Comments on: Organizing for a trip….oh my!

By: The Lazy Organizer

The Lazy Organizer — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:05:00 +0000

Fun ideas! I hate traveling as much as you do but I hope you have a good trip!

By: melanie

melanie — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:58:00 +0000

I love some of these ideas… the keys and locks… wallet filled with cards and photos… so clever.

Someone mentioned having a bag filled with wrap presents/treats. I did that on our last trip and it worked so well. The kids loved looking forward to something new each hour. Small, inexpensive goodies from the dollar store, a yummy treat, some special markers, even printouts from the computer like coloring pages, word searches and easy crafts.

Good luck!

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:14:00 +0000

These ideas have all been very helpful as I too will talking a 6 hour flight with my 14 month old by myself next week. Today I went to the dollar store and found several little fun toys including a stretchable squishy “hairy” ball and one of those miny water games where you can push 2 different buttons and try to get the little balls (or rings) in the baskets. I also went to Staples and got a small magnetic white erase board. I figured this would be a nice flat surface for my son to have fun with letter/shape magnets, stick stickers on and off from, and use the wikki stix to create fun things on. Board books with little flaps, finger holes, and textures are a must as well. We’ll see how the trip goes! :)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:20:00 +0000

For long car rides we love audio books.

For toddlers I strung fruit loops and cherios on dental floss so they could wear them like a necklace (bracelet) Then they can much on them without spilling them all over.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:32:00 +0000

Wow, you do have a great readership! I’ll just add: take a deep breath, and realize that “this too shall pass”. :) Good for you for going out of your comfort zone. Many people wouldn’t .

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:27:00 +0000

Do you have an ipod? I know that keeps my son still for just a tiny little while because it’s something different (and you can put some of her music on it). Snacks worked wonders with his big sister, but not so well for him. I always took his car seat onto the plane (even though it’s WAY easier to check it and be done with it), because then he had to sit there.

By: Diva Mom Vicki

Diva Mom Vicki — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:14:00 +0000

Great ideas so far!

Don’t forget to pack an extra shirt for yourself should some mess wind up all over Mommy. And tuck away a favorite treat to reward yourself for all the work it takes to travel with kids!

By: Andie

Andie — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:09:00 +0000

I usually do the small toy from the dollar store, I usually get one for each child. I keep these a secret until we are well on our way, and their usual stuff starts to bore them…sometimes I don’t even have to pull out the ‘surprise’ toy! I always take the kids to the dollar store with me and they each get to pick out a new coloring/activity book for the trip. That way, they have picked out what they think will entertain them, and they look forward to using them. However, I don’t give the book to them until the trip! That way they have something to look forward to.
Also, the DVD player is a life saver! We also like to drive at night, so the kiddos sleep as much as possible. Hubby sleeps, too! I get to check out a book on CD and listen to it while I drive in peace and quiet! I just have to remember to go easy on the water and pop so that I don’t have to wake everyone up with a potty break!!! :o)
Blessings-Andie
***Home a week from a 15 hour (one way)car trip!***

By: Misslionheart

Misslionheart — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:40:00 +0000

I was going to suggest the re-usable stickers. My children kept busy for a 7/8 hour flight by colouring, watching a video and cartoons and even a couple of games on the t.v. monitor. Eating helps, too!

By: Twisted Cinderella

Twisted Cinderella — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:32:00 +0000

With my daughter when she was younger, I made a little travel kit to take with her, it held snacks, drinks, her lovey that slept with and a couple of board books and toys. It kept her entertained until she fell asleep and this was for a 13 hour bus ride!!