Travel

Tips For Summer Traveling With Toddlers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― What would summer vacation be without a tantrum or two?

If you are traveling with small kids you know hard it can be to keep them entertained until you reach your destination.

We got some advice from parenting expert Dr. Thomas Greenspon, a psychologist who works with families on all kinds of issues. He said a little bit of planning can go a long ways on a long trip.

Greenspon told me when you're traveling with small kids, you have to pack more than just their clothes.

"Long trips are boring for kids, they just are. Kids have a lot of energy and they are excited about things, shorter attention spans. When you are thinking about an airline flight when there is not a whole lot to do, bring along some toys, some new toys if you can do that," he said.

Greenspon went on to say that some parents set aside old toys for a few weeks and then bring them out for the trip, to makes them like new again. Another peacemaker is food.

"Bring along some healthy snacks, something they like. Long flights, kids get hungry. With the nervous energy, it sometimes helps if they have snacks," he said.

Here's another piece of advice if you are taking a flight with children.

Greenspon says you want the people around to know you are paying attention to your child, and that if the child gets unruly you will deal with it quickly.

"Sometimes it helps if someone is sitting right next to you on the plane who you don't know to say, 'We are traveling with our kids today. We are doing our best to keep them interested and excited and looking forward to this trip. We are looking forward to the best but I am going to be working with them to make sure they don't cause a disturbance.'"

He said addressing the issue with strangers next to you preemptively can help those folks relax and be less critical.

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