It can be hectic travelling with a toddler. It can also be frantic to move from one place to another – cramped airports or stations, long delays, and busy waiting places. Yet, amidst all these things, you must take special care and attention of your toddler. From sleeping and eating to pooping, you must be attentive to their needs.
So whether your travelling experience will be frustrating or merry will significantly depend on your toddler’s mood. But no worries! Proper preparation and prior planning can help convert a bad travel experience into an enjoyable and hassle-free experience for you and your toddler.
Things to Keep in Mind While Travelling With A Toddler
Below are a few things you should remember while travelling with a toddler.
Choose Destination Wisely
While planning a trip with kids, it’s essential to consider their ages when deciding on a destination. Also, avoid crowded places; instead, choose a destination where you can enjoy many child-friendly activities.
Book Tickets Early
Try to book your tickets well in advance. Then, with a confirmed ticket, you will have the peace of mind necessary to pack important stuff for your child for the trip.
Early booking will help you get a convenient berth of your choice when travelling by train. However, if you take an early morning flight or train, make sure to put your child to bed early the night before. Otherwise, be ready to face too many tantrums of your half-awake and half-asleep child. It can be a test of your patience.
On the other hand, road trips will offer you different challenges. If traveling in own car, it can be more comfortable. However, if you travel in a different vehicle, remember to carry your kid’s favourite toys to keep them occupied during the journey.
Pack Medicines
Make sure to consult a pediatrician before your journey to make a list of medicines, tests or vaccinations needed for your toddler. In addition, let your doctor know your travel destination so they can advise you on the required precautions to take based on the place’s weather. Also, don’t forget to mention any history of travel-associated illness to the doctor. Also, be sure to take out a comprehensive travel insurance.
Along with those medicines, carry the doctor’s contact number so you can call them in an emergency. Searching for a doctor or pharmacy store in an unknown place will be tough.
Pack The Right Things
Sometimes, the climate can be a big spoiler on trips, so make sure to carry extra clothes for your child. If you are travelling anywhere that gets cold, pack sufficient warm clothes. Besides these, carry other things like your child’s favourite toy or anything that keeps them engaged or comfortable.
You must pack all the basic things your toddler needs regularly. A checklist will help you pack things easily and quickly and won’t let you miss the essentials.
Carry Sufficient Food
Another thing you should be extra prepared for is carrying sufficient food. It’s recommended to pack a mixture of treats and healthy snacks, including the ones that your toddler prefers to eat. Motion sickness can be troublesome, so having their favourite foods to distract them are key.
You can get packaged snacks almost everywhere, but your toddler may ask for some particular snacks that can be hard to get in a new place. So it’s better to carry a few of them with you incase of an emergency or delay.
Keep Them Active & Encouraged
Besides toys, you can also carry small colouring books and pocket or digital storybooks. Perhaps one of the last things on your mind before the trip will be music, but playing music that they might enjoy could actually help provide a nice distraction. It would have to be music that won’t cut into your own patience and focus of course, but it can definitely be a viable option. All of these things used at different points during the trip will be beneficial on your long journey as they keep your toddler engaged and active.
On the other hand, you can encourage them by letting them memorise various things on the trip. For example, ask them, ‘what did you see?’ or ‘what are you enjoying the most?’
You can even build up the enthusiasm for the journey by telling your toddler exciting things about the place you’re heading to. For example, show your child some pictures and a detailed, but exciting map and tell them some exciting things you plan to do there with them. This will eventually incite excitement in them for the journey.
Conclusion
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t mean a nightmare or worry-full travel experience. However, with pro planning and preparations, including the things mentioned, you can have memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
