Your first trip
If this is your first trip with a child, start with a short one not far from home. You will see how your little one copes with the journey, a strange bed and a shifted routine, and you can plan the next trip with more confidence.
on the road with a little one: a magazine about travelling with children
On the road with a little one: travelling with children under seven
A trip with a small child is shaped not by a list of sights but by the rhythm of the day: sleep, meals, walks and short journeys. Mdou41Orel helps you choose a destination and pace, pack your bags and get through the journey calmly, so the whole family gets a proper rest.
The best route with a toddler is one that leaves room for a nap, a snack and one unexpected puddle.
Where to start
A journey without tears
Car, train, plane or bus: each has its comforts and its challenges. We explain how to choose transport to suit your child's age, what you need to know about child car seats and how to keep a toddler busy on the way.
What to see with a toddler
Parks, farms, waterfronts and museums with children's programmes are fun for a child if you go at the right time and don't try to see everything at once. We suggest how to choose places and where to take breaks.
Sleep and food on the way
A familiar routine is a parent's best ally on a trip. How to keep the daytime nap, where to grab a snack, what to bring from home and how to help your child fall asleep in a new place.
Magazine sections
- Destinations
Nature close to home, a quiet town, the seaside out of season, a country cottage, and how to choose a place for a trip with a toddler.
- Routes
Three hypothetical routes: a town with a pushchair, a weekend in nature and a week by the sea with a child.
- Places
Parks, farms, waterfronts and museums with children's programmes: what your little one will enjoy and how to visit.
- Transport
Car, train, plane and bus with a child, child car seats under the traffic rules and what to take for the journey.
- Packing
A step-by-step plan for a trip with a toddler: goal and pace, the journey, accommodation, daily routine, packing and a checklist.
- On the spot
Routine, breaks, food, a plan in case your child gets lost and rest for parents in a new place.
- Questions
Short answers about packing, the journey and life on the spot with a child. The article catalogue is here too.
Packing with a child in five steps
Documents
Keep the adults' and the child's documents in one folder, together with any papers you may need when boarding or checking in. Ask your carrier in advance exactly which ones are required: it depends on the type of transport and the route.
Sleep and favourite things
Set aside the things your little one can't fall asleep without: a toy, a blanket, a night light, familiar pyjamas. Keep them in your hand luggage so the first evening in an unfamiliar room goes more smoothly.
Food and water
Take water and your child's usual snacks for the whole journey, plus a little extra. Delays happen, and a hungry toddler tires far faster than an adult.
Clothes in layers
Several thin layers are more practical than one warm item: transport can be stuffy one moment and chilly the next. Keep a bag with a change of clothes for the child and a spare T-shirt for an adult within reach.
Something to do
A small bag of toys your child hasn't seen for a while, a book and some crayons will save the day on the road. Bring them out one at a time rather than all at once, so the interest lasts.
The essentials in brief
Are you a kindergarten or an educational institution?
No. Mdou41Orel is an independent magazine about travelling with young children. We are not connected with kindergartens, schools or government bodies, we do not accept applications and we do not publish timetables.
Do you recommend particular resorts and hotels?
No. We do not name resorts, hotels or carriers and we do not sell trips. Instead, we explain what to look for when choosing a place and accommodation that suit your family.
From what age can you travel with a child?
There is no single answer: parents decide together with their paediatrician, taking into account the child's health, the distance and the way of travelling. Discuss the first-aid kit and vaccinations with your paediatrician in advance as well.
Do you need a child car seat in a taxi?
Yes. Section 22.9 of the Russian Road Traffic Regulations requires children under seven to travel in a car only in a child restraint system that matches their weight and height. A taxi is a car too, so arrange a seat when booking or bring your own.
About the project
Mdou41Orel is an independent magazine about travelling with children under seven. We write about how to choose a destination and pace, plan a route with short walks, get through the journey, keep your little one's sleep and meals on track and not forget that parents need a rest too.
This domain used to belong to a children's institution and was later used for unrelated advertising. The current magazine has nothing to do with either: only the name remains from the former site.
We do not sell tours or tickets, publish rankings or give medical advice. Check the rules for carrying children with your carrier, and discuss health questions with your paediatrician.
Related sections
- Destinations
Nature close to home, a quiet town, the seaside out of season, a country cottage, and how to choose a place for a trip with a toddler.
- Packing
A step-by-step plan for a trip with a toddler: goal and pace, the journey, accommodation, daily routine, packing and a checklist.
- Transport
Car, train, plane and bus with a child, child car seats under the traffic rules and what to take for the journey.
Sources
- Russian Road Traffic Regulations, section 22.9
- Carriers' rules (in general terms)
- Paediatricians' advice for travelling families (in general terms)
Information is correct as of the date of preparation. Carriers' rules and requirements for travelling with children may change, so check with your carrier and official sources before each trip.