Simplify Family Travel With Childrens Luggage
September 23rd, 2009 by Gerri Lauder, under Vacations. No Comments
Vacationing with children can be a challenge to the parents as well as the child unless you make the experience a pleasant one. No matter which type of traveling you are doing, by plane, car or cruise, their safety and comfort is of prime importance.
One of the great tips when traveling with children is to see that items that they need during travel are readily at hand. Childrens luggage is a great tool for active participation from the child that gives her or him a sense of responsibility and a measure of control over their own things. Pack the kids suitcases with items that they can get themselves when they need it, or at the very least, you can get child’s items from their own suitcase instead of having to dig through your own to find the right thing.
Make it fun when you go shopping for your childrens luggage. There are a variety of colors, decorations and sizes available. Different styles will provide a variety of zippered compartments and pouches. There are kids rolling luggage, which may be the better choice if you are traveling by air. Let each child bring her or his own carry-on onto the plane and packed with items they may need for their comfort and entertainment for the duration of the flight. Make certain, however, that any kids rolling luggage you may purchase will fit beneath the seat in front of your child. Remember, you want your child to be able to reach their own items during the flight and not require an adult to get their luggage from the overhead compartment.
If you have more than one child, and even if you don’t, consider getting personalized kids luggage. Not only will your child have a sense of pride of ownership, but it will save any unnecessary mistaken identities with other travelers luggage. An alternative to a suitcase could be a backpack. You can buy personalized kids backpacks for the kids, and I’ve even seen a kids rolling backpack with wheels.
What to Look For in Kids Suitcases
You want your childrens luggage to last awhile and still serve your child’s needs. Make sure that any piece you buy has a handle or strap that will fit the size of your childrens hands, and if you have purchased kids rolling luggage, see that it is easy for the child to maneuver. All kids suitcases should be lightweight so that when it is packed your child can lift, carry or roll it comfortably. Durability is another important consideration. Look for quality construction and strong stitching around exterior pockets, pouches and compartments. The last thing you want is for an external pouch to break open and your child loses whatever was in that pouch.
What your child will need for the vacation and during active travel will also be a consideration for the type of childrens luggage you purchase. Do you want them to carry their own clothes, or just their toys and entertainments and some comfort items during active travel? Lightweight kids rolling luggage has large compartments for storing clothes and other necessities and some have smaller, external pouches to make it easy to get something fast. There are also small versions of kids suitcases with multiple pouches, pockets and slots to hold lots of single items that you child just needs to be entertained during travel. Buy the type of luggage to suit the need.
What to Pack in Childrens Luggage
What you pack is going to depend on what mode of travel you are taking, the duration of the trip and your individual childs needs. The basics are: 1) necessities, 2) comfort, and 3) entertainment. Will your child need medicine or vitamins during the trip? Will she or he get tired and need a small pillow, a blanket, a favorite plush toy to take a nap? What toy or game or activity keeps them entertained for long periods of time? Do you want to include snacks? This should get you started on packing your childs suitcase and also think about the ease of getting that item during travel. If your child is getting something for herself, put the item where she an easily reach it and put it away again. And it’s always a good idea to carry some wet wipes to wipe faces and fingers and clean up any accidents. Another handy item is a disposable plastic grocery bag to pack away all the trash.
Your children can be good travellers if you help make the journey an easy one. Let them take part in the adventure and get a sense of self-sufficiency by letting them have some control over their own things, whether it’s getting a toy or a snack out of their suitcase or backpack when they want it. It will make them feel less vulnerable during the trip and your entire family can have a good traveling experience.
