The Plane Trip - a few essentials

We find the easiest way to pack for a trip is to keep every list you ever make when you pack (you are making one, right??). I keep an Excel spreadsheet, with a basic packing list - each member of the family gets a column, and a vertical list of things to pack. Each time we go on a new trip, I copy and edit to meet the needs of the specific trip. After a while, I just have to print "RV Trip for one Week Packing List" (or whatever) and go, fine tuning and adding any revisions or notes after the trip! It's a little work to get started, but once you get that first one typed in, I PROMISE, it will save you time, and save you from forgetting things.

Here are a few things on our packing list for a plane trip, thankfully, this one was a non-stop, 2.25 hour trip, so not a ton of stuff we need to pack for the plane trip itself (although, my boys LOVE to pack way too many things in their TRUNKIs!)

The Packing List: a few things we can't do without on a plane carryon (and this is NOT complete, just some top items not to be forgotten, in our opinion)

• recloseable bags: for loose pieces, unfinished LEGO building, unfinished snacks, wet stuff, you get the idea
• extra set of clothes (kids and you): we've gotten away from this lately as our boys are 5 and 8, and tend to have less accidents and spill, so I'm probably jinxing myself by saying this! But totally recommended especially for new parents!
  
• Games: Card Games, Watergames, handheld/self-contained games (try not to use that SMARTPHONE, unless really desperate)
  
• Toys: we always struggle for games that have longevity on trips, we find the Magnetic GoGames really good, along with the Yes & Know Ink Games, basically something that has variety, and can offer a range of entertainment levels Pen/Pencil activities: one can never fail with some paper and pens, markers or crayons, invaluable
• Books: either for the kids to read on their own, or interactive books for younger (nonreading) travel companions
  
• Multi-Use Craft Tray: THE ticket to not losing your things to the floor on the plane or during unexpected turbulence
  
• Hand Sanitizer
  
• Trunki: it's a legal carry-on size, allows kids to pack 'anything that will fit', and offers something to play on/with during those unforeseen delays!
  

Remember, the more you have your kids entertained, the better chance you can read your book or magazine etc.

When "Kids Travel Happy" adults can too!!

Online Literacy Products & Books for Kids

The following was written by Shara Lawrence-Weiss of MommyPerks, and available here with her permission.

The MommyPerks Community (which KidsTravelHappy.com is proud to be a part of) offers numerous choices for book browsing.

With so many reading, literacy and book websites Online, where do you turn to find something unique? Where do you look in order to locate quality reading materials or hard-to-find themes and selections?

Here are a few of the small businesses offering books and literacy products on Mommy Perks:

Barefoot Books (Amy)

With a focus on multicultural books and concepts, Barefoot has set itself apart. Browse through to find holiday topics, family books, cultural stories, early readers and more. You won’t find TV characters featured in these stories: Barefoot Books focuses on real-life people and story-lines.

Slimy Bookworm

Tired of looking through websites that offer ‘adult-like’ books on so-called ‘kid sites?’ Slimy Bookworm is here to help with your family friendly book buying needs. From birth-12, there’s something for every reader! A portion of all sales is donated to inner city literacy efforts.

Finding Our ‘Ohana

This pro-adoption story highlights children in Hawaii who are searching for their ‘Ohaha (family). Follow their journey and delight in a little Hawaiian culture at the same time.

Kids Travel Happy

Did you think that Kids Travel Happy was just for toys and games? Think again. You’ll find books here, also: hands-on (including Invisible Ink Game Books - fun, fun!!), travel books, Mad Libs, dot-to-dot and more. Stock a few books in your car for long drives!

Find Me Book

What if we took the “Where’s Waldo” book concept but turned that into a personalized search-and-find coffee table book? Welcome to Find Me Book! Upload 6 photos (family or pets) and choose 11 scenes. The faces will scatter throughout the pages and your kids will enjoy finding their own faces…over and over again.

Personal Child Stories

Hand crafted books, written upon order based on the child’s life situation and needs. Personal photos are used as the graphics, rather than clip art. Books are laminated and can be colored on and wiped clean. Text can be written in any language.

Happy reading and learning!

Need some Travel Inspiration?

Yes, the economy. It keeps me THINKING about travel (or, sometimes not, as it can get depressing!), but my family is not DOING it as much these days. When I get feeling a bit 'trapped' in my surroundings I know it's time to pick up a book, and take an 'imaginary' journey. I LOVE this book - just to read about places that I should go (or, realize, maybe I can skip!).

Technically, I have not made that 'life list' as I truly enjoy any sort of adventure near or far, but must admit, there are a few places that stand out in my mind... BUT, I have kids, and some of the places I need to wait until they are older (yet make sure I am not TOO old. A fine line!) With so many choices and information in this one book, it is easy to find any type of trip imaginable.

1000 Places To See Before You Die takes you 'all over the world' and opens with the quote "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away". Search the book by continent, activity, theme, mode of travel and more. I'm thinking focusing on the "Festivals & Events" section could take me a lifetime or two (and those tiny 'check boxes' beside each item in the index are calling at me to check them off!!).

We read parts of the book to our kids. Our 6-year old is especially curious and enjoys hearing snip-its about the Taj Mahal, the Lesser Antilles, or the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

So, when in doubt, get some books out. Take those imaginary journeys or plan for the next REAL journey. You may learn something, and it'll get you excited to explore (and motivated to start saving!).

JetWithKids.com

We love sharing sites that make travel with kids just a little more 'happy' (for the adults especially!) If you are embarking upon a trip with your kids that involves airplanes, check out JetWithKids.com for all kinds of information you need and information you didn't even KNOW you needed.

To quote their website "Jet With Kids.com was created by Jet Seven, Inc., as an informative site for anyone flying with children. A panel of over 20 veteran travel experts and pediatricians are contributors to the resources of the book Jet With Kids. From important documentation requirements to the best toys on planes, even the true hard facts about infant safety on planes, this site is dedicated to changing aviation travel from a dreaded transportation necessity and "nightmare" to an enjoyable and safe part of the trip for all involved."

They have their own book, product reviews, resources & partner section, and ways to get in touch. They can also be followed on twitter @JetWithKids, or their blog.

At KidsTravelHappy.com we share the goal with JetWithKids.com of making travel easier for families with kids. Showing kids the world will help them understand how similar they are to other children anywhere, and will grow their minds in the process. Don't be afraid to travel with kids, just make sure you have all the information, and the tools to make sure your "kids travel happy".