How To Keep Your Kids Content & Calm When Travelling

Having blogged about a great child-friendly holiday already, I know that a lot of people out there can struggle travelling with the kids.

It comes from trying to keep them entertained in cars, at the airport, on flights and so on.  Last year when we went away Mini Cheddar was only 13 months old but fast forward just over a year and I felt a bit jittery about our recent holiday to Italy.  How was I going to keep a 2 year old entertained on the plane?

I wanted some new fun hand luggage for Mini Cheddar. I went out with the intention of purchasing something like a Trunki but they looked quite bulky for hand luggage (sadly we were travelling on a budget airline with limited space) when I saw them in the shop. Then I saw a product called the TrayKit.

It looked just what we needed - something small and practical.  I hadn't heard of it before so I did some research and found out the product had appeared on Dragons Den and secured the financial backing of Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden.  I was intrigued so I contacted them explaining that I was surprised I had never heard of the product and they very kindly sent me one for Mini Cheddar to trial on her holidays!

The TrayKit is designed to be a carry-on backpack which you can use by strapping it trays in trains and planes and you can also attach to the back of the front seat in the car.  It provides an extendable play surface with raised tray sides so the toys don't fall out on the floor.

I bought a couple of new books, a doodle pad, some new crayons and pencils and a couple of new cheap toys to keep Mini Cheddar entertained.  I added a few of her old favourites like Bobsie Rabbit and her Minnie Mouse sunglasses for when we arrived in the sunshine!

To use it as a backpack was a bit difficult for Mini Cheddar as she's only 2 (the TrayKit is recommended for 3+ years) but she was able to carry it with the handle on the top.  So I would say the backpack element would be more appropriate for slightly older children.  The size of it (27cm x 8cm x 34cm) is perfect for travelling but it holds a lot.

Once onboard the plane Mini Cheddar was eager to trial her new TrayKit and it was a great hit.  The fact the tray had sides meant her crayons and pencils didn't roll onto the floor which would have been a nightmare on the plane.  Unfortunately we didn't get to extend the tray on the plane as we flew with Ryanair and they aren't renowned for their leg room!

The toys and books in the TrayKit kept Mini Cheddar entertained the whole flight and she loved it.  We would heartily recommend this product to anyone who travels.  Even if you don't travel abroad it's great to use in the car (there is a strap included to attach to the seat in front) - we even used it in the car in Italy.  I should imagine it would be great on trains too.  We've also used it to take to other places where Mini Cheddar can use it on the floor.

You can purchase them for £26.97 from the Content & Calm website and I know they also stock them now in Sainsburys and Boots as I've seen them there since.

Finally a short clip of Mini Cheddar enjoying her TrayKit:

This is not a sponsored post.  

We were sent a TrayKit but all views, opinions, photographs and videos are entirely my own.