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