Children of all ages can learn a lot from travel. They can try new foods, do new things, and see new things. However, according to experts at a Garrett Park child care center, they benefit greatly from spending time with their families. But traveling with kids can also be stressful. You might have to deal with unpredictable plans, long lists of things to pack, and cranky kids, among other things. But we’ll show you how to make it easy to travel with kids. After all, you and your kids should enjoy every moment of traveling and have experiences that will last a lifetime. Isn’t that the whole point of going somewhere?
You want a lightweight stroller that is easy to maneuver through the airport or harsh terrain, if necessary, after you reach your location if you intend to travel with one. Foldability is less crucial if you decide to check your stroller at the airport. Rather, make it a priority to protect your stroller by purchasing one that has a bag. You can ask to have your gate-checked stroller sent to you in between flights if you have a lengthy stopover so your kid can have a secure place to relax while you tour the airport. Simply make the request to the gate staff when you check your stroller.
Most airlines don’t charge extra for lap infants under 2 years old, so they can fly for free. It might be difficult to resist the expense savings, and in the early months, when the infant is nursing or sleeping a lot, it may be the simplest course of action.
However, you might feel more at ease leaving your child in their car seat if they’re unhappy or you’re traveling alone. You might have greater success traveling with a lap infant if they can sleep through anything or if you have a partner with whom you can share baby-care responsibilities.
If you decide to buy a seat for your child, several portable options are far easier to transport than the large car seat you may already own.
Most airlines let families with young children board first. However, if your family has reserved seats, you don’t have to worry about being the first to board. Instead, have one parent get all the gear ready and get on board first while the other parent waits as long as possible before putting the baby on board. This will help you spend less time with your little one in a small space, making it less likely that they will have a meltdown or have their plan messed up even more.
When packing toys for a flight or road trip, remember that you don’t want anything like Legos or slime that will make a mess or get lost quickly. Those kinds of toys do better at a day care in Garrett Park, MD. Instead, bring things like books, mess-free coloring, tinkering with toys, and more.
You can be sure that your child will be happy for long periods if you hide some toys until the day of your trip so that they feel new and exciting. You can even wrap them up or give them out at different times during your trip—one toy for every hour of a flight is a good rule of thumb—to keep things interesting.
Even if your child no longer naps at home or at child care in Garrett Park, MD, incorporating some relaxation into your trip itinerary is still a good idea. This is crucial because it’s probable that your trip will be more action-packed than what they’re used to at home and that their sleep schedule will be a little off. Plan a leisurely pool day or take an afternoon nap in your hotel room to help your overtired child acclimatize and prevent tantrums.
This advice applies to all age groups, but it can be especially useful when your child begins to show a greater interest in making clothing choices on their own. You may save space and maintain the organization of all of your family’s apparel by using packing cubes.
Your family’s clothing for each day of the trip can be packed in a separate packing cube. If you want to stop numerous times and don’t want to pack and unpack everything, this works nicely. If you want to encourage kids to dress independently and choose their own clothes, you could also pack each family member’s clothing in their own packing cube.
If you are going from a cold place to a hot place, bring a lightweight tote bag to fold up and put in your carry-on. This will make getting everyone’s clothes together easy once you are on the plane. By putting this bag away until you’re on the plane, you’ll be able to bring an extra bag, saving you the trouble of figuring out where to put your bulky clothes.
You need to be ready for everything when you are away from home. That covers unforeseen illnesses and mishaps. If your checked luggage is delayed or lost, make sure you have kid-safe and adult medications, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, and other first-aid supplies in your carry-on bag so you won’t be without them.
As other parents at day care in Garret Park, MD, have said, family travel comes with its own difficulties, but it also has a lot to offer. The whole family can enjoy a memorable vacation by learning all the tips and tricks for traveling with kids, bringing the right gear, making a plan, and having the right attitude and realistic expectations.
You might not get to do everything you want or feel like it’s more of a hassle than a holiday. But if you’re willing to be flexible and enjoy when things go according to plan, even if the end result isn’t quite what you had hoped for, you’ll be eager to book your next family trip before you’ve even put your bags away.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.