Tips for Airplane Travel with a 2-Year-Old
- There are a variety of ways to make traveling with a 2-year-old easier.airplane image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
Many people consider airline travel a difficult task, but when there is a 2-year-old in the mix, it becomes even tougher. However, you have many different ways to make travel with a toddler a little bit easier, from being aware of health and safety measures to creatively keeping a child occupied. Following these tips should make for an enjoyable plane ride. - On longer flights, many airlines serve heated meals to passengers. Check the temperature of the meal before you allow your 2-year-old to eat it. Or, bring aboard your own food or snacks, such as dry cereal. Check with the airline ahead of time, however, to see if the latest security policies allow this.
- Ensure your child is properly secured to the airplane seat. Bring your own approved car or booster seat, or use a flight harness. Most car or booster seats have a Federal Aviation Administration-approved sticker on them. If you cannot locate one, contact the manufacturer to double-check if it is approved for air travel. Also read over "Childproof your Flight," a brochure available through the FAA.
- Use items you have in front of you to keep your 2-year-old entertained on a flight. Give the child the in-flight magazine and ask him to locate things on each page --- a kind of scavenger hunt. Or, load your digital camera with photos the child may be interested in, such as photos of the place you are about to go, or pictures from a recent outing. In a pinch, transform the barf bags located in the seat pocket into puppets.
