1. Overview of Tips for Traveling with Kids
Traveling with children requires thorough planning and creative strategies to ensure a smooth experience. This article provides essential tips that will assist families in navigating travel challenges.
Kids change everything. Even just going to the store requires more planning, with nap schedules and snack preferences to consider. So you can imagine how that translates to travel, whether it’s a short weekend away, a road trip, or a glamping getaway. As someone with a vested interest in this topic, I used this opportunity to tap industry experts and fellow mom travelers (and pull together the lessons learned on my dozens of trips with a little one) to create a list of the top family travel tips. These clever tips and tricks for every stage and age will have you prepared for anything that comes up when traveling with kids and prove once and for all that it’s possible to take a relaxing family vacation.
1. Get Kids Involved in the Planning Process
I’m not suggesting that you give your kids a globe and ask them to point to your next vacation destination (although, that sounds pretty cool to me), but rather get them involved before jetting off. This may include creating family flashcards with fun facts about the places you’ll be traveling to or cooking a recipe from that place together.
2. Leverage Travel as an Opportunity for Education
Journeying to new places opens our minds—and the minds of our little ones. The educational travel trend has skyrocketed in popularity with hotels, resorts, and tour companies realizing the value in presenting experiences that teach visitors something new. “Allowing children to let their interests guide activities and excursions improves their engagement and energy level while increasing the educational component,” explains Tom Marchant, founder of Black Tomato.
3. Consider Using a Travel Company
It takes a lot to organize a trip—and that workload grows exponentially when kiddos are involved. While some parents excel at arranging every last detail, it’s a source of stress for others. Using a travel company can help alleviate the burden of coordinating everything, thereby freeing up time for various other activities families need to do leading up to a trip.
4. Encourage Little Travelers to Pack a Bag
This obviously doesn’t apply to babies, but it will bolster excitement for everyone from toddlers to teens to pack a bag with stuff they want—even if it’s just a tiny backpack with a few toys and a coloring book for youngsters. Their favorite travel-sized game will help keep them—and you—busy during lulls in the day or evening.
5. Get Yourself a Great Travel Stroller
You will absolutely not regret buying a compact travel stroller like the Bombi Bēbee Lightweight Stroller that’s lightweight, breaks down with the push of a button, maneuvers easily, and serves multiple purposes as a mode of transport, snack station, and place to nap on vacation.
6. Take Advantage of Kids Under Two Flying Free in the U.S.
Infants and tots under two years of age can fly on the lap of an adult for free within the United States—a significant cost savings and a cozy way to introduce little ones to flying. (Keep in mind that while international flights allow lap infants, it typically incurs a small cost.)
7. Book Bulkhead Seats
Bulkhead seats are advantageous for families with lap infants since many airlines actually provide an in-flight bassinet for babies. Moreover, having the extra space to spread out and access bags without worrying about little legs kicking other passengers makes these seats a worthwhile choice. Quicker deplaning is an added bonus.
8. Make Use of Priority Boarding with Little Ones
Most airlines permit parents traveling with young children to pre-board the aircraft (typically after first-class passengers and elite frequent fliers). This allows families ample time to get settled before the chaotic general boarding begins.
9. Gate-Check Car Seats and Strollers for Free
Rather than checking your stroller (or car seat if you choose to travel with one) at the baggage drop-off, hold onto it to wheel tired little ones around the airport. You can easily gate-check it for free before boarding the plane and pick it up at the plane area’s exit once you land.
10. Carriers Come in Handy
While a stroller offers numerous advantages, at times a carrier is essential—especially for very young bubs. Feeling close to trusted caregivers in crowded settings like airports and train stations greatly benefits infants and also leaves parents with free hands to manage bags and travel documents.
11. Pack Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks
Think you have enough snacks to feed a football team? Then you’re likely good for one kiddo on a short plane or car ride. Jokes aside, hunger can lead to crankiness (in all ages), so it’s crucial to avoid that. Given little palates can be finicky on any given day, it never hurts to bring extra options—especially for opinionated toddlers. Peter Rabbit Organics pouches, Serenity Kids grain-free puffs, and Cerebelly granola bars are a few current favorites.
12. Always Carry Reusable Water Bottles
This tip applies to every traveler, but it’s especially vital for young ones who rely on kid-friendly bottles and can’t just grab refreshments from a cooler. Bringing a reusable bottle to refill at clean water stations while traveling is better for the environment and helps keep the entire family hydrated.
13. Prepare a First-Aid Kit
That old expression, “prepare for the worst, hope for the best” definitely holds true for family travel. Of course, everyone hopes to stay healthy and uninjured throughout their trip; however, should something occur, being prepared with a first-aid kit that includes age-appropriate medicine, electrolytes, and basic medical supplies is wise.
14. Ring Pops are the Best Plane Treat
On the theme of plane snacks, Ring Pops make the perfect sweet treat. Sucking on them helps alleviate ear pressure during take-off and landing, and they take time to finish, keeping kiddos busy for a while. (Credit for this tip goes to my friend who is an ingenious mom of five boys.)
15. Screen Time Doesn’t Count on Airplanes
While there may be some naysayers, many parents agree giving kids an iPad or allowing them to watch a movie is a small price to pay for peace and quiet—for themselves and other passengers.
16. Grab Some Sticker Books
Reusable sticker books such as the Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad are fantastic, allowing kids to use them on paper or on airplane, car, and train windows.
17. Get Creative with Entertainment
Kids require various activities to keep them engaged during long flights, train rides, and car trips. Besides stickers and screens, create an entertainment arsenal filled with age-appropriate activities, whether that’s busy boards or doodle kits.
18. Download Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks, and Shows Before You Go
This might seem like a no-brainer, yet I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten to download something for a flight. Downloading playlists ensures everyone has entertainment readily available, irrespective of device connectivity.
19. Always Bring a Change of Clothes
No matter the age of the child (well, perhaps teenagers can manage this themselves), it’s smart to bring along a change of clothes for each child in case of spills, sickness, or general discomfort.
20. Create a Calm Sleep Environment
We’ve all heard stories about parents putting pack-and-plays in hotel room closets or bathrooms to create a dark, quiet space for naps. However, sometimes this isn’t feasible. Purchasing a SlumberPod—a tent-like dome that blackout light over cribs—combined with a portable shusher can help create a cozy sleeping area anywhere.
21. Rent Big Baby Gear at Your Destination
Instead of lugging large items like high chairs, car seats, and cribs, simply rent through a service like BabyQuip, which operates in most major U.S. cities. Pre-ordering diapers and wipes for delivery to your accommodation ahead of your arrival is also an option.
22. Use Packing Cubes Wisely
Another excellent idea from a friend with multiple children is to use distinct colors of packing cubes for each child. This method eliminates confusion and ensures everyone has easy access to their clothing.
23. Take a Road Trip
Having more family members means needing to book additional plane tickets, which can quickly add up. A road trip serves as a flexible alternative that allows families to explore various destinations together. Stopping whenever something interesting comes up makes each journey an adventure.
24. Give Glamping a Go
Are the kids glued to their screens? Re-introduce them to the great outdoors with a nature-filled holiday that includes hiking, stargazing, s’mores, and sleeping in a cozy glamping tent as a family.
25. All-Inclusive Resorts are Awesome
Many parents appreciate the convenience of all-inclusive resorts, where everything from food and drinks to activities is covered from check-in to checkout. Beaches and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts have built businesses around catering to families.
26. You Don’t Have to Give Up Luxury
Many parents mistakenly believe their days of luxury travel are over, but this is not accurate. Numerous high-end hospitality brands such as The Peninsula, Rosewood, and Four Seasons roll out the red carpet for children with dedicated programs, special food menus, and fun in-room amenities.
27. Choose Your Room Wisely
If you’re traveling with a child who requires naps, aim for accommodations with outdoor space. “Since you’ll be so tethered to the room for a couple of hours, it’s great to escape to a terrace or patio for some fresh air,” says travel writer and new mom Katy Spratte Joyce.
28. Bring a Haaka if You’re Breastfeeding
If you’re breastfeeding or pumping, bring along a Haaka or hand pump as a backup. “I’ve heard horror stories about electronic pumps dying or malfunctioning, so it’s always good to have a plan B,” notes Joyce.
29. Travel Slower
Traveling will likely appear different than it did before kids, and that’s perfectly okay! The essence of a family vacation lies in the collective exploration at whatever pace feels right. It may involve just one planned activity, leaving ample time for spontaneous adventures.
30. Go with the Flow
While research suggests that children flourish with a routine, there’s considerable value in spontaneity and adventure. Years down the line, your kids won’t remember missing that afternoon nap, but they will recall the special family time during vacations, cementing these moments as core memories.
