Traveling Made Easy
Go Off the Path
If you just want to travel with your family for the holidays and you aren't headed specifically to grandma's or a relative's house, you'll generally find good deals during the holiday for places that aren't commonly traveled to during this time. "An example is that the Pacific Northwest and Northern California are not busy during the December to February period, so it's a good time to find deals to those locations," says Drusch.
Telling suggests also checking out the Dominican Republic, all-inclusives on the Mayan Riviera near Cancun and the Bahamas, all of which tend to be family-friendly and have good deals around this time.
Stock Up on Snacks
You know those teeny tiny packets of peanuts and pretzels you're offered on flights? Yeah—your kid won't want those, either. "Definitely bring snacks, and lots of them!" says Telling. "I'm always so worried I'll run out of food on the plane that I tend to overdo it. Also, some airlines don't actually have milk on board—just little creamers for coffee. So if you think you'll need milk during your flight, buy a few of those milk "chugger" bottles that they sell in airports before boarding."
Boredom Busters
Whether it's a plane, train or automobile, the last thing you want when traveling with the kids is for them to be bored. "I always bring a few books with the lift flaps so they're somewhat interactive, stickers, crayons and some paper to color, a few little cars—nothing with noise," says Telling. "And of course the iPad. Some people are opposed to them, or don't have one, but if you want a little space and quiet and your child enjoys cartoons, let them watch them on the plane. A quiet child is a win-win for all!"
Get Organized
According to Families Go!, a family travel Web site, less is more when it comes to packing with kids, and getting organized is essential. Keeping your carry-ons limited not only saves you from potentially losing things, but you'll also save some cash, since most airlines these days charge for even one carry-on.
Ask For What You Need
The best time to ask for family-friendly seating arrangements is at check-in, says Telling. "But instead of just asking for bulk-head seating, say something like, 'Do you happen to have any seats that are a little more child-friendly than others?'" she suggests. Also note that you're not allowed to sit in the exit row with kids, so don't expect that to happen. Additionally, while bulkhead is roomy, they don't allow you to keep a carry-on at your feet in a bulkhead row because there's no way to stow it. "So I always ask to switch if I have a bulkhead when traveling with my son, because I need immediate access to snacks, milk, wipes, toys, etc."
