This article is not interesting at all. It's not something that I already knew.

Dear Jullie,

Thank you for commenting; if you have helpful, constructive tips to share we would welcome additional comments.

best wishes, Christine Koh

I've flown with my 6-yr-old many times, beginning when he was just 3 months. Generally, this is travel to conferences, so having someone meet us at the other end is not an option. We get tons of compliments from other passengers and airport and airline employees alike, so maybe I can give helpful advice.

My main strategy is to make flying the day's activity. This is, we don't attempt to shut down or turn off or just endure until we finally get there--we observe and talk about everything. Some examples: we study the safety info cards, and pay close attention to the safety demo. He doesn't get bored at 'oxygen mask' time--he's too busy trying to figure out how HE can try one on. He has always loved the food carts, and used to play it with the beverage cart at my parents' house. During a T-storm delay at Dallas, we took a few extra loops on the monorail. And looking at the busy tarmac is a classic. I can't tell you how many legions of baggage carts we have counted, or how many job descriptions for the red trucks vs the blue ones we have written.

Your strategy of being prepared certainly helps us too: He has his own 'wheelie' suitcase that he loves--it's Thomas!--and pulls his own goody bag of cosmetics out at security screening. He first pulled his own suitcase when he was 3--never underestimate the power of pride. Once the security agents have gotten a grin at the little one with his own luggage and cosmetics, I'm much more comfortable asking them for any favors we might need. In his backpack (which I usually end up carrying), he has toys and books for the whole trip--planes, layover, and hotel with the sitter. Beyond the obvious choices that fit on a tray table, we also keep a small selection of junk toys in an outside zipper pocket. Those are for when we might not have a lot of time to pack up and something might get lost--boarding will begin 'soon', or I have to sign the rental car contract (when visiting the grands--my parents prefer to have me get my own car instead of getting us at the airport. sigh!). We also take toys for long waiting periods. My messenger bag has snacks, but I will cough up the cash for airport food if it has entertainment value during a long wait.

Managing our energy levels is important too. It is surprizingly easy to find a dead-end corridor or chairless gate in most airports--a perfect super ball-bouncing venue! When he was too little for superballs, we had a crushable ball--quoze?--that we rolled and/or I helped him find other ways to be as active as possible when changing planes. At the other end, I usually book early morning flights, so he can go straight from bed to the car/taxi. He flies in his p.j.s. This keeps him out of the way during my final harried prep, and lets him start the journey fresh. I carry food for our first meal at our destination, in case I'm too exhausted to go out.

Unlike the airline you highlight positively, Airtran went out of their way to be a pain--would not let me use a carseat in an empty seat (most airlines had no problem extending that courtesy). We avoid them now.

One last tip--take off your watch! I know that's counter intuitive, but travel takes the time that it takes. There is nothing you can do about it if your first flight is late, if the shuttle will be there 'in a few minutes', if your 5-yr-old gets pulled for special screening because she has a battery-operated fan in her bag (happened to my niece). Get off your flight, check out when the next flight to your destination leaves, go to the gate (do not stop until you get there--if you must board immediately, you can use the bathroom on board before take off) and see if you can get on. Either you will or you won't, but in the end, you'll make it, and you will have a story to tell.

Happy travels!

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for these fabulous comments! I'm totally with you on making the travel the adventure - kids are so into observing that these novel experiences offer great opportunity for discovery.

Thanks again for sharing these wonderful tips.

best wishes, Christine Koh

We've taken lots of cross-country and overseas flights with a toddler in tow. We don't like to use the pre-boarding for families, I've learned it just means the little ones have to sit much longer then everyone else waiting for everyone to board. Now I purposely try to be one of the last ones on the plane so we are all ready for take off, which is usually more interesting.

Something else I do regularly is stop by the local dollar store before we are traveling and pick up 5-10 little "surprises." I take them out of their packages and wrap them up individually. My son LOVES unwrapping anything (I guess most kids do!), and he is thrilled to receive his surprises throughout the trip. In my experience, keeping them entertained at the airport is harder then the airplane. The surprises in the past have been finger puppets, stickers, and even tape! He loves tape! Nothing that makes sound though, don't want to bother other passengers. I also have bought him a new shirt to wear the day of traveling to make it extra special for him, and he loves it.