Being on an airplane with a bored child is not a fun experience. Young children cry or whine, older kids might try to run up and down the aisle or annoy the person in front of, or next to them.

Parents can ensure a more pleasant trip for themselves and those surrounding them by planning ahead and packing engaging activities for their children.

For older children, consider bringing a deck of playing cards. There are many card games children enjoy playing. 500 Rummy, War, Old Maid, and 21 are great to pass the time.

Pocket versions of popular board games will entertain the kids and won’t take up much room in the carry on bag. Most pocket or travel versions of board games are magnetic to minimize the risk of pieces getting lost or falling off the board during play.

Self -contained drawing games such as Etch-a Sketch ®, and Magna Doodle ® allow your child to draw, write, or play games such as hangman without burning through a lot of paper.

Coloring books and crayons are light and don’t take up a lot of room in the carry on bag. They’re great for children of all ages.

Be sure to bring along your child’s favorite books. Reading a well known and loved book is comforting and will help your child feel more secure on the plane.

Parents and children can take turns telling each other a story. One person starts by giving one or two lines of the story, the next person continues with the story until they have no more to add. Continue around until the story is finished. It might be fun to record the story on tape recorder or cell phone to listen to later or share with family and friends at your destination.

With a little planning, your child can stay busy and have fun. Who knows, you and your child may come to enjoy flying and playing games together.

Over the last several years, airport security measures have changed quite a bit. If you haven’t flown in a while, there are a few things you should know.

Strollers, car seats, toys and all other objects must go through the security X ray machine. Fold your stroller and make sure to remove small toys or other items from storage pockets before putting it on the conveyer belt. Put them in the plastic bins provided This way nothing gets lost. Make sure to warn your child about the process and reassure them you will get your items back.

Never put your car seat through the metal detector with your child still in it

When going through the walk through metal detector, you will probably need to remove your baby from sling or baby carrier so the baby carrier can be inspected.

Instruct your children to empty their pockets before going through the metal detector, also remind them that the security check point is not the place for games or loud, boisterous behavior.

Have your older child go through the metal detector in front of you so that you can keep visual contact with her/him. Carry younger children.

You are not allowed to pass your child to anyone else while you are going through the metal detector.

If the metal detector goes off and you are carrying your child, both you and the child will further examined by security. You will probably be asked to remove your shoes and they may scan you and your child with a wand.

Never hand your child to the security guard to hold.

If traveling with a baby or toddler, you are able to carry breast milk or formula in your carry on bag.

You can request a private security screening if you are traveling with more than one child, or if your child has a disability and requires special care.

1. Fill out all emergency information on your passports. Make sure family members wear their passport on their body at all times. Children should carry the phone number and address of at least one trusted adult back home.
2. Read, understand, and follow all travel warnings issued for the area you are visiting. Do not travel to unsafe areas.
3. Make two copies of everyone’s passport id page. Carry one copy with you in a separate place from your passport, and leave the second with a trusted friend or family member back home. Parents should carry additional copies of children’s passports.
4. Always carry current photos of your children with you.
5. Leave a copy of your travel plans with family or friends at home. Include hotel names and phone numbers. Have your children carry a copy of travel plans with them, as well.
6. Learn local laws and customs before you leave for your trip. Be sure your children understand them as well.
7. In airports, bus depots and train stations, never leave your luggage unattended. Instruct your children not to touch other people’s luggage, or pick anything up from the floor.
8. If you will be in a foreign country for more than two weeks, contact the embassy or consulate in that country. This will make it easier for officials to find you in case of emergency back home.
9. Do not wear expensive jewelry, or clothing that stands out. Don’t carry more money than you will need. Consider credit cards or travelers checks.
10. Make sure you exchange money at authorized places. If you have any questions or get in trouble, contact the closest embassy.

Are you and your family planning on taking a trip now or in the near future?  If so, there is a good chance that you all will be flying on airplane.  When traveling a long distance, especially with children, airplanes can be the quickest way to get to your destination.  However, when it comes to air travel rules and children, many parents are confused. Many of those parents mistakenly believe that their child is exempt from all air travel rules, including airport security checkpoints. Unfortunately, this is not true.

If you are planning on traveling with your child, they will not receive a free pass. This means that they must undergo the exact same screening process as everyone else.  Although you will all be going through the same screening process, you will want to prepare for it a little bit differently. This preparation should not only be used to ensure that you and your family make it through the airport screening process, but that you and your family have a pleasant experience when doing so.

The first step in preparing for air travel is explaining the air travel rules to your child or children. Depending on their age, this can be a fairly difficult task.  When explaining the screening process, it is important that your child knows they will have to enter the metal detectors.  If your child can walk, they are encouraged to go through them alone.  Although there is a good chance that the alarm will not sound, especially if you check their clothing before you leave; it could still be a fairly scary process.  In the event that the alarm on the metal detector does sound, your child will be pulled aside, just like everyone else.

It is also important to talk to your children about what is allowed and what is not allowed on the airplane. For instance, there is a good chance that your child would like to take a drink with them. Recently, there was a ban imposed on liquids and carryon luggage.  While there are a few exceptions, namely baby formula, your child will likely have to go without a beverage, although they should be provided with one as soon as they board the plane.  It is also advised to let them know that some of their toys may need to be left at home. These toys may include ones that are large, have sharp objects, or appear as if they are real weapons.

As previously mentioned, your child’s age is important when explaining air travel to them. You will find that most older children, including teenagers, completely understand everything that you are saving, but smaller children may not.  If you are afraid that your toddler does not comprehend what you are saying, it may be a good idea to arrive at the airport even earlier than recommended.  You should be able to stay off to the side and watch other passengers, especially those who are going through the screening process. This, along with a simple explanation, may help your child to see and understand what will happen to them later on.

While you may not necessarily think about it, it is important that you make sure that your child understands that they are not to joke about having a bomb or any other weapon on an airplane.  Airport security, although it is a serious issue, has become a joke to many people, including some children. Your child may not have a weapon onboard and they may only make a comment with the intention of getting a laugh, there is a lot more that they could get. As previously mentioned, when it comes to air travel children receive the same attention as adults do. This means that if your child is overheard making a joke on the plane that may cause some security concerns; it is likely that your whole family, including your child, will be removed from the plane and detained by airport security, until the situation has been resolved.

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should not have any problems traveling with your child.  Even if you feel that your child is mature for their age, it is still a good idea to remind them of all air travel rules, not only for the sake of your trip, but for their own safety as well.

For families, nothing is more enjoyable or fun for the kids than attending your own state or county fair.  They offer great food at reasonable prices and an abundance of entertainment, events, and activities suitable for an entire family.

No matter what state you live in, there is a state or county fair commencing at this very moment.  In fact, for your convenience, you can go online and print out a list of your state and county fairs and plan a day with your family.  Go to: http://www.breedersworld.com/fairs.html.

Whether it’s choosing food on a stick, the best pies, or how maple syrup is made; to attending exhibits of livestock, horse shows, or enjoying time watching cars race; there are hundreds of activities that await you and your family.

If you love crafts, you’ll love state and county fairs.  From home-made quilts to Ferris wheels – there is plenty to do and see.  Music, especially country music, is always available through live performances.  Perhaps your state or county hosts the local quartet, who is on hand to keep things lively.   In addition, well-known personalities are also performing at state fairs, and the tickets are not only affordable but available through your state’s website.

For example, the Tomato Festival will commence at the end of July and it includes: food, fun, crafts and demonstrations, antique engines, Civil War Encampment, National Guard, fresh country tomatoes, car show, and a cattle show.  Admission is free.

Where else can you go and enjoy a wonderful day of fun and adventure for free?  State fairs have been popular throughout the US for more than a century.  Families would dress up, in days of old, and attend the all day’s event in their state.  It was a time when
an entire community would come together to enjoy the activities right up until the evening fireworks display.

The old-fashioned charm of state and county fairs still exist today.  Square dancing and hay rides and other forms of entertainment from the past are still utilized as well.   More importantly, the kids will love it no matter what age.  It is a relaxing time for all, and one filled with memories of the past and new adventures awaiting you in the present.

Sometimes it’s the little things that are within our reach, which offer as much enjoyment as a trip to Greece, a cruise on the Nile, or a car trip to Disneyworld.  Check out your state and county fair listings and enjoy a day with your family.  It’s fun, affordable, and free.