How to Pack a Preschooler's Bag for an Airplane Trip
Traveling with a preschooler can present some unique challenges: they want independence, but they don't yet have the skills. Packing a bag for the trip presents some opportunities for them to have input into the travel process.
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Instructions
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Let your child select a few items to put into their bag. If you have a young preschooler, preselect the items and let them decide from four or five things what they would most like to put in the bag. If the child is close to kindergarten age, you can let them decide themselves what items they'd most like to have in their travel bag.
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Weed out what is obviously not going to travel well, but do so after the child is happily engaged with another activity, or is asleep. There's no reason to challenge their independence or decision-making skills. But things such as pudding or the family cat are unlikely to work well on the trip.
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Make sure you have art supplies. Preschoolers are often very happy to draw, color, place stickers or stamp for hours, so make sure you add appropriate art items yourself if your child hasn't added them herself.
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Put in a few books. While few preschoolers can read independently, it's a good idea to have a favorite book that he finds soothing before a nap or that provides a familiar item in the midst of the turbulence of travel.
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Toss in a sweater and a change of clothes. Kids get cold on planes, so make sure they've got another layer to keep them comfy. And make sure you've got fresh clothes in case of a spill.
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Make sure you pack snacks. Kids get hungry and expect almost instantaneous food. These days it's not always possible to get food on a flight, so toss in some goldfish, granola bars and pretzels to have something at the ready when your child's tummy starts to growl.
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Tips & Warnings
Preschool-sized rolling bags often double as backpacks, which can be another great way for your preschooler to bring their bag through the airport and minimize your having to carry everything.
Don't pack juice boxes or bottled water. TSA regulations are very strict about bringing liquids through security.
