By T?sa Nicolanti, 2 Wired 2 Tired
It can be fun to travel with toddlers. The joy they feel when experiencing every day things like watching butterflies or squishing sand between their toes is contagious and can make for an unforgettable family trip.
On the other hand, staying in a hotel room with a toddler can be challenging, to say the least. The unfamiliar territory and prevalence of safety hazards can draw a dark cloud over the family vacation.
Here are a few tips that helped me focus on fun, not frustration, when staying in a hotel room with my kids when they were toddlers.
1. Always deadbolt and latch the door whenever you walk in the room. Recently while on vacation, another mom confessed to me that the day before while she was napping, her daughter opened the hotel room door and wandered the halls until she was found by hotel employees. It was only when the mother was startled awake by her in-room phone did she even know her daughter was gone. Always, always deadbolt & latch the door when you are in the room. If the door doesn?t have the top latch or you worry that your toddler may be able to unlock the deadbolt, slide a chair in front of the door. You can also purchase a doorstop alarm which will alert you when the door stop is moved or the door is opened.
2. Search the room for any hazards. Make sure blind cords can?t be reached by tying them up with painters tape, which you can also use to cover outlets and tape washcloths to sharp table edges. Open all of the drawers and take note of their contents. Put up hotel sewing kits. Search the floor and under the bed for any miscellaneous hazards. I?ve heard of parents finding safety pins, pills, and other items on hotel room floors. Check the water temperature in the bathroom and keep coffee makers, hair dryers or curling irons up high or unplugged and off. Keep the bathroom door shut, but make sure toddlers aren?t inside alone or they could lock themselves in. Bring a toilet lock and be aware of slow draining tubs.
3. Buy or bring plastic cups. Most hotels only supply glass drinking cups. The plastic cups will not only be easier for toddlers to drink from but they are also great for making bath time easier and more fun too.
4. Don?t forget the Lysol. Lysol the carpet. Toddlers love to play on the floor and if you can?t keep them on a blanket or a sheet, spray the Lysol to protect against germs.
5. Bring balloons. A small bag of balloons takes up very little space in a suitcase and toddlers love them. Clear a small area to play without any hazards and your toddler will be all smiles. We brought balloons on a trip when my children were 2 and 3 years old and the kids loved bopping the balloons back and forth (or at least trying to) all day long. It saved our sanity during those unfortunate rainy days.
6. Pack books and electronics. When your toddler is napping or falls asleep after a long day at 7 pm, you?re going to need something to do, especially if your child is one who can?t sleep with the TV on. Use this time to catch up on reading, play Angry Birds or whatever you like to do. The electronics will also be handy on rainy days. Just pull up a few toddler-friendly apps and your little one will play happily until the sun comes back out.
7. Don?t forget a nightlight. When you draw the curtains many hotel rooms are very dark. You can ease any nighttime fears by packing your little one?s favorite nightlight.
Traveling with toddlers is often such a joy but staying in a hotel room with one can sometimes be a real hassle. Hopefully, the tips above will help keep your family vacation full of joyful memories rather than frustrating ones.
Do you have a tip on traveling with toddlers? Share it below.
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