| Whatever your mode of travel, there will be | | | | when you find a garbage bin or bathroom. DO |
| special challenges if you take the kids along. The | | | | NOT leave diapers or diaper contents behind. |
| key to sanity is some careful planning - and a | | | | Besides polluting the environment, some animals |
| calm, unruffled approach.* Where Should we | | | | are attracted to human waste. Protect the |
| Stay? *If you are planning at stay at a bed and | | | | environment even more by making sure that you |
| breakfast, do some research. Many bed and | | | | purchase biodegradable diapers (or switch to |
| breakfasts are not suitable for children. However, | | | | cloth).If you must carry soiled diapers along with |
| you may be able to find a 'farmstay' - a bed and | | | | you for any length of time, you might want to |
| breakfast on a farm that allows your kids to | | | | consider packing a few deodorant disks or a |
| interact with the animals. This can be an | | | | baking-soda based scented deodorizer.* Snacks |
| unequalled family experience - especially for city | | | | *If your children are finicky eaters, chances are |
| dwellers.Staying in a hotel? Do they provide extra | | | | you will encounter problems with airline and |
| cots and/or cribs for children? Do they have a | | | | restaurant meals. Pack a few nutritious snacks. |
| restaurant with a kids' menu? Is there a playroom | | | | Snacks may include fresh fruit, granola bars, |
| or playground on the premises? Are there | | | | individual-size cereal boxes, cheese and crackers, |
| children's activities nearby?* What Should I Pack? | | | | raisins, unsalted peanuts - or snack-size containers |
| *Use common sense. Every family is different. | | | | of applesauce, puddings, and fruit cocktail.* |
| Check the following list and pack what is | | | | Boredom *Boredom is always going to be a |
| appropriate for your household:- Small first aid kit- | | | | problem. Even a half-hour trip seems like a long |
| Liquid anti-nausea medication- Liquid Tylenol- | | | | time to a young child. The easiest and most |
| Individual-sized tissues- Moistened hand-wipes in | | | | accessible boredom solution is YOU. Use the time |
| individual packs- Paper towels- Photos of the kids | | | | to interact with your kids. Ask them questions. |
| and important details regarding medications- | | | | Get them to tell you stories if they are old |
| Telephone numbers of doctors (at home and at | | | | enough. You can keep young children entertained |
| your destination)- Copies of passports, birth | | | | by telling them stories - complete with sound |
| certificates, custody documentation- Decks of | | | | effects of animal noises, whistles, and whatever |
| cards, favorite toys, children's books- Coloring | | | | else you can invent.Play guessing games like 'I |
| books, crayons, mechanical pencils, paper- | | | | Spy' with older kids, or get them involved in some |
| Crossword puzzle books, erasable pens, | | | | children's cards games. Although games like 'Go |
| highlighters- Windbreakers, slickers, umbrellas- | | | | Fish' can be played with a regular deck of cards, |
| Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen- Plastic bags from | | | | there are many games with special, |
| grocery store checkout (for storage and | | | | brightly-colored decks made just for children. Do |
| cleanup)* Diaper Disposal *There are scented | | | | an internet search for 'card games for kids' and |
| disposal bags available - or you might want to | | | | you'll find plenty of resources.* Inactivity *Sitting |
| pack some small zip-lock bags. Plastic grocery | | | | still for long periods of time is not a natural |
| bags or newspaper bags can also be used. The | | | | activity for children. If you're on a plane, train, or |
| solid matter should be disposed of down the toilet. | | | | bus, get up and take a walk down the aisle once |
| Next, roll the diaper up with the soiled area facing | | | | every hour. When travelling by car, find an |
| inwards so that you have a compact bundle with | | | | appropriate pullout and play frisbee or go for a |
| the plastic on the outside. Place the diaper in the | | | | short walk.* Relax - Lighten Up - Unwind *Treat |
| zip-lock bag, seal most of the way, then press | | | | every family trip as an opportunity to connect |
| out as much air as possible while you complete | | | | with your children. Relax, enjoy their unique |
| the seal. Discard in a bathroom garbage container | | | | personalities, and enjoy yourself!* There are |
| or outside garbage bin.If you are outdoors and | | | | many more travel tips available at * You'll find |
| there are no outhouse or bathroom facilities | | | | more travel articles and lodging links at * Search |
| nearby, you should carry the entire diaper | | | | for more ideas at this page of search engines. |
| contents with you, disposing of appropriately | | | | |