Do your friends and family call your crazy or discourage you from traveling with your toddler and preschooler to big cities (like Chicago, New York, and Toronto)?
With these tips, you can just laugh at them the next time they call you. Though city travel with small children can be challenging, with careful planning and attention to detail, you can definitely have a great time.
Here are a few tips that will help you on your trip and ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Take a Stroller
Even if it’s been a while since your child has used a stroller, you’ll be glad you brought it. City trips tend to involve a good deal of walking from spot to spot and a little one can tire out easily. With a stroller he can ride in comfort and you won’t worry about losing him in a crowd. I’ve found that the inexpensive umbrella strollers work much better than the large, heavy-duty strollers complete with food trays and cup holders. Umbrella strollers fold up smaller and are lighter, making them more convenient for toting up and down flights of stairs or carrying onto the subway. - Make frequent stops at playgrounds
The best part of visiting a city can be simply strolling around, popping into unusual shops, watching the people and enjoying the city energy. Remember that while your toddler or preschooler might be very patient, he’s got his limits. I’ve found that stopping to play for a few minutes at playgrounds that we happen upon is a great way for the little ones to work some of their energy off. They also love the novelty of playing on different equipment than the same old stuff found at the parks back home. - Bring a travel pack of wipes
You’ll be glad you did. Those city playgrounds, banisters and benches can be extremely dirty, but after cleaning the little one’s hands up with a wipe you’ll feel more comfortable about letting her dig into a tasty hot dog from a street vendor. - Take the bus or subway
Bus, trains, subways can be fun and an adventure for a small town kid. However, you should avoid traveling at rush hour. - Activities for adults
Destinations like art museums can be a challenge, keeping in mind a child’s limitations and also because they can touch/break things which they’re not supposed to. So unless you’re sure you can manage them, be ready to cut the outing short if need be.
