Welcome to “Tots in Tow,” a place where parents will find the help they need to plan the perfect getaway with their children. Visit us for guides to family friendly vacation destinations, reviews of essential travel gear, or tricks to make long flights bearable for kids of all ages, as well as other tips to make the next trip with your little ones easy, affordable and fun.
A day at the beach can be carefree for both parents and their pint-sized seafarers. Many ocean side hotels offer family friendly discount packages and activities to keep little sun worshipers and their parents happy. Ocean City, Maryland has been a favorite summertime stomping ground of tiny feet for decades. Its award-winning boardwalk, amusement park, outdoor concerts and popular seafood eateries make this sand-and-surf spot an ideal getaway year after year. Plus, many hotels offer great rates for families, including OC’s Haven Hotel (www.havenhoteloc.com), where kids ages 6 and under stay free.
Photo courtesy of neverstopexploring.com.
The prospect of flying with a baby can be daunting, even for frequent fliers. Nobody wants to evoke grunts and groans from fellow passengers because their infant decides to test his lung capacity by screaming full force at 30,000 feet.
To avoid being that parent, here are some tips to avoid a mid-air meltdown: Tote along as many quiet toys as you can, but bring out just one at a time. This way, Jr. can max out his time with one toy and then move on to the next before boredom sets in. Or, let your little one practice his paper shredding skills on the in-flight magazine. The scraps can get a little messy, but this trick has kept my little guy content and quiet for hours. Find more tips at www.flyingwithkids.com.
Photo courtesy of Chicco.com.
Keeping kids content in the backseat on a long car rides can be tougher than navigating beach traffic on Memorial Day weekend, but replaying Toy Story on DVD every 50 miles isn’t the only way to keep boredom at bay.
Audio versions of children’s books, music CDs, hand puppets and activity pads with write-on, wipe-off pens make great travel companions for young adventurers and keep their minds active on the road. Disney/Pixar Cars Rhymes-on-the-Go picture book with audio CD helps build their language skills while motoring. For older kids, switch on the classic Charlotte’s Web audio book and discuss the story while you listen. For more tips, check out www.singleparents.about.com.
Photo courtesy of Parentwheels.co.uk.
