One of the most daunting experiences for most parents is taking their toddler on a long-haul flight, especially when you’re on your own. Recently I took my daughter with me to London. From Lagos, the journey is over 6 hours by air. Now, you can imagine all the tricks I had to pull to keep her comfortable and busy the whole time. Here are some ways to keep a toddler extra comfortable and busy when travelling;
- Lots of snacks–Snacks come in handy when you need to bribe your toddler to be quiet during take-off and landing (true story!). Dried fruits, vegetable sticks, and organic sweet & savory pouches are great options. And don’t forget the bibs, bowls, and utensils. We don’t want to spill food everywhere.
- Favourite stuff toy – My daughter doesn’t leave home without her ‘Bunny’ or her ‘Boo’. Your child’s favourite toy will give that extra comfort and reassurance, very much needed in unfamiliar surroundings.
- Toddler-friendly activities –There is a range of tried and tested mess-free activities perfect for small spaces. Magic coloring, sticker books, wipe-clean activity books & play dough are great options. Remember to choose an activity your child is currently enjoying. A long flight is not the best place to introduce new things.
- A change of clothes for yourself – This is one of the best pieces of advice I received for traveling with my daughter. You never know when your toddler might have a surprise in store for you! Best to be prepared.
- Try to keep to their schedule – Whilst flight timings & changes in time zones are not in our control, toddlers do best when they stay in a routine. Do your best to keep to the same eat, play & sleep schedule as you would at home.
Good luck Mamas & Papas and remember it’s not the destination, it’s the journey!