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.
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.
CHECK HERE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12th to see if you are the randomly chosen winner of either or both kits.
Safe journey,
Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
travelswithbaby.com
26 comments
So cute. Thanks Shelley for finding and posting!
oooh – these look terrific! would love one!!
Pick me, Pick me, Pick me!!! We are traveling to Key West for X-mas this year. Our first trip with our toddler (she just turned 18 months actually) and I'm already stressed about the trip…ughhhh!
And tweeted (@esanchez6): @travelswithbaby is giving away some awesome My Busy Kits! Check them out! http://bit.ly/vnbkrless
I just subscribed.
We are embarking on a 40-hour drive to Mexico in December with a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. To say this would help tremendously is an understatement, as the boys will have plenty of time to get bored and turn on each other!
And I just subscribed. Thanks!
We just returned from a trip to Iceland and Germany with my 3yo. These would have been a welcome change from watching "the orange cat movie" (Garfield) yet again, which was the only kid-friendly, non-scary movie on any of our flights. Thanks!
Great great idea. My 4 year old would love one of these. He's constantly saying he's bored and he went through my "treat bag" in 2 seconds.
Tweet tweet! I am mrswhite14
I subscribe.
This would definitely help when traveling with my daughter. It's hard to know what toys to bring that would keep her happy that particular day.
I've subscribed. Thanks!
These look great. We're going to be flying from the US to Morocco in February with a very active toddler and a newborn. I'm always on the lookout for travel toys but this would make my life so much easier!
I subscribe to your blog. Thanks!
These look wonderful! This would totally reduce my prep-angst as I get ready for a trip. Last time we travelled, the carry-on was filled to bursting as I tried to pack toys, blankies, snacks, etc to keep the little one engaged throughout the flight. I love how compact this is. Plus my son would love having something new to explore.
We would LOVE a busy kit for upcoming international flight! What a fantastic idea!
tweeted http://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/5401084089
saramama
subscriber
This is a great idea. I fly often with my 16 month old and she is definitely getting more challenging to keep occupied on a flight.
and…got a tweet in!
just subscribed to your blog…I NEED this busy kit! 🙂
Oh my gosh, so cool! I often travel back and forth across country, alone (my husband is in the military and usually isn't available to travel with us) with my 2 children ages 19 months and 3 and 1/2, to visit family! My children have one volume: loud, and one speed: fast so keeping them busy is a struggle, to say the least! This would be so awesome to add to my arsenal especially since we typically travel stand-by and have often been left in an airport trying to catch a flight for 6 hours! Two small kids and 6 hours in an airport + a 5 hour flight makes for some VERY bored children!
I just tweeted about the contest. I'm gonna win this sucker!
I need all the help I can get to keep my kids happy in the air! I hope the kit will keep our family from getting the boot on the runway! 😉
These look *awesome*. My two year old would be so excited to see a busy kit next time we're on a plane!
Comments are closed.