Tips for Flying with a Toddler

Toys and Tiring Your Kids Can Help Make Traveling Easy

Since our flight was long, I packed extra toys in my luggage and rotated the toys in the carry-on to spice things up. In South America, dinners typically last over two hours, so these toys also helped entertain when we weren't traveling. Below I list 11 toys that saved my sanity, more than once. When choosing a travel toy, keep in mind size and weight - the more you can fit the better!

Top Choices for Toys When Flying With A Toddler:

1) Bring Along Thomas foldable playset by Tomy (www.tomy.com.)
2) Matchbox and other die cast vehicles
3) Crayons and paper
4) Crayola Color Wonder markers and learning books
5) Small containers of playdough and 5-6 shape cutters
6) Fisher Price Doodle Pro Doodle Talker (www.fisher-price.com.)
7) Wind-up Toys
8) My First Mobile Phone by I-Play
9) "Sticker Stories" books, published by Grosset & Dunlap
10) Tolo Toys Rainbow Stacker (www.tolotoys.com.)
11) Balloons

A year later, I can report with fond memories that my trip with my toddler was a success. When all was said, we went on ten different flights, crossed into Argentina on three separate boat and two bus rides, road horseback, and endured countless hours of rental car driving. The success of my trip was due, in large part, to all of the extra hands - having two doting grandparents along provided endless help and relief. But all of my prior preparation helped too. Hopefully, after reading some of my tips, you too can travel successfully with your toddler.