J.M. asks from Omaha, NE on May 03, 2007
Boston
Hi! My question is two-fold. My husband and I are taking our daughters, ages 12 and 4 to Boston in a few weeks.
1. For those who have traveled with four-year-olds in planes before, are there any helpful tidbits you could give me? If so, what are they?
2. For those who have been to Boston are there any "must-sees" that you can suggest?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Best,
J.
Featured Answers
B.J. answers from Omaha on May 04, 2007
I am from Boston and I have to say the children's museum is lots of fun for the kids (so is the New England Aquarium). Faneuil Hall is also a great place to walk around and grab a bite to eat. Have Fun!
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J.M. answers from Des Moines on May 03, 2007
my dau. loves those doodle drawing boards where you can slide the bar to erase. the "pen" is attached to it with a string. so you don't have keep drawing things in check. Parents brand makes this to-go easel thing that carries like a suitcase and when your sitting you can open the lid and stand it up. one side is a dry-erase and magnetic. The other side is a chalk board (and magnetic i think), then inside are magnet shapes you can either puzzle piece together or trace around. Comes with chalk and markers.
You have to try the clam chowder. It's so not like chunky or campbells. There's a place down near Boston Harbor where the Tea party took place, can't remember the name, that has great atmosphere. but there are probably a bunch of places like that.
You could also check with the convention and visitors bureau. They usually have a list of popular sites. and sometimes if you tell them you want something that's a little off the main touristy path, you can find some unknown goldmines. When we went to DC we told them there were going to be 4 young children so we didn't want really busy, 24/7 loud places. And they were pretty good and giving us some options.
J.D. answers from Grand Forks on May 03, 2007
Things to do.
boston's children's museum http://www.bostonkids.org
http://www.bostoncentral.com/ for kids activities.
Wow that is great have fun.
As for traveling I try to do the red eye flights. that way they just want to go to sleep. But if that is not an option just have a little backpack carry-on for each child and go through with them and let them pick there fav things. Books stuff animals cd player dvd player then they have what they want what ever can fit in they can take and they get to be in charge of what they have and do. Have a great time.
M.L. answers from Fargo on May 07, 2007
Well we took our 3 year old to disney land. The trip was long either way for the little guy. I brought our portable dvd player and got movies for him, then i packed a little snack bag for him as well. I also brought games he and I could play together that would keep his attention. The other thing is depending on the time of the flight, you could plan to keep him up a bit later so he may sleep on the plain with a tiny nap. thanks M. good luck.
B.J. answers from Omaha on May 04, 2007
I am from Boston and I have to say the children's museum is lots of fun for the kids (so is the New England Aquarium). Faneuil Hall is also a great place to walk around and grab a bite to eat. Have Fun!
T.T. answers from Denver on May 04, 2007
I flew to Denver with my 3 year old son and baby daughter last September, and it went way better than I expected. I packed a whole backpack with books and paper and crayons and snacks for my son, but he was so interested in the airplane and watching out the window, that we hardly looked in his backpack. Definitely bring a lollipop or a sippy cup, a hard candy or gum, something for her to suck on during take off and landing so her ears won't bother her. I put my son and all my carry on luggage in a stroller (the flight crew will stow the stroller for you when you get on the plane). I had my baby in the front carrier and wheeled my son along in the stroller. The only annoying part was going through security....I had to unload and fold up the stroller and take the baby out of the carrier and send it all through the x-ray thingie. I can remember my first flight as a child...I loved to read and draw so as long as I had crayons, paper, and a book to look at I was good. Get her some new things and don't let her see them until she's on the plane. Novelty is always a good thing. Good luck, I hope you have a good trip!
M.W. answers from Pocatello on May 04, 2007
When I flew with my 2 and 4 year olds, I got dog tags for them. Just in case. I felt a lot better. Crayons and coloring books. Go potty on the ground, my daughter was too scared to go in the plane.
B.M. answers from Boise on May 04, 2007
Hi J.
Me and my Husband will be taking our daughters (5 and 4) to Bostan in Oct. We live in Idaho, so it is going to be a long flight. Some of the things I am going to bring are..
1} Some heathy snacks. The last thing you want is a sugared up four year old who doesn't want to stay in her seat! Trust me I wasa flight Attendent And I have seen it all.
2)My five year old loves music so I am bringing her, her own Cd Player with her own music.
3) paper or magnetic dress up dolls. Color books, dot to dots. And if all else fails.....Benedryl!! HA HA
Some things to see in Boston.
The aquirium is awsome. It's an all day event.
In the city there is a park. I think it is Swan Park. The have these boats that look like swan's that you can ride in. I don't know if you are venturing out of Bostan but Plymouth is very cool. I hope this offers you some help
B.F. answers from Pocatello on May 03, 2007
The New England Aquarium is cool. Definitely worth it although it is a little expensive. For parking and getting in, if I remember correctly, it was about $100 for a family of four. The Boston Commons are a must see, especially if it is a nice day out. You can see the Capitol and there are some awesome little Irish pubs w/ food right around there. You've GOTTA enjoy a little Irish something while you are in Boston. There is also a Boston Massacre Memorial in the commons. The commons are also pretty close to China Town. It isn't San Fran China Town, but its still pretty cool. You could also visit the USS Constitution. It is the oldest wooden hull Navy vessel.
AS for the plane ride advice, I'm your girl. We do a TON of traveling. In fact we have been traveling non-stop for 6 years. 5 of the years have been with at least one child. For plane rides the obvious is to bring a portable DVD player and a set of headphones. If you don't have one you can get them for cheap. I also bring a small thing of colored pencils or crayons and a folder full of blank paper. That way she can draw or play tic tac toe...we write poems together...write picture books etc etc. You are unlimited with crayons and blank paper. Or you can take a color book if that is more your child's style. I also bring a thing or two of playdough. Its perfect for those little fold down tables. Yes, it can be a bit messy but a little mess is better than an antsy 4 year old!!
Phew!! Well, there you have it. My two cents. Boston is awesome. You'll have a blast!
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