mail it to yourself, or download it to your Kindle or laptop, just make
sure each family member knows where to find everything.
Photo Caption: Medibuddy first aid kit,
by ME4KIDZ, $5.95, www.me4kidz.com
"Bring small packages of crayons, fresh coloring books, and pads of paper," says Poshbrood.com's Elizabeth Thorp. Also pack their favorite toys, pillows and blankets, especially if you're traveling in the car where you have more room.
"One trick is to wrap up old, forgotten toys and surprise your kids with them along the way," Thorp says. "I get small toys and books they haven't used in a long time from the bottom of the bins in the playroom -- or even old Happy Meal toys from the junk drawer -- and I wrap them in wrapping paper and keep them in my bag. It's the presentation, being able to unwrap something." Dollar stores are another great source for cheap surprise gifts.
Gadgets are also great distractions. An iPad, Nintendo DS, and portable DVD player are all kid- and travel-friendly. Budget time to complete any downloads before you leave the house (the night before is best, especially if you're downloading movies).
Photo Caption: The Nintendo 3DS system, $169.99, www.amazon.com
For instance, if you don't have room in your bag for a portable DVD player (or you don't own one), you may want to consider booking an airline that has in-flight entertainment systems on their planes. JetBlue (www.jetblue.com) and Virgin America (www.virginamerica.com) planes have seatbacks with individual TV screens. Just remember to bring a set of headphones for each of your kids. Most airlines with in-flight entertainment systems provide them, but they may not fit your child's head properly.
You can take your stroller with you to the gate, but it must be checked before you get on the plane. The stroller does not count as one of your carry-ons, and will be delivered to you plane-side when you arrive at your destination.
Photo Caption: Virgin America offers great in-flight entertainment for kids
If you want to share pictures with friends and family back home, think about investing in a camera with built-in Wi-Fi to make sharing on-the-go a cinch. Already have a camera you love, but isn't Wi-Fi-enabled? Consider an Eye-Fi (www.eye.fi) memory card. The company's enhanced SD cards allow you to wirelessly upload files from any camera or camcorder to your favorite sites (Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube), or to your phone, tablet, or computer.
Photo Caption: Mobile X2 memory card, $79.99, www.amazon.com