https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:21:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803229 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:17:31 +0000 looch 2803229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If someone can meet you at the airport, I would ship seats to their house and have them meet you at the car rental place. Then I would leave the seats with them, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803221 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:58:12 +0000 avivoca 2803221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My suggestion would be to purchase or borrow from a friend two inexpensive harness-to-booster seats for your older two kids and then use your youngest's car seat or the infant seat if he can still fit in it. I have the Graco Tranzitions and it snaps into two parts and is very compact. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803216 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:52:08 +0000 catgirl 2803216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: the Cosco scenera next is a great seat. It is almost always outgrown forward facing before rear facing. It would likely be great for your youngest. As for your middle, it would really depend on stats.</p> <p>You could look at the Cosco finale for forward facing - though it has a 30 pound minimum.</p> <p>I know some people who have used a collapsible wagon through the airport for seats and bags and then gate checked it in a stroller bag. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803213 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:48:21 +0000 Shantuck 2803213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only have two but my older is a 5 year old and he uses a Bubblebum inflatable booster. It rolls up relatively small and fits into my diaper bag. Could your 5 year old use something like that for travel? Do you have a long drive once you arrive? Does he frequently fall asleep in the car?<br /> For my 1 year old, we bring a Costco Scenara with us on the plane. It's super easy to install in the minivans we have rented in the past. We bought it exclusively for travel because it is very light and fairly cheap. I'd probably consider a Bubblebum booster and two Costco Scenaras that you bring on the plane for what you are describing. We usually strap the Costco carseat onto our luggage to make it easier to haul throught the airport and last time I traveled I thought about trying to get a bungee cord for next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803212 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:46:07 +0000 skipra 2803212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: Thanks! Sounds like a great option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803210 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:42:34 +0000 MrsADS 2803210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any recommendations for how to do the travel because it sounds rough! But I second the recommendation for the Cosco Scenera seat. It's like $35, you can use it RF or FF, and weighs maybe 6 lb. We bought one for travel for our 2yo and it has been TOTALLY worth it. Check the weight/height limits for a 5yo though.</p> <p>Edit: 43'' height limit and 40 lb weight limit for FF. RF is 36'' and 40lb. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803206 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:34:47 +0000 skipra 2803206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all the responses! </p> <p>Ok this seems like it has disaster written all over it. We are renting a mini van. There is no public transportation where we are going and we will be driving every day. We have several family members in the area so we will be doing a lot of driving and the main thoroughfare by the house is awful with tons of accidents so it is imperative that we have safe car seats. My oldest is not yet 40 lbs so I'm not comfortable with a regular booster yet.<br /> We are only bringing small kids backpacks on the plane. Suitcases will be checked, probably curbside so that is not a factor.<br /> Although not ideal I think my mom might have to meet us at the airport with at least one new cheap car seat. We are flying into a tiny airport and I just found out that the planes don't pull up to the gate :shocked: Thanks @Gin: for the Cosco rec. That looks like a great option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803187 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:30:17 +0000 looch 2803187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: What is your destination, are you visiting family or going somewhere that might have public transportation you can leverage? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803169 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:58:53 +0000 catgirl 2803169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: sure, there are a few reasons. You are using a seat with an unknown history - so you don't know if it's been in an accident, cleaned properly, or if something has been done to it to otherwise compromise it. </p> <p>You run the risk of them being out of seats that are age appropriate for your child. I had a friend try to rent a seat and the only options they had available were infant seats or boosters. Or even if they have age appropriate seats your LO might not be within the limits. For example, my LO is tall and has outgrown many seats by height and/or torso height. </p> <p>Many seats have weird quirks when installing so without a manual it could be used improperly.</p> <p>And also children really are safest in a seat on the plane. The plane seatbelt does not fit until 40ish pounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803167 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:48:18 +0000 Becky 2803167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have only travelled with one of my girls but we rented a car seat both times because we try not to check bags and I can’t imagine traveling with all that! It wasn’t costly, especially when you think of it in a cost/benefit sense. Because you rent the seat from the car rental place there aren’t any extra steps. We’re flying twice with the girls this year. Once to Florida where there will be car seats available to us (lots of great grandkids traveling down every year so we bought some) and once to Maine via Boston and we will rent both a car and car seats. Unless you are on a very tight budget, I think it’s worth the added cost (the rider safe vest could be also if you are going to travel often).</p> <p>@catgirl could you say more about why renting them isn’t safe? I’m nervous now! We ended up with good seats both times but I’d like to know if I should be looking out for something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803135 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:35:34 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2803135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, if you aren't traveling in the car that much, I would buy the rider safe vest that your oldest can wear. Another option is that you can also get some straps that will attach the car seat to a piece of rolling luggage. It attaches by the latch straps and tether and rolls quite easily. I used that to get from baggage claim to our car when I solo traveled with my 3 year old and 10 month old. </p> <p>Even if you get to the plane easily with three car seats, how difficult will it be to get them all on the plane with just the two of you?</p> <p>I only took one car seat on the plane as it was difficult to get one on the plane. I wish I had been able to get both of them on the plane. I looked like a pack mule, pulling one car seat with a car seat holder from Britax, pulling the luggage with another car seat on it, a backpack for the plane and my daughter in the carrier on my chest. I had my 3 year old hold the luggage with me. He also had his own backpack. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803129 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:08:29 +0000 hilary 2803129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are doing this as well this year - a 5 year old and twins that are 3. I'm going to rent car seats (but flying into Portland so I'm sure tons of resources available). I can't imagine trying to wrangle my three kids AND three car seats through an airport. I'd rather my backpack be filled with snacks, drinks, activities, etc Also we will probably Ergo the twins through the airport using the back carry because I'm sure they'll get tired/want to be carried at some point anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803128 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:06:26 +0000 catgirl 2803128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I saw your kids ages but what are their stats? Is your middle rear facing or forward facing? What will be your car situation when you arrive? </p> <p>You are right that checking seats is not really safe and neither is renting them. And the plane belt doesn't really fit until at least 40 pounds so they are needed on the plane anyway. Would you be open to purchasing cheaper/lighter travel options? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803127 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:05:05 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: that’s scary- BUT kind of good that it was obviously broken so you knew to replace it, vs looking fine with hidden damage. </p> <p>Reading through these I think we will just not fly again until our kids are out of car seats. Who needs a vacation in the next... 6 years??! :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803126 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 07:53:05 +0000 gotkimchi 2803126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband would never travel with me again if we took 3 car seats lol. We’ve rented a car seat before and it was actually brand new. Nothing special or fancy but totally safe. I would imagine renting a booster is even easier. So i would do some combo of pulling car seats through airport - you can even have a kid strapped in and then also either renting a booster for your oldest or taking a bubble booster or a harness. To me while this wouldn’t be how we would have them sitting full time in our cars at home for vacation I think it’s torally fine and convenience and my husband and I staying married would win out :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803125 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 07:42:16 +0000 jhd 2803125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t have 3 kids, but I cannot imagine trying to safely navigate an airport with 3 children plus 3 car seats. I had a lot of stuff to keep track of with just with one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803121 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 07:05:27 +0000 Pumuckl 2803121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So when we traveled with our 4 by plane last year we did a combination of bringing seats on the plane, checking them and renting. We braught the infant carriers for the twins aboard. At the airport we carried the twins in carriers and strapped one of the seats to our carry-on suitcase and the other we carried in one hand. The seat for our oldest we checked (it was a highback booster although normally at home he is still RF). For our LO2 we rented a seat which was just fine. We have rented seats before and my experience was always that the seats weren't anything special but they were clean and seemed totally intact. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803116 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:37:41 +0000 Chuckles 2803116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this isn't exactly your question but I wanted to say that I checked my son's car seat on our most recent trip and totally regret it. I knew it wasn't recommended but figured it was probably fine. Well, no. It must have gotten thrown around because a couple of plastic pieces broke on the way there and then another part came off on the way back. Lesson learned :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803111 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:22:29 +0000 Gin 2803111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t have 3 kids. Only 1 (2 year old) that we travel with often. We have the Mountain buggy nano and a travel car seat (Cosco scenara). The cosco is cheap. I think I got it for $35 at Walmart. We strap the toddler in th car seat, car seat strapped to the stroller and travel through the airport. Car seat and stroller goes on board with us. </p> <p>The cosco is super light. Maybe7lbs? Can you buy a couple of those to check in? I imagine that renting will cost you more than $35. </p> <p>**pic is from google search </p> [attach=7610/18/p3v85i.277x600.2364B4FA-4DDC-4AA9-8CCC-5E52B099AB82.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803109 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:12:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: also I think most people would just put the 5 year old in a booster for the trip or something similar. Most people I know have their 5 year olds in one anyway (which I know is not recommended by csftl). But that’s probably what most people do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803108 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:11:07 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: I got curious- car seats for the Littles obviously recommends bringing your seat on board but if you must check it, use the box in cane in. </p> [attach=2307/18/p3v7mj.338x600.5146879F-7349-46AF-BC99-622BD65347E6.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803104 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:43:50 +0000 bhbee 2803104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>any chance you're going to a big vacation area? I know there are baby gear rental companies - I think some might be willing to bring you seats? we've never done it though. </p> <p>my experience renting car seats was not good, but that was at a small airport. I've also heard you get way better treatment if you have status with something like Hertz.</p> <p>I would think a new seat in packaging would be fine to check since they can already ship them to you and that can be pretty rough too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803101 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:37:54 +0000 skipra 2803101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: great questions!</p> <p>Kids are 5, 3.5, and 17 months. I am thinking we will bring our Britax B Ready with second seat and the youngest can still go in the Ergo on my front if he has to. We are going to my mom's vacation house and she will be there so it is possible to have a seat shipped to her and she can bring it to the airport but it's not ideal because it's an unnecessary trip for her through rush hour traffic. If we buy a seat is it considered safe to check it in its original packaging? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803099 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:27:16 +0000 Foodnerd81 2803099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is getting lighter travel seats an option? I know the doing seats are really heavy. What are the ages of your kids? Are you being a stroller? </p> <p>I have no idea- We don’t even travel with our two kids! But maybe those answers can help someone else give advise :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803098 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:16:16 +0000 skipra 2803098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: I am sure renting them is totally fine! I am just neurotic. We did check ours once when we only had two and then I found out that is not advised. Oops. Now I really don't know how to physically get 3 car seats and 3 kids through an airport and on a plane. This is why we never travel anywhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803097 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:11:55 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2803097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only have two but we did rent car seats... lugging through airport seemed stressful. I never even thought about it not being safe... something to think about next time 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/travel-with-3-kids#post-2803095 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:07:50 +0000 skipra 2803095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going on vacation soon and trying to figure out the logistics. Why is this so hard? </p> <p>We have 3 kids, all in car seats. I do not want to check the car seats so if we bring them we will need to bring them through the airport with us. </p> <p>We have 2 Diono Radians that we can get straps to carry like a back pack. Not ideal, but I guess it's fine. What do we do about a third car seat? We considered one of those car seat harness things but my oldest still slumps forward when he falls asleep in the car so it makes me nervous. I know you can rent them but I really hesitate to do that, with unknown history. Am I missing something totally obvious? We have never flown with 3 kids before so we are clueless! Help, please! </p>