Keeping Kids Happy While On the Go

By Meagan R. Dubreuil

Keeping young children happy while on the go can be a challenge.  We have all seen kids traveling by plane, train, or automobile who are unhappy and uncomfortable, resulting in parents feeling unhappy too. But we have also observed families where the opposite is true: the children seem perfectly calm and content, often to the amazement and delight of their fellow travelers. Why do some children appear to travel so well, while others clearly do not? Do the parents of the children who are "happy travelers" know something that their frustrated counterparts do not? You bet they do!  Below, some real-life mothers share their best tips for keeping harmony while on the go:

Car and Driver 
The secret is to stay one step ahead of your little one in the areas of entertainment and activities, food and sleep. Books often work for keeping them busy, especially Richard Scary books, because there are so many great pictures. We take lots of matchbox cars on driving trips, for our son to compare with real cars that we see passing by.   

--Nancy Calkins, mother of one, from Phoenix, Arizona

Family Sing-along 
I let the children rule the music choices in the car.  If they're listening to songs they like, they're not as antsy about sitting still so long.  The "Broadway Kids" CD seems to be their favorite, as are all Disney songs.  John Denver's songs are great for lulling them into napping mode.

--Mary Bossong, mother of two, from Raleigh, North Carolina

Hit the Books 
Before flying with my son, I stock up on paperback children's books that I can buy for 25 cents a piece at a thrift store. Not only is it a bargain, the paperbacks are light so I can stuff as many as 10 "new" books into my backpack.

--Martha Wright, mother of one, from Portland, Oregon

Keep it Clean
I keep a supply of small water bottles in the car at all times to ward off thirst and prevent kids from drinking other beverages, which can be sticky if spilled. I also keep mazes and doodle pads in the car, with pencils, not pens. It's also important to keep plenty of wipes and Kleenex within reach of the children. When driving school carpools, I like to put all book bags in the very back of the car so that no one is saddened when their bag (which may be full of art work, homework, etc.) gets trampled.

--Sarah Lathrop, mother of three, from Charlotte, North Carolina

Toys for Travel 
I always provide a few new toys for any trip. Specific toys that have entertained our children include Magnadoodle and Mini Lite-Brite. Also, Playdough with a few molds works well on the airplane table, but I am not sure the crew loves us afterward. Books-on-tape and sticker books are also fun, and you can download great mazes from the Internet. I also bring lots of lollipops, which take a long time to eat and keep the kids occupied. 

--Josie Owens, mother of two, from San Francisco, California

Say Cheese! 
I always keep individually wrapped snacks in the car so the kids don't have to "share" and pass food around. It's easy, nutritious, and cheap to put things like grapes into baggies and store them in a little cooler in the car.  For entertainment on a family vacation, I like to give each child a disposable camera. They have a blast taking their own pictures of the trip, and they learn something about moderation; they don't want to "waste" their shots! 

--Stacey Rase, mother of four, from Covington, Louisiana

Double up on Diapers 
I always pack double the diapers I think I'll need in case of delays when flying.  For the younger children, I keep a change of clothing accessible in case of accidents, plus any lovies or blankies they may need to soothe themselves. If I can, I avoid booking trips with connecting flights and try to buy the kids their own seats if possible (even if they're under two years old).

--Emily Sternberg, mother of three, from Greenwich, Connecticut

Carry-on Cargo 
For flying with children, nothing beats the Ride-On Carry-On, a kid-sized chair that straps to a rolling suitcase and transports a child (aged 10 months to 3 years) through the airport.  (Available at the Rideoncarryon Web site).

--Abigail Sinwell, mother of four, from Dallas, Texas

Meagan R. Dubreuil is a freelance writer, and the mother of three young children, in Covington, Louisiana.