I’ve seen countless parents struggling to board a flight with a car seat in tow. Many believe this is the only way to fly safely with children but the FAA has approved another option called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System). Manufactured by the top producer of airplane seat belts, it’s a harness that can be attached and adjusted to any plane seat except those in an exit row. CARES provides the same level of safety as a car seat for children ages 1 through 4, up to 40 inches tall and 22-44 pounds. Designed specifically for air travel, it is much easier to transport and set up.
For those driving on their travels, most car rental agencies can provide car seats or you can check your own onto the plane so you don’t have to worry about carrying or stowing it.
$74.95 CARES
Source: Budget Travel
On my last international flight I noticed a young boy traveling alone. During the journey, I looked over at him periodically and was troubled by some of the things I saw going on. Based on the experience, I have some recommendations for parents whose children have to fly solo.
1. Prepare your child for the flight. Take off his coat before he boards the plane and prepare any carry-ons for easy access during the ride. The child I saw was left with his jacket on for the duration of the 8 hour flight. If his mother had taken it off and given it to a flight attendant I think he would have been more comfortable.
2. Give the child something to do while he travels. I recommend filling a small bag with some toys and activity books as well as a personal DVD player or portable video game console. The boy I flew with had nothing to do during his trip and the poor man next to him kept giving him a paper and pen to try and occupy his time.
3. Communicate any dietary needs and if the child is finicky, pack food for him. The child on my flight was a picky eater and the flight attendants gave him cookies and chips to keep him quiet. One stewardess even gave him a Coca-Cola because she thought it was cute that he asked for one. I’d hate to be the person putting him to bed that night!!
4. Have a talk about appropriate behavior. The boy on my flight, with nothing to do, spent a lot of time hitting the man next to him and kicking the seat in front of him. He didn’t seem like a bad kid, I think he was just bored and didn’t know any better. I also saw his seat neighbor take him to the bathroom which I found a bit disturbing as he was a random stranger. Parents should make it clear to their children that they should call a flight attendant if they need any assistance during the ride, especially if they need to use the bathroom.
Kids can and do fly alone all the time but parents should understand that flight attendants are not babysitters. It’s important that children are given the tools and knowledge they will need in order to have a happy and safe journey.
You may have dreamed of sleeping overnight at a museum but did you know that some of them actually allow it? The programs are popular so competition for reservations is fierce, but just imagine waking up under the giant blue whale at the Museum of Natural History in New York!
There is one catch…the programs are for children so you need to have one aged somewhere between 6 and 15 with you to participate. If you don’t have kids of your own, you could always be a “cool” aunt or uncle and borrow one from a friend or family member!
Below are some museums with sleepover nights. Click through to their websites for more information:
American Museum of Natural History in New York City
Field Museum in Chicago
Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland
International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland
Source: Travel and Leisure Family
There’s nothing more adorable than a little traveler! Kids have their own “stuff” to pack for a trip and they deserve their own bag. I really like Dante Beatrix backpacks which were featured in the last issue of Travel & Leisure Family. They are cute, colorful and come in two sizes. I have the “big kid” dino pack myself and I love it! There are a few different styles currently offered on their website with more coming soon.
$36(little), $46(big) Dante Beatrix
