As parents ourselves, Security Travel knows that children enjoy visiting new & exciting places but they don't like to be confined in a small area such as the backseat of a car for a long period of time, especially with their siblings! So here are a few travel tips for your next family vacation: 

• Plan Ahead -- Think about what probably will happen and what could happen.
  • Talk with your child about what is going to happen. Read books about airplanes, car rides, trains, etc.
  • Tell your child how long it will take to travel, and what you will be doing each step of the way. For example, "We will get up early and eat breakfast. Then we go to the airport, and eat lunch on the airplane. When we get off the airplane, we will see Grandma and Grandpa."
  • Check with your hotel about what services they have. Some hotels have refrigerators, cribs, and washing machines.
  • Check with your airport or airline about what services they have. Some airlines have special meals for children.
  • What will you do if something happens that was not planned? For example, what will you do if the airplane does not have food? What will you do if there is no refrigerator available at your hotel?
  • Think about paying for some things. For example, use a rental car company that is at the airport, or pay the hotel person to move your luggage for you.
  • Plan lots of time to get where you are going. Plan to be delayed. Even if everything goes well, it still takes more time to travel with children.
  • Plan to buy some things when you get there. For example, take only enough diapers for the travel day plus one more day. Buy more diapers once you get there.
  • Think about what the temperature might be where you are going.
  • Make a list of everything you need to pack.
• What to Pack -- Pack only what you need. Remember you will have to carry it.
  • Think about whether or not you can wash clothes on your trip. This helps you decide how much clothing to take.
  • Let your child help pack if she is old enough. She can pick her own toys, books and snacks. Older children can pack their own clothes. Children enjoy making decisions and being involved in the packing.
  • Put name tags on all bags. Envelope address labels work well on hard surfaces like car seats and strollers. Soft things like stuffed animals and blankets can be marked using laundry marking tape or iron-on clothing patches. Write with a permanent marker on the tape or patch. Then iron it onto the tag of the stuffed animal or the corner of the blanket.
• The Day Before -- Lay everything out the day before so you and your child know that everything is ready. Plan to wear loose fitting clothes for the day you travel.
  • Make a list of last-minute things to pack like a cooler of food and drinks, medicine, favorite toy or blanket. Put the list with your traveling clothes.
  • Write down on paper all of your travel information. This is called an itinerary. Items to include are airline flight numbers and times, driving directions, telephone number and address of where you are staying and confirmation numbers. Make a copy for every adult. Everyone will have all the information in one place.
• Travel by Plane -- Talk with your children about what to expect.
  • When booking tickets, get seats together.
  • Tell your airline that you have small children.
  • Some airlines allow children less than 2 years old to travel on your lap. Check with your airline.
  • Some airlines offer discounted fares for children traveling in a car seat. Check with your airline.
  • Some airlines have special meals for children. Order them when you buy your tickets or a couple of days before your flight.
  • Find out the size limits and number limits for carry-on luggage.
  • Make sure your child restraint system (CRS) or car seat is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved. Check for a label that reads, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft."
  • The FAA recommends that a child weighing:
    • under 20 pounds be placed in a rear-facing CRS.
    • from 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS.
    • over 40 pounds may safely use an airplane seat belt.
  • CRS must be in window or center seats. This is so everyone can leave during an emergency. CRS cannot be placed in an emergency exit row or in an aisle seat.
  • The airline seat belts do not need locking clips. If the belt loosens, turn the metal fitting (NOT the buckle) over 180 degrees and re-insert into the buckle. This often helps keep the seat belt tight. If the seat belt still loosens, then ask to be re-seated. You will need extra time to anchor the car seat. Try to board the airplane early.
  • Leave for the airport early. It will take longer to check-in and go through security with small children.
  • Take extra snacks, toys, etc.
  • If you have any questions, call your airline, airport, or the Transportation Security Administration.
• Travel by Car -- Talk with your child about what to expect.
  • Check your CRS or car seats to make sure they are properly installed. Make sure it does not move when pulled or pushed on.
  • Check that your car has safety equipment such as a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, etc.
  • If traveling in cold weather, make sure there is bottled water, a small shovel, a blanket, hats and mittens, etc. These items will be helpful if you get stuck in cold weather.
  • Rental cars, limousines and taxis may or may not provide car seats. Call the company ahead of time to see if this is a service it provides. If so, it could save you from having to carry and install your own.
  • Buses also may have seat belts for your CRS.
• Travel by Train -- Tell the conductor you are traveling with small children.
  • Ask to be seated in the middle of the car. Children must go farther before they can go out a door.
  • CRS may be used in seats.
  • The area between the train cars is dangerous for small children.
  • Always carry or hold your child's hand when walking between cars.
• Travel by Ship – Talk with your child about what to expect.
  • Tell your travel agent you have small children
  • Some cruise lines offer discounted fares for children traveling in a car seat. Check with your cruise line.
  • Some cruise lines have special meals for children. Order them when you buy your tickets or a couple of days before your cruise.
  • Find out the size limits and number limits for carry-on luggage.
• Staying in a Hotel -- A hotel room is not childproofed.
  • Try to get a room on the inside or on the ground floor. Balconies can be very dangerous. The opening below the railing may be big enough for small children to fall through. A safety net attached by inexpensive cable ties may work.
  • Use rubber bands or inexpensive cable ties to temporarily tie up appliance cords and window blinds.
  • Electrical outlets should be covered with outlet covers.
  • Move water glasses, soaps, lotions, mini-bar keys, remote controls, plants, telephones, garbage cans, etc. so that they are all out of reach. Move pens up so your child does not write on the walls.
  • Move furniture such as tables and chairs to the edge of the room.
  • Keep the bathroom door closed.
  • Check the hotel crib to make sure all the parts are working properly. Make sure there are no loose, broken, or missing pieces. All bedding should be firm.
  • Use a towel in the bottom of the sink or bathtub if a non-slip pad is not available.
  • Use a nightlight.
  • Check the location of the exits and fire extinguishers.
  • It is not recommended to store breast milk in an ice chest for long periods of time. Hotels will often have a refrigerator where it can be stored. Make sure to put it in a labeled bag. A mini-bar refrigerator usually is not cold enough. You may also consider renting a portable refrigerator. These are often first come/first served.
• Staying with Family or Friends -- A relative or friend's home may not be childproofed.
  • See the hotel childproofing ideas above.
  • Check the windows - lock and block them.
  • Think about asking a relative or friend to purchase things for you before you arrive. It will make starting your trip much easier when you already have diapers, diaper wipes, baby food, graham crackers, etc. waiting for you.

A few more tips from Security Travel…

§         Make it fun! -- Making a trip fun begins long before you start your adventure. Build anticipation by talking with your children about your upcoming trip once the date is firmly set. Talk about all of the exciting places you are going to see and the things you hope to do with them. Plan ahead by purchasing small, inexpensive toys and books which will keep them quietly occupied when the scenery no longer holds their interest. This will also save you money. When you make an unplanned purchase out of desperation during your trip you are likely to pay more for that item. Don't give them the toys at the beginning of the trip. Wait until it becomes necessary. You want them to learn to appreciate travel for the sake of travel.

§         Make it interactive & educational -- Children want to learn, they just don't want the learning to be dry and boring. Consider purchasing fun geography and map books appropriate for their age level which will cover the area you will be traveling through / to. You can also show them the map you will be using so they can see the difference between their map books and yours.