| Traveling with children does not have to be a | | | | trip and hopefully they will wake up |
| dreaded nightmare, as it's often depicted. As | | | | well-rested and happy. Time your flights to |
| long as children are kept entertained, they | | | | decrease your and your children's symptoms of |
| will probably enjoy the flight. They will | | | | jet lag and you will be grateful. |
| probably be more excited about flying than | | | | |
| you are, because they have had fewer | | | | When traveling with children, it is essential |
| opportunities to do it. By flying with your | | | | to be a skilled packer. You want to travel |
| children, you are adding many hours, | | | | light enough so you won't be weighed down |
| sometimes days, to your family vacation time. | | | | with your luggage, but not so light that you |
| It might take you a day or more to drive to | | | | have to buy a lot of clothes or extras when |
| Disney World, but you can be there in a few | | | | you arrive in your destination. It is |
| hours on a plane. This adds to your time in | | | | difficult to pack properly for yourself and |
| the park, or wherever your family chooses to | | | | your children on a vacation, so make sure you |
| go. | | | | give yourself plenty of time in advance. It |
| | | | will help to have a few days to add to your |
| Plan your family vacation far in advance. | | | | family's luggage, so you can be sure not to |
| This will afford you time to shop around for | | | | forget anything crucial. Try to fit as much |
| the cheapest tickets at the best airlines. | | | | into as few bags as possible. You don't want |
| Many airlines try to attract families | | | | to risk the airline losing multiple bags. |
| traveling together by offering special | | | | Keep essentials like clean underwear and a |
| children's meals and movies on the flight. | | | | toothbrush in your carryon luggage, just in |
| Look around for a kid-friendly airline that | | | | case. |
| will anticipate your child's travel needs. If | | | | |
| you are taking an extremely long flight, | | | | The most fun part of traveling with kids is |
| research the airports where you will have to | | | | packing their carryon backpacks. Here you can |
| spend your layover. Many airports these days | | | | provide new coloring books and snacks, |
| have small playgrounds and children's | | | | interesting things for them to discover once |
| amenities that will give the kids a place to | | | | they board the plane. They will be excited at |
| burn off their pent-up energy and let you | | | | new toys and activities. You don't have to |
| rest. | | | | spend a lot of money. The novelty will be |
| | | | enough for the children. Keep a store of |
| If you must fly a long distance, plan your | | | | surprises for emergencies, if the children |
| trip so the longest part of your flight | | | | become especially bored. Always have an ace |
| coincides with your children's regular | | | | in the hole, a candy bar or new crayons for |
| bedtime. This way they will be occupied with | | | | the kids to enjoy. This will ensure a |
| sleeping during the most boring part of the | | | | pleasant trip for everyone. |