| When friends and family call me crazy for | | | | Bring a travel pack of wipes. Even if you're |
| traveling with my toddler and preschooler to | | | | not a germ nazi, you'll be glad you did. |
| cities like Chicago, New York, and Toronto, I | | | | Those city playgrounds, banisters and benches |
| just laugh. My kids have munched on picnic | | | | can be extremely dirty, but after cleaning |
| treats while watching the Chicago Symphony | | | | the little one's hands up with a wipe you'll |
| Orchestra at Millennium Park, clambered up | | | | feel more comfortable about letting her dig |
| the monkey bars in the shadow of the arch in | | | | into a tasty hot dog from a street vendor. |
| Washington Square Park and peered through the | | | | |
| glass floor on the observation deck of the CN | | | | Choose your eateries carefully. If you're |
| tower. Though it wasn't always easy | | | | eating at a nice sit-down restaurant, make |
| navigating the city streets with two little | | | | sure it's noisy enough to absorb your child's |
| ones in tow, it was well worth the trouble. | | | | prattle. I learned that one the hard way |
| I had a fantastic time and I could tell from | | | | when, tired out from our long drive, we |
| the way they talked about the trips for | | | | decided to eat at our Chicago hotel's |
| months afterward that my kids had a great | | | | in-house restaurant, the kind of place with a |
| time too. | | | | hushed atmosphere and waiters in white gloves |
| | | | hovering about. Naturally my two-year-old |
| The city is full of fun and educational | | | | decided to belt out the "itsy-bitsy-spider" |
| activities for children. From skyscrapers to | | | | over and over again. We wound up having the |
| top-notch museums, kids can see and | | | | meal sent up to our room. The next night we |
| experience things that are simply unavailable | | | | chose a popular, lively Italian restaurant |
| in small towns. Though city travel with | | | | where the little guy was no louder than |
| small children can be challenging, with | | | | anyone else in the place. |
| careful planning and attention to detail | | | | |
| everyone can have a good time. Here are a | | | | Plan activities for kids. Big cities offer |
| few tips to help the trip go smoothly: | | | | all sorts of interesting and educational |
| | | | activities for children of all ages. Do a |
| Take a stroller. Even if it's been a while | | | | little research online and in guidebooks |
| since your child has used a stroller, you'll | | | | ahead of time to find a few age appropriate |
| be glad you brought it. City trips tend to | | | | sights for your child. Has it been over |
| involve a good deal of walking from spot to | | | | twenty years since you took part in any of |
| spot and a little one can tire out easily. | | | | these activities yourself? You just might |
| With a stroller he can ride in comfort and | | | | find yourself enjoying seeing the |
| you won't worry about losing him in a crowd. | | | | tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at the natural |
| I've found that the inexpensive umbrella | | | | history museum and watching the polar bears |
| strollers work much better than the large, | | | | glide through the water at the zoo. |
| heavy-duty strollers complete with food trays | | | | |
| and cup holders. Umbrella strollers fold up | | | | Plan activities for adults. Destinations |
| smaller and are lighter, making them more | | | | like art museums can still be on the agenda, |
| convenient for toting up and down flights of | | | | but keep in mind your child's limitations and |
| stairs or carrying onto the subway. | | | | be ready to cut the outing short if need be. |
| | | | Try to engage him at the art museum. Ask |
| Make frequent stops at playgrounds. The best | | | | questions like: "What do you see in that |
| part of visiting a city can be simply | | | | picture? Do you see a boat? What picture do |
| strolling around, popping into unusual shops, | | | | you like best in this room?" Visit any |
| watching the people and enjoying the city | | | | children's exhibits the museum might have and |
| energy. Remember that while your toddler or | | | | ask at the information desk which exhibits |
| preschooler might be very patient, he's got | | | | are the biggest hits for kids. |
| his limits. I've found that stopping to play | | | | |
| for a few minutes at playgrounds that we | | | | Take the bus or subway. Mass transit is an |
| happen upon is a great way for the little | | | | adventure for a small town kid. After the |
| ones to work some of their energy off. They | | | | trip is over, he'll talk about it as much as |
| also love the novelty of playing on different | | | | the dinosaur bones. Try to avoid traveling |
| equipment than the same old stuff found at | | | | at rush hour, though, when the sardine can |
| the parks back home. | | | | atmosphere might be overwhelming for a little |
| | | | one. |