Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Childrens Luggage Makes Travel More Fun

By Gerri Lauder

A simple solution to a great family vacation is to be sure your children are comfortable and entertained. Travel is a great experience for children to be in charge of their own things, whether you are traveling by car, plane or a cruise ship.

One of the great tips when traveling with children is to see that items that they need during travel are readily at hand. Childrens luggage is a great tool for active participation from the child that gives her or him a sense of responsibility and a measure of control over their own things. Pack the kids suitcases with items that they can get themselves when they need it, or at the very least, you can get child's items from their own suitcase instead of having to dig through your own to find the right thing.

Childrens luggage should be fun! Go shopping with the kids and let them choose their own. Kids suitcases come in so many colors or with different characters on them that you're sure to find something your child will like. Keep in mind the ease and accessibility of getting things out of the various pockets and compartments. Remember, you want your child to be able to get to their stuff without an adult having to open or close pouches for them. And if you are planning on air travel, be sure the suitcase will fit comfortably beneath the seat in front of your child so they can get to it.

If you have more than one child, and even if you don't, consider getting personalized kids luggage. Not only will your child have a sense of pride of ownership, but it will save any unnecessary mistaken identities with other travelers luggage. An alternative to a suitcase could be a backpack. You can buy personalized kids backpacks for the kids, and I've even seen a kids rolling backpack with wheels.

What to Look For in Kids Suitcases

You want your childrens luggage to last awhile and still serve your child's needs. Make sure that any piece you buy has a handle or strap that will fit the size of your childrens hands, and if you have purchased kids rolling luggage, see that it is easy for the child to maneuver. All kids suitcases should be lightweight so that when it is packed your child can lift, carry or roll it comfortably. Durability is another important consideration. Look for quality construction and strong stitching around exterior pockets, pouches and compartments. The last thing you want is for an external pouch to break open and your child loses whatever was in that pouch.

One of the better options is lightweight kids rolling luggage which has large compartments for storing clothes, books, shoes and other necessities while a number of pockets both inside and outside can provide them with more storage capacity and easier accessibility during the trip. The best part is that it can easily be rolled on its wheels, so your child doesn't have to carry the entire weight of the luggage. Be sure to avoid luggage with cheap plastic wheels, as these are not durable and if they break someone is going to end up carrying the luggage instead of rolling it as it was intended.

What Goes Into Kids Suitcases

Think about the travel time first, and then think about what your child may need or want during that time. Think, also, about any needs, medical or comfort related, that may make traveling less stressful. So you might pack any medicines your child needs, a small pillow or a favorite stuffed toy, and a sweater or light blanket. How does your child entertain herself or himself at home? Pack their books and crayons, an MP3 player with their music, electronic games. Also think about healthy, non-refrigerated snacks like nuts, carrot sticks, cheese sticks, crackers or fruit. Depending on your mode of travel, water or juice boxes may be appropriate. And don't forget some wet wipes to clean fingers, faces and spills and a plastic bag for the trash.

Children can be good travelers if you plan ahead and make their experience easier for them, which translates into an easier trip for everyone. Travel is a great learning experience for children to become more self reliant in unfamiliar surroundings. And most important of all, you want your family to enjoy the journey and have a safe trip. - 16887

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