Banish boredom--not kids--from flights: "My Busy Kit" giveaways!

This giveaway is closed – but the kits are still available here!

I was appalled, to say the least, by the news this weekend that a noisy 2-year-old was removed from a Southwest flight before it even left the runway. But that is the topic of an entirely different blog post. The bottom line here is: as traveling parents, we need as much help as we can get in keeping our wee travelers constructively engaged while in transit.

As some of you know, I’m no stranger to stuffing oddball kitchen items in a slide-lock bag to pull out in a pinch while flying with a baby or toddler. As my girls have grown a little bit older and wiser, however, I’ve found the Ziplocs and measuring spoons don’t quite cut it anymore. Nevertheless, I try my best to resist plugging them in to DVDs and electronics as we travel, preferring to keep their eyes open, imaginations and conversations flowing as much as possible–not to mention keeping their hands busy to channel their physical energy into something constructive.

I admit it’s not always easy.

Our upcoming family adventure will kick off with a late night at the airport before embarking on a red-eye flight, and will feature some lovely little layovers. It’s the perfect case for Sominex and a side of pre-dawn Spanish coffee—if you don’t have two young children and an infant in your care.

Happily, I found out about “My Busy Kits,” which you could say are like my “baby baggies” on steroids (without the steroids, of course), with a combination of items to color, create, and help encourage play and discovery. Imagine someone packing all the fun that can fit into a lunchbox-size bag, custom-tailoring the contents to suit your child’s age and gender (from toddlerhood up to 10 years), and delivering it to your door.

Yes, please. I’ll take three.

I have to say I was impressed when my two Busy Kits arrived for the girls, along with a third “Airport Busy Kit” for extra ammo. The contents were of good quality and went well beyond anything I’ve managed to think up or pick up before our last several trips. Each is packed with all sorts of gadgets, gizmos, crafts, and art supplies that will not only keep them entertained on the airplanes and in our hotel room, but will keep their imaginations going strong at the same time.

Best of all? It was one less thing I had to mastermind before our departure.

Win one of TWO “My Busy Kits” for your family’s next adventure!

Win the “My Busy Kit” of your choice, customized to suit your child’s age and interests, just in time for your holiday travels! Whether you’re traveling by car, train, plane, or boat, passing time at the station or in Aunt Minnie’s parlor, dragging the kids to church service or to the Outback, chances are you’ll be glad to have a Busy Kit along.

To enter to win a customized “My Busy Kit” ($25 value), add a comment to this blog post by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time next Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 (Veteran’s Day), and include a comment on how a Busy Kit might help on your family’s travels. U.S. only, please.

Up your odds with additional entries:

You can get up to 2 additional entries (only 1 entry per method, please). Here’s how:

1. Subscribe – Subscribe to this blog using the spam-free email subscription box above. Then leave an additional comment below this post telling me you’ve done so. If you’ve already subscribed, go ahead and add your extra post. Thanks!

2. Twitter – Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (http://tinyurl.com/yfbfvlm), including @travelswithbaby and a link to this post, then leave an additional comment below with your twitter handle. (Again, thanks!)
Take a look our sponsor’s site: http://www.mybusykit.com/ to see samples of kits you can choose from.

Categories include:
– My Busy Kit for toddlers (can be customized from 18 months+)
– My Busy Kit for girls (ages 3+, specify age when ordering)
– My Busy Kit for boys(ages 3+, specify age when ordering)

On Facebook? Enter to win an additional “My Airport My Busy Kit,” too!

Travels with Baby Facebook fans can also post a comment to the Travels with Baby wall by the same deadline to enter to win a “My Airport Busy Kit” ($15 value). Just post a comment to the wall stating you want the “My Airport Busy Kit” before the deadline. Click here to see sample contents.