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Just in time for Spring Break: Travel tips for Chicago area families

Amy Maciaszek's photo
Chicago Northwest Parenting Examiner
Traveling by airport with children can be challenging.
Traveling by airport with children can be challenging.
Photo credit: 
Galyna Andrushko/PhotoXpress

We're on the verge of March, and for many fortunate Chicago area families, that means travel. The kids are out of school for Spring Break, and the family is ready for a big break from the Windy City.

But traveling with children has never been easy, and perhaps it's become even more difficult with new security rules at our airports.

Family Vacation Critic, the Web site for planning family vacations, is offering some tips for parents who are brave enough to head to the airport with their kids. 

Taking it a step further, Chicago area mom Sue Kirchner, founder of Chocolate Cake Club, an online boutique for families, offered more tips specifically for Chicago area travelers, especially those using O'Hare International Airport. Kirchner also publishes a blog, Chocolate Cake Moments, offering tips and tools for busy families.

Get there plenty early
You never know how busy the airport is going to be, so reduce your stress and give yourself plenty of time to get to the gate with kids in tow.
 
A small umbrella is a must for toddlers
O'Hare is large. Make it easier on your back by using the stroller to push the kids to the gate. You can check the stroller at the gate and use it while traveling.
 
O'Hare is full of fun stuff
Kids love the dinosaur statue in Terminal 1 at O'Hare. Toddlers love the flashing lights and the moving walkway between B and C gates in Terminal 1. Take them for a walk, if you the time.
 
Bring supplies
Always have a Ziploc bag of goldfish crackers or Cheerios to munch on while traveling. To keep kids amused during the flight or in case of delays, check out my age-appropriate ideas for a boredom bag at Chocolate Cake Moments.
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, Chicago Northwest Parenting Examiner

Amy McLaughlin is a Chicago area native with more than 20 years experience as a professional writer and editor. A graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, Amy has worked for about 15 of those years as a writer and editor for the Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Daily Herald newspaper. Amy now...

Comments

  • Jon 2 years ago

    Amy,
    You pointed out United Airlines terminal at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and mention the copy of the Dinosaur (Sue) thats on display on the B Concourse. I wanted to also remind you that also in Terminal 2 there is also a playground for kids. Its called kids on the fly!! LOL fitting!! And also the kids would like to see Butch O'Hare and his plane in T-2 also as it leads into Terminal 1. Jon

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