Holiday Travels: Products to Entertain the Kids

Keeping kids entertained on short or long journeys can be a challenge. As families prepare to embark on holiday travels, Tropical Family Travel has reviewed several products that are perfect to take along on travel adventures or to have children open on Christmas day at a holiday location.

These travel products are perfect in size for the back seat or even on board an airplane, but more importantly, they will help entertain the child and hopefully contribute toward an enjoyable trip.

A portable DVD is a necessity for any journey, and this season Mattel has released two DVD’s that girls will love. One is Barbie® Diamond Castle and the other is Barbie Christmas Carol. Both movies are entertaining and capture even our three-year-old’s attention. Diamond Castle delights kids with its music and the true depiction of friendship. Christmas Carol is a delight as Barbie turns a classic into a fantasy for girls and ensures that holiday spirit spreads. Get ready for your girls to sing as they watch both Barbie adventures as the music is contagious.

The perfect take-along toys to accompany the Barbie DVDs are, of course, Barbies. Sure to delight and amaze is the spectacular 2008 Holiday™ Barbie®, a festive keepsake for girls of any age, featuring a shimmering white satin and silvery gown, a tulle bodice and gorgeous full tiers of crinkled silvery lamé. To coordinate with Diamond Castle, both Barbie® and Teresa® dolls feature a glittery fashion transformation that turns their humble skirts into ornate ball gowns with the touch of a button. The dolls also sing songs from the movie, and when Barbie® and Teresa® dolls hold hands they sing a delightful duet. Needless to say, these are not the Barbie dolls we grew up with!

For tweens, Wildcat fans can take along their set of High School Musical 3 character dolls. Girls will be able to play out this momentous occasion from the movie with Gabriella, Troy, Sharpay, Ryan, Taylor, Chad and Kelsi dolls. Each of the dolls are designed in the characters likeness and come dressed in their formal graduation attire from the movie.

Books are always a great item to take along during travels and make great gifts, but there is a twist on some of children’s favorites with audio books. MacMillan Audio has released some children’s books on a CD which is perfect to bring along. Our toddler loves listening to books and following along and one of MacMillan’s titles that she memorized at an early age offered is Brown Bear & Friends by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle, read by Gwyneth Paltrow. Ages 2 to 5, 1 CD, 1 hours, $14.95. Purchase here: http://us.macmillan.com/brownbearfriends. A title to consider for slightly older kids is The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, read by Tony Shalhoub. Ages 8 to 12, 2 CDs, 2.5 hours, $14.95. Available at MacMillan.com.

A unique product we came across that entertains and educates is a series of Wooden Spinny fun and compact wooden toys, designed for ages 3 and up. The three sections on the toys rotate so children can create numerous combinations of either funny creatures, people, or words. These compact products are the perfect size to take along and only cost $7.50 each. One bonus feature is that they are made in America by Maple Landmark. Available at HazelNutKids.com.

A compact, challenging and fun game also offered by HazelNutKids.com is its Haba Horse Memory game. A traditional memory game but the pieces are shaped as horses. The suggested age is 4, but our 3-year-old was able to play it and handle the pieces. Available for $12.90 at HazelNutKids.com.

In case parents forget to pack some much needed attention-keeping products, airport stores also offer some relief. In Chicago, the Field Museum has seen several kid-friendly travel products “flying” off its shelves. One that is great for infants is its Plush Penguin Plane, which has four little penguins included that Velcro into place. There is even a plane engine sound. Another product perfect to help entertain during the wait in the airport and on-board is its 52 Travel Activity Kit, complete with 52 travel games, markers and stickers. Both come in self-contained carrying cases and are available at The Field Museum.

Tropical Family Travel will continue to provide great kid-friendly products to help make travels this holiday season more enjoyable for all! Happy Holidays!

Traveling with Kids? Travel Tips to Increase Safety & Reduce Stress

Traveling with kids adds a slightly increased stress level, no matter how much you prepare…especially when flying. There are the extra necessities, such as a stroller, diaper bag, or car seat, which can slow you down through airport security lines. Not to mention the pressure of trying to hurry because of people waiting behind you as you attempt to hold the baby and close up a stroller, all while taking your shoes off, ensuring your allowed liquids are set aside in their proper clean one quart bag and following other security rules.

It is enough to scare off some parents from attempting this travel routine. But, help has arrived just in time for this week’s Thanksgiving holiday travels. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just completed its new family, expert and casual traveler lanes through security checkpoints in U.S. airports designed to help travelers fly through and arrive at their gates faster and less stressed.

Hoping to ease congestion, provide additional help to those who need it, and to decrease wait time, the newly unveiled lanes, part of TSA's Diamond Self-Select program currently at 48 airports, allow families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace, as reported by TSA. Click here to watch the Black Diamond Self-Select video.

In addition to the new security lines, which are marked just like a ski map’s “black diamond” route for “expert traveler” to the green route for “family traveler”, TSA has put together some tips and a video to help people get through the screening process faster.

Also helping parents navigate airline travels with their kids is Louie Delaware, The Home Safety Guru™ and president and founder of US Safety Pros. Louie has put together several travel safety tips that can further ease travel concerns and make traveling with kids easier and most importantly, safer.

SAFETY ISSUES

1. Bring Your Own Car Seats – It is tempting to have a child that is under 2 years of age sit on your lap during your flight. It is very difficult, and most likely physically impossible, to hold a child during turbulence. All children less than 40 pounds should be a car seat and older children in a booster seat. Make certain that yours has the designation “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” as many car seats do not have this. For best fit in aircraft seats, use a car seat that is less than 16” wide. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make certain that the seat is properly installed with the airplane buckles. It is a requirement on many international flights that every child have their own seat.
2. Consider Using an Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD) Strap - This is a restraint device that is allowed on airplanes for children between 22 and 44 pounds. It attaches to the back of the seat works in addition to the lap belt. These are much easier to carry as they are just straps. And they install very easily. You can order these at www.KidsFlySafe.com.
3. Booster Seats - Be aware that booster seats are not allowed on many airlines.
4. Don’t Use Car Seats From Car Rentals / Family & Friends - It is a good idea to bring your own car seat even though you could arrange for one with your rental car company, which may not be guaranteed and they can run out of car seats during busy travel seasons. You may not be happy with the condition of the seat once your get there either. And don’t count on your family or friends to have a proper one for your child either.
5. Oxygen Masks – If during your flight the oxygen masks drop from above, put yours on first as you will quickly loose your ability to deal with the emergency. Once yours is properly on, put one on your child. What is not communicated is that if there is a sudden loss of cabin pressure that your will possibly lose consciousness within 15-20 seconds without oxygen. So it is very important that you can get yours on before dealing with your children’s mask. You will not be of any assistance to them if you pass out after putting theirs on before yours.

In addition, to ease the travel process, Louie recommends the following advice:

MAKING TRAVEL EASIER AND LESS STRESSFUL
1. Take Advantage of Early Boarding – With more people carrying on bags on to the plane, the earlier you can board, the easier it will be for you to keep the bags you need near your seats. And you won’t feel rushed with everyone else boarding the plane.
2. Fly Non-Stop - With all of the record delays that have occurred lately, it is best that you try to fly non-stop as much as possible. It is much easier to travel this way and will get to your destination in a less stressful manner.
3. Notify The Airline You Are Traveling With Child – When booking your flight, let the airline know that you will be having your infant or toddler sitting in your lap. Also, some airline companies will give you a discount for flying with a child that will be in a car seat.
4. Seating Placement – For the safety of other passengers, car seats are usually placed at window seats or the center of a wide row of seats between two aisles. If traveling with a rear-facing car seat, you may want to consider requesting a bulkhead seat as these typically will have more space in front of the car seat.
5. Allow For More Time – Your travels will be a lot less stressful if you give yourself more time to get to your flight. Take breaks along the way. Don’t rush as this will most likely only make things worse. Also, remember if you don’t have pre-assigned seats, make a point to get to the airport extra early to try to get everyone together.

What tips or tricks have you learned when flying with kids to ease the process?

Photo Credits: TripAdvisor.com and TSA.gov

Traveling with Kids: Packing Tips for the Tropical Journey

When preparing to embark on tropical family travels, particularly as cold winter temperatures are starting to take over most of the United States, there are a few travel packing tips that will come in handy when transitioning from a cold climate to tropical heat.

Layering is critical to ensure all family members are warm enough when departing home but not sweltering upon arrival at the tropical destination. Bring winter coats onboard the aircraft and stuff in overhead compartments, for both flights. This saves room in the suitcase and does not add to the weight.

For girls consider adding leggings underneath a skirt or skort on flights. This layer can be removed when landing in paradise. Adding a long sleeve shirt or an extra sweater/jacket can add necessary warmth during flights too for both boys and girls. For boys, the roll-up cargo style pants are flexible for warm and cool climates.

When packing it is tempting to plan for the “what if” scenario, but with today’s luggage surcharges on most airlines, it is wise to pack smart. Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler, advises taking less.

“Organize what each family member wants to pack far in advance to allow time to wash favorite things and to encourage participation by each person. This minimizes complaints upon arrival, as each was part of the packing decisions,” Foster says.

One budget saving tip is planning to use self laundry facilities on the trip. Even some cruise lines offer a public laundry area. “You can pack half as much clothing,” she adds. “Tucking in a self-sealing plastic bag of laundry detergent saves money and hassles.”

Even when traveling to the tropics, Foster advises to include one off-season clothing piece for everyone. “If the weather changes, everyone will still be comfortable,” she explains.

Another innovative packing tip Foster provides is taking self-sealing bags of several sizes. “Organize clothing by grouping adult’s items: socks in one container, underwear in another. Children’s clothing is easily organized by folding or rolling an entire days outfit together — pants, tee-shirt, underwear and socks — and tucking into a bag,” Foster says. “Pop the dirty items back into the bag at the end of the day to isolate soiled clothing from clean.”

To assist in the packing process, pack a backpack for each person. “Parents can manage children better if they are hands-free, so purses and in-flight necessities are best carried in an adult backpack,” according to Foster. “Smaller children manage better passing through airports, airport security, and aircraft aisles with small backpacks; bigger children can manage small rolling bags that will fit under the seat.”

One kids’ backpack to consider, especially for toddlers in mind, is the Dog Pull-Along Backpack available at the Chocolate Cake Club (other animals are available) which is lightweight to carry as a backpack or they can pull their dog friend through the airport. This adorable product is small enough for little hands to manage, but does have room for a few travel essentials.

"When traveling with kids it is important and empowering to them to have their own backpack or pull-along luggage,” according to Sue Kirchner, president of the Chocolate Cake Club. “That way they learn how to pack for a trip, even if their bag only contains toys, and they have their treasures close at hand for when they are bored or feel uneasy traveling.”

Kids travel better when entertained, so allow them to choose their toys and to carry them. "When you take your kids out of their routine and comfort zone, you need to make sure that you travel with products that are fun, or remind them of home,” Kirchner says. “We have certain toys and activity books that only get brought out when we travel. That way they are always ‘new’ again for the kids.”

There are many “activity” type products out there, but a favorite that Tropical Family Travel has tested is the Princess Kids Activity Backpack, offered by the Chocolate Cake Club. This product is large enough that it contains a variety of activities including stickers, markers, and an included activity book, and still has room to bring extra paper or books. A unique feature is that this product is also a backpack.

“When you are delayed in the airport, it is essential to have some toys or activities that will really capture your kids attention,” according to Kirchner. “Otherwise, a stressful situation just becomes more stressful for Mom and Dad."

Foster outlines the following items to bring along in the child’s carry-on:
• Gameboys, games and extra batteries and travel-sized games
• Books (thin paperbacks are best!) and/or coloring/activity books and crayons
• Portable DVD player (however battery length is usually only about 3 hours)
• Pajamas and slippers for a long flight
• Hard candies to suck on, water or juice for take offs and landings
• Anything your child must have such as a favorite blanket or bunny

What are some of your packing tips with kids?

Tropical Family Beach Festivals

When traveling on any beach or cruise vacation, one of our must-have items is some sand toys for our toddler so she can partake in her magical art creations. Fascination with taking wet sand and creating castles and figures starts with kids’ first trips to the beach. For some, this fascination never ends and in fact, becomes an art form.

We attended the 22nd Annual American Sandsculpture Championship Festival this past weekend at Ft. Myers Beach which featured 20 plus amateurs and master sand sculptors. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the free event takes place beachside at the Outrigger Beach Resort and the Ft. Myers Beach Holiday Inn…the perfect tropical location for kids and parents alike.

Beware parents. These sand sculptures are not meant to be knocked over or stepped on. So it is important to keep curious hands and bodies behind the very loose taped boundaries and ensure you never have little ones out of sight.

Artists carved, sculpted and created statues and figures made of sand beyond most people’s imagination. A few personal favorites at this year’s competition include a bigger than life size pirate, complete with a “wooden” peg leg and a parrot on the shoulder; a depiction of Wall Street with a large man holding the money and a smaller man holding the bail out on Earth; and a living sea featuring a mermaid with ocean friends. However, for our three-year-old, her favorite was a wilderness scene depicting wolves and pine trees as she is completely obsessed with puppies!

Truly, the details result in amazing works of art and not the typical sand castles most of us created at one time or another with a bucket! I can say we are inspired for our next tropical beach vacation or day visit to a local beach to see what we can create!

For those looking to escape the start of winter, head south to Florida the first weekend of November each year to not only enjoy the warm, tropical weather; but, to also take in some sand wonders that are only here for four days.

Three winners were announced at the closing of the event: Thomas Koet from Florida for his sand sculpture named “Paris”; Canadian Michel Lepire for his piece called “Pristine Nature” (this was Kylie’s favorite); and John Gowdy from Italy for his creation titled “Jack’s view above the clouds and over the moon.”

To see additional photos, visit the event’s photo gallery.

Photo Credit: www.TLTravels.com

What is your favorite sand castle building memory?