Whether by plane, train, or automobile (or boat), traveling with children can be both immensely fun and intensely frustrating. To help you avoid one of those forehead-smacking "If only I'd known that!" moments, we've assembled some hard-won wisdom from some of our favorite parenting bloggers below the jump.
- Simple Mom has some great tips for packing light with small children. (In a nutshell: you need less stuff than you think.)
- Did you know that kids get fed first on British Airways? Or that you can arrange pre-flight cockpit tours on Southwest? Daily Candy lists some airlines that provide special services for children and families.
- More first-hand tips on flying with kids at Daddy Types. (Note: Paying extra for first class might not pay off in the end.)
- Back on the ground, there are many family camping hacks over on Parent Hacks. Our favorites: bring a jumper seat for crawling babies, repurpose old toys into "new" camping toys, and how to choose the best campsite for kids. (See their full archive of camping hacks.
- And because we live in the perpetual hope that just the right piece of gear will ease all our troubles, here are two excellent roundups: essential travel items and camping must-haves at Mighty Junior.
Got some tips or links to share? Let us know in the comments.
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
I second Amanda. My one absolute necessity is a clothespin. It can turn any napkin into a bib, keep those heavy hotel drapes closed during naptime, hang up wet items to dry, and be an endless source of entertainment on the train or airplane. (A clothes pin plus a shoelace equals pure bliss for my 7 year old. He can play with just those two items for HOURS!)
I totally agree. The most useful thing in my bag ( I have kids 5,3,and 2) is a stack of bandanas. I can make a shade cover for the stroller if it is too sunny, a changing pad if needed, a hankie, give a good wipe off after exploring in a muddy river, a good head cover for sun (or pirating!), practicing magic tricks, a placemat, a carrying bag when folded up, even a bikini top for my oldest who needed one even though the kids were all swimming in their underwear. I usually keep between 3-6 in my bag at all times and just throw 'em in the wash when I get home. ( And now I will toss a few clothespins in my bag too!)
We have a recent post or two about traveling with kids over at ParentZing! that readers may be interested in (Free Ride: Public Transportation with Babies & Kids). Especially with gas prices so high, more parents may be up for trying out subways, trains, etc. while on their vacations.
Enjoy!
www.parentzing.net
ParentZing!
.....is urban. style. parenting.