If you've ever been put off by the idea of traveling with kids, perhaps it is time to change your mind. Taking advantage of the benefits children get from traveling abroad by experiencing another country and its culture first hand does not need to come at the high price of a stressful experience in the airport or airplane.
Family friendly travel is possible and the journey itself can even be a great bonding experience if you inform yourself of all the amenities and services available to parents with children in the airplane and at the airport before you arrive. Whether your child is a baby, toddler or a child, why not enjoy the advantages of traveling with young children while you still can and enjoy some great vacations together?
Kid Friendly Airports in the USA
When flying with a child, make sure to check out any kid friendly services available at the airport. Increasingly, airports seem to be making an effort at making it easier for families to fly together. There are numerous articles online that list airports that take children and their parents into consideration and that have built child friendly areas and services to cater to traveling families.
According to one story published on the Family Vacation Critic website, for example, the top US family friendly airports are Chicago O'Hare International, San Francisco International, Boston Logan International, Orlando International, Portland International, Dallas Fort Worth International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Nashville International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Philadelphia International. The article's author, Whitney Rife, stated that among the many attractions for children at these airports are play areas, museums, aquariums, plasma walls, air trains, air traffic control tower replicas, slides, climbing walls, arcades, LEGO tables, play cars, children's television, padded playing equipment, an indoor runway, play airplanes big enough for kids to climb into, live music, art exhibitions, and interactive displays.
Additionally, the article relates that airports have also taken parents into consideration, providing comforts like rocking chairs, changing stations and many kids' toy shops where they can buy something to keep the little ones busy on the airplane. Don't be discouraged if the airport you will be flying out from is not on this list, as it may also have family friendly services that you can find out about by asking at the airport information center. Airport maps may also have those services printed on them.
Child Friendly Airports Abroad
International travel with children can also be a positive experience. To enjoy a relaxing holiday from start to finish, don't overlook checking out the international airport from which you will be catching your return flight. Check out airport websites to see if they list any of those family friendly services that might come in useful, especially in the unfortunate case of long flight delays.
For example, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, have really made parents and their children a priority. For the toddlers and bigger kids, they've built a Kids' Forest that allows children to climb into 'tree houses', go down slides and get rid of excess energy on other play equipment. Meanwhile, infants and their parents can enjoy a special new baby care lounge that offers changing tables and seven individual curtained-off lounges with cribs that provide families with quiet privacy away from the noisy commotion of the busy airport.
Aside from this, there are other activities to do, such as checking out the Rijksmuseum within the airport, the Panorama Terrace, where you can watch planes take off and land, or the Schiphol Airport Library. It is always worthwhile to do a little bit of research beforehand at whatever airport you may be flying out from as you might be able to take advantage of some great services!
Family Friendly Airlines
Airplane travel with children can be tricky at times as some airlines are actually more family friendly than others. However, your best bet in finding out how friendly an airline might be is to call ahead with a prepared list of questions for what you think you might need for your child while aboard your flight. Make sure to ask if you can check your stroller in at the boarding gate so that you can keep it longer with you to navigate the airport more easily with your child. As for meals, if you have toddlers and want them to have kids' meals while on board, you normally have to order it about two to three days before your flight.
Various airlines may also offer things like the slightly bigger bulk head seats for parents, bassinets, and infant seats for babies. If you ask, they may also heat up baby food or water for the baby's bottle. In addition, children under two years old fly for free while they are still small enough to sit on your lap (and they provide you with a special baby seat belt that clips onto yours).
However, once they turn two years old, you will have to pay for another seat. Call the airline to find out what their specific regulations are regarding traveling with an infant. While it will be more costly to travel then, you and your child will greatly appreciate the extra space. In addition, there are airlines that go the extra mile and give children who are flying small presents, such as small stuffed animals, books, games, coloring books and crayons or activity packs to help keep children busy during the flight.
If you do a little research beforehand of family friendly services offered by airports and airlines, it could help make the idea of traveling with the family less stressful and much more enjoyable. Knowing that there are things like a family lounge, a play area, specialized baby changing rooms or even cribs and where they located certainly can give you and your children more family friendly options to consider while waiting for your flight to board and your holiday to begin!
Source
Whitney Rife. "10 Best Kid-Friendly Airports." Family Vacation Critic (accessed March 30, 2011).
Veronica Garcia-Robles - Veronica Garcia-Robles graduated with a double major in English and Religion from California Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity ...
