Well, not surprisingly it’s a backpack for carrying toys – or more accurately a child sized backpack for each child to use to carry their own toys. (obviously under a certain age, this is not advisable, but even very small toddlers love to have their own thing, even if it only has 2 crayons in it) We found this system had a few unexpected advantages:
1. it limits the number of toys –“you can only bring what you can carry, so choose carefully”
2. The child starts to feel responsible for their own things,
3. The child also feels a bit more independent, and will often get out their drawing stuff when there’s not much happening, or find their little toy binoculars to see something more clearly.
Possible Items for your child's backpack - but of course it's up to them to choose...
Modelling clay (plasticine seems to last longer than play-dough)
Story books
Activity books (join the dots and word puzzles for big kids, pop-up books and feely-books for small kids)
Drawing kit of pens, pencils and crayons
Toy binoculars
Soft animals (rather a family of pocket-sized ones, rather than one big fellow)
Toy cars (small, light ones)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Bus Journeys with small children
Bus journeys are a way of life in many second and third world countries, where distances are great but air travel is just not really affordable for the masses. I recall from my travels in Chile, that they were absolutely THE way to get around that long, thin country. As well as being far cheaper, you get a far more human view of the country you are in, and there will be more opportunities to pass the time of day with local people.
However doing long bus journeys with a paperback for company is not the same as having one or more small kids under your care. The cramped conditions, fixed schedule and limited amenities mean that a little preparation is advisable to avoid problems.
Before you get on the bus, make it clear which bags will e coming on board with you, to avoid any tears later. Normally this would be the day-pack with drinks, snacks, nappies, wipes, cash and documents, camera, guidebook, and for the kids, a small toy-backpack filled with toys/activities you have agreed on.
My number one tip, however, is to try to involve the children and activate them. At the bus stop/terminal and once on the bus, talk about where you’re going and explain the things you see, or might see out of the window. Even if you never see them, you start a conversation with your kids at their level, that is educational, interesting for both sides, and let’s face it, it’s far better than a million rounds of “Is it much further?” A bus ride is not a chance to catch up on your reading, after all. Not when your kids are still small. If you agree that you went on a journey to be with your kids, so here’s a chance to really be with them.
For smaller kids, it’s helpful to time the journey to fit in with their daily schedule, as much as possible. Assuming it’s a day-tine bus ride, our ideal plan would be to have lunch before you go, or on the bus, and then off to “bed” (get out the stuffed animals, cover them with a coat or jumper) and if you have the routine thing well-imprinted, they should hopefully fall asleep. If the schedule of the trip just does not fit this way, you may have to find other ways to pass the time.
Travel Games
If you really cannot get the children to enjoy the journey for its own sake, or perhaps they are ready for a change, then you can pull out the next options – games. You can just open the toy backpack
However doing long bus journeys with a paperback for company is not the same as having one or more small kids under your care. The cramped conditions, fixed schedule and limited amenities mean that a little preparation is advisable to avoid problems.
Before you get on the bus, make it clear which bags will e coming on board with you, to avoid any tears later. Normally this would be the day-pack with drinks, snacks, nappies, wipes, cash and documents, camera, guidebook, and for the kids, a small toy-backpack filled with toys/activities you have agreed on.
My number one tip, however, is to try to involve the children and activate them. At the bus stop/terminal and once on the bus, talk about where you’re going and explain the things you see, or might see out of the window. Even if you never see them, you start a conversation with your kids at their level, that is educational, interesting for both sides, and let’s face it, it’s far better than a million rounds of “Is it much further?” A bus ride is not a chance to catch up on your reading, after all. Not when your kids are still small. If you agree that you went on a journey to be with your kids, so here’s a chance to really be with them.
For smaller kids, it’s helpful to time the journey to fit in with their daily schedule, as much as possible. Assuming it’s a day-tine bus ride, our ideal plan would be to have lunch before you go, or on the bus, and then off to “bed” (get out the stuffed animals, cover them with a coat or jumper) and if you have the routine thing well-imprinted, they should hopefully fall asleep. If the schedule of the trip just does not fit this way, you may have to find other ways to pass the time.
Travel Games
If you really cannot get the children to enjoy the journey for its own sake, or perhaps they are ready for a change, then you can pull out the next options – games. You can just open the toy backpack
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
More views on Flying
I came across 3 rather excellent articles on flying with your kids I wanted to recommend, as they mostly support my own views on that subject.
Check out the wise words on getting the best seats for your tribe, on the excellent site travel with your kids, by Peter, Mari, Erik and Julie
Kelby Carr also had some short but sweet tips on Flying with Children that I hadn't thought of, especially using "the quiet game" to your advantage!
As packing is a subject close to my heart, I do love this little article about what to pack in a child's carry-on bag
These are all a little different from my own recent article on flying, but in the end there is no right or wrong of course. Just choose what feels right for you!
Check out the wise words on getting the best seats for your tribe, on the excellent site travel with your kids, by Peter, Mari, Erik and Julie
Kelby Carr also had some short but sweet tips on Flying with Children that I hadn't thought of, especially using "the quiet game" to your advantage!
As packing is a subject close to my heart, I do love this little article about what to pack in a child's carry-on bag
These are all a little different from my own recent article on flying, but in the end there is no right or wrong of course. Just choose what feels right for you!
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