Travel in city with kids

When friends and family Call Me Crazy for traveling with myinfant and preschooler in such cities as Chicago,New York, and Toronto, I just laugh. My children munched onpicnic treats are watching the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Millennium Park,clambered up the monkey bars in the shadow of the arch in Washington Square Park and peered throughthe glass floor to the observation deck in the CN Tower. Although it has notalways been easy to navigate city streets with two kids in tow, it was wellworth the candle. I had a fantastic time and I could tell from the way theytalked about traveling for a few months after this that my children had a greattime.

The city is fun and educational activities for children. From a skyscraper tothe highest level of museums, children can see and experience that are simplyunavailable in small towns. While the city travel with young children can bechallenging, with careful planning and attention to detail you can relax. Hereare some tips to help you visit go smoothly:

Take a carriage. Even if it was some time since your child uses a wheel chair,you'll be glad that you brought. City tours are usually linked lot of walkingfrom spot to spot and can tire out a little bit easier. In the wheelchair hecan ride in comfort, and you will not be afraid of losing him in the crowd. Ifound that inexpensive umbrella strollers work much better than in large, heavypram complete with food trays and cups holders. Umbrella strollers fold upsmaller and lighter, making them more convenient for toting up and down flightsof stairs or carrying on the subway.

Make frequent stops at the playground. In most of the city, a visit could bejust walking around, popping in the unusual shops, watching people and enjoyingthe city of energy. Remember that your toddler or preschooler may be very sick,he got it. I've found that stopping to play for a few minutes at playgroundsthat we happen upon is a great way for the little ones to work some of theirenergy off. They also love the novelty of playing on different equipment thanthe same old things found in the parks back home.

Bring a travel pack of wipes. Even if you do not germ nazi, you'll be glad youdid. These town halls, banisters and benches can be very dirty, but after alittle cleaning up to wipe your hands, you feel more comfortable aboutreturning it to DIG delicious hot dogs from street vendors.

Choose carefully cafe. If the food in a sit-down restaurant in Nice, make surethat it is noisy enough to absorb your baby babble. I learned that one the hardway, when tired of our long drive, we decided to eat at our hotel in Chicago in the houserestaurant, a warm place with a hushed atmosphere and waiters in white gloveshovering about. Of course, my two-year-old decided to belt out theOrganization's "itsy-bitsy-spider" over and over again. We wound upwith the food sent to our room. The next night, we chose a popular, livelyItalian restaurant where the little guy was not louder than anyone in theplace.

Plan of activities for children. Big cities offer all sorts of interesting andeducational activities for children of all ages. Do a little research on theInternet and in guidebooks before the time to find a few sights to the age ofyour child. Has it been twenty years since you participated in any of these activitiesthemselves? Just might find yourself enjoying a tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton inthe museum of natural history and to look at polar bears in the water slide atthe zoo.

Plan of activities for adults. Directions as museums may be included in theagenda, but keep in mind your child's limitations and be prepared to reduce theshort way out, if need be. Try to bring it to the Art Museum. Ask questionslike: "What do you see in this picture? Do you have a boat? Which picturedo you like in this room?" Visit any child exhibits the museum may have toask at the information bureau of exhibitions, which are the biggest hits forchildren.

Take the bus or subway. Mass transit is a challenge for a small town kid. Afterthe tour ended, he can talk about it as the bones of dinosaurs. Try to avoidtraveling at rush hour, but when the sardine can atmosphere may be covered by alittle one.