|
Travelling with Kids – Ideas on what to Bring!
Here is a list of things to bring when travelling with kids. When planning your trip, starting a detailed list well in advance is a great idea… this is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start! Things to bring when travelling with kids:
- Food for the plane to save money and ensure that you have it when needed; stick with healthy snacks that are low on sugar
- Passports: kids need them too
- A change of clothes and bathing suits in the carry on - in case of the inevitable spills, and so that you can hit the pool even if your room is not ready yet when you arrive
- Gravol, children’s Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, bandaids, and of course any prescription medicine in the original bottles
- Hand held games and portable dvd player (well charged!)
- Something to suck on for takeoff and landing to relieve ear pain; could be the bottle for a baby, or candy or an apple for an older child
- Some surprises for the flight, such as activity books, dollar store toys, crayons, or other trinkets
- Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, cloths
- As soon as a child can say ‘backpack’, get them a small one and pack it with a blanket or soft toy, and some books
- Photos of your children, which could be invaluable if you are searching for a wayward charge in a busy place
- Large resealable plastic bags for containing messes and small toys
- Don’t forget that favourite stuffie, a must to prevent meltdown or help allay fears in unfamiliar situations
If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to drop us an email.
Travelling with Kids - Crossing Borders
Regardless of how you are traveling, if your crossing a border here are a few tips:
- Everyone (including babies) must have his or her own passport
- All Canadians entering the United States by air require a passport; this requirement will extend to land and sea on June 1 2009.
- If one parent us not along on the trip, they should provide a consent letter that includes their contact info and shows they have granted permission to their child to cross the border with the other parent; a divorced or separated parent should also carry a copy of the divorce, separation, or custody decree.
- Make two copies of everyone’s passport. Leave one copy with a friend or relative and carry the other one with you, but in a different place than your actual passport. If the originals are lost or stolen, getting them replaced will be much easier.
- At the airport, children must walk through security as soon as their able. One spouse should go first, and then call the child through, and then the other spouse can follow.
More info on travelling with children can be found on two government websites: http://voyage.gc.ca/, and http://www.ppt.gc.ca/.
Have a great vacation with the kids!
|
