In a few weeks we’re off to Greece for a family wedding. I’m really excited as we are returning to the beautiful island of Kastellorizo where my husband and I were married, and where my daughter was christened one year ago.
Kastellorizo, Greece: Image
On our last trip to Greece, Little Miss was just over 3 months old and the biggest challenge was carting nappies across to the remote island.
This time, I’ll have a very busy and active toddler to occupy for almost 24 hours of travelling. I’ve done some browsing on the interwebs and come up with some ideas to create a ‘Mary Poppins’ style travel bag of tricks to keep my daughter entertained.
These Early Start pencils and note pad live permanently in my hand bag, you can’t tell from these pictures but the pencils come in a perfectly sized purse pack and are a life saver when we are out and about. They don’t take up much room, so they will be going in to the magic travel bag. You can order them online from Urban Baby.
$2 shops are full of great little things for kids. My mum and I have been collecting stickers, activity books and even these fantastic little ‘Design a Bags’ that come with 5 texters.
This travel scribbler is also ideal for taking away on a trip as it will provide hours of entertainment and fits perfectly into a travel bag. Little Miss has already been having lots of fun playing with it. You can find these at the Early Learning Centre.
I also found a great Tiger Tribe sticker pack with five picture cards and ten sheets of stickers. Little Miss is going to love these! You can buy them online at My Busy Bag.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of our favourite books to read together, so when I found a sticker book version with giant reusable stickers – I was sold! You can find in your local bookstore or online at Borders.
Travelling can be very unsettling for a toddler, especially if you are flying through the night (like we will be) and they are super tired. I’ll be taking Little Miss’s favourite bear for her to cuddle to make her feel better. These Britt Bears are flat and perfect for travelling. They are also hand and machine washable.
I will also be packing the following for our plane trip:
Personalised Pencil Case from Tiny Me
- Pencil case / small bag containing 2 -3 nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and hand sanitiser. (Airplane toilets are very small and squishy and it’s tricky to fit a whole nappy bag in there)
- Empty bottle with travel size ready made formula
- Wipes (lots of them!)
- Hand sanitiser
- Snacks (rice cakes, sultanas, biscuits)
- Change of clothes for Little Miss
- Clean top / t’shirt for me and Mr B
- Child Panadol (just in case)
- Child Otrivin (for take off and landing, many children have problems with their ears equalising and it can be very painful)
- Blanket – planes can often be freezing cold, and it’s so much nicer for your child to have their own blanket
If you have any advice for travelling with a toddler, I’d love to hear from you!
A xxx
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Our saviour when travelling on a plane was the portable DVD player. We knew most planes had screens with a movie playlist for every passenger but we wanted to make sure our little lady was able to watch her favourites because we knew her favourites would entertain her for ages! And they take up very little room. Also, Coles sell Disney Princess sticker boards where you match bejewelled stickers to the number. Think they cost $5 but they last for ages (and are enjoyable for any age!) Goodluck and have fun! xx
Thank you and THANK YOU! I have been trying to decide whether to get a portable DVD player, and you have just made up my mind. And the Disney Princess stickers sound fantastic, I’ll be taking some of those too. A xxx
Great tips! I’ve traveled with Matthew several times from here to Toronto and back, and I think I’ve done 2 posts about traveling with toddlers, let me find it and I’ll send you the link, it might help 😉
I’ve learned that best way is to start by being mentally prepared, meaning, not letting the small (or big) things get you. I take my time, and I try not to be uptight. And my book of traveling with toddlers says it’s all about survival, so I basically let him do whatever he wants as long as he’s not crossing the line. Oh and I have to say, the iPad saved my life many times 😉
Good luck!
Thanks so much Gaby, I remember you writing a post quite recently and when I looked for it on your blog, I couldn’t find it? (Probably my limited searching skills). I’d love to check out your tips again. And I agree about being mentally prepared, knowing it’s not going to be easy, but we will get through it 🙂 A xxx
Absolutely love your travel ideas, I feel inspired to get ready for our upcoming holiday now!
I also had some success on a recent plane trip with the ‘Quiet Book’ from Funky Kids at Karrinyup..definitely kept my little man happy and distracted from his tiredness!!
Happy holidays, not long now gorgeous! Yippeeee 🙂 x x
I’m really liking the sound of ‘The Quiet Book’, will have to get one of those for the magic travel bag! Thanks for the tip. A xxxx
That’s some great idea’s! Little miss will be so busy p;laying with all the stuff out of Mummy’s Mary Poppins bag that she won’t even notice you’re travelling! That travel scribbler looks so great! I would love to get that for Ri to play with. We just bought the Hungry Caterpillar that has a sound button – she loves it already xx
How good is The Very Hungry Caterpillar? It’s one of my favourite books to read with Ava. I got a Quiet Book yesterday, and it’s amazing – check out:
http://www.funkykids.com.au/products-page/boys/quiet-book-dyles-stripped/
A xxx
Thanks for the great ideas and tips, I have shared it on the Babytastes Facebook page. Enjoy your Family holiday!
Thanks so much for sharing on your FB page 🙂 A xxx