Traveling with Your Toddler

Toddlers between the age of 2 and 3 are active little people whose minds are like sponges, absorbing all they’re exposed to. These traits make this age a great time to explore your surroundings with them. Don’t be disappointed, however, to find that you may not be able to do all the things you had hoped. Traveling with a toddler is very different from taking an adults-only trip. Keep your expectations realistic, and you’ll find that traveling with your little one can be rewarding in its own unique way.

Day Trips
For tips on where to take your toddler around town, talk to other parents, explore your municipality’s website, and look for kids’ guides in your local library or bookstore. Many cities have museums, science centers, and galleries to explore. Some have areas designed specifically for young children. If your toddler seems to enjoy these activities, inquire about membership opportunities, which will make repeat visits much more economical.

Zoos are usually a big hit with this age group, as are water parks or open green spaces where youngsters can run around.

Unstructured play in your own home or local park is equally important. Strive for a healthy combination so that your toddler can take advantage of local opportunities for learning and play without being overprogrammed.

Farther Afield
Day trips slightly farther afield can provide fun for the whole family and may be a special treat for your toddler. Conservation areas provide wonderful settings for toddlers to explore and are usually equipped with picnic areas and bathroom facilities. Depending on where you live, the fall season can offer apple picking and visits to the pumpkin patch, while the springtime may mean a trip to the sugar bush to watch sap being tapped from the maple trees. Apple pies and pancakes with fresh maple syrup are guaranteed to please your toddler! Inquire around your neighborhood for other popular local options.

Longer Trips
Where to travel? In short, anywhere! Travel with toddlers need not be restricted to child-focused destinations, though they are certainly popular options. Appropriate children’s entertainment can be found in most cities, tropical destinations, and even places farther afield. Of course, where you choose to go depends on your own sense of adventure, your child’s interests and temperament, and a little common sense. One thing you can be sure of after you have children is that your days of traveling light are over! Consider the following factors when planning your trip.

Planned Activities
Before you choose your destination, make sure that your toddler will be happy with the activities on offer. This doesn’t mean that an amusement park need be close by, unless this is what you are aiming for. Young toddlers can amuse themselves for hours in the sand – a great option, provided that you keep both sun and water safety in mind – and even if your vacation is not a sunny one, a hotel pool can be a lifesaver for a toddler who enjoys splashing around.

As a general rule to make sure that your toddler is happy and occupied, keep the time that you spend at each site to a reasonable length and make sure that food for snacks and meals, and a bed for naps, are available when needed.

Local Sites
Local museums and galleries often include children’s areas, and remember that curious little ones may enjoy looking around at the regular exhibits too. Use common sense and your knowledge of your child to determine how well this option will work for you and the adult visitors around you. Many families traveling together find it useful to get to know the local parks and playgrounds. These visits offer a reprieve from the tourist traps, allow your toddler a chance to let off steam, and may even provide insight into the local culture.

Walking and Hiking
If hiking is on your agenda, think about how your toddler will fare. While younger babies are usually happy to be carried in a backpack and older children may be able to walk long distances independently, toddlers are usually somewhere in between. Keep walks short and snacks on hand with a toddler in tow!

Staying Put
You may find that, rather than packing your bags every day to move on to a new area, your toddler will be more amenable to a trip where you stay put for the duration, perhaps with flexible day trips planned from your base.

Car Travel
An important part of planning a long-distance trip with your toddler is choosing the most appropriate mode of travel. Depending on your destination, you may have no option, but if the choice is yours, consider the pros and cons of traveling by car, bus, train, or airplane. What follows are some tips to make life easier with various modes of travel, starting with cars.

Starting Out
When planning a road trip, think ahead about what driving schedule will best suit your family. Will your toddler sleep in the car if you get an early start and stop for breakfast after you’ve got a couple of hours of driving behind you? Is she likely to nap in the car, or should you aim to reach your destination before a nap is required?

Stopping
No matter what your schedule, be sure to make frequent stops. Toddlers need opportunities to stretch their legs and run around, even for just a short break. Stop for meals and snacks. Soft granola bars or pre-cut fruit and vegetable pieces are healthy options that are unlikely to make a big mess. Remember to incorporate diaper changes into your pit stops and encourage your toilet-trained toddler to use the facilities.

On The Road
Think about car-friendly activities to keep your toddler occupied. Music and singing are sure to pass some of the time. Tell stories in the car or have your child participate in making up silly stories as you go. Take advantage of the scenes outside your window by playing games such as “I spy.” If your child knows colors or shapes, see if she can find a brown cow or a round sign. Older preschoolers who are learning their letters and sounds may be able to find “Something that starts with a B”. Finally, many families find that a portable DVD player with one or two rented movies can make a long car ride much more bearable.

Reprinted with permission from Canada's Toddler Care Book - A Complete Guide from 1 to 5 Years Old , by Dr. Jeremy Friedman, published by Robert Rose Inc.

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