Why my carry-on is so heavy, and my two must-have items when traveling with kids

On our family trips, I am probably guilty of bringing too much stuff in my carry-on. Part of the reason is that I bring lots of things "just in case", because I imagine all sorts of potential worst case scenarios, like:

• Everyone comes down with stomach flu and ear infections on the flight. So I better bring a small pharmacy. (Or, the kid sitting behind you starts throwing up during the flight, and then you can pass them the Gravol. This has actually happened to me twice.)

Or:

• Both my kids spill lasagna and chocolate pudding all over themselves and me. So I better bring a change of clothes for everyone.

Or:

• We get stuck en route because of volcanic eruptions in Iceland, or snow in June. So I better bring a change of clothes for everyone, toothbrushes, extra snacks, and comfort blanket if we have to sleep at the airport.

This means I'm usually weighed down like pack horse, even if I let the kids carry most their own toys and snacks. Still, I'd be hard-pressed to give up any of the things I put into my carry-on.

And there are two things I will definitely not fly without when traveling with kids.

1. Those reusable juice-boxes for the kids
I've mentioned this item before on this blog. Drinking from regular cups is not easy for little kids, even little kids who drink from cups under regular circumstances. Put everything they drink while on board the airplane in juiceboxes, and your life and their life will be a lot easier. Why risk spills if you don't have to?

2. A BIG tub of antibacterial wipes
Airplanes are full of germs. Airplane bathrooms are completely covered in germs. My children and I used to get sick very often after long flights, but after I started enforcing the whole "wipe your hands before eating, after bathroom visits, and every now and then in between", we are catching way less colds and stomach bugs. If you are flying with your children, bring a big tub of these wipes along. Gels are good too, but all gels have to be kept in the special plastic bag with your other liquids.

If my kids were still in diapers, diapers and wipes would be on this list too of course. And passports have to come too obviously. And that change of clothes for the kids and the extra shirt for myself really can come in handy. And all those over-the-counter medications? I just know someone will get sick if I don't bring it. And that camera should not be in the regular luggage, even if I never get a chance to take pictures while we're traveling. And my jewelry? It has to go in my hand luggage for sure.

Which is why my carry-on backpack ends up looking the way it does. But hey, weight lifting builds strong bones, right?

Water filling stations at the airport: I hope this catches on!

 

Bottled water can be very convenient to buy and bring along when you're traveling with kids. It's a non-sugary drink, it comes in a practical container, it's pretty easy to make space for in your carry-on, and if you're in a country where you're not able to drink the tap water, it can be essential.

However, I do have an issue with buying bottled water when you're in a country where the tap water is OK to drink. It just seems wasteful to buy a bottle of water filled up who knows when, who knows where, when you might just as easily fill up a reusable water bottle of your own with perfectly healthy tap water.

Since the restrictions on bringing liquids were put into place, the water bottle situation has become even more ridiculous for airplane travelers. If you bring a bottle of water you have to empty it or throw it away before going through security. Then you most likely will need to buy yet another bottle once you're inside.

This has happened to me when I've traveled with my children, and it's just silly. I've seen big garbage bags at the security checkpoints filled and overflowing with drink containers. Usually, I try to fill up the kids' reusable juice boxes with water, but filling up in bathrooms isn't always convenient, both because of the germ-factor, and because the taps aren't always made so that it's easy to fill up a container.

So when I saw in the news this morning that San Francisco international airport has installed special water filling stations inside security, I cheered (inwardly anyway). This is an excellent idea and I hope it catches on in more airports. If it does, I will definitely start bringing my own, reusable water bottle on flights on a regular basis.

Food and snacks for traveling kids

Airplane food is a joke, or so most people seem to think. Unless you're in Business Class or better, the meal you are served is probably not going to impress you very much.

Kids' meals
Food for kids on board is much like the food for adults: never very exciting, and you're happy if it tastes OK and your kids actually eat some of it.

Ordering the kids' meal ahead of time for your children is something I highly recommend if that option is available on your flight. Kids' meals are usually served before the rest of the meals and that makes it easier to supervise and help small children. Usually the dishes are more geared for kids as well of course, with extra treats on the side like yogurts, fruit gummies, crackers and more.

Eating on board can be a challenge for everyone, including dinosaurs.

Free food vs pay-as-you eat
These days, air travelers are paying for snacks and food a lot more often. The airlines I usually travel with, KLM and Lufthansa, still don't charge for their food, at least not on the longer flights I've been on, but Iceland Air, Alaska Airlines and an increasing number of other companies do.

Most airlines that charge for food will have special snack packages or meals available for kids. However, you might just want to bring something along for them to eat rather than pay for it on board. Prices are usually much higher on board than at the airport, and higher at the airport than at your regular supermarket, so planning ahead can save you some money.


Snacks
Don't expect your kids to necessarily eat very much of the food they are offered on board. They're excited, worried maybe, and could be feeling a little funny or even queasy from being up in the air.

Keep packaged snacks in your (or their) hand luggage to have on hand when, and if, they get hungry. Stash uneaten, packaged snacks from their meal trays in your carry-on to keep for later. And if buns are offered as part of the regular meal (they usually are on the longer flights in my experience), grab some for your kids. I've found that my children will gnaw on a piece of bread even if they are not interested in eating anything else on board.

Both my kids can be picky eaters. When we flew last time my daughter had a real problem finding something she liked in the kids' meal she was given, and I had to rely a lot on the snacks I had brought from home. It is definitely a good idea to have some no-fail snacks you know your kids like in your carry-on.

Some tips:

• Avoid chocolate covered snacks, because chocolate covered hands are not a good thing on board an airplane. 
• Avoid anything runny or liquid, because it will probably just get taken away from you at the security checkpoints at the airport. 
• Fruits can be great, but some countries won't allow you to bring fresh fruit in (this is the rule when your arriving in the United States from other countries for example), so it might be a good idea to make sure that the fruit gets eaten before you land.

Ideas for good on-board snacks:

• Granola bars
• Jerky
• Raisins
• Fruit roll ups
• Mini crackers
• Dry cereal like Cheerios
• Pocky sticks
• Pretzels

Just make sure it's something reasonably non-messy that you know your child likes. Let them carry it in their own hand luggage if they're big enough, maybe packed inside a lunch box or similar.

Luckily, this did not happen on board an airplane.

Wipes!
And for cleanups, bring a nice big tub of wet wipes, because you might really, really need them, not just to clean the germs of before the children eat, but to clean them off after. If your child is small, it is a good idea to bring a bib along too, especially if you know your child is a messy eater.

Pet peeve
One of my pet peeves about the airplane meals for children is those juice cups with the foil tops that you pull off. I wish all airlines would just get rid of those. They are near impossible to open, let alone drink from, without spilling: for adults as well as kids. Juice boxes with straws are way easier to handle on board an airplane.

Babies on board
The most food I ever carried with me on board an airplane was when my son was too old to eat formula or breast-milk, but not old enough to eat "regular" food. I had several jars of baby food, a plastic tub of baby cereal powder, plus dry formula just in case. Basically he ended up eating none of it except some of the formula and drinking some juice and water along the way. There was just too much going on for him to be able to focus on eating.

The flight attendants are often willing to help you out with baby food. They are sometimes able to warm it for you, or they can provide cold or hot water for you to mix the cereal or formula. Sometimes they can be quite busy on board the bigger airplanes and on the longer flights though, so some patience can be required.

At the airport
If you have the time at the airport while waiting for a connecting flight, this can be a great opportunity to get your kids to eat something. Find a fast food place they like, a pasta restaurant, or just pick up a packaged sandwich or some fresh fruit and sit down wherever you find a spot.

In my opinion, food just tastes better on the ground, and apparently there's scientific proof to back me up as well: Scientists reveal why airplane food tastes so bland.

Finally: don't fret too much (I still do sometimes)
Trying to get my kids to eat enough, and eat "proper food" is one of those things that manages to push my buttons a lot.

When we fly, I do try to be more relaxed about the food they eat or not eat. I remind myself that even if it's a long flight, it really is not that big of a deal if the children eat just a little bit, or if they eat nothing at all but sugary or salty snack foods on board. As long as they're not sick and not complaining about being hungry, it's not so bad, and they will be alright when we reach our destination.

And really, it's not worth getting worked up over food choices when you're traveling, because there are too many other things to keep you stressed as it is!

Travel gear: hand luggage for kids

I don't favor turning kids into pack mules, but I do think kids should bring their own hand luggage as soon as they are able. Meaning, when they are able to bring their own carry-on without making you carry it all the time.

Small backpacks or wheeled backpacks are great for kids, and we've used these as carry-ons for both my daughter and my son from about age three. Obviously they shouldn't be loaded down with tons of stuff, but it's nice and also fun for children to be bring their own toys, books and snacks along in their own hand luggage.


The product: Trunki Wheeled Carry-on Kids Luggage
Last night I was cruising the Internet, looking for birthday presents for my kids (both are February babies), and on one site I came across the Trunki hand luggage for kids. You can see it here in the sponsored link from Amazon.com. It's made so that the kids can either pull it along, or ride on it!, as well as pack their stuff into it.

It is hardsided, comes in pink, blue, purple, and a bunch of other colors, and is supposedly very sturdy. The Trunki can also be outfitted with stickers and even saddlebags.

To buy or not to buy
At first I considered buying the children one each. They love their wheeled backpacks, but this looked like a fun item. And the fact that you can ride on them adds potential entertainment and play value for long waits in airports.

And then I considered it a little more. The Trunki looks great, and is probably good quality. However, I don't think it's the optimal kind of hand luggage once you're on board. The only way to open it, is by opening it up and folding out like a suitcase, which can be hard to do on board a cramped airplane. With a backpack on the other hand, you just unzip it and put your hand in to rummage around for what you need.

Also, because the Trunki is hardsided, it would not be so easy to squash under a seat as a softer backpack. The Trunki is supposed to be regulation hand-luggage size, and that's great, but sometimes the regulations and the reality don't match 100%.

The verdict
No, I won't buy it. However, I might consider buying it if it was bigger and more luggage-sized, and then use it as "kids' luggage". Maybe. But for carry-ons I'm sticking with the wheeled backpacks

However, I will say that I think this is a pretty brilliant idea for a carry-on for kids. The ride-em concept is fun and definitely interesting, and I'm now wondering whether it could be combined with a small engine so that the kids could motor through the airport by themselves.

Which kind of sounds hilarious and really scary at the same time.

Traveling with children to Maui: tips and things to make your vacation even better

On the path from the Iao Needle.

After writing about our family trip to Maui yesterday, I've been dreaming about that island. It's just one of those places you want to return to, or stay forever as the case may be.

Here is a short-list of four things I think are necessities when you're traveling with your children to Maui, or any other hot, sunny, sandy holiday destination

Sunscreen
Bring some with you, buy some there, and apply it all the time. You can't have too much sunscreen, and for the children, as well as yourself, make sure it's waterproof and preferably sweat-proof too. I used creams, lotions and sprays. I like to put on the creams and lotions before heading out in the morning, and then use the sprays as "top ups" when out and about.

My favorite type of sunscreen sprays are the clear, continuous spray, no-rub kind. These are great, especially when you're on the beach, because you can just spray them on without having to rub them into skin that is probably already really, really sandy. For the kids, I used 50-70 SPF consistently and they didn't burn, even though they are very fair-skinned.

Beach-wear with more coverage
Skimpy bathing suits can be cute, but for sun and sand protection, the full-body, zip-up suits or rash shirts are hard to beat. If your kids are wearing these types of outfits, you don't have to worry about sunburn on their backs and shoulders as much. And if your kids play a lot in the sand and water, suits that cover more skin offer protection from "sand burn" as well as sunburn.

For a beach destination like Maui, bring at least two suits for your kids so you can have one in the wash, and a clean and dry one to bring to the beach.


Beach bags
Pick some up at your destination, or bring some nice, big beach bags of your own when going on a family trip. These make your life on the beach easier, as you can stuff them full of toys, towels, snacks, water bottles, and sunscreen. They'll probably take a beating from all the sun and sand, so don't bring anything too fancy!

Hats
Caps are good, hats with brims are better. The hats with neck-flaps are awesome, especially for small children, because they cover the neck, ears and a bit of the back and give great protection from the sun. The sun can be so strong in Maui that it will burn your scalp, through your hair, if you're not wearing a hat.

4 bonus tips for family travel to Maui:

• Dresses are a lot easier to put on a damp, salty, sandy child than shorts. Score one for the girls!
• Bring lots of water to the beach. Dehydration is no joke, especially for kids who might not realize they need to drink because they're too busy playing.
• Stay off the beaches at midday. Seriously: it gets hot. We usually took a midday break for lunch, some TV and naps, maybe some pool-time. Mornings and afternoons are better for beach bums!
• For women: bring or buy a couple of easy-wash, easy-wear dresses. I basically lived in two loose, empire-waist, black cotton dresses from Old Navy when we were in Maui and I never wear dresses at home. When it's hot, when you're sweaty, and you're a little sunburned, it's just easier to throw on a dress rather than wear something with a waistband. I could definitely see the appeal of a muumuu!

Finally: it's the little things that count
When you're traveling with children, they always manage to find unexpected sights to see in unexpected places. In the case of our Maui trip, it was the snails that crawled by in the shade of our condo every morning.

My daughter called these huge snails "Pooda", and the children would watch them every morning from the lanai.

Read more about traveling to Maui here.

Traveling with children to Maui: places to go and things to do

I've traveled to Maui twice, once in the mid 1990s before having kids, and once in 2009 on a family trip with the kids (they were 2 and 6 years old at the time). Both times I've enjoyed my time there immensely, and I count Maui as one of the best family holiday destinations I've ever traveled too. It is definitely a great place to vacation with your children.

The flight
Flying with children to Maui from Vancouver is not too strenuous a trip, especially if you're used to long-haul flights to Europe like my family is. Last time, we flew out of Sea-Tac airport after flying down there from Vancouver the night before. We stayed in a motel near the airport, and it was an ok arrangement. I would have preferred to fly directly out of Vancouver, but the deal was just a lot better when flying from the United States.

The accommodation

The view from our place in Kaanapali Royal.

Maui is a beautiful island. It has a small-town feel wherever you go, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Lots of beaches, lots of little shops and restaurants, lots of gorgeous scenery. For our vacation there in 2009, we stayed in Kaanapali on the west-side of the island (the touristy side), and I really liked that area. We were a fair way from the beach, and if I could pick without considering price, I'd definitely want to stay closer to the ocean. However, the rates for accommodation are definitely more affordable if you're a little distance away from the sand.

We stayed in an apartment at Kaanapali Royal, rented privately through the VRBO network. We had no trouble with the rental, everything was exactly as it had been presented online, and we loved our stay there. The apartment had everything I consider essential when you're traveling with kids: TV, kitchen, and also a washer and dryer.

The beaches
There are lots of amazing beaches in Maui, and I've picked three of my favorites for a family vacation. One tip for all beaches on West Maui: the ocean is a lot calmer in the mornings than later in the day. If your children are young, that can be a very good thing, because when the surf's up the waves and currents can be hard to handle even for adults.

Baby Beach.

1. Baby Beach, aka Pu'unoa Beach
For the kids, the best beach was definitely Baby Beach near Lahaina. At Baby Beach, I saw families with toddlers, preschoolers and infants: kids all ages really. It's protected by a reef, has shallow water, and  palm trees along the beach for shade. The actual sandy part of the beach is quite narrow, but there are grassy areas that make for good relaxation too. There is coral growing in the shallows in some areas, so the kids got a nice up close view of that without even needing to snorkel!

When the winds pick up in the afternoons, most beaches on the west-side of Maui get fair-sized waves, but Baby Beach was still ok even for the 2 year old to go in and splash around. My son loved to play in the waves, and usually just rolled around with the waves and swell. Baby Beach was the beach where I felt most relaxed with the kids. On the other beaches we visited, I felt a little more tense when the kids went in the water because of the waves and the currents.

There are no showers or other facilities on Baby Beach, but I highly recommend this beach for anyone with small children. Locals come here too with their kids, and it's a nice place to relax under the coconut palms.

The northern end of D.T. Fleming Beach Park.

2. D.T. Fleming Beach Park
This out-of-the-way beach is located at the northern end of West Maui. It's not as little-kid friendly as Baby Beach, but still good. There are lots of things to look at on the beach and in the water, especially if you head down towards the cliffs and rocks at the ends of the bay.

The kids looked at mussels and clams on the rocks near the northern most point, made sand castles, played in the shade of the tree at the beach's edge. There are showers, picnic tables, bathrooms and change-rooms. As usual in Hawaii though there are no concession stands, or other places to eat on the beach. This means you should bring snacks and drinks with you, but also means that the beaches are not so busy and commercialized.

There is nice snorkeling here too if you head out a bit, and I did get to swim with a turtle. Lots of fish and coral to see too. In the afternoon it got windy and the waves got pretty big. Not so great for little kids, but potential fun for bigger kids and adults.

Underwater resident.

3. Kaanapali Beach
Kaanapali Beach was the closest beach to the apartment we were staying in, and it's a beauty. At the northern end is Black Rock, which is great for snorkeling. There are lots of hotels and stores and restaurants just off the beach and there are all sorts of activities available.

This beach is a looooong stretch of golden, soft sand but does get very hot near midday. By the afternoon, the waves are big, but if you get there early in the morning, the kids can go in if they're not too small. This is a very beautiful and easily accessible beach, and it's a nice destination in the evenings too when you can have a meal or a drink while listening to the ocean.

Restaurants

There are lots of great restaurants in Maui. These are a few of the places we enjoyed eating at that also had excellent kids' menus.

1. Sea House Restaurant
This restaurant is located next to Napili Bay, and the first time we went there we ended up there completely by fluke because we got a flat tire and were waiting for our roadside assistance. It's a beautiful, airy restaurant with great service, gorgeous views and tasty food. The kids loved the cheese pizza, served in the shape of a fish, and I loved the fish tacos. Reasonable prices, and it is really, really close to a nice beach as well.

2. Penne Pasta Cafe
This small restaurant is located in Lahaina and serves all kinds of pasta for pretty good prices. It's not fancy, but the food is really good and the portions are large. You get your own food at the counter, but it's definitely not cafeteria food.

The view from Mala Ocean Tavern.

3. Mala Ocean Tavern
This is a fine dining place located in a tiny little building on what looks like a nothing and nobody street near Mala Wharf outside central Lahaina. The restaurant isn't exactly fancy-looking inside. It's nice and cozy, if a little on the small side, but the food is spectacular, and if you get to sit on the oceanfront lanai, you are basically sitting perched just above the waves. On one of our visits, we saw the surf actually splashing up where people were sitting! They have a good kids' menu and friendly atmosphere. It's not cheap, but worth it if you want a special meal.

Another good place is the Hula Grill in Kaanapali with some of the tables sitting in the sand. I'd also recommend the Kobe Japanese Steak House in Lahaina where chefs cook your food at the table. The food is alright, but the big attraction is the dramatic cooking, onion ring volcanoes included.

Things to do
If you want a break from the beach, there are other things to see and do in Maui.

• The volcano: head up to the top of Haleakala, but be ready for a winding, long, steep drive that can make some people rather car sick. It's a spectacular place to see, and well worth it in my opinion.
• The Maui Tropical Plantation: you can take a guided tour of the plantation on board a gas-powered train that drives through the entire place. Educational and fun even for adults.
• The Maui Ocean Center: this aquarium located in Maalea is definitely worth a visit. It has beautiful coral reef displays and some very cool exhibits that appeal to kids.
• The Sugar Cane Train: hop on the steam train at the stations in Lahaina or Kaanapali and ride this guided rail-tour.
• Reefdancer, the glass-bottom boat: a good way for kids to get to see some of the underwater creatures. It's pretty noisy on board, but you do get to see lots of ocean life, some of it brought right up to the observation windows by the accompanying scuba divers.

At the Maui Ocean Center

Finally: if you go, eat the local fruit. The pineapple, the mangoes, the avocado, the papaya are all so darn sweet, juicy and delicious that it feels like you've never eaten those fruits before. And at the airport, do buy those boxes of ripe pineapple. It was the best thing we brought home with us from our visit.

Read more about traveling to Maui here!

Flying with liquids

Knowing what you can bring in your hand luggage when traveling on an airplane can be confusing, especially when it comes to bringing liquids on board. It is important to be aware of these rules, especially when traveling with children, because you will likely need to bring some liquid products with you on a family trip, and if you don't follow the rules, it could take you a lot longer to clear security. You might even have to leave stuff behind if it does not conform to regulations.

The rules for liquids, gels, and aerosol products on board airplanes are pretty much exactly the same all over the world, and are enforced by the airlines and by security personnel at the airports. These rules apply a lot of things, including anything liquid, as well as sprays, creams, lotions, gels, medication, chap-stick, lipstick, makeup, water, juice, sunscreens and so on.

That's 20.3 cm x 19.5 cm if you're metrically inclined.

The basic rules are:

1. Containers with liquids can hold no more than 100 ml (3 ounces) each.
2. These containers have to fit in a 1 litre (1 quart) clear, zip-lock plastic bag.
3. Only one bag is allowed per traveler.

At each security check, you have to remove the bag with the containers and let it pass through inspection by itself, that is: not inside your hand luggage. My tip is to keep that zip-lock bag on top inside your hand luggage so you do not have to dig around too much for it.

There are exceptions to these rules, and some of these exceptions are left up to the discretion of the people screening your hand luggage. For example:

• You are allowed to bring "reasonable quantities" of baby formula, breast milk and juice for small babies that are traveling on the airplane. From personal experience, I'd say the baby formula and breast milk will not cause problems at the security checkpoint, but juice might.
• The "reasonable quantities" rule applies to over-the-counter and prescription medication too, but again: if you want to go through security quickly, try to keep the amounts in your hand luggage within the usual regulations, just to make things go faster and easier.

The only time I personally would push for an exception to the carry-on rules when traveling with kids, would be if it was for something absolutely essential. For example, if I was traveling with an infant who needed formula or breast milk, or if I needed to bring special medications for myself or my children. In those instances I don't think you will have a problem.

In all non-essential cases I would not rely on security personnel at the airport screening points to allow any exceptions. In my experience, they often do not like to make exceptions, and if they are asked to make exceptions, it might take a lot longer to get through the checkpoint. If it is at all possible for you, follow the regular rules.

The TSA in the United States now promote what they call "3-1-1 for carry-ons". So if you're thinking in imperial measurements, this means:

I guess for us metric people, that would translate as 100-1-1, as in 100 ml or smaller containers, fitting inside one 1 liter plastic bag, and 1 bag per traveler.

These regulations for bringing liquids on board can seem like a lot of useless hassle. But once you get used to it, it's really not that bad. Also, when you are traveling with children, remember that each person paying for a ticket counts as a traveler. This means that if your children are paying for their airplane tickets, they are allowed one bag each with liquids too.

To find out more specific information about what you can and can't bring, you can check the TSA website, the CATSA website (if you're in Canada), or the website of the airline you are traveling with.

Images from the TSA website.

Changing your baby on board an airplane

Changing your baby's diaper on board an airplane can be described as challenging at best. Airplane bathrooms are not spacious. Even just turning around, reaching for toilet paper, and washing your hands can be difficult. Now imagine you're in there with an infant who likes to kick and roll over, and has a very wet or very messy diaper.

The good thing is that there is always a change table in at least one of the bathrooms on longer flights. At least that is my experience. This change table is usually a kind of flap located above the toilet, and you lower it down to access it. You now have even less space than before, but at least you can put your baby down.

I highly recommend bringing some kind of portable changing pad with you if you are traveling with a baby, because the change tables on board are not padded and often do not even have any kind of edge to prevent the infant from rolling off. Not that there is a lot of space to roll off into! It will be a lot more comfortable and safe for the baby if you have something to put down on that hard plastic surface: even just a regular blanket or towel would be better than nothing.

Once you've managed to get your baby on the change table, you do the usual gymnastics to keep them from rolling off or rolling over while you change them, while also hoping there won't be any turbulence. I probably don't have to tell you that it is a good idea to have your wipes and clean diaper ready so you can do this as fast as possible.

And afterward, it is really, really nice to use antibacterial wipes or gel on your hands, because washing your hands effectively in an airplane sink is even more difficult than changing a baby's diaper.

My ideal family travel destination

Long Beach on Vancouver Island.

The world is full of awesome destinations you can take your children to if you have the time and the resources.  For me though, the best place on earth to take my kids is the beach. What beach? Well, that isn't as important.

Crescent Beach, White Rock.

My family goes to the beach almost every weekend. Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen, Crescent Beach in White Rock, Spanish Banks in Kitsilano in downtown Vancouver, and Third Beach in Stanley Park (also in downtown Vancouver): these are some of our usual destinations. We've also enjoyed time on Long Beach on Vancouver Island.

Swedish beach, Burvik.

In the summers we've spent lots of time in Sweden at my parents' summer place on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. The water doesn't usually warm up past about 17 degrees Celsius, and sometimes the air temperature isn't much higher than that even in the summer, but the kids still have a total blast every time we go.

I think almost any beach is a good destination when traveling with children. Even of it's not that warm there's still stuff to do. You can look for shells and rocks and driftwood, throw shells and rocks and sticks in the water, skip stones, dig in the sand, watch the water, walk along the water's edge, lean on a rock or log, watch the birds, watch the boats, suntan, build a castle, dig a channel... And so on and on.

Baby Beach, Maui.

Still, my favorite beach destination is Maui. No shocker there. We went on a family trip there in 2009 and spent a lot of time on Baby Beach just outside Lahaina (the absolutely safest beach for little kids that we found on the island), and on many other beaches up along the west coast of Maui.

Beach time doesn't require a lot of extras. Only some good sunscreen, some snacks, some bottles of water, and some towels are needed to make it a great day. And some buckets and shovels if you really want to go all out.

Beaches are good travel destinations with kids anytime, any place. But as you might be able to tell from this post, I'm pining for summer. Are we there yet?

Hard or soft? The luggage question.

Hard-sided luggage or soft-sided luggage? My usual answer to this question is: have you seen how they load luggage into an airplane? Your luggage will fall off conveyor belts onto the tarmac. It will get tossed, dropped, squashed, crunched, squooshed, smooshed, smashed and occasionally trashed. When you choose your luggage, you should at least be aware of how it's going to be treated.

The hard choice

Our luggage: about as ancient as the dinosaurs.

I favor hard-sided luggage. My red Samsonite has traveled with me since I got it for my birthday in 1987. It still comes along. Sure, I had to get one of the locks fixed a couple of years ago, and the front handle is slightly bent these days, but it's still one heck of a suitcase.

The other suitcase we use for family travel is another Samsonite, a humongous green thing with wheels. It's not as old as my red one, but it's still been traveling with us for about 15 years.

My son loves this suitcase because he can pull it along by its little leash. It's hardsided, and pretty much indestructible. The one problem with it, and it is a big problem, is that it the suitcase itself is so heavy that it's pretty much impossible to pack it and not get dinged for too much weight. Not very practical, but as long as I don't pack it too full of stuff (which can be a challenge when you're traveling with children), it's ok. And it keeps my son entertained, so that's another plus.


The softer side
Soft-sided luggage does have its points though. It's lighter, easier to stow away for storage when you're not using it, and a lot of softsided luggage is really durable as well. On our long trips, we usually bring our two suitcases and one soft-sided duffel bag. I only put clothes and maybe shoes into the soft-sided bag, nothing that can split or crack or break. Wheeled duffel bags are great. We have one with the pull-out handle and I love that one. Easy to bring along, easy to pack, and as long as it's just clothes in there, I'm fine with it.

Spot the bag!
This game keeps my son entertained while we're waiting for flights. My daughter isn't in to it as much, mainly because she's usually busy enough with her own toys and games, while my son prefers to watch what is happening on the tarmac.

The game is to see if we can spot our bags going onto the airplane. First you have to spot your plane, and then you have to look for the little truck pulling the luggage train along behind it. Then you watch as the baggage handlers throw and toss all the boxes and suitcases off the carts and onto the conveyor belt going into the hold.

It is actually kind of fun to watch these professionals haul and maul all that carefully packed and tagged luggage. And it's also kind of cool if you actually get to see your luggage arrive on board, meaning it's not forgotten in some heap in a forgotten corner of the airport! Small favors, right?

Airlines & airports: don't fly through Heathrow, do consider Reykjavik

When it comes to family travel, I'm not a very loyal airline customer, at least not by choice. I'm pretty much open to a good deal if there is one. International air travel is so expensive, especially for families, that it's better to consider the ticket price than most other factors.

While I wouldn't choose a certain route because of the airline or the airport on the way, I do still like some airlines and some airports better than others. Some of that has to do familiarity: it's easier to get through airports you've visited before, especially when you're traveling with children.


Our usual family travel route

YVR, Vancouver International Airport

 When we travel from Vancouver to Sweden, we usually end up going with either KLM, through Amsterdam, or Lufthansa, through Frankfurt. The deals are usually ok when flying from Vancouver, and the service on board both airlines is great.

Frankfurt airport however is not so great, at least in my opinion. I might be biased against Frankfurt because we once had to kill almost 5 hours there, but still, the buildings are somewhat run down, and there is not a lot to do for kids. Not a lot of kid-friendly eateries there either, at least when you're past security. My kids were not too interested in German sausages, no matter how delicious they are!

Amsterdam's Schipol is nicer, but there's not a really good play area there either, though they do have better food choices for kids. My main reason for liking Schipol is that while it's a huge airport, it's all inside one building, and on one floor, which makes it easier to get around.

Kid friendly
When it comes to kid-friendliness, I'd have to say that Sea-Tac airport in Seattle, and Vancouver International Airport are my favorites, among the places I've been myself. Sea-Tac has an actual play room, something more airports should consider in my opinion. At Vancouver International Airport there is a big area inside security in the international departures area where the kids can play, located just outside many of the restaurants.

If you've got a long wait before your flight or between flights, it's hard to beat a place where the kids can run around and play and burn off some energy before your strap them in to their seats!

My no-go area
The one airport I avoid is Heathrow. This is a firm rule for me and I live by it. Even if there is a cheap, cheap flight going to wherever I'm headed through Heathrow, I won't book it. Especially not if I'm traveling with kids.

It's been many years since I flew through Heathrow, but I do have friends and family who have been through the airport in recent years. In every single case there have been delays, or lost luggage. Strikes, computer problems, weather delays, snow chaos, fog chaos... All of this seems to happen a lot more at Heathrow than other big European and North American airports. To be fair, lost luggage can happen at other airports too, and all the luggage that was lost at Heathrow eventually arrived at its intended destination, but it has happened more frequently on flights going through there than elsewhere.

Depending on where you're headed, Heathrow can make perfect sense of course. If you're going to Britain for example, especially London, it might be hard to avoid this airport. And yes, I do know people who travel to Heathrow and have no problems. I just really, really would rather go somewhere else if I have a choice!

Iceland Air and Keflavik
When traveling to Sweden from Vancouver in 2009, we chose Iceland Air and traveled through Reykjavik. It was the first time for us on that airline, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of service. I was even more pleasantly surprised by the airport in Iceland.

Keflavik airport outside Reykjavik is nice and new-ish, and also small, which meant less walking time for us as a family. Security was tight, as at any airport these days, but the lineups were shorter, and the staff friendlier than I've encountered in other places. (Probably the rudest security check I've ever been through happened on a domestic flight in Sweden... go figure!) One of the security guys even took the time to goof around with my daughter and son, who were taking a little extra time getting their shoes off before the metal detector.

If you are considering Iceland Air as a travel option, I'd definitely say try it, if the deal is good. And there are no volcanoes erupting of course... It was a good airport with a pretty relaxing atmosphere when traveling with kids compared to many others.

What to do on the airplane when traveling with kids

Flying with dinosaurs

Once you’re on the airplane, try to make everyone as comfortable as possible. Fasten the seat-belts and take off your kids' shoes if they’ll let you. Let the children explore their surroundings: seat pockets, in-flight magazines, TV-screens, meal trays, and various buttons in the arm rest can all be exhilarating stuff for kids.

Bring out the blankets, stuffed animals and maybe a book or a game, and make use of the pillows usually provided by the airline. If you’re lucky your children will settle down once the initial excitement of being on board dies down. And if you’re really lucky, they will spend at least part of the flight asleep.

Hoard snacks

On longer flights, some airlines will dole out free snacks every now and then: crackers, sandwiches, candy, pretzels and so on. If your children are asleep or simply not hungry when snacks are being offered just stash them in your hand luggage and hand them out as needed. 

Again with the bathrooms

Just like at the airport, make sure you know where the bathrooms are and try to use them before there’s an emergency. I find my children always need to go right as the plane is about to land, or once it’s landed and everyone is standing up waiting for the doors to open. Try to get them to go before that and your life will be a lot easier.

Make use of the in-flight entertainment system

Nowadays, pretty much every airline offers individual TV-screens for all passengers. No more craning your neck to watch the one movie offered like in the bad old days! Instead, you can usually choose from a menu of movies, TV-episodes, music, news and even games. 

Some airlines charge for the use of headphones while others give them out for free. Bring kid-sized headphones with you if you can: the ones provided by the airlines can often be difficult for little children to wear comfortably.

Oh behave!

When it comes to kids’ behavior on board, you can never be sure what you’re going to get. Sometimes I’ve received compliments on my kids' behavior; other times I’ve been given the evil eye or, very rarely, an earful. 

The reality is that at some point during a long flight, your children will probably squirm, be loud, kick the seat in front of them, play with their tray in a noisy fashion, whine or spill something. They’re in an unfamiliar situation and may be tired, scared, bored, uncomfortable or even feel sick, so some acting up and acting out is normal.

Of course you do your best to help them calm down. You bring out the toys and games. You explain what’s expected of them. You divert their attention. You use the bribes you brought if you have to. You pull out all the usual tricks you use to get your children to behave in public. And still it won’t always help and you might end up feeling stressed out because you know your children are bothering other passengers. However, in my experience, other passengers are usually quite sympathetic: sometimes I’ve even had people play with my children for part of a flight!

Sadly, even if you and your children do your very best, there may still be passengers who get annoyed with you: some people just seem to get stressed out when they’re on a plane with kids on-board. Try to take that in stride even if it can be aggravating.

Read more about flying with kids:

• How to prepare yourself and your kids for a long flight.
• What to ask the airline before traveling with kids.
• What to pack in your hand luggage when traveling with kids.
• What to do at the airport when traveling with kids. 

What to do at the airport when traveling with kids

Depending on the circumstances, family travel time spent in airports may be only marginally less stressful than the time spent on board airplanes.

If you’re transferring to another flight you may have barely enough time to find the next gate. On the other hand, if there’s a delay or just a long scheduled wait before your next flight, you may have hours to kill in a place where there is not a lot for your children to do. Both situations can be taxing for you and your kids.

Better than TV.

Some airports (though not enough of them) do have good play-areas and they can be invaluable if you have a lot of time to kill before or between flights.

Bathroom breaks

If your child is anything like mine, then when they say they need to go, they’re in a hurry. And if your luck is anything like mine, this will happen when you’re waiting to board your plane, when you’re in the security lineup, or when you’re having your hand-luggage x-rayed. In those situations it isn’t always easy or even possible to find a bathroom.

That’s why I highly recommend keeping an eye out for bathrooms at all times, and to hustle your children into one when you do have the time and you think they may be due for a visit. 

Keeping safe

Keep an eye on your children at all times. Yes, it’s obvious advice, but there are so many ways for children to get into big trouble at an airport. There are security zones, security guards, no-enter areas, conveyor belts, electric cars, heavy luggage carts, alarmed doors… you get the idea. Keep them close to keep them safe.

Delays

Be ready for delays. With all the security measures in place today, getting around an airport even under normal circumstances can take a long time. Long lineups can form everywhere: at check in counters, at various passport, security and immigration checkpoints and at the gate. Add any other kind of delay because of volcanoes, terrorism, weather or mechanical problems and you may be in for a trip that’s a lot longer than you planned.

You can’t control these things so just come prepared and bring extra supplies of diapers, formula and snacks, just in case.

At the gate

Families with children are usually allowed to board the airplane before other passengers, so be ready for that and grab the opportunity when it’s offered!

Read more about flying with kids:

• How to prepare yourself and your kids for a long flight.
• What to ask the airline before traveling with kids.
• What to pack in your hand luggage when traveling with kids.
• What to do on the airplane when traveling with kids.

What to pack in your hand luggage when traveling with kids

Me and my hand luggage.

Packing light is a challenge when traveling with children, especially if they still need diapers, special food and formula. Spread the burden by letting your children bring their own hand luggage as soon as they’re big enough. My son loves his wheeled backpack and will happily cart along his own toys and snacks in it without complaining.

Just make sure to check what’s in their bags before you go. We once ended up with a huge, sharp-horned dinosaur in our hand luggage. At least it wasn’t confiscated by security when they discovered it in the x-ray machine...

My own two must-haves in my hand luggage are antibacterial wipes and plastic juice boxes. I'll explain more about why below!

General packing strategies

• Keep credit cards, money, tickets and passports on your person, in a waist pack or neck wallet for example. This reduces the risk of forgetting them somewhere.
• Use a backpack as your carry-on. It frees up your hands and when you’re traveling with kids, you will need your hands a lot!
• If there are two adults on the trip, split the load of carry-on items in a useful way. Make one carry-on the diaper and change-of-clothes bag and the other the snack and toy bag for example. This makes it easier to stow one carry-on in the overhead compartment on board to use only when it’s needed. It also makes it easier to find what you need.
• If possible, stow jackets and other outerwear (hats, gloves etc.) in your regular luggage before checking it. My logic is that the fewer items you have to keep track of while traveling the better. Most likely you will be spending your time inside airplanes and airports so jackets and coats won’t really be needed anyway. Bring, or wear, a long-sleeved shirt, sweater or cardigan in case you get cold.

What to pack in your hand luggage 

Tub of wipes, ready to go!

• Anti-bacterial hand wipes and gels. These are an absolute must. I use them on my children and myself (and my husband when he lets me) literally all the time when we are traveling, and definitely after any bathroom visits and before eating. This has significantly reduced how often we get sick after traveling. 
• Sippy cups & juiceboxes. I use Rubbermaids's litterless juiceboxes for my kids when we travel, and find them invaluable. Drinking from regular cups on board an airplane can be a real challenge for kids: it’s crowded, they may be sitting awkwardly, and the plane may be shaking. I pour any drinks served to the kids on board into the the plastic juiceboxes to be consumed safely right away, or saved for later.
• Diapers and wipes. Even if you typically don’t use pull-up diapers for your child, consider bringing some on the airplane. If your child can stand up unassisted, changing a pull-up is a lot easier than using the change table in a tiny airplane bathroom.
• Baby food, baby bottles and formula. You are allowed to bring formula for your child, even with the current restrictions on bringing liquids on board. However: water is available on long flights (even warm water), so bringing just formula powder may be a better option. And if you’re traveling with a breastfed child it’s even easier!
• A change of clothes. Because accidents and spills can happen even with a toilet trained child. Bring a clean shirt for yourself too if you have the room!
• Comfort items. Bring any and all such items your child may need: blankets, stuffed animals, pacifiers and so on. If your child uses a pacifier, bring an extra one as well as a strap for securing it to your child’s clothing.
• Snacks. Granola bars, fruit rollups, crackers, pretzels, raisins… Go with snacks that your child likes, are easy to pack and not too messy to eat.
• Toys and books. Pick items that are big enough that they won’t disappear on-board, yet small enough to fit in the hand-luggage. Avoid messy and noisy toys.
• Bribes. By this I mean special treats that can be used as persuasion tools. Bring something you know your child can’t resist and use it when you really need it. For example when a security lineup is taking forever, when your flight is delayed or your child just will not stop kicking the seat in front of them. For my daughter I bring lollipops. For my son, Smarties.

Your on-board pharmacy

I always bring a stash of medical supplies with me on the airplane. Usually none of it gets used, but I figure the day I forget to bring something is when I will need it.

To comply with regulations, make sure your supplies fit  into a one liter (1 quart) plastic bag, and that none of the bottles contains more than 100 ml (3oz.) of liquid. I always bring:

• Decongestants. I bring both a nasal spray and a liquid decongestant for children. (Ask your doctor or pharmacist what decongestants are suitable for your child’s age group.) Don’t forget this item, because if your child is congested while flying, your flight could become a nightmare. I’ve flown once with a severe head cold myself and it is a very painful experience. On that note: don’t forget to bring a decongestant for yourself!
• Gravol or other anti-nausea medication. If your child has an upset stomach, you will want to have something that can help them (and you) out.
• Fever and pain relief. Bring liquid acetaminophen or similar for young children in case they get a fever or an earache while traveling. And again, remember to bring some for yourself too!
• Allergy medication. If your child tends to suffer from allergies, then you should definitely bring this with you as well. 

For more information about what you can and can't bring on board, visit the TSA or CATSA websites, or the website of the airline you will be traveling with,

Read more about flying with kids:

• How to prepare yourself and your kids for a long flight.
• What to ask the airline before traveling with kids.
• What to do at the airport when traveling with kids. 
• What to do on the airplane when traveling with kids.