Comments on: 10 Essential Packing Rules when you’re Traveling with the Kids http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/ Get the most out of your time, money and mobility. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:40:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Penny http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1255 Penny Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:43:30 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1255 A few ideas for traveling. Playdough, or the homemade version in a small plastic container makes a great distraction for most children in restaurants. Young children (but old enough not to eat toys any longer) love little things. A med-large sized pop-top recipe box makes a great treasure box for a trip. Contents can include a small bouncy ball or mini frisbee for a roadside stop on the trip, mini books found in most stores selling children's books, (some can be really small), Polly pockets dolls and other similar toys like mini petshop animals, Toy cars, miniature animals and/or dinosaurs, Small notepads and miniature crayons and pencils. Many party favor toys sold for birthday parties will work as well. Decorate the treasure box ahead of time with sparkle glue or stickers. You can include a sheet of stickers inside for them to add their own. Sparkle glue is also great for writing their name on the box. A small folder to hold paper and stickers works well anytime. If you have access, print out coloring sheets ahead of time. There are all kinds online so these can always be new. A pencil case with pencil crayons and a pencil sharpener that can catch the shavings is a must. If the road trip is long, and the weather allows, skip the restaurant. Pick up lunch to go and head to a park. Even the smallest town usually has a school, and a school has a playground. Eat lunch and then it's playtime. This gives the kids incentive to eat without fooling around. It gives everyone fresh air out of the car and time to stretch. After eating mom and dad can have a little quiet(er) time while the kids play, make noise and burn off some energy. Even 15 minutes after eating can do wonders for everyone's mood. A few ideas for traveling.

Playdough, or the homemade version in a small plastic container makes a great distraction for most children in restaurants.

Young children (but old enough not to eat toys any longer) love little things. A med-large sized pop-top recipe box makes a great treasure box for a trip. Contents can include a small bouncy ball or mini frisbee for a roadside stop on the trip, mini books found in most stores selling children’s books, (some can be really small), Polly pockets dolls and other similar toys like mini petshop animals, Toy cars, miniature animals and/or dinosaurs, Small notepads and miniature crayons and pencils. Many party favor toys sold for birthday parties will work as well. Decorate the treasure box ahead of time with sparkle glue or stickers. You can include a sheet of stickers inside for them to add their own. Sparkle glue is also great for writing their name on the box.

A small folder to hold paper and stickers works well anytime. If you have access, print out coloring sheets ahead of time. There are all kinds online so these can always be new. A pencil case with pencil crayons and a pencil sharpener that can catch the shavings is a must.

If the road trip is long, and the weather allows, skip the restaurant. Pick up lunch to go and head to a park. Even the smallest town usually has a school, and a school has a playground. Eat lunch and then it’s playtime. This gives the kids incentive to eat without fooling around. It gives everyone fresh air out of the car and time to stretch. After eating mom and dad can have a little quiet(er) time while the kids play, make noise and burn off some energy. Even 15 minutes after eating can do wonders for everyone’s mood.

]]> By: Jeana http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1167 Jeana Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:22:27 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1167 #10 should be ROLL ROLL ROLL. When packing for long trips lay a shirt, pants, undies and socks out, each folded in half. Then starting at the bottom, we roll the entire outfit together as tightly as possible and place in a quart or gallon sized plastic zipper bag, depending on the size of the child. On the plastic bag's label, we put the day of the week the clothes should be worn. This works with pajamas and swim suits/beach towels too. Clothes come out NOT WRINKLED! We recently took a two week vacation with our seven children ages 6-11, and our total luggage count was one backpack per child, one duffel for each parent. We also have found that packing travel sized lotion, shampoo, conditioner is much better than using one full size item. The kids love to have their "own" toiletries and we can buy tons of them with coupons, making most of them free or less than $0.25! We also label EACH item with the child's name using a permanent marker, then place the kids toiletries in a sandwich sized bag labeled with their name. No leaks on clothes, no discrepancy about whose shampoo it is. Dirty clothes get rolled back up, but do not go back in the plastic bag, that way the younger children have an easier time telling which clothes are clean and which are not. For our older children, (10, 11, 12) We purchased a cheap (less than $30.00) digital camera for each. They spend much more time taking pictures and getting involved since they will be able to "save" their memories as well. #10 should be ROLL ROLL ROLL. When packing for long trips lay a shirt, pants, undies and socks out, each folded in half. Then starting at the bottom, we roll the entire outfit together as tightly as possible and place in a quart or gallon sized plastic zipper bag, depending on the size of the child. On the plastic bag’s label, we put the day of the week the clothes should be worn. This works with pajamas and swim suits/beach towels too. Clothes come out NOT WRINKLED! We recently took a two week vacation with our seven children ages 6-11, and our total luggage count was one backpack per child, one duffel for each parent. We also have found that packing travel sized lotion, shampoo, conditioner is much better than using one full size item. The kids love to have their “own” toiletries and we can buy tons of them with coupons, making most of them free or less than $0.25! We also label EACH item with the child’s name using a permanent marker, then place the kids toiletries in a sandwich sized bag labeled with their name. No leaks on clothes, no discrepancy about whose shampoo it is. Dirty clothes get rolled back up, but do not go back in the plastic bag, that way the younger children have an easier time telling which clothes are clean and which are not.

For our older children, (10, 11, 12) We purchased a cheap (less than $30.00) digital camera for each. They spend much more time taking pictures and getting involved since they will be able to “save” their memories as well.

]]> By: 10 Packing Rules For Traveling With Kids | Baby Strollers Blog http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1149 10 Packing Rules For Traveling With Kids | Baby Strollers Blog Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:31:54 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1149 [...] do you think Rule #10 should be? Leave us a comment on FamilyHack.com. We’d love to hear [...] [...] do you think Rule #10 should be? Leave us a comment on FamilyHack.com. We’d love to hear [...]

]]> By: Veronique http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1122 Veronique Mon, 19 May 2008 23:20:15 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1122 please excuse grammatical error! It may be a NZ thing, not an NZ thing. Cheers. please excuse grammatical error! It may be a NZ thing, not an NZ thing. Cheers.

]]> By: Veronique http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1121 Veronique Mon, 19 May 2008 23:18:36 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1121 It may be an NZ thing - I recommend eucalyptus (wipes or liquid) for sniffing when the plane is descending. They are great for helping ears pop especially if you have a bit of hayfever or nasal congestion. It may be an NZ thing - I recommend eucalyptus (wipes or liquid) for sniffing when the plane is descending. They are great for helping ears pop especially if you have a bit of hayfever or nasal congestion.

]]> By: Bebe au Lait http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1098 Bebe au Lait Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:15:43 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1098 Thanks for the mention, Ashlye. A Bebe au Lait nursing cover is a flight essential for breastfeeding mothers! Thanks for the mention, Ashlye. A Bebe au Lait nursing cover is a flight essential for breastfeeding mothers!

]]> By: ashlye http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-1094 ashlye Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:20:12 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-1094 ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES (a large pack MAY last your entire trip) use these to sanitize the armrests, tray tables, buttons near child's seat on the plane, easier than holding child over the sink in the bathrooms, booster seats and highchairs in restaurants, you name it. GO-GO KIDS TRAVELMATE car seat attachment. This allows the carseat to roll much like a rolling suitcase. This attachment is VERY durable, the wheels are excellent quality and EVERYONE in the airport will want to know where you bought it. The ONLY drawback is you will have to take the attachment off the carseat while your seat goes through the x-ray machine during your security screening, but even though a hassle, the convenience of this product really outweighs this minor glitch. I've never had to take the attachment off the carseat in order for it to fit in an airline seat and I've flown all the major airlines - even on small planes. My daughter loves it and it could even be used as a stroller once you arrive at your destination. SNACK-TRAP (this is an obvious one). I read on another website a mom brings packets of instant oatmeal and requests a hot cup of water from the flight attendant once on board the airplane. We will definitely try this one on our next flight. BREASTFEEDING. There is nothing more reliable or convenient than breastfeeding in flight to soothe a baby. A nursing cover such as those sold by Bebe Au Lait, will not only provide a cover-up for mom, but can also be used as a blanket or car seat, stroller cover too. A NEW TOY, BOOK, or DVD is also a must. And finally, I think #10 should absolutely be a PORTABLE DVD PLAYER or IPOD with video capabilities. A real lifesaver on the plane - just make sure you have earphones that are comfortable for your small child as well as a pair for yourself. ANTIBACTERIAL WIPES (a large pack MAY last your entire trip) use these to sanitize the armrests, tray tables, buttons near child’s seat on the plane, easier than holding child over the sink in the bathrooms, booster seats and highchairs in restaurants, you name it. GO-GO KIDS TRAVELMATE car seat attachment. This allows the carseat to roll much like a rolling suitcase. This attachment is VERY durable, the wheels are excellent quality and EVERYONE in the airport will want to know where you bought it. The ONLY drawback is you will have to take the attachment off the carseat while your seat goes through the x-ray machine during your security screening, but even though a hassle, the convenience of this product really outweighs this minor glitch. I’ve never had to take the attachment off the carseat in order for it to fit in an airline seat and I’ve flown all the major airlines - even on small planes. My daughter loves it and it could even be used as a stroller once you arrive at your destination. SNACK-TRAP (this is an obvious one). I read on another website a mom brings packets of instant oatmeal and requests a hot cup of water from the flight attendant once on board the airplane. We will definitely try this one on our next flight. BREASTFEEDING. There is nothing more reliable or convenient than breastfeeding in flight to soothe a baby. A nursing cover such as those sold by Bebe Au Lait, will not only provide a cover-up for mom, but can also be used as a blanket or car seat, stroller cover too. A NEW TOY, BOOK, or DVD is also a must. And finally, I think #10 should absolutely be a PORTABLE DVD PLAYER or IPOD with video capabilities. A real lifesaver on the plane - just make sure you have earphones that are comfortable for your small child as well as a pair for yourself.

]]> By: PJ http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-780 PJ Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:29:03 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-780 A little late, and a variation on another sugestion here. We travel frequently with out three-under-five and found it easiest to type up two lists, one for short trips one for long, and simply print one off when we are headed somewhere. We found that 95% of the time we were packing the same things, and just left some blank space for the trip-specific items. And as Duane does, we bring the list along to make pack-out easier. A little late, and a variation on another sugestion here. We travel frequently with out three-under-five and found it easiest to type up two lists, one for short trips one for long, and simply print one off when we are headed somewhere. We found that 95% of the time we were packing the same things, and just left some blank space for the trip-specific items. And as Duane does, we bring the list along to make pack-out easier.

]]> By: 10 Essential Packing Rules & Tips » TipNut.com http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-416 10 Essential Packing Rules & Tips » TipNut.com Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:41:00 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-416 [...] feature is from Family Hack with 10 Essential Packing Rules when you’re Traveling with the Kids. One of my favorites: Make a “Waiting [...] [...] feature is from Family Hack with 10 Essential Packing Rules when you’re Traveling with the Kids. One of my favorites: Make a “Waiting [...]

]]> By: 2007 December 05 | Family Hack http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/packing-rules/#comment-380 2007 December 05 | Family Hack Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:34:18 +0000 http://www.familyhack.com/2007/09/18/10-essential-packing-rules-when-youre-traveling-with-the-kids/#comment-380 [...] Related Links: Ten Tips for Keeping Your Child Busy on a Plane Ten Great Travel Toys you Already Have at Home Helping Your Baby or Child Sleep on a Plane Flying with Babies, Toddlers and Kids Ten Essential Packing Rules when Traveling with Kids [...] [...] Related Links: Ten Tips for Keeping Your Child Busy on a Plane Ten Great Travel Toys you Already Have at Home Helping Your Baby or Child Sleep on a Plane Flying with Babies, Toddlers and Kids Ten Essential Packing Rules when Traveling with Kids [...]

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