Top 5 Tips for Vacation + Giveaway

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With Labor Day just a few weeks away and summer drawing to a close you might think a post about travel tips is a little late in the game, but since all of our big trips are planned for this fall it’s at the forefront of my mind. (We’ve got 2 weddings and a mitzvah before the end of 2010!) With all of our upcoming trips, I have been thinking a lot about travel and gathering tips from pals who have already done their traveling. So for those who still have trips to come, here are my top travel tips!

  1. Budget – Planning a trip starts with a budget. Plane tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars it all adds up. It is important to start early and compare, compare, compare prices. Airlines are notorious for swift price changes. When we started looking for flights for Labor Day tickets started around$300, dropped to $200 and for one day they dropped to $100 – we pounced. A few hours later back up to $200. You have to be vigilant, start looking early and be ready to pounce when the price is right.
  2. Snacks – Pack snacks and LOTS of them. Whether you are traveling with little ones or bigger ones who get grumpy when they don’t eat, everyone will have a much better time if you keep them feed. Since travel always involves the unexpected, make sure you always have a snack ready for the unexpected. Even if they don’t thank you, you will be happier with full bellies.
  3. Pack Light – This is a mantra I repeat over and over for every trip, and while I have gotten better… I still pack way too much. Whether you are flying or driving, when traveling space is a premium so make the most of it.
  4. Breathe & Enjoy the Moments – Who says traveling has to be stressful? It is supposed to be fun. So why do we let delays, weather, etc. cramp our style? Because there’s a lot of etc! J But don’t let it spoil your fun, remember that it is a “vacation” and try to enjoy the moments. There are lots moments to be stressed, but even more to enjoy so go on and enjoy them!
  5. Plug It In – Don’t forget your chargers! Nothing spoils a trip quicker than a dead battery. The last thing you want to do on your trip is search out the closest place to buy a new charger; I know I have been there. One way to limit your packing and possible slip ups is a PowerMat, this thing is so cool. Instead of bringing three separate chargers, bring one PowerMat and plug in up to three devices. Works for iPhone, BlackBerry, Nintendo DS and more. In our family we have an iPod Touch and two Andriod phones, so it’s a great solution for our family. With the Andriods, we still have to plug them into a little cord since they don’t make a wireless receiver for our phones (yet), but it is still so cool and less to travel with. When we aren’t traveling, my husband has taken over the PowerMat as his personal command central. My favorite part about the PowerMat is that it makes this cool little sound when your phone is locked in and charging. It is really a cool device and so high-tech!

Labor Day weekend will mark the first plane trip with our 2 year old since she was a baby, so I want to know your travel tips for flying with a toddler. Oh, and did I mention we have to change planes! (YIKES!) In addition to wishing me luck, I am now taking toddler plane tips! LOL

Buy it – If you want your own PowerMat for your families chargeable, you can buy one online at PowerMat.com, and I have a 20% coupon code for you (below). I also saw them at Target recently too, so you can look for it in person too.

Win it – PowerMat wants to hook one TheSuburbanMom reader up with a PowerMat, and whether you are traveling any time soon or just use this at home you are gonna love it.

Mandatory Entry – To enter, tell me if your BEST toddler traveling tip. Remember, I’ll be changing planes! LOL

Additional entries:

  • Sign up for my newsletter. (You must confirm your subscription – thanks.)
  • Follow TheSuburbanMom on Twitter (@SuburbanMomClub) and tweet about this give away. “Enter to #win a $25 GC to Sam’s from TheSuburbanMom @SuburbanMomClub #giveaway @http://wp.me/pQHaE-1d1”
  • Become a fan of TheSuburbanMom on Facebook. (Already a fan, that counts too, just leave a comment.)
  • Subscribe to TheSuburbanMom’s RSS Feed
  • Leave a comment on any other post on my blog, including entering another giveaway! (1 entry)

Contest ends August 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents in the continental U.S. only. Winning comment will be chosen at random by Random.org and contacted for shipping information. Winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Discloser – I was provided a PowerMat with accessories  for this review and a PowerMat is being provided for the giveaway, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.

131 thoughts on “Top 5 Tips for Vacation + Giveaway”

  1. First off, this may sound simple but everyone has to wear slip on shoes. Taking your shoes on and off at security is bad enough but it takes even longer when shoes have to be untied and retied it is annoying and trust me you do not need to add annoyances when you are flying.
    Take a portable dvd player and I usually take a dvd of my son’s favorite tv shows. (when he was 2 it was a wonder pets dvd or a nick Jr. dvd) This held his attention better and also if the flight short I did not have to deal with a meltdown when the flight attendant made him turn off his movie before it was done so we could land.
    Also take something to keep her occupied in the 15 minutes at the beginning of the flight and the end of the flight that is not electronic. (no electronics during take off and landing)
    Oh and take an empty sippy cup in your carry on bag. The little cups with straws will leak all over your lap when your child knocks it off their tray. Trust me. There is nothing worse than having to sit through a flight with a lap full of apple juice. You cannot go through security with any liquid in it but you can have them fill it on the plane.
    Hope you have a great trip!

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  8. I got nothing. 40 yrs ago I flew with toddles and wished I was in a ‘prisoner of war’ camp being tortured. Food, lots of paper and pensils, and I like the idea of a portable DVD (they didn’t have them 40 yrs ago.

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  15. My best tip for toddler travel? Travel when they sleep!
    If you can’t do that, take them some electronic toy or something they like, or a few books they like – it depends on the child. Put some finger foods in Ziplock twist and seal bowls and take an extra bowl so they can ‘play’ with their food from one bowl to another.

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  16. When I traveled by car I always brought a cooler for drinks,lots cheaper than stopping and buying. Bring easy snacks ,like fresh fruits and crackers and always bring something to keep them busy! They have games now but years ago I would start a game in the car,having the boys pick a color and count the color of cars they picked as we traveled!
    Today ,traveling by a plane ,the kids can bring their games , dress comfy and maybe they will fall asleep because it is boring on a plane for kids . Try to travel on the red eye and it will be easier for you.
    Thanks

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  23. We like to take a portable dvd player and Veggie Tales dvd’s with us. Once you get through security, you can purchase whatever drinks you may need for on the plane. You can’t always rely on getting drinks as you need them on the plane as there are times when everyone, including the flight attendants, must stay seat belted in during bad turbulence or they’re busy with other people. I can’t tell you anything to make it easier lugging around carseats and strollers other than using a bag with handles made specifically for carrying them around. Even though you don’t really need that for a stroller, it will prevent you losing pieces from it from their throwing it on and off the plane.

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  25. Lots of snacks, and things to keep them occupied. DVD player, books, coloring or whatever they like best. Something to make the time pass quickly.

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  26. We’ve only done one trip with our daughter on a 6 hour car drive each way. The iPhone was a life saver. We loaded some videos and games from iTunes on the phone for her. Helped A LOT!

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  31. Make certain that you have plenty to keep them occupied–the exact items will depend on the child of course–and snacks, along with wet wipes for sticky fingers.

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  33. If you’re changing planes and have some time, make sure to run your toddler ragged throughout the airport. Burn off that energy before the next leg. Good luck!

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  43. Take tons of snacks, and yes…try to make room for their favorite toy. In case they need something to comfort them while in a strange place. 🙂

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  44. My best tip is to make sure you bring your stroller and check it at the gate. Also I packed snacks along with toys in a separate bag for my son along with downloading some of his favorite TV shows onto my iPhone to entertain him. My son loves reading so I bought a lot of books. We had to change planes too so I know how much of a hassle it can be. Good luck!!

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  49. Check into something called Calms Forté 4 Kids. Definitely ask your pediatrician about it before you decide to use it for the plane trip.

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  50. That PowerMat would come in handy! We thought about a local staycation but my son is just in a fussy stage and we’re afraid we’d get kicked out of the hotel for his nightly screams. LOL! Guess we’ll put our trip on hold a little while longer. 🙁

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  54. The best toddler travel tip is to always expect — and be prepared for — the unexpected. Luggage can be lost, cars (with a trunk full of suitcases) can be stolen. If there is something you absolutely, positively need for your toddler while you are away (essential medicine, comfort toy, etc.), keep it with you, in a big purse, backpack or tote, the entire time you are traveling.

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  58. Pack your little one their own small backpack filled with small toys, crayons, paper, books, some new trinkets…I also brought mini m&m’s. These were great when our plane missed the connection, got re-routed, transferred again, etc….those mini m&m’s came in handy for a pick me up throughout the trip. Thanks!

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  62. Bring a little backpack with new toys in it, and bring them out one and a time throughout the trip to keep your toddler occupied! Also, LOTS of snacks! Good luck!

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  75. I pack my necessities in a smallish backpack, with all of the items I need for my toddler, and then I pack the remainder of my purse in my checked luggage, that way I have one less thing to keep track of on the airplane.

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  80. I went to walmart and got our daughter a new $10 doll. Plus a few new books. That way I knew she would be interested in them. I also packed a LOT of snacks. A happy child has a full belly.

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  81. I’m subscribed to your RSS Feed and Newsletter. My husband would love this PowerMat. He has so many gadgets and I’d like a nice neat way to keep them organized and together. We will be going on our first plane trip with our son who will be 1. The best travel advice I’ve read about is keeping a snack and drinks handy when your on flight to help with the ears popping up in the air.

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  85. We took car seats on the plane with us. That way we didn’t have to worry about them not coming in on the same flight. That happened to us once. We checked the car seat with the baggage and when we got there, all the luggage was there except for the car seat. We waited for an hour or so and it came in on the next flight. In addition, they are used to being in their car seats. The last plane ride we were on, one of my girls threw her blanket over her head and fell asleep for the entire trip. I also took bags with their sippy cups, snacks, coloring books, etc.

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  93. My best traveling tip for traveling with a toddler. A variety of things to entertain the child, lots of toys, variety of snacks. We always try to have a couple of new small toys, a new movie for the DVD player. It seems to work for us.

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  95. Make sure that you plan games and activities to keep them busy and entertained. Also have plenty of drinks and snacks on hand, thanks for the chance!

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  96. Make sure you pack a small backpack for your little one so they will have things to keep them busy during the trip instead of getting frustrated and cranky. Bring coloring books and reading books. make sure you pack some snacks for them also!

    monika.gardiner64@gmail

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  102. My biggest tips are to bring chewing gum. I dont normally let my DD use gum but its a lifesaver on a plane ride when their ears need to pop. Also, even though airlines let you carry a purse, a diaper bag and a carry on – dont do it! Its way too much when changing planes and running across the airport! I broke down crying in Philly airport doing just this as I only had 30min to make it to my next flight. If it hadnt of been delayed I wouldve missed it.

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  104. Make sure their Nintendo DS’s are charged!! They are lifesavers on long trips when you just need them to settle down and be quiet.

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  105. There is a silver cart you can buy with wheels that attaches to your car seat and is used like a stroller. My best tip, especially when changing planes, is to purchase and use that item.

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  113. If you have a portable DVD player, or an iTouch, you should bring a ton of DVD’s or load up on movies/tv shows. You could also put games on it too for more help on keeping them occupied.
    xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

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