Travel tips

Sneaking Education into a Spring Break Trip

Hands on Area in the Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall

For me, Spring Break signals the coming end of the school year and the transition towards the lazy days of summer, so I like to plan a spring break that balances both relaxation and a chance to learn about the world around us. That doesn’t mean we’ll spend ...

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7 Favorite Travel Items for 2013

Metallic Pewter Tieks

I generally write about travel gear for kids, but I put a ton of mileage on my own gear in 2012 as well, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite items in hops that they make your travels in 2013 a little smoother too!

Tieks foldable ballet ...

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Updated Sunscreen Recommendations for 2012

Eilan enjoys the sun at Aulani Resort in Hawaii

Every year the Environmental Working Group releases it's annual report on safe sunscreens. It's worth checking out, both for advice on using sunscreen properly and to find products that don't contain harmful chemicals but do provide adequate sun protection. You might be surprised to learn that some ...

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Best Bet Carseats for Every Age

Graco Snugride Car Seat

Yesterday I posted an exhaustive post about how to choose a booster seat. Admittedly, it's a lot of work to scour all the resources I listed and pick the best carseat for your family. With three kids age 2, 5, and 6, I've bought my fair share of ...

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How to Choose a Booster Seat - Includes Links to Helpful Resources

Three-across setup with all three kids in 5-point harness seats

With more states requiring that kids continue to ride in a booster seat until they're at least 8 years old and 4 feet 9 inches tall, you're more likely to need one either at home or when you travel. Sadly, buying a new booster seat is more tricky ...

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Celebrating Hanukkah When You Travel

Makeshift Menorah

With Hanukkah falling during winter break this year, many Jews, including my own family, will spend at least part of the holiday in a hotel. It's never quite as cozy as celebrating at home, but with a little planning and effort, Hanukkah in a new city can be rewarding ...

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Airport Security With Kids, Babies and Toddlers (An Update for Dec 2011)

You mean I didn't have to do this?

A lot of things have changed since I wrote this post on how to Breeze Through Airport Security With Kids. I've updated the original post, but I also want to highlight some of the things that may have changed since your last flight with kids.

Kids Under 12 Can ...

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Family Travel Tip: Finding a Warm Weather Destination

Historical Averages link is on the right hand side below the first screenful of information

If you're planning a vacation for winter break, you might be wondering what the weather will be like where you are going. Perhaps you already know where you want to go, but you want to make sure the weather won't be unbearable, or maybe you're looking for ...

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Summer Sun Protection and Swim Gear for Kids

E explores the sand at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach, CA

It felt like winter would never end in Seattle this year, and yet all of a sudden I find myself slathering sunscreen on the kids when we're out and about. Worse, I'm repeating the rush that I endure each year as we buy our shorts and swimsuits just ...

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10 Easy to Carry Toys for Outdoor Play

Kicking a Gertie Ball in Istanbul

Wherever we go, it's nice to have a few toys in my daypack that the kids can use to run around outdoors. That way we can have fun even when we cannot find a playground. I always go for things that are lightweight, cheap to replace, and work well ...

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What to Pack for a Trip to Great Wolf Lodge

Tot splash area at Great Wolf Lodge

We travel often enough that I can pretty much pack in my sleep. Still, every time we go somewhere new, I realize that we need something a little different than what's on my generic Packing Lists for Family Travel. Here are the extra items I found useful for packing ...

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TSA Pat Downs - How to Talk With Your Kids

Toddler reading the Airplane Safety Manual

This is a guest post by Sarina Behar Natkin, a Parent Educator and Consultant in the Seattle area. Sarina has very generously shared some of her best advice about how you can help your kids understand the process of going through TSA security at the airport, the new backscatter imaging ...

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24 Reasons to Pack Ziplock Bags When You Travel

Using a Ziplock Bag as a waterproof case for an iPad

I don't have any relationship with Ziplock. Whenever I receive a free product or service, I will always let you know.

I've been working harder this year on packing waste-free lunches. Plastic bags just don't get much use on a typical week in our house anymore. Still ...

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Tips for Thanksgiving Travel With Kids

D stirring up something good for Thanksgiving Dinner

Traveling with kids is tricky enough most of the year, but during the Thanksgiving season, the crowds at the airport and the road traffic make it even harder than usual to get to your destination and back again. Here are some of my favorite tips for minimizing your stress during ...

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Sale Alert: Family Travel Gear on Sale at Amazon

Amazon must be gearing up for the holidays just like the rest of us! I thought I'd pass on information about sale products on some of the items I recommend in my Family Travel Gear and Toys Guide

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The BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib ...

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Photo Friday: Notre Dame at Night

Notre Dame at night

Finding time alone with your spouse can be tough on a trip with kids. One of our favorite tricks is to go for a bedtime walk and put the kids to sleep in a stroller or sling. Then we're free to talk, stop in for a drink, or just ...

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What's In My Daypack? A Gertie Ball

Kicking a Gertie Ball in Istanbul

One thing I try to always carry in my daypack is an inflatable Gertie Ball. It packs down small once the air is released, is easy to blow up, and durable enough to withstand a lot of abuse.

Carrying a Gertie Ball makes any town square or piazza into a ...

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Found Travel Toys: Pringles Can

Travel Sized Pringles Can

Baby Eilan is in what I consider the hardest age for traveling with children - the 6 months between age one and 18 months. He is mobile enough to want to get into everything, has little or no judgment about what is safe, and needs a new toy approximately every three ...

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Taking a Break From Sightseeing

Woman selling pigeon feed outside of Istanbul's New Mosque

At home in Seattle, I often find myself rushing the kids from one activity to another. On vacation we can take the time to check out thing the kids are interested in. I suspect that's why they're willing to go into so many tourist sites with us - they ...

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Two New Products for Feeding Baby When You Travel

Squeezable Baby Food Container

Disclosure: I do not have a relationship with any of the companies whose products are described in this post. These are products that I discovered at my local Whole Foods Market (and they're probably available at yours too). If you do choose to purchase one of these products on ...

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SunButter: A Packable Snack For Your Travels

Sunbutter Squeezable Packets

I have no relationship with the companies whose products are described in this post, and these are products I discovered myself in the supermarket. Some of these products are available on Amazon, and if you do use a link on this page to make a purchase, I receive a small ...

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What to do With Kids When There Are No Playgrounds

E blows bubbles at a park in Barcelona, Spain

One thing that can be tricky about visiting urban areas with kids is finding a playground near the major attractions. I've written before about using Google Maps to locate a playground when there is one, but what do you do when there isn't?

Here are a few things ...

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Changing a Diaper on an Airplane

Eilan getting his diaper changed in the airplane bathroom

New parents who haven't yet flown with their baby for the first time often write in to ask how (and where) to change a baby's diaper on an airplane. My most recent flight was a good reminder of how cumbersome this can actually be! After changing countless in-flight ...

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Flying With Kids Under the New TSA Security Regulations

E flying comfortably with his CARES harness

There is lots of speculation and uncertainty about the specifics of the new TSA rules for international flights landing in the United States. There is one thing that seems to be consistent between first-hand passenger reports and TSA document leaks: for the last 60 minutes of flight passengers must remain ...

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My Best Tips for Thanksgiving Travel With Kids

E and D enjoying their flight

As much as I love to travel, I prefer to avoid the holiday rush - so this year we'll stay close to home for Thanksgiving and head further afield in December. Whether you are staying home, on the road, or flying to be with your family, I wish you a ...

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What is Your Favorite Airplane Toy?

I have whole lists of travel toys and tons of ideas about how to keep kids busy even without toys, yet as the kids grow older, I'm always on the lookout for new "plane toys."

Lately, we've been playing a lot with small Playmobil sets, Little Dover Activity ...

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Packing an Airplane Busy Bag

E is entranced by his train coloring book

Packing a travel busy bag is tricky business. Pack too little and you'll be trying to turn napkins into toys. Pack too much, and your backpack will be so heavy that you are sorry you ever left home. Last week I posted a picture of our most recent travel ...

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What's in My Airplane Busy Bag?

Contents of Airplane Busy Bag

I took this photo of our airplane busy bag before flying down to Orange County a few weeks ago. I build a fresh busy bag before each trip based on what the kids are interested in at the moment.

Between kids, and luggage, and snacks, there is always a lot ...

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Reader Tip: Create an Airplane Tent

E flying to Paris at 6 months old

Here is a great reader tip from Regan that I wanted to share!

Wanted to share what worked so well for me on a recent trip that I took with my 13 month old daughter from Hawaii direct to Atlanta, GA. I was extremely nervous because I was traveling with ...

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9 Tips for Traveling Alone with an Infant or Toddler

God Bless America Statue by J. Steward Johnson in Chicago's Pioneer Court

My trip to Chicago for BlogHer and TBEX was not only Eilan's first flight, but also the first time the two of us have flown alone together. Luckily Eilan slept through the flights themselves. Still - getting into and out of town was tricky. I thought I'd share some ...

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Reader Question: Renting a Car Seat

Unsafe Rental Car Seats

This is a reader question from Susan who will be renting a car and wants to know about the safety of renting a car seat. As Susan knows, I've written much about this subject, including two investigations of unsafe car seats at rental car agencies. I've also heard ...

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How to Choose a Destination for Family Travel

Stopping for a Snack in Barcelona's Park Guell

When I tell someone that I blog about traveling with kids, I almost always get one of two responses... either they say "oh, so you write about Disney" or they want to know where the very best destination with kids is. For me, both are very limiting world views. I ...

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Traveling While Pregnant: Flying While Pregnant

Very pregnant at LEGOLAND

This is the fourth post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about timing your trip and the second was about questions to ask your doctor before you go, the third covered what to pack for your babymoon

Before You Go
Before you leave on any ...

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Traveling While Pregnant: Babymoon Packing List

A little bit pregnant at the Disneyland Mom Blogger's event

This is the third post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about timing your trip and the second was about questions to ask your doctor before you go.

I usually advocate traveling light, but when you are pregnant, it's a good idea to pack ...

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Traveling While Pregnant: Questions To Ask Your Doctor

Pregnant in Phoenix

This is the second post in a series about traveling while pregnant. The first post was about Timing Your Trip

You should consult your doctor before any trip while pregnant. If you are flying or taking a cruise, ask your doctor to write a letter giving you permission to travel ...

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Traveling While Pregnant: Timing Your Trip

8 Months Pregnant with D in Paris

I have only a few days left to offer practical advice on traveling while pregnant before travel-related indignities like maternity swimwear, sleeping sitting up, and swollen tired feet disappear from my memory leaving only blissful images of perfect ultrasounds, baby's first movements and the nearly endless stream (once the ...

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Reader Questions: Choosing Carseats for a US Roadtrip

This is a reader question from Kristen, a mom from Australia who is planning a road trip through the United States.

I am travelling from Australia to the US with 2 small children - was planning on bringing carseats from here as we will be in US for few months, would ...

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8 Roadblocks To Family Travel (and Why You Shouldn't Let Them Stop You)

Waiting for the Train at Old Tucson Studios

For us, the experience of traveling with our kids is not only a great way to help expand our kids' worldview, it is one of our best opportunities to build new bonds as a family. Yet many parents are so afraid that the trip might not be perfect, that they ...

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When Should I Buy Family Travel Insurance?

Road from Santa Fe to Taos

Some people purchase family travel insurance religiously for each trip, while others have never considered it, and I often get questions about whether trip insurance is a good idea or not. Because we tend to travel independently and rarely cancel, we use trip insurance only infrequently, and I have thought ...

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Reader Questions: Keeping an Active Child Calm on a Plane

Toddler reading the Airplane Safety Manual

This is a reader question from Kristen, a mom from Michigan who wants to know how to keep her active son from kicking the seat in front of him.

Hi Debbie, my son is about 2.5 yrs old now - we travel twice a year to see grandparents in Florida ...

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The Trip Advisor Effect - Are Your Complaints More Effective?

Trip Advisor Logo

Have you noticed that hotels are much more responsive to their customers recently? If you have complained, did the manager work harder than you expected to resolve your problem or diffuse the situation? I have... I call it "the Trip Advisor Effect."

If you aren't familiar with Trip Advisor ...

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Reader Question: How do I Get From Barcelona Airport to Downtown Without a Car Seat

View of Barcelona from Montjuic Mountain in Barcelona

Here is a reader question from Tiffany, who asks:

I am traveling alone with my 27 month old from Hawaii to Barcelona in January to meet my husband. I am not planning to bring a carseat, do you know of a car service there for airport transports? After a couple ...

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Top Posts and Resources of 2008

2008 was a big year for DeliciousBaby. The blog has grown and changed a lot over the course of the year. In 2008 we added many new features, including the ability for readers to add their favorite destinations to the city guides. I have enjoyed getting to know so many ...

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How to Negotiate Airline Change Fees

6 month old E eating his airline ticket

Nobody wants to travel with a sick child (and even fewer people want to be stuck on a plane with one) but airline change fees are so punishing that parents sometimes feel like they have no choice. I want to share a recent experience and how we were able to ...

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10 Tips for Surviving Flight Delays With Kids

This Thanksgiving, air traffic promises to be a bit lighter than it has in recent years. Still countless parents will be delayed in airports around the country. Here are my top tips for making those delays less torturous.

Delayed In the Airport
This is the best time to meet any ...

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Reader Question: Do I need a stroller bag when I fly?

I recently received this question from a reader. It's a good one, and I thought it would be useful to share the answer

I am flying back East and will be gate checking my stroller. I am traveling with two kids and have one layover. I need my stroller ...

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My Best Family Travel Advice

With Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to share some of my favorite articles to help you get packed, through the airport, and safely to your destination.

Packing
Packing Lists for Travel With Kids
Top tips for packing light with kids
Favorite Family Travel Products

Flying
Breeze Through ...

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10 Tips for Finding Freebies When You Travel

I have a great guest post today over at Freebies4Mom about 10 Tips for Finding Freebies When You Travel. I count this among my Best Budget Tips for Family Travel, so if you are interested in saving money on your next vacation, I hope you'll head over and check ...

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Traveling With a Nanny or Babysitter

It's no secret that once you have kids, travel is no longer a care-free vacation. One way to give yourself a little downtime at your destination is to bring a trusted babysitter or nanny with you from home. The idea sounds idyllic for all parties, right? The nanny gets ...

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Safety Tips for Renting A Carseat

Never rent a car seat, say carseat experts. But there are times when you cannot bring your own child safety seat. When that happens, you'll want to take special care to make sure your seat is as safe as possible. I've searched the web, talked with car seat ...

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