You’ve just gotta love summer travel: crowded flights, busy roads, long security lines, hot stuffy planes, crying babies, bored impatient children and the list goes on and on. Well, lucky for you that I am a seasoned traveler and just so happen to be in the midst of prepping for my upcoming summer vacation, hence I am in the thick of doing whatever I can to make travel fun, smooth and seamless for me and my family. I definitely put special thought and planning into traveling with children, making sure I have things on hand to keep them amused and content for our cross country flights. Below are some little tips and tricks I have gathered over the years that I hope you find helpful wherever your summer travel plans may take you. And please post and share your travel tips too, I am always looking for new and inspired ideas. Bon Voyage!



1.    Have Snacks, Will Travel

OK, as simple and obvious as this sounds, healthy, yummy and fun snacks are critical to peaceful travel. And let’s face it, airplane food sucks and airport food is typically overpriced, so coming with my own stash saves me money and aggravation. I prefer non-perishable durable snacks like fruit chews, granola bars, graham crackers, squeezable fruit, pretzels, crackers and lollipops (this provides a good 10-15 minutes of entertainment/distraction FYI).



2.    Gotta Love Portable Technology

I know many moms will agree with me that we have become a little too dependent on our portable DS’s, DVD players, Leapsters etc. to occupy our kids when we need an easy distraction. However, when you are traveling for many hours and your little ones keep asking “Are we there yet?” these ingenious devices come in very handy. The trick is to save these little devices for special occasions and extended travel/events so they hold their special value and excitement for your child. Kids will look forward to playing their game or seeing that special movie if they don’t get to all the time. And you might want to consider surprising them with a new game or movie on the plane, that will keep them entertained for hours. And it’s the perfect amount of time for you to read and relax (ideally).



3.    Less is More

Yes, I admit that being a mom means schlepping stuff, oftentimes a lot of stuff for those ‘just in case’ moments. However, when traveling on the overcrowded sardine filled planes this summer, consider bringing less. Try to lighten your load and condense as much as possible. Try to bring multi-functional clothing and convertible travel bags that collapse when you are not using them. Consider having your little people, pack their own bag/backpack for the plane and carrying it themselves. They get really excited about taking ownership in this process, plus it’s less for you to carry. A word of warning: make sure to tell your kids to pick things that are small, compact and light, otherwise you will end up schlepping this too.



4.    Think Layers

Years of business travel have taught me to always be prepared (and comfortable) for dramatically varying climates in airports and on airplanes. For this reason, I always wear soft comfortable clothing that I can layer, and just in case it is too hot or too cold I am always prepared. This usually means a workout type of stretch pant, t-shirt, and a zip up sweatshirt of some sort and flip flops in the summer months. I highly suggest wearing flip flops and dressing in light layers because it makes it much easier to go through security too. And the layers can also be used as blankets for your little ones too, because gone are the days of free airplane blankets and pillows, now they charge for them-no thank you!



5.    Treats and Surprises

And last, but certainly not least is one of my favorite secret travel tips: treats and surprises for your kids. Here’s the scoop, go to your favorite discount retailer and buy a few little, inexpensive and light, but infinitely engaging toys or activities that you gift wrap/or hide and ‘surprise’ your little one throughout the trip. Think coloring books, puzzles, art projects, cards etc. They squeal with delight about these little treats and you get a lot of mileage out of them (no pun intended ).



Romy is our resident lifestyle and beauty expert and each week she shares some of her favorite ‘rave’ worthy products, services and ideas that tickle her fancy. For additional tips or answers to your specific lifestyle and beauty questions, please visit www.RomyRaves.com

See Also:

-Traveling with Children: Tips You Need to Know!

-Toddlers: How to Eat Healthy on the Road

-Tips for Traveling in Car with Babies