Going Places

tation nd Ft. eg, nn & n, 7 p.m. travel smarts The family pack: Tips for travelling with kids W ay to go! you've managed to pull the family together for a hard-earned vacation. Before you go, check out our tips for travelling with kids in tow. ON THE ROAD Get with the program Kids feel more secure when they know what to expect, so sit down at the kitchen table as a family and plan your route. Allow for 20-minute stops every two hours at playgrounds, restaurants or just open spaces where the kids can run around. These "minivacations" give your backseat passengers something to look forward to along the way. Pack in piles Pack suitcases the way you'd pack a lunch box. Organize like items in piles and put them in Ziploc bags. Daily outfits can be bagged too, making it easy for kids to dress themselves without rifling through the entire suitcase. Keep baby wipes and a change of clothes handy – the kids will be clean and comfortable if you arrive at a hotel early and have to go out before check-in. Pack to distract Besides individual suitcases, each child should have their own backpack stocked with snacks, a water bottle and distractions such as handheld video games or crayons. Look at the drive as an opportunity to listen to an audio book together or play old-school group games (see "Go With CAA"). If you decide to break out the portable DVD player, let the kids pick their own movies to bring. Hang your hat Look for hotels with a pool or waterslide. It may save you from having to plan an outing right away. You'll want to call ahead if you need a cot or a fridge. Eat and run To save money and time, choose hotels where breakfast is included. Also consider bringing a cooler in the car. If you do eat out, skip the chain restaurants and seek one-off 8 GOING PL ACES p08-09_TravelSmarts.indd 8 >> summer 2013 diners. You'll get a taste of local culture and perhaps some off-the-beaten-track trip tips. IN THE AIR or no food on board. While security protocols only permit fluids in amounts of 100 ml or less (up to a total of one litre), liquids for babies are allowed in amounts over 100 ml. Fly mid-week and save Get I.D.'d When travelling by air, look for cheaper, lesscrowded flights that leave during non-peak times – Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you can, choose direct flights to avoid transfers and layovers. If you're OK with having your baby on your lap, children under two years old can usually fly free domestically. On international flights, Air Canada charges 10 per cent of an adult fare for children under two. If you do decide to purchase a seat for baby, they must be properly secured in a Transport Canada-approved child restraint device. All air passengers require identification. Check whether the family's passports are up to date and keep them in one accessible spot. If you're travelling outside the country with someone else's child, or with your own child but without the other parent or guardian, you require a letter of consent from the absent party (voyage.gc.ca). Ditch the excess baggage Before you jet out the door, make a pit stop at the bathroom scale or grab the portable luggage scale to ensure you haven't exceeded your baggage allowance. Most major airlines allow one carry-on bag and one checked bag per person for free. Extra charges apply to overweight baggage ($50 and up). Carry-on bags should contain toiletries and a change of clothes in case of a spill or lost/delayed luggage. Pack snacks, especially on short-haul domestic flights with limited Take your seat Take advantage of your airline's online check-in service. Both Air Canada and WestJet allow you to check in and choose seats online up to 24 hours before departure. Or, pay a small fee to secure seats at the time of purchase. As for pre-boarding privileges for families – use them! –Jodi McKague PR go with caa Have games, will travel. Keep the kids busy with Tic Tac Toe, Memory Match, Hangman, Bingo, checkers and chess from CAA Manitoba. While you're there, check out the luggage scales too. 2c 1c 1c Jui 3-5 6s iStock 13-04-12 12:58 PM

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