I have already gone on 3 big trips this summer with my kids and I am telling you, this is all you need. Well, not ALL you need, but if you’ve got this with you on the plane and in the car, you will make it. If you do not already have a Mess-Free Magic Board
($5.99 but comes in many variety packs ranging in price), get to the store immediately!! These “magic” paper boards will turn into a colorfully painted page with just plain water. There is a fun brush with water dispenser so your tot will feel like Van Gogh as he creates a perfectly painted scene every time. The best part is, once it dries, he can start all over. Perfect for summer travel because the only mess is water, so it also cools them off when they spill.
My favorite sunscreen (and I have them all) is the Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50
($15). I have not had any problems with sunburns and this does not have harsh ingredients found in drugstore sunscreen for kids. It stays on all day, I know because I am not good about re-applying every 2 hours. We have gone to the beach in Hawaii for a full 4 hours without lobster skin of any kind.
This by far is the best invention in children’s products! The
TravelJohn Jr.-Disposable Potty ( 6 pack)
($9.99) will save you from accidents and from having to use nasty gas station bathrooms (it is also perfect for amusement parks, if you have waited in line for 2 hours you will know that Murphy’s law dictates that once you get to the front of the line, your tot will need to use the bathroom “RIGHT NOW”). This little doo-dad cups right up to your tot’s privates to catch the pee-pee without a single drop coming out. There is a powder that becomes a gel so there is no sloshing mess if you cannot find a trashcan right away. I have a girl so, yes, it does work for the ladies as well. She actually loves it. To answer your fears of embarrassment (as I was before I used it), it is actually a very concealed operation so there is no need to worry about the crowds seeing this go down.
If you are flying, you must have the CARES airline approved seat belt ($74.95). It turns the regular plane seat into a 5-point harness in a quick minute. I just flew the new Virgin America and they told me that this was the ONLY seatbelt they approve of. Avoiding bringing your 30 lbs giant car seat on the plane? Totally priceless.
Happy Travels!
I love the airplane seat but it is not approved for international use. The lovely British Airway flight attendants allowed me to use it from stateside to London but within Europe they were quite nasty.
When I said it was FAA approved, the mean flight attendant shouted, we’re CAA–