Flying with Kids

Santa's sack - or - The Art of Packing

2010-12-15T12:44:00.000+13:00

Mary Poppins is the only person ever recorded on film who has mastered the art of packing a small carpet bag with all the essentials of life. Remember the scene? Ensconced in her new room at the Banks household she stuns her little charges by reaching deep into the mysterious bag to fetch out a full height hat stand and a wall mirror amongst other things too numerous to mention. Saint Nick must

Backpacks Designed by Hollywood Celebs help Plunket

2010-11-17T10:19:00.000+13:00

Two exclusive Dora the Explorer backpacks - personally designed and autographed by celebrity mums Salma Hayek Pinault and Jessica Alba - will be sold during Plunket’s charity auction, which starts on November 12. The two backpacks were gifted to Plunket by Nickelodeon, and were produced to celebrate Dora the Explorer’s tenth anniversary. The Jessica Alba backpack is one of

Safety tattoos: a great child ID idea

2010-11-15T09:26:00.001+13:00

Safetytats are fabulous and fun tattoos for kids on-the-go. Just write your contact details in the space provided, peel and stick and you've got peace of mind while you're out and about. Safetytats are made with award-winning Tateck® stretchable breathable tattoo material so that they don't irritate sensitive skin. There's a good range of designs to choose from: Princess, Sports, Zoo, Variety

Flying with a Flyebaby hammock and twins

2010-11-03T14:38:00.003+13:00

by Yvette Summers-Gervai Can you imagine anything worse than two energetic 18-month-old boys flying without booked seats (i.e. they could be seated on our laps) from Auckland, New Zealand to London Heathrow via LA? I’m pretty pragmatic and was preparing for a worst-case scenario despite having flown the same route really easily with the twins when they were 8 months old. I’m glad I was prepared

How to make baby's first Christmas merry

2010-10-27T13:58:00.002+13:00

One Step Ahead suggests, "The best way to ensure a happy holiday is to create realistic expectations, let baby set the pace, and be ready to adjust your plans if needed. For example..." Read more...

A diaper dispenser on every corner?

2010-10-14T11:47:00.000+13:00

"In a perfect world, you would never run out of diapers or wipes during travel—and if you did, there would be a “Nanny Caddy” around the next bend." By Shelly Rivoli for examiner.com The nanny caddy is a vending machine with a difference! Who hasn't wished they'd packed an extra few diapers or wipes before they set out from the house...and wondered where on earth to find some baby supplies

Photos and keepsakes: memories of your family travels

2010-10-14T11:12:00.007+13:00

by Michelle Elliot You’ve done the BIG family travel and have come back with a truck- load of holiday snaps. With us all using digital camera’s these days it is easy to download your holiday memories to the computer/disc and forget about them. But while it is fresh in your and your children’s minds why not make a book instead? When I put together my children’s baby books I never realized how

Airports no fun for children

2010-10-06T13:49:00.008+13:00

By ERICA CHALLIS - The Dominion Post Erica Challis is just back from flying a toddler and a baby to Australia and the United States from New Zealand and thinks she has found an obvious solution to other people's problems about flying with kids. Erica thinks that if airports were more family-friendly, the number of children arriving on planes in a shrieking, seat-kicking frenzy of boredom would

What gear do you need to keep your toddler safe on your flight?

2010-09-21T13:08:00.003+12:00

You don't need all the gear out there, but there are some things that will make your journey safer and easier if you can borrow or buy them. In particular, I recommend you have at least one safety restraint for during the flight and, if you are traveling with a toddler, a set of reins (or a harness) for walking around the airport. In this blog post, I talk about these five safety accessories:

Flying with Kids: How to keep a toddler entertained on an airplane flight...

2010-09-15T09:49:00.000+12:00

Flying with Kids: How to keep a toddler entertained on an airplane flight...

Flying with Kids: Tips for Flying Safely with the Family

2010-09-15T09:48:00.000+12:00

Flying with Kids: Tips for Flying Safely with the Family

Flying with Kids: The day I learnt a lesson about insurance...

2010-09-15T09:46:00.001+12:00

Flying with Kids: The day I learnt a lesson about insurance...

The day I learnt a lesson about insurance...

2010-09-08T11:41:00.006+12:00

by Paula Shelton, Editor, www.flyingwithkids.com Flying to the UK recently I commented to my husband about the size of some people's carry-on bags. It seemed to me that they had filled the overhead lockers with HUGE bags and how they met the carry-on standard was hard to understand. For all of those traveling without children, I just couldn't understand their need for so much stuff --- especially

House swapping...

2010-09-07T13:42:00.003+12:00

by Michelle Elliot for Flyingwithkids.comHome exchange is a cost effective way to travel overseas with your family and have your own house looked after at the same time. You'll save literally hundreds when you add up the costs of accommodation / car hire, meals --- and you'll most likely have to carry fewer toys in your luggage if you swap with a family with similar aged children to your own!You

Taking the kids out of school for travel?

2010-08-18T07:50:00.002+12:00

By Paula Shelton, editor, www.flyingwithkids.comIt was such an exciting day when my eldest first went to school. Her backpack was bigger than she was and the smile on her face just as wide. But with Gran, Grandad, two aunties, one uncle and a growing number of cousins all on the opposite side of the World, we were inevitably challenged to take her out of school for a 'summer' visit.I agonised!

What liquids am I allowed to take on the plane for my infant?

2010-08-10T22:21:00.004+12:00

by Marsha Tan, NZ TravelbrokersWorking as a travel agent for the last 7 years, one thing that mothers ask me often is what liquids can they take on the plane while travelling with a child under 2?I used to say that you could bring anything that your baby requires, and now I'm a mum too, I can speak from personal experience --- so far I have done about 7 long-haul flights with my 23 month old

Tips for Flying Safely with the Family

2010-07-24T14:11:00.001+12:00

By Bill Hagan, President, AmSafe Aviation With summer now upon us and the children out of school, more and more families will be taking to the skies during a busy travel season. Although flying remains the safest way to travel, families should consider taking the following steps to keep safe in case something unforeseen should happen: Keep your seatbelt buckled

Which gadgets are worth the cabin bag space?

2010-07-23T14:18:00.003+12:00

by Paula Shelton, editor www.flyingwithkids.comHey team, well I'm sorry to have been so slack in blogging recently, but I've been 6 weeks traveling from New Zealand to the UK via China and Hong Kong. Of course traveling fuels new ideas for this blog, so it's all part of it!First up, what are the best gadgets you put in your cabin bag when you fly? What would you not do without? My recent

What to wear when you fly with kids

2010-05-24T11:05:00.003+12:00

I'm setting off on a long-haul flight (27 hours or so!) in three week's time, and I'm already thinking about what will be best to wear for the trip. We set off in New Zealand winter (rain, 16 degrees celcius) via Shanghai (only the transit terminal so air conditioned to a pleasant temperature!) and arrive in the British summer (rain, 16 degrees celcius...ha,ha, only kidding, it could be hot and

Airlines re-use plastic cutlery! YUK!!

2010-05-19T14:40:00.003+12:00

It was reported today in New Zealand that Air New Zealand and Qantas airlines re-use plastic cutlery from international flights up to 10 times before disposing of it. Though the cutlery is washed between uses, it's always presented to passengers in plastic packaging so that it looks 'new'. This got me to thinking I will not trust this cutlery for my kids again and will always make sure I have a

Flying With My Child - Some Personal Experiences

2010-05-19T14:31:00.002+12:00

By James SheltonFlying with a child can be very stressful - as I found out. Naively, I thought that the relatively short flight I was going to take (a little over an hour from Manchester to Londonderry) would be a doddle. My daughter was just over six months old and, all things considered, I figured that keeping her entertained for such a short period of time would be easy - and it was, at least

Flying in July? Here's what to do now...

2010-05-11T11:01:00.004+12:00

from www.flyingwithkids.comThree months before departure day, make sure you:visit travel agents with your kids (if the agent doesn't like your kids, then best choose another agent...)research airline schedules and routes to your destination to try to match infant sleeping patterns where possiblecheck airline basinette and car seat policy: rent or buy a CARES or Baby B'Air flight vestvisit your

CARES child aviation restraint: What did we think?

2010-05-10T14:37:00.004+12:00

by Paula Shelton, editor, www.flyingwithkids.com We loved the CARES child aviation restraint when we put it to the test.The CARES was easy to install in the coach-class airplane seat and a lot easier than trying to carry and install a car seat. When our test pilot (Ben, 3) got twitchy on the long flight, we let him take his shoulders out of the straps, and we were still happy to know we could

How to keep a toddler entertained on an airplane flight...

2010-04-30T12:41:00.004+12:00

by Paula Shelton, Editor, www.flyingwitkids.com‘I shudder at the thought of keeping my busy two year old out of trouble on a long plane ride. What toys and activities should I take on the plane to keep him out of mischief?’Pack a small number of lightweight toys in an accessible place in your hand luggage. Gift-wrap some of them to add to their interest and bring them out slowly so that each is a

Happy Mothers' Day!

2010-04-19T14:05:00.009+12:00

by Paula Shelton, editor, www.flyingwithkids.comI will never forget my first Mother's Day as a mother. It was such a treat - not for the breakfast in bed, though that was a treat, or the flowers, also lovely, but just because for the first time ever I was a MOM on Mother's Day. And the best part was to hold my baby in bed on Mothering Sunday and just enjoy the wonderful blessing that she was.So

Ten Flying with Kids Commandments

2010-04-07T14:48:00.005+12:00

by Paula Shelton, Editor, Flying with Kids Moses was not daft when he tramped to the top of a mountain to confer with the Almighty --- Being at the top of a hill with life's hubbub far away down below, always seems to help keep everyday issues in their place. Some of my own best ideas are hatched at the washing line high above our steep hillside home in windy Wellington, New Zealand, and that’s

Family Getaway to the Caribbean

2010-04-01T22:42:00.024+13:00

with $100 off from FamilyGetaway.com (see below...)Fun-filled FAMILY VACATIONS for “kids of all ages” at up to 65% off!Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Jamaica Long known as a haven for romantic getaways, the beautiful islands that pepper the Caribbean Seas increasingly attract another group – families who don’t want to miss out on any of the fun in the sun.Caribbean family resorts and hotels ensure

Airplane etiquette when you fly with kids

2010-03-16T21:37:00.006+13:00

by Paula Shelton, Editor, Flyingwithkids.comJudging by feedback we’ve had over the years at flyingwithkids.com, although there’s often someone on every plane with a deep dislike for kids, there’s a heavier concentration of these types in business class (the front of the plane). I think it’s the name --- these passengers wouldn’t expect children at a business meeting and so they don’t expect

Little kids flying solo

2010-03-11T14:42:00.007+13:00

by Anne FaulknerSending your little one on an airplane flight solo is not for every child or every parent. It’s quite a hurdle, mental and emotional, to part with your precious bundle as they set off on a plane unaccompanied. But it is possible and it can be a great learning adventure for you and for your child if you plan wisely and pick your airline carefully.When my daughter Isabelle, aged 5½,

Strategies for airplane trips with little boys...

2010-03-08T09:44:00.005+13:00

Call me old-fashioned but boys are different aren’t they?Just ask my daughters and they’ll tell you. ‘Boys like mud and cars. Their favourite colour is brown. They hate pink. They run away when you try to kiss them. Boys like to fight. They are always in trouble. They LOVE Ben Ten. Boys never sit still.’ Try as I might, I can’t persuade them not to stereotype their friends and, if I’m

Cry babies

2010-02-23T19:43:00.016+13:00

A Larson cartoon in our local paper shows an inflatable child attached to the wing tip of an airplane. ”See that?” an adult is saying to a tearful child inside the plane, “Any more crying and you’ll be out there too.”The cartoonist suggests that by investing in small inflatable children like this one, airlines could offer a strong deterrent to wailing children. Ha, ha. Not so funny when the

Flying long-haul and solo with kids

2010-02-23T17:09:00.007+13:00

By Teresa Day I recently flew long-haul solo with my two kids. Several friends have since asked how I did it and what I took — so here are some tips to share...So many people fret about packing when traveling with children. And rightly so, they need so much, but you don’t want to carry huge amounts. So what do you take and what do you leave behind? If you’re traveling to a developed country, don

Favorite child-friendly places to visit in the World

2010-02-23T17:02:00.002+13:00

By Rebecca SubbiahLife changes a lot when a little one comes along, sleepless nights, endless diaper changes but lots of fun, laughter and daily joys of the miracle of life. Many parents fear they won’t travel like they used to but with good planning there are many great countries to visit with little ones. On a scale of 1-5 with one being very poor for kids and 5 being excellent taking into