Flying with kids: all about bringing car seats on board

Bringing a car seat on board a flight for your child to use might seem like a great idea. It gives them somewhere more comfortable to sit, and if the seat has a built in harness, they can be strapped in easier than with the airplane's lap-belt. However, before you pack your car seat and bring it to the airport, there are some things to consider:

• Not all airlines will allow you to use car seats on board. I brought a car seat for my son once, when he was just over 2 (meaning he no longer qualified to fly for free on my lap, or a free cot).  One airline happily let us install our car seat with a 5-point harness in his seat. The next airline didn't even allow the seat in the cabin and we had to check it with the rest of our luggage.
• Not all car seats are suitable, or approved, for use on board. The seat has to be approved for use on board, and you have to be able to be safely secure it to the airplane seat. The rules and recommendations vary a lot between countries and between airlines.
• Check with your airline before you fly. It is really important that you check with the airline (or airlines) you will be flying with to check what their policies are, and what seats they accept on board (if any). A child seat can be really practical if you're allowed to use it, but it is also an extra piece of luggage. If you are allowed to use it, you will still have to lug that big seat with you between flights. And if you're not able to use it on board, you will be checking an extra piece of luggage. 
• There are alternatives. If your child is younger than 2 years old, they are usually allowed to fly for free (or for a low fee) sitting on your lap for the entire flight. On some longer flights, you can even score a cot or bassinet for your "lap-child" to sleep in. If your child has their own seat, one option is to use an "Approved Child Restraint System" (this is a product and term that is mainly used in the United States).

• What the Federal Aviation Administration in the US has to say about child safety seats and restraints.
• Information on child safety seats from the Civil Aviation Authority in Australia.

My recommendation

Don't bring a special seat for your child unless you are absolutely sure you will be allowed to use it on board. It is a big hassle to bring along a seat, so you want to be sure it will be worth your trouble.

For children that qualify for a cot/bassinet, that is a better option in my opinion. For older kids, who have their own seats, it might be worth the trouble. It might be especially worth the trouble if you can use the seat in cars at your destination. If you're traveling internationally, make sure the seat you bring is approved for use in the country you're going to.


Here are links to, and information taken from the websites of several airlines concerning their policies on child seats. Always check with the airline before you fly to make sure what their policy is!

KLM 

If a seat has been reserved for your child, you may bring your own car/child seat aboard on the condition that it fits between the armrests of the aircraft seat (42 cm/16.5 inches). Only child seats that display no defects and that carry a visible seal of approval awarded by the European Union or an official government agency may be taken aboard.

Officially approved brands:

• UN Standard ECE R44-03 and 44-04
• US FMVSS no. 213
• Canadian CMVSS 213/123.1
• German TÜV/958-01/2001
• Types marked approved by Transport Canada
• Types marked approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Types marked approved by Joint Civil Aviation Authority (JAA)

A seat for a second baby, or the use of a car/child seat must be reserved in advance. Please contact KLM Telephone Reservations or your local KLM ticket office for this service.

Lufthansa

The airline does not provide child restraint systems. They are the property of the accompanying adults and are their responsibility. By taking a suitable child restraint system on board, the accompanying adult is confirming that:

They are aware of and acknowledge the airline’s General Conditions of Carriage

• The CRS is one approved by Lufthansa (see table)
• The CRS is in perfect working order; they are familiar with the manufacturer’s instructions for the system’s use and fitting in an aircraft and they can attach the child restraint system to the passenger seat on their own. At no point will airline staff on the ground or on board be able to check the system and/or help to install it.
• They have agreed that the CRS must be checked in as hold baggage if it cannot be fitted properly to the passenger seat.

British Airways

You may prefer to use your own car type seat for use by infants with a minimum age of six months to a maximum age of three years.

• The seat must meet the following standards:
• The seat must be designed to be secured by means of a normal aircraft single lap strap and face the same direction as the passenger seat on which it is positioned.
• A purpose-designed children's car seat must have a 5-point restraining harness.
• The car seat must not exceed the dimensions of the aircraft seat.
• The maximum dimensions of the seat must fit into an area of 45cm x 45cm (17.5ins x 17.5ins).

Scandinavian Airlines

When you book a child’s fare ticket for your infant, you may bring aboard a SAS approved car-type baby seat for installation in the adjoining seat. The car seat may be of the aft or forward facing type. No part of the car seat may extend outside the passenger seat. Maximum dimensions: horizontally 65 cm/25 in, height 45 cm/18 in.

Delta

All child restraints have labeling that shows whether or not the restraint meets certain safety requirements. The label has a circle surrounding the letter "e" followed by the distinguishing number granting approval, and will indicate the seat's category and mass group.

Labeling Specifics

If a restraint was manufactured within the U.S. between 1/1/81 and 2/25/85, it needs to have the following labeling to be approved for Delta flights:

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards.

If a restraint was manufactured within the U.S. after 2/25/85, it needs to have the following labeling to be approved for Delta flights:

• Conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle standards
• Is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.

If a restraint was manufactured outside the U.S., it needs to have the following labeling to be approved for Delta flights:

• Has the approval of a foreign government
• Was manufactured under standards of the United Nations (UN).

We do not permit the following types of car seats:

• Booster seats-even if they bear labels indicating they meet U.S., UN, or foreign government standards.
• Vest and harness-type child restraint devices other than the FAA approved CARES restraint device.

Air Canada

Child safety seats accepted for in-flight use:

• Models manufactured in Canada after January 1, 1981 must bear the National Safety Mark, which indicates the number of the standard(s) to which the restraint device conforms: CMVSS 213 for a child restraint device or 213.1 for an infant restraint device;
• Models manufactured to United States standards:

• Models manufactured between January 1, 1981 and February 25, 1985 must bear the following label: "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards."

• Models manufactured on or after February 26, 1985 must bear the following two labels:

• "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" and "THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT" (in red lettering).

• Foreign-built car seats must adhere to Transport Canada regulations.
• CARES™ child restraint devices: CARES™ child restraint devices are designed for children ages 1 to 4, weighing between 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs), whose height is 100 cm (40 inches) or less and who are capable of sitting upright. They must be used within the limitations specified by the manufacturer (as indicated on the label), and must display the following:

• Legible CARES™ label with approval standards (FAA approved in accordance with 14 CFR 21.305 (d) and approved for aircraft use only).

• Part number 4082-1 on label

• Please note that CARES™ child restraint devices cannot be installed in the Executive First Suite.

Devices not accepted for in-flight use:

• booster seats* and belly loops,
• vest or harness type devices,
• Little Cargo® seats (notwithstanding any claims from manufacturer(s) that they are approved for use in aircraft).

Iceland Air

Passengers traveling with infants may bring on board an approved child seat, provided that there are free seats on the flight in question. Passengers can ensure a seat for a child seat by purchasing the child fare. The use of child seats is allowed during all stages of the flight, including during take-off and landing, provided that:

• The child seat is designed for attachment to a seat with a 2-point belt (normal seat belts on passenger seats in aircraft). Child seats that are specifically designed for attachment with 3-point belts (normal seatbelts in cars) may not be used.
• The child seat meets at least one of the following conditions:

1. The child seat is approved for use in vehicles in accordance with the European Standard ECE R44-03 or later amendments.
2. The child seat is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft in accordance with the US Standard US FMVSS No. 213 and has been manufactured according to this standard as of 26 February 1985. Child seats that meet US requirements must have the following label in red lettering: 1)"This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards" and 2)"This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft".
3. The child seat is approved for use in aircraft in accordance with the German Standard on "Qualification Procedure for Child Restraint Systems in Aircraft" (TUV Doc.:/958-01/2001).
4. The child seat is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft in accordance with the Canadian Standard CMVSS 213/213,1.

Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines will actually lend you a seat free of charge if you're flying with a child under the age of 3 that has their own seat. Quantities are limited and you can find more information here. You can also bring your own seat:

BUCKET TYPE(Forward/ Rear facing type and Convertible type)Child Seats which satisfy either one of the following standards may be used onboard.(BOOSTER SEAT TYPE Child Seats without a seat back or sides and VEST AND HARNESS TYPE Child Seats with only a seat back but no seating surface or sides cannot be used.)

• Child seat is set by guardian following maker's instruction.
• At the time of fixing the child seat to the installed aircraft seats, even if the child seat is of a suitable type, there may be times that we decide that it is unable to be safely fixed depending on aircraft configuration or installed seat types. In that case we ask your understanding that the child seat may not be used.

1. Satisfy Japanese standards (JIS, apparatus type with specific standards) and is affixed with the prescribed mark.
2. Satisfy Western standards (ECE,FMVSS) and is affixed with the prescribed mark.
3. Seats manufactured under other standards are affixed with the approval mark of the respective government. Child Seats manufactured under United Nations Standard.
4. The aircraft seat belt buckle (2.5cm thick, 6.5cm wide, 6.5cm long) can be slipped through the hole of the Child Seat belt.
5. The infant/child can be seated in the Child Seat and does not exceed the weight limitation shown on the Child Seat.

Air France 

If traveling on an adult’s lap, infants under 2 years of age fly free of charge on domestic flights within France. On international flights, infants receive a 90% fare reduction. You also have the option of booking a seat for your infant (child fare), where you may place acar seat that conforms to official regulations. Please remember to let us know that you will be traveling with an infant
when you book your trip.

Did you reserve a seat for your infant? For his or her comfort, you can bring a car seat as long as:

• it is authorized for standard automobile use (a non-standard car seat may be refused by personnel upon check-in or boarding),
• it does not exceed 41 cm / 16 in. in width,
• you make sure to install the seat on board as indicated by the manufacturer's instructions (front or back facing the seatback),
• it can be held in place by a seat belt.

Qantas 

The safest way for an infant or small child to travel on an aircraft is in a Child Restraint Device such as a car seat. Infants are allowed to be carried on your lap however research has demonstrated it does not provide the protection of a child seat.

A car seat must be pre-approved for use as a child seat at least 24 hours before departure. Approval of car seats cannot be obtained on departure at the airport. You must buy a seat on the plane to ensure the use of a pre-approved car seat or CARES restraint device. To buy a seat on an aircraft for your infant and get pre-approval for the use of a child seat, contact your local QantasOffice.

The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is a pre-approved alternative to car seats on an aircraft. This harness style restraint device is suitable for children aged two to four years, weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb). Find out more about the CARES system.

United Airlines

You may use an approved infant car seat on board the aircraft when you purchase a seat for your child. The seat must be an FAA-approved child safety seat device. Please note the following infant car seat placement restrictions: on one-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats, on two-aisle aircraft, car seats must be placed in window seats or the middle seat of a center section. Car seats are not permitted in rear-facing seats on any aircraft.

If manufactured after February 1985, the car seat should also be certified for use in aircraft. You should seat your child in the child safety seat for takeoff, landing and during turbulence.

The FAA has approved the use of a child safety restraint system for travel. The system, named “CARES”, uses an additional belt and shoulder harness that goes around the back of the seat and attaches to the lap belt. Children weighing between 22 and 44lbs may use this device. More information is available at www.kidsflysafe.com.

The following child restraint devices may not be used on board the aircraft: booster seats, belly belts which attach to adult seat belts only, and vests or harnesses which hold the infant to the chest of the adult.

Continental Airlines

Children unable to sit upright with the seat belt fastened must be carried in an FAA approved infant seat if not being held by an adult. Continental does not provide infant seats.The infant seat must be secured in an aircraft seat and cannot be held in an adult's lap. The infant seat must remain properly secured to the aircraft seat at all times. An infant seat cannot be used in an exit row or in the row immediately before or after an exit row. Passengers traveling with infants may not be seated in exit rows. Due to oxygen mask constraints, only one lap child is allowed per seat section and, on some aircraft, passengers with lap infants may not be seated in certain rows.

Children who are over two years old are required to purchase a ticket and occupy their own seat.

Finnair

Finnair accepts an age-appropriate child restraint device (an infant seat or a car seat) on all of its scheduled flights for children under two years of age, provided that a seat has been reserved for the child on the flight. If there are vacant seats on a scheduled flight, an infant seat may be accepted on board, even if a seat has not been reserved in advance for the child.

Confirmation must always be obtained from Finnair before bringing an infant seat or a car seat on board. The instructions for use must be taken along, so that the approval labelling can be checked. Finnair does not, however, guarantee the placement of an infant seat or a car seat in the seat reserved. If the safety seat does not fit into the seat or it cannot be safely secured, it will be placed in the overhead locker or the hold of the aircraft.

An infant seat is equipped with a 3 or 5-point harness and will be fastened to the aircraft seat facing backward. Child car seats must be equipped with a 5-point harness and they are always fastened to the aircraft seat facing forward.

The infant seat or the car seat must have one of the following approvals:

1. The child restraint device has been approved for use in aircraft by a JAA authority, the Federal Aviation Administration or Transport Canada (on the basis of a national technical standard), and marked accordingly.
2. The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles according to the UN standard ECE R 44, -03 or later series amendments.
3. The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft according to the Canadian CMVSS 213/213.1-standard.
4. The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard US FMVSS Nr. 213, and was manufactured according to the standard after 25 February, 1985. US-approved child restraint devices manufactured after this date must bear the following labels in red lettering: 1) “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards” and 2) “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”.
5. The child restraint device is approved for use in aircraft according to the German “Qualification procedure for child restraint systems for use in aircraft” (TÜV Doc.: TÜV/958-01/2001).

American Airlines

Most restraints that are used in automobiles are acceptable for use in aircraft by an infant or small child. Acceptable restraints manufactured in the United States will bear one or both of the following labels:

• “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards”

Additionally, the restraint may carry a second label with red lettering which states the following:

• “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

Restraints manufactured outside the United States may be accepted provided that they bear either a label showing approval of a non-U.S. government OR a label showing that the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations (U.N.).

U.N. approval is designated by a label with a circle surrounding the letter "E" followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval, plus an indication of the category and mass group of the child restraint which will be affixed.

Air New Zealand

Children under the age of 2, not occupying a seat and accompanied by an adult, may travel on an infant fare. A child travelling on an infant fare must be held by the accompanying adult. For safety reasons an adult can hold only one infant, and children under the age of 15 may not hold infants.

If you are the only adult travelling with more than one infant you will need to reserve a seat for the additional infant and pay a child's fare (available for children up to and including 11 years of age). The additional infant must be restrained in an approved infant car seat, which you must provide.

The age of a child that can be restrained in a car seat is up to 4 years, provided the child does not exceed the weight limit for the restraint system of the car seat.

The car seat must have its own inbuilt restraint system and be of a type approved for use in motor vehicles. Please refer to the chart below. It must also be in good, safe working condition and should not exceed the given dimensions.

An alternative to using a car seat inflight is the CARES child restraint system. CARES has been approved for use on Air New Zealand flights by the New Zealand CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

Virgin Atlantic

While your children enjoy their dedicated inflight entertainment, they’ll be comfy and safe in our seats designed just for them.

The seats are available on every flight, can be used in any cabin and are suitable for new-born babies up to children weighing 20kg (44lb) or measuring 100cm (40”) tall. To ensure you get a child seat, just buy a flight at the child fare - though you should note we'll need at least 12 hours' notice to ensure a child seat is available.

Children too large to fit a child seat will need to travel with a full adult fare.

You won’t be able to bring your own booster seat onboard, but if you need special support seating for disabled children, take a look at our information on support seating.

Air China
I can't find any specific information about Air China's policies on child seats on their website, so I would definitely recommend that travelers check with the airline before bringing a seat on board.


Cathay Pacific

Subject to restrictions below, a personal infant / child car safety seat can be taken on board if it complies with the following requirements:

• A separate seat must be purchased for the infant/child using the car safety seat
• Car safety seat is designed for carrying an infant / child between the age of 6 months and 3 years inclusively, and weighs 18kgs or less
• Car safety seat must be forward facing
• An infant / child occupying a child safety seat must be accompanied by a parent / legal guardian or a travel companion at least 18 years of age, occupying an adjacent passenger seat
• Car safety seat must be in operational condition
• Car seat must be secured to a passenger seat throughout the flight.

Due to safety requirements, car safety seats may not be used on some of our aircraft passenger seats. Please refer to the table below and call your local reservations office or your travel agent for the aircraft type of your flight.  Specifically designed ChildRestraint Seat (CRS) may be offered instead, with prior reservation.

Singapore Airlines

The use of booster seats is not permitted. However, you can use approved car-type child seats and FAA-approved child harness.

Approved car-type child seats may be used for a child under 3 years but not less than 6 months of age. The seat must be forward-facing and can be secured to the aircraft passenger seat by means of the aircraft safety belt. It must also be approved by a foreign airworthiness authority / government standards:

• United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States of America as meeting the Technical Standard Order TSO-C100b; or seats that have two markings: "This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft" in red lettering and "This seat conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)"
• European Safety Standard requirements of United Nations ECE Regulation 44 (UN/ECE 44)
• Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) No. 213 entitled "Child Restraint Systems" or CMVSS No. 213.1 entitled "Infant Seating and Restraint Systems"
• Australian/New Zealand design standard AS/NZS 1754 for infant car seats.

Some examples of the labels displayed on child car seat approved under one of the above standards can be found on the right of the page.

FAA-approved child harness can also be used on our flights. However, AmSafe's Child Aviation Restraint System (CAReS) child harness does not fit our Business Class seats on our A380-800 and A340-500 aircraft as well as the First and Business Class seats on our B777-300ER aircraft. You may wish to contact our Singapore Airlines office for more details.

If you are using a child car seat or a child harness, please note that the manufacturing standards and instructions must be provided to our ground staff and cabin crew for reference. The use of child car seat and child harness on board is subject to all child seat safety requirements. Both cannot be installed on seats at the emergency exit rows as well as the rows immediately before and after it.

If you do want to bring your own seat or child restraint system on board, here are some products that might be useful:

• CARES Child Aviation Restraint System 
• Car Seat Travel Bag
• Car Seat Travel Accessory 
• Gate Check Bag for Car Seats

Sweepstakes: Flippin' Awesome Vacation Giveaway

Bali.

There are lots of sweepstakes and contests on the Internet, and FlipKey's "Flippin' Awesome Vacation Giveaway" is a nice one. You can win a week in a luxurious vacation home in either Bali, Tuscany, or Costa Rica. (I'd pick Bali, but that photo of the view from Costa Rica is starting to grow on me...)

Tuscany.

The sweepstakes are open to US residents over the age of 18 and you can enter until January 10th, 2012.

To enter, go to their site, or to their Facebook page and enter by picking the property you would like to go to. The Grand Prize includes: a week's accommodation in the property you chose as your favorite, $3000 to use for airfare or other expenses, and you can bring up to 10 friends along as well!

Costa Rica.

FlipKey is an online vacation rental company with thousands of properties all over the world. They also have a blog which offers some great travel and accommodation tips.

Flying with kids: how to handle hand luggage

Different airlines can have somewhat varying rules for hand luggage: how much it can weigh, the allowed dimensions of each carry-on, and how many pieces each traveler is allowed. Commonly travellers are allowed two pieces of carry-on luggage, including one bag, such as a backpack or shoulder bag, and one small purse, camera bag, or similar.

If you're traveling with children, you are also sometimes allowed to bring certain other items, such as an approved child-seat, or stroller.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has some hand luggage information on its web page.There is also more information about specific airline policies on the airline resources page.

Here are some of my best hand luggage tips when traveling with kids:

1. Choose your carry-on wisely
I'm a backpacker: I just love backpacks. And for a long time, my hand luggage of choice has been a backpack. I find it really convenient, and wouldn't trade it for a wheeled backpack or a shoulder bag. When I'm traveling with my kids, the backpack leaves my hands free to help them, carry them, or assist them with their hand luggage if they're getting tired or we're in a hurry. I guess the whole pack mule thing appeals to me! The main thing is to choose a carry-on you like, that is reasonably comfortable to carry, and that has enough compartments that you can organize things a bit, so it's easy to find what you're looking for.

2. Divide it up
If you're traveling as a family, divide items between the carry-ons so that it's easy to find what you need when you need it. For example, keep all the items you will need a lot during a flight in one bag, like snacks, formula, and toys together, while all the diaper-change items, and changes of clothes are kept in another bag. This also makes it easier to stow the bag with items you won't need as much in the overhead compartment where it's out of the way.

3. Keep the most important items on your person
If you're traveling as a solo parent with young kids, put your most important items like money, credit cards, boarding passes, and passports in a small purse, waist pack or neck pouch that you wear on your person all the time. This way these items are easy to get to, and you will be less likely to lose them by putting them down in a bathroom, at the check-in counter, or on board. 

4. Pack your liquids properly
I have seen some news stories talking about how the strict regulations on bringing liquids on board might be relaxed in the near future. However, for now, make things easy for yourself and avoid hassles at security by packing any liquids and gels you're bringing the "approved" way: no bottles that hold more than 100 ml (3 oz), and fit them all into one clear, 1 litre (1 quart) zip-loc bag per traveller. Keep this bag o' liquids easily accessible in your hand luggage since you will most likely be asked to take it out every time you go through a security checkpoint.

5. Pack any medications separate
I usually pack all liquid medications I'm bringing in my 1 litre zip-loc bag for liquids, and keep any other medications in another zip-loc bag. (And yes, I am crazy about zip-loc bags.) This makes it easy to see what's in the bags, both for security screeners and for me when I need to find something.

6. Let your child have their own hand luggage
As soon as they're old enough, children should be allowed to bring their own backpack or bag as a carry on. This makes life easier for you, since they can now carry at least some of their own toys, stuffed animals, and other comfort items themselves. My kids have a wheeled backpack each, which I find works really well for them and me.

Antibacterial wipes: the family pack.

7. Keep frequently used items easily accessible
The two items I use most frequently during a flight with my kids are: antibacterial wipes (to clean everyone's hands with as often as I can), and litterless juice boxes(to pour any drinks the kids get in for safer consumption). These items are always in an outside pocket of my carry-on backpack, or in the seat pocket in front of me during a flight.

Book tips for traveling and non-traveling kids

I love books, and I'm happy to say that my kids love them too. We always travel with books in our bags. The kids usually bring a couple each in their carry-ons when we fly, and there are always a few more packed into our luggage.

Because of the engine noise in the cabin, I find it difficult to read to the kids when we're flying, but books are great for passing the time at the gate while we're waiting for a flight, or for the kids to look through on their own. (My oldest is just becoming a reader, and that will change our habits some I'm sure!) Books are also a must for bedtime for both my kids, whether we're at home or away.

I use the library a lot with my kids, but we also buy books. And whatever the occasion, books do make great gifts. Here are some of my bookish reading tips and gift ideas for both traveling and non-traveling kids:

Board books
My kids had lots of favorite board books when they were younger, but two books by Eric Carle (who is a genius of the genre) were always their top picks:

• The Very Busy Spider
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar

They also loved many of Sandra Boynton's board books, for example:

• Moo Baa La La La
• The Going-To-Bed Book
• Horns to Toes and in Between

For gift-giving, there are also some very nice board-book gift sets:

• Boynton's Greatest Hits: Volume 1
• Eric Carle's Very Little Library 
• Corduroy's Tiny Treasury 

Picture books
My kids are slowly moving out of the picture book genre and into chapter books, but they still love picture books for looking through on their own, or for me to read aloud. Dr Seuss is very popular in our house, particularly:

• Green Eggs and Ham
• The Cat in the Hat

Other favorites include:

• Flotsam- A really amazing picture book without any text to read, just some absolutely spectacular images that tell a fantastic story all on their own. My 4-year old daughter loves this book. Highly recommended!
• Llama Llama Red Pajama
• The Paper Bag Princess

There are lots of nice box-sets of picture books too:

• Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection 
• Mad About Madeline 
• Curious George's Box of Books 

Chapter books for kids to read & for reading aloud
My kids have two clear favorites in this genre of books:

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - My 8-year old son's all-time favorite story
• Chronicles of Narnia - My 4-year old daughter's newest book favorite. So far we've read The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

There are so many wonderful books out there that can help foster a love of reading in a child. Here are a few more titles, including some box-sets that would make great gifts:

• The Harry Potter Books
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books
• The Hobbit- A great introduction to the world and writings of JRR Tolkien, plus Peter Jackson's movie based on this book is coming out next year! I find with my own kids that a movie tie-in can often help get them interested in new books.
• The New Captain Underpants Collection - My own kids never got into these books, but I know many kids (including a couple of reluctant readers) who love the humor and style of Captain Underpants.
• Alice in Wonderland

 

Young adult books
My kids are not in this reading age-group yet, but in a few more years, they will be (scary thought!). There is a huge variety of wonderful books for young adult readers, in many different styles and genres. Here are some suggestions, including several great box-sets:

• Black Stallion Adventure Set - The books about the black stallion are great reading for any horse-crazy kids on your list.
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set
• Nancy Drew Starter Set
• The Dark Is Rising (Boxed Set) - A fantasy tale that is based on old Arthurian, Norse and Celtic myths and stories.
• The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank's diary is a classic, and for good reason.
• The Weirdstone of Brisingamen- Alan Garner has written a lot of great fantasy, and if you have a fantasy loving kid, it's well worth it to introduce them to his books.
• Guardians of Ga'hoole Boxed Set - Owls as heroes and villains: now that's original! My kids loved the movie, and I am thinking of getting them the books eventually.
• A Wizard of Earthsea- This is the first book in Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea series. Highly recommended for fantasy lovers.
• His Dark Materials Trilogy
• The Hunger Games Trilogy - The movie adaptation of these books is coming out soon, and I've heard lots of good reviews of the books from both young adults and "old" adults.(I might be getting myself these books for Christmas!)

Flying with kids: 7 holiday-travel tips

The holiday season can be stressful for many reasons, and flying with (or without!) kids during the holidays can also be more stressful than it is at other times. You might be dealing with weather-related delays, and the crush of of travelers going through airports can bring longer lineups everywhere.

Unexpected delays (and even cancellations, in a worst case scenario) can happen no matter how prepared you are, but if you are a little more prepared, the unexpected might be a little easier to deal with. Here are some of my tips for handling air-travel during the holiday season:

1. Bring some extra supplies in your hand luggage
Just in case you end up being delayed, it is a good idea to bring some extra supplies along. Definitely bring extra diapers and formula if you're traveling with a baby, and bring some extra snacks for older kids.

2. Pack your luggage with mishaps in mind
Hopefully all your luggage will be on the luggage carousel when you arrive at your destination, but sometimes, it won't be. Often, luggage is delayed rather than lost, but even that can be a hassle. Pack some of everyone's things into each suitcase you're bringing, just in case some of your luggage doesn't make it. That way, everyone will at least have something to wear when you arrive!

3. Check your flight status before you leave for the airport
Flight delays happen all the time, but if you're traveling in the snowy season, they can be especially bad. Check online or call before you head out, just to make sure that things look OK.

4. Don't wrap the gifts
Wrapping the gifts you're bringing with you, will only increase the time it takes you to get through security, if your belongings are searched. It's a lot easier to just wrap everything when you arrive at your destination!

5. Arrive at the airport early
This is a good strategy any time you're traveling with kids, but especially during the holidays. I know my own kids do not respond well to stress, and neither do I. More time means you don't have to manically hustle everyone through the airport, and you won't have to panic too much if the lineups are long. It also means you won't have to stress out if the kids need an extra bathroom visit, or diaper change. If you're lucky and everything goes quickly and smoothly, you can always relax inside security with a snack or coffee, or find the airport's play area (hopefully they have one!), and spend some time there.

6. Bring some festive snacks & books
To make your travel-time seem a little more festive, pack some holiday treats you know your kids like in your hand luggage: little candy canes maybe, or gingerbread cookies. Bring some holiday books too. For example, at Christmas-time it could be How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, or freak them out with an illustrated version of Dickens' A Christmas Carolfor the Kindle. Holiday-themed coloring books can also be fun.

7. Pack a snuggly blanket
If you do end up stuck at an airport, it might help make things easier on your kids if they have a warm blanket to snuggle up in. Light-weight fleece blankets can be smooshed into your carry-on and brought along for those kinds of emergencies.

5 travel & life lessons I learned from my kids

November 20th is the United Nations' Universal Children's Day, instituted to promote the ideals and objectives of The UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child. The best version of this declaration is the one in child-friendly language. (Unicef has it in many different languages other than English.)

This declaration is a powerful statement, and reading through it reminds me how privileged and fortunate my own kids are compared to many children across the world; children who face many problems, challenges and out-right abuses every day:

Article 7 - You have the right to a name, and this should be officially recognized by the government. You have the right to a nationality (to belong to a country).

Article 8 - You have the right to an identity – an official record of who you are. No one should take this away from you.

Article 27 - You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have your basic needs met. You should not be disadvantaged so that you can't do many of the things other kids can do.

Article 37 - No one is allowed to punish you in a cruel or harmful way.

Article 38 - You have the right to protection and freedom from war. Children under 15 cannot be forced to go into the army or take part in war. 

Obviously, one major aim of this declaration is to provide rights that will protect children from horrors like famine, war, abuse, neglect, and disease. But in a broader sense, the declaration is also about how we, the adults, should respect children, and treat them as individuals with their own rights and interests.

Some articles in the declaration remind me of things I have learned from my children since they came into my life. Because, as much as I try to teach them things (and hopefully occasionally succeed), they have also taught me so much about myself, about life, about the world, and about traveling.

Article 12 - You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously. 

Sometimes my kids' opinions seem to mostly consist of "we should eat candy and ice cream and never have to go to bed". But listening to my kids, and taking the time to try to understand the feelings they express in words and actions, often does help make life in general, and trips in particular, better.

This can be as easy as making time for child-friendly beaches in Maui, rather than the beaches with waves too big for them to enjoy. Or making sure that they are enjoying the activities of the day, and that we're not just driving from one "must-see" sight to another, whether those sights are fun for kids or not. Or choosing take-out pizza for dinner rather than seafood at a fancy restaurant, just because the kids will enjoy the family-time more when they can move around and talk a little more freely. (And hey, there can be seafood on that pizza!)

Article 13 - You have the right to find out things and share what you think with others, by talking, drawing, writing or in any other way unless it harms or offends other people. 

To me, this is not just about allowing kids to talk, draw and write. It's also about paying attention to what they talk about and what they draw and write. I find that listening to my kids when they talk about our trips, and listening to the ideas and thoughts they express when they draw and color, is a great way to truly connect with them, instead of just being the sergeant barking orders (though sometimes I am that too!).

Talking, drawing and writing are such basic forms of expression that I think we sometimes forget them, or don't value them enough. When I first started flying with my kids, I brought a lot of toys along on flights. However, I soon realized that at least for my kids, this was not really needed. What they mainly did to pass the time and entertain themselves on our trips was drawing and coloring with markers or crayons, watching movies on board, watching planes at the airport, and talking about what was going on. This realization also made our hand luggage a lot lighter.

Article 17 - You have the right to get information that is important to your well-being, from radio, newspaper, books, computers and other sources. Adults should make sure that the information you are getting is not harmful, and help you find and understand the information you need.

Over the years I have found that my kids handle challenges a lot better if they have some information about what is going to happen. As an adult, it's sometimes easy to forget that a lot of the stuff I already know and take for granted, is brand new information to my kids.

For example, the first few times I flew with my son, he was sometimes very, very frightened of being on the airplane: every noise scared him, he panicked when asked to put on his seat belt, and even checking our luggage got him agitated. Then I realized that part of the problem was that he didn't understand what was happening, or know what was going to happen next. What was making that noise in the plane? What would happen to our suitcases: would we ever see them again? Why did he need to wear that seat belt? And so on. This was when I realized how important preparation is to help kids better handle adventures like long plane trips.

So, with my son I read a lot of books about airplanes and airports, and before every trip I would talk with him about what would happen, step by step, and in some detail: we'd go to the airport, check in our luggage (and get it back at our destination!), we would go through security (with possible lineups), we would find our gate, we would board the plane, and so on. I still do this with my kids, and I find it helps reduce anxiety and stress for them and me.

Article 23 - You have the right to special education and care if you have a disability, as well as all the rights in this Convention, so that you can live a full life.

I don't think I fully understood how important this right is before my son was born. My son has some special needs, though not everyone that meets him realizes this right away. He is social, loving, funny, loves to laugh and goof around. He also has issues with speech, problems concentrating (especially in busy situations), and doesn't always react to or interpret the world exactly the way other kids do.

Before he was born, I don't really considered what it meant to have "special needs". I was ignorant, and pretty clueless about the subject. Now I realize that "special needs" really does mean exactly that: special needs. That is, a person who needs more individualized help or a slightly different environment, or a somewhat adjusted approach to learning, living and coping than some other kids. It does not mean that a child should be pitied, or babied, or treated as incapable of learning new things or doing anything for themselves. Kids with special needs have a lot of abilities and talents and potential. They often just need some extra support and understanding from those around them to be able to reach that potential.

My son, who was once such a fearful traveler, is now a seasoned globe-trotter who helps me with the suitcases at check-in, puts his own seat belt on, and handles security lineups with ease. He's taught me a lot about the value of preparation, empathy, patience, and paying attention to details when I travel, and for that I am grateful.

Article 31 - You have the right to play and rest.

Play is not an optional extra for kids: it's their work, and their education. It's how they grow, it's how they learn, and it's how they cope with life. When I travel with my kids, a lot of time is spent doing things that are very regimented, and definitely not play: they have to do things in a certain way, at a certain time, or else we won't get to the gate on time, get on board the plane, or reach our destination.

They handle it well by now, but I always find that it really helps if they are allowed to take play-breaks at some point during our travel time. Running around a deserted gate-area for a bit, goofing around in an airport's play area, singing silly songs while waiting in line: all these bits and pieces of play help them recharge their batteries and relax.

As for rest, I know as well as any parent that a tired child is usually an unhappy child. Finding time for both rest and play when traveling can really help make things go easier on your trip.

Final words on the Declaration on the Rights of the Child

• You can find more information about the convention at the UN's website. 
• There is also a plain language version.
• UNICEF has several resources related to the convention, including a FAQ.

Cold weather-gear: keeping kids warm, dry & having fun

I love spending time outdoors with my kids, whatever the weather is like. I take them running through puddles in the rain, I drag them along for walks when it's windy, and of course we love to head outside for some playtime in the snow. We spent Christmas of 2009 with my parents in Sweden, and yes, we did go for walks and toboggan-runs even though the temperature occasionally dipped below -20 degrees Celsius (or colder!).

Swedish winter, 2009.

Playing outside when it's cold requires the right kind of equipment to keep things fun. If you live in a place where winters are always cold and snowy, you'll know all about this. If you live in a place like I do, where winters are mostly rainy and chilly and only occasionally really snowy and really cold, you might need to put some more thought into what gear you might need for those really cold and snowy days.

Whether you're going out in your backyard, or going on a trip somewhere chilly, here are some tips on gear that can help you and your kids to stay warm and dry and having fun.

1. Thermal underwear
Slip these on underneath your kids' regular clothes, or underneath their snow-suit or snow-pants: it'll keep them nice and warm, and they're usually less bulky than wearing sweatpants or similar garments underneath. Just make sure the underwear you pick is comfortable for your kids: nothing itchy, and nothing too tight.

2. A pair of good snow gloves
Woolly mittens are great for keeping hands warm, but if your kids are playing in the snow, it's better to pick something that won't get wet right away. If the gloves go up a bit over the wrist, they protect a lot better in wet, snowy weather and give your kids a chance to have more fun in the snow.

3. Mitten clips
These handy clips attach each glove to the coat sleeve, and are really handy: especially for little kids who might like to pull off and throw away (or drop) their mittens and gloves.

4. A pair of decent winter boots
If your kids' feet are cold (or worse: cold and damp), they are most likely feeling cold all over.Winter boots should keep feet dry and warm, even if kids trudge through some slush and deep snow. Look for lined, waterproof boots, with a thick sole that gives a good grip.

5. Really warm socks
Regular cotton socks don't cut it when it's cold outside. Get some nice, warm, toasty socks to keep those toes warm inside the winter boots. There are lots of varieties, so pick something that will fit comfortably inside your kids' boots. A good pair of socks inside a good pair of winter boots can definitely make the difference between having a good time in the snow, or heading back inside.

6. A boot dryer
Boots will likely get wet if your kids are playing in the snow. Electric boot dryers will help you get that foot-gear ready for another round of play. If you don't have an electric dryer, stuff the boots with newspaper (pack it in tightly) to help them dry out faster.

7. Drying racks or lines
A folding drying rack can be very handy in winter. Put it up when your kids come inside all wet from playing in the snow, and throw their snowy, wet hats, socks, gloves, etc. on it. The clothes will dry a lot quicker than if they're just thrown in a pile on the floor. In case you're traveling (to a ski resort for example), bring along a travel version (even a laundry line will work). Sure, you could throw things in the dryer, if you have access to one, but a drying rack saves energy, and it can easily be stowed, or packed into a suitcase if it's a portable version.

8. Inflatable snow tubes
I love toboggans and sleds, but if you are traveling somewhere snowy for a weekend, or if you only get a few days of possible snow every year, inflatable snow tubes are a handy option. They take up less space when stored, and they are a ton of fun on a snowy slope!