For the next week, Gotham Parenting will be bringing you and your family travel tips, trips and ideas.  Our aim is to cover travel by train, car and air.  Today we have tips for parents flying with infants and children.  We poll friends, travel experts and kids alike to bring you a streamlined look at how to pack smarter, allowing for lots more flexibility as airline luggage charges seem to be here to stay.

Top Packing Tips:

-Cut down on packing for kids who get dirty easily-bring clothes than can easily be washed in the sink and hung to dry.  You’ll still be able to change kids when they get messy, but you’ll cut down on baggage.  Tiny packets of Tide can help.

-Have your kids wear their sneakers or boots on the flight.  Wearing their heaviest shoes to travel means less bulk in the suitcase.

-Use the roll method to pack kids clothes.  You’ll be able to squeeze more in if you roll rather than stack clothing.

-Limit bulky comfort items such as stuffed animals and pillows.  Allow each child to take one special comfort item and pack that in the carry-on so it’s available during flight or ready to grab in the backseat of the car.

-Pack lollipops for takeoff and landing.  The sucking is better (and less messy) than chewing gum.

-If you plan on doing a lot of walking, consider bringing along the stroller for kids under 5, even if they ditched it long ago.

-Pull out some new and inexpensive toys during the flight.  These can keep kids occupied and calm when things start to get dicey.

For the beer daddy

Local company Brooklyn Brew Shop sells several pre-packed beer brewing kits that won’t turn your entire kitchen into a brewery.  The kits include the ingredients and materials to brew several different varieties, including a delicious sounding Grapefruit Honey Ale. These kits are available at Whole Foods and online at Brooklynbrewshop.com. Perhaps you’d like to toss in some ready-brewed beers for Dad to drink while he concocts his brew?  The Bowery Beer Room at Whole Foods gives high points to local brewers Kelso of Brooklyn (a husband and wife team!) available for growler purchase.

The new daddy

This Jack Spade bag will have daddy carrying  diapers in style.  The messenger-style bag features two side pockets for bottles, a changing pad and stroller handle attachments.  What’s great about this bag is the color, which will hide a multitude of sins while looking modern and fresh.  It also stands up on its own, making it easy to sift through while looking for baby’s favorite pacifier.

The tech-minded father

Nothing bugs those with multiple gadgets more than dealing with wires, cords and plugs.  Invest in the iDAPT i4 Universal Charger and give Dad a break from dealing with a tangled mess. This sleek charging dock allows for three gadgets to charge at once, without any hint of annoying wires.  Additionally, this product is featured in a giveaway on Daddoes.com this week!  Click over and check out a chance to win.

The sneaker head

Kith in Prospect Park stocks sneakers from well-known and indy brands.  You’re bound to find something for the sporty, the stylish and the picky among Kith’s selection of great shoes. We especially like the Caminando Nolita for dads who need to transition from playground to dinner out.

When the nesting instinct kicks in, what’s a space-strapped city parent to do?  City-dwellers are notoriously low on space. What solutions exist for parents who are expecting, but can’t accommodate a large crib, a changing table and a glider?  What about avoiding the dreaded SUV stroller? These shopping tips and hints will help maximize space in the nursery (or whatever room your citybabe is calling home).

Skip the Changing Table

There are creative ways to avoid the bulk of a piece of furniture that is essentially functionless. Rather than invest in a standalone changing table, there are two options. One, you may want to purchase the changing table pad and some covers and carve out a changing niche for the baby.  Your desk may be the perfect height for a changing station.  If you can squeeze diapers and wipes into drawers, you’ll save yourself some eyesore!

The All In One

A Graco Pack N Play , which retails for about $70-$120 can serve as a crib and changing station, play yard, and bassinet in one!  A Pack N Play is a miracle product for city parents.  This all-in-one piece of furniture also travels, so you’ll cut down on baby items that need storage and save money as well. Many Pack N Plays also have storage areas, where diapers and other essentials can be stashed.

Pillows can be your best friend, too!  

There is no need for a NYC parent to add another space-eating pillow into the mix.  Skip the specialized breastfeeding pillow and prop your arms (and baby) on to a pillow you already own.  Perhaps you’ll want to invest in a cuddly new pillowcase to cover the pillow, but save yourself the space and money and use what you have!

Ditch the SUV stroller

Sure, you may be enticed by the rotund Bugaboo Chameleon or the Vista Uppa Baby, but do you know what it’s like to haul a giant stroller onto the bus, or navigate the narrow aisles of Trader Joe’s?  When you bring home a newborn, you’ll want something you can snap your infant seat (a state requirement for leaving the hospital) into and go.  The Graco SnugRider or the Baby Trend Snap N Go allow you to attach the infant carrier portion of your carseat and easily maneuver city sidewalks. Look for the car seat carried that fits your manufacturers carseat.

Summer activities for children abound in New York City.  The key to family fun in New York City is keeping the cost down.  These children’s activities in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens will keep our busy this summer, and they’re all wallet-friendly (or free!) and offer something for kids of all ages.

1. An excellent free summer activity in New York City is the Queens County Farm Museum.  Let the littles explore this historical working farm in Queens.  Animals, orchards and an herb garden supply the museum’s farm stand. Daily 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

73-50 Little Neck Parkway  Glen Oaks, NY 11004
(718) 347-3276

2. New York City beaches are now open for the season.  What is more classic New York than hitting Coney Island for a Nathan’s hotdog and some time in the waves?

Surf Ave from Corbin Pl to W 37th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (nycgovparks.org). Subway: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave.

3. Smorgasburg on the Williamsburg waterfront packs tons of artisian food into one outdoor eating festival. Kid-friendly foods such as popsicles, ice cream and hog dogs are on tap. Make time to check out the crafts for kids, too!

27 North 6th St between Kent Ave and the East River, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 

4. Escape the humid NYC weather in the fantastic and very kid-friendly Schoolastic Store.  Located in Soho, this store packs literature for children, educational toys, plenty of LEGO. Favorite children’s books including the ever-popular Harry Potter series.  The store also hosts popular children’s events and weekly story time.

557 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts; 212-343-6166

5. Combine two excellent adventures into one great weekend afternoon at Govenor’s Island.  Two ferries serve the island and Governor’s Island’s 2012 Summer hours are Saturdays and Sundays Governers Island is home to the Figment Mini Golf Course  and bicycle rentals.  Take advantage of what history Governor’s Island offers by exploring by bike.

govisland.com

6. Cloud City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art allows children to climb into artist Tomás Saraceno’s installation of fanciful bubbles constructed from steel and plastic.  Check out the view from the Met rooftop and have a drink while you’re exploring. Note that children must be ten years old and at least 48 inches tall.  There are additional rules and information at metmuseum.org

1000 Fifth Ave (at 82nd St) Subway:  4, 5, 6 to 86th St

7. The popular Riverflicks for Kids film series kicks off July 13 at 8:30pm with Kung Fu Panda 2.  This summer, the series hosts a number of other family flicks. Pack a picnic dinner and make an evening of it.  The rest of the schedule and additional information, including the family-friendly movies are listed at riverflicksnyc.com

Charles St (at the Hudson River) Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq

8. The New York City Parks department offers free swim lessons for children ages 2 to 17.  Water safety and swimming skills are taught at indoor pools citywide. Registration lottery for free NYC swim lesson begins on Friday, June 15, online.  Check out http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/aquatics for more information about swim registration.

9. Who doesn’t like candy?  Sometimes, there’s nothing like visiting a giant sugar emporium, such as Dylan’s Candy Bar.  Close by is famous Serendipity 3, home of the world-famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and mega-shopping emporium Bloomingdale’s, making this area a triple-threat!  A little sugar, some shopping and more sugar are sure to please even the most grumpy NYC teens. Of course, it might be hard to keep your teen on a budget!

Dylan’s Candy Bar: 1011 Third Avenue

Bloomingdale’s: 1000 Third Avenue

Serendipity 3: 225 East 60th Street

10. NYC playgrounds are in a league of their own.  There’s nothing more free than enjoying the city’s extensive network of public playgrounds.  Some of the best are the Moira Ann Smith Playground at the north end of Madison Square Park and the Hudson River Park Pier 15 Playground, both feature excellent water play areas.

Moira Ann Smith Playground: Madison Square Park, W. 23rd Street and Madison Avenue

Hudson River Peir 15 Playground: Hudson River Park at Jane St 

We’ll be blogging about adventures in making and raising babies in New York City.