Marriott Tots Travel Too – Popular Travel Tips

A month or so ago, I worked on a fun campaign with The Motherhood and Marriott – Marriott’s Tots Travel Too. It was a blast! I met some great moms and put together a video of traveling tips from some moms I know. Believe it or not, I won for the best video in the campaign and I was completely elated!!! Here is the video below:

The Marriott Top Ten Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

(Chosen from more than 3,000 tips shared by moms across the country):

Tips For Any Trip

1.  Put kids’ outfits in large Ziploc bags for each day of the trip.  The outfits stay together and you don’t have to search the entire suitcase for matching pants and shirts.

2.  Help children pack their own travel backpacks with some of their favorite toys and activities.  It will make them feel “grown-up” to participate in the planning and the items they bring will occupy and comfort them during the trip.

3.  Create a master checklist to consult before every vacation.  It will help ensure you don’t forget anything, from your child’s favorite stuffed animal to baby wipes for cleaning spills and sticky hands.

Hotel Stays

1.  Quiet entertainment for down time is a must.  Toddlers love playing with window cling decorations on windows or mirrors, and bath time can be fun with shaving cream “fingerpainting,” which is easily cleaned before checking out of the hotel.

2.  To save space in luggage, pack fewer clothes and bring hand-wash laundry detergent.  You can wash items in the bathroom sink at the hotel and hang outfits or wet swimsuits to dry over the tub.

3.  Pack a special toy or blank that will help your child feed secure in new surroundings.

Driving

1.  Schedule short trips during naptime and long trips overnight.  There is less traffic and kids will sleep most of the way.

2.  Always schedule brief stops for every few hours of driving.  Allow toddlers to run around in the grass to release their extra energy, so they will be calmer in the car afterward.

Flying

1.  Practice airplane etiquette and procedures a few days before the flight, turning good behavior into a fun game.  Reward kids frequently during the flight for being quiet and polite.

2.  To help relieve pressure on their ears and avoid a tearful takeoff, fill your toddler’s sippy cup with a favorite drink, give them chewy fruit rollups, or lay a warm towel on their ears.

Toddler Travel Tips from TheMotherhood.com

1.  Put kids’ outfits in large Ziploc bags for each day of the trip.  The outfits stay together and you don’t have to search the entire suitcase for matching pants and shirts.  Remember to bring extra for dirty clothes. (Lisa B, posted to Dealicious Mom)

2.  Always schedule a brief stop for every few hours in the car.  Allow toddlers to get out of their car seats and run around in the grass to release their extra energy, so they will be calmer in the car afterward. (Michelle, posted to Close to Home)

3.  Schedule short trips during naptime and long trips overnight.  There is less traffic and kids will sleep most of the way.  (Vickie Couturier, posted to Rockin Mama)

4.  To save space in luggage, pack fewer clothes and bring hand-wash laundry detergent and clothespins.  You can wash items in the bathroom sink at the hotel and use the clothespins to hang outfits or wet swimsuits to dry over the tub.  (Emily, posted to Mom Generations)

5.  Quiet entertainment for down time is a must.  Toddlers love playing with window cling decorations on windows or mirrors, and bath time can be more fun with shaving cream “fingerpainting,” which is easily cleaned before checking out of the hotel.  (Ashley, posted to 4tunate)

6.  To help relieve pressure on their ears avoid a tearful takeoff, fill your toddler’s sippy cup with a favorite drink, give them chewy fruit rollups, or lay a warm towel on their ears. (Sarah G., posted to Mom Generations)

7.  Practice airplane etiquette and procedures a few days before the flight, turning good behavior into a fun game.  Reward kids frequently during the flight for being quiet and polite.  (Milian Ortiz, posted to girly mama)

8.  When eating out in an unfamiliar city, always bring a few foods – like peanut butter sandwiches – that you know your child will like.  You never know what will be available, and since hungry toddlers are cranky toddlers, it’s good to know that you have something your child will eat.  (Beth, posted to 4tunate)

9.  Avoid hauling more than you absolutely need.  To save room in your suitcase, pack enough diapers for the first day of the trip and then buy the rest when you arrive at your destination.  In many cases, you can also rent strollers instead of bringing your own.  (Trina C, posted to The Mommy-Files)

10.  Buy maps and brochures for your destination ahead of time and get your toddlers involved in vacation preparations.  Go through the materials with them and ask what they would like to do – it will help them get excited about the trip and feel like they were part of the planning process.  (Kate, posted to Close to Home)

Toddler Travel Tips from Global Influence

1.  Use a medium-size soft cooler to pack all snacks, juice boxes, books, DVDs and toys for road trips.  It fits perfectly between the seats, holds everything securely and keeps snacks cool.  (Tequila Spears from www.bloggymomreviews.blogspot.com)

2.  Help children pack their own travel backpacks with some of their favorite toys and activities.  It will make them feel “grown-up” to participate in the planning, and the items they bring will occupy and comfort them during the trip.  (Jill M.)

3.  If you’re traveling by car, use plastic tote boxes with lids – for example, one for feeding, one for clothes, and one for diapering.  They stack easily, are easy to carry, and can nest as they are emptied.  And bring plenty of plastic grocery bags for garbage, stinky diapers, dirty clothes, and wet clothes.  (Anara Midgett – http://www.able2able.com/)

4.  It can be useful to buy souvenirs ahead of time.  You can find cheap, almost new Disneyland toys at garage sales and thrift shops.  Pack those, and when the kids start saying, “I want this or that,” pull out your pre-purchased toys.  (Desiree Peeples from Mommy Reporter – http://www.mommyreporter.com/)

5.  Create a master checklist to consult before every vacation.  It will help ensure you don’t forget anything, from your child’s favorite stuffed animal to baby wipes for cleaning spills and sticky hands.  (Stephanie Hanes from The Hanes Family Chronicles – http://www.tjsmhanesfamily.blogspot.com/)

6.  Be flexible!  Create a tentative plan, but be willing to rearrange or skip things if your toddler is acting up or needs some quiet time or naptime.  (Rachel from Second Time Around – http://secondtimearound09.blogspot.com/)

7.  Keep a stash of fun things to do (toys, games, etc.) that only comes out on long trips.  That way, the items remain fun and exciting and hold kids’ attention for a longer period of time.  (Hattie Saloka)

8.  Always pack lots of “travel” snacks – snacks that kids don’t get on a regular basis at home – and water.  Toys and a portable DVD player will help keep toddlers entertained, too.  (Tiffany Dudley – http://www.mtdudleyfamily.blogspot.com/)

9.  Use a rolling scrapbooking/craft organizer as baby carry-on luggage.  It has many compartments for small items, and you can separate clothes, diapers, and other gear by day or by category.  It is very handy to have all the snacks, medicines, shoes, bibs, etc., all organized in one place.

10.  Pack extra clothes, some favorite snacks, and a special toy or blanket that will help your child feel secure in new surroundings.  (Holly G.)

I am working in partnership with Marriott and TheMotherhood.com to cover the Marriott Tots Travel Too program and have received a stipend.