Traveling with kids

Children are adorable, no doubt about it. But when you are traveling with them on a long journey, they turn into so-called “little monsters.” Siti Rohani, managing editor of the Asian edition of Reader’s Digest who handles the travel features, shares some tips on what to do if you are traveling with kids:

Keep food and water in your hand luggage when flying. It may take some time before the flight crew can get to you after take-off, especially if it’s a bumpy ride and the seatbelt sign is still on. So, it’s a good idea to keep snacks in your bag to keep the little ones happy until you can get some assistance. Since water is not allowed to be brought in, ask the stewardess if she could give you water once you get into the plane and explain to her your reason for having water immediately.

Split up. The old adage of strength in numbers doesn’t apply when flying with children. It may be easier if you and your partner sit several rows apart so one can get some rest while the other tends to the child. This works equally if you have more than one child; breaking the kids up can keep the noise level down and your sanity intact.

Give your kids emergency instructions. It’s inevitable that your kids will think you a nag, but it’s crucial that you give them instructions on what to do in case you get separated; for example, not to follow strangers. Prepare a card they can carry with them (keep it in a plastic case for durability) with the name of the hotel you’re staying at and the various phone numbers where they can reach you.

Plan for a rainy day. Make contingency plans in case of bad weather so you won’t be stuck in a hotel room with brooding children. Rainy day activities include trips to the museum or art galleries.

Bring along a stroller. Not only will it provide a comfortable place for your child to sit in when he gets tired, you can also use it to wheel your bags around when you’re up and about.

Find out local transport costs. Sometimes, children below a certain age get to travel on public transport for free. This information may not be relayed to you by the train conductors or bus drivers so it pays to do some research.

Inquire about family packages. Popular tourist attractions like the zoo or theme parks may offer family packages with concessionary prices for children so it never hurts to inquire at the ticket booth.

Dress your kids in bright colors. Deck your children with distinctive clothing so you can spot them easily in a crowd. But to avoid costly therapy sessions in the future, draw the line at fancy dress costumes.

If you are bringing with you a little baby, Sarah Tucker, author of Have Toddle, Will Travel, shares the following tips:

• Young children invariably get bored during long journeys. Fill the day before with activities so they’re more likely to sleep during the travel.

• Consider traveling by train which is a toddlers’ favorite type of transport. If flying, choose a departure time that fits in with normal sleeping patterns.

• Toddlers can be fussy about the place they sleep in – take their own bedding or a pillow. And bring a favorite cuddly toy.