Tips For Travelling With Children

Traveling is tough. Traveling with children - even tougher. Airlines generally suggest that arrive at the airport three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Checking in usually takes about one hour, leaving two hours in which you must find a way to occupy yours, and your child's, time. And that is only at the airport. Once you are aboard your flight, you are forced to sit in your barely big enough seat for hours upon end. This is hard enough for an adult, let alone a child. If you are traveling with children, do not fear, there are things that you can do to help your child through the long airport process.
The main thing you will want to do when traveling with children, is keep them occupied. While you are traveling, you will spend several hours in the airport and several hours on the plane. For anyone who has children, you know that keeping them happy, even at home, is a difficult task. Therefore, keeping them content in an airport where there is little to nothing for children to do, is even more difficult. If you are traveling with children make sure to pack games, coloring books, or toys that will fit in your carry on luggage and that can occupy your child's attention. For older children, consider beginning a journal in which your child can write down their experiences while on vacation.
Having help is a good way to ensure that you travel successfully with children. Managing more than one child on the train, bus or an aircraft can be difficult if you have no assistance. The degree of difficulty depends on the age and needs of the child. Having the care of one or more children under the age of 8 years as you travel can be challenging.
It is always a good idea to pack games and toys which can entertain and stimulate the minds of the children. Children who are bored are likeliest to find themselves involved in activities which can be troublesome. This includes marking on public walls, frequent visits to rest rooms, fusses with siblings and other challenging behavior. Be sure to bring along their favorite toys, books or games.
Language: If there is likely to be a language barrier then also purchase a phrase book. The ability to say "yes" and "no", "please" and "thankyou", "hello" and "goodbye" in a foreign language (at least) will stand you in good stead with the locals! If you can order food, drinks and understand menus and signs, even better - this will serve two purposes, getting you respect from locals and allowing you to take a foreign holiday confident that you will not get ripped off because you cannot understand what people are saying.
Children: If travelling with children then make sure you have something to keep them entertained. You do not need something just for the flight, but also for the evenings when you are at base. Children are easily bored, and foreign TV (especially if in a none English speaking country) is not fun for children as the only English shows they have are news channels. You will maybe need a few toys (electronic ones are best - batteries are universal and electronic chargers can be used via adaptors you buy before you go away). And they do not take up a lot of luggage space as they can be carried in hand luggage. Also take paper and pencils to allow some time spent drawing.
Find some more travel ideas in asia and click tips for travelling with children and amusement parks and attractions.
and also read about dining in shanghai and natural hot springs.