As much as you enjoyed traveling before, it can seem like a daunting new world when preparing for an adventure with your kids. We’ve collected the top 20 tips for traveling with children, so your next vacation can be as breezy as the Bahamas.
- Take your time. Nothing will stress you and your children out more than having to rush through security to make your plane on time. Don’t be afraid to wake up a little earlier or stay out a little later and avoid all the hubbub of the crowds. Your sanity will thank you.
- Pack together. Although it may take a bit more time, letting your kids have a hand in the process will make them even more excited for the trip. Also, it’ll help make sure you’re packing the necessities and avoid any meltdowns for forgetting their favorite blanket.
- Choose toys and snacks wisely. Legos might be their favorite toy, but all those teeny tiny pieces will be a pain to pick up. As much as you love those healthy granola bars, the seemingly endless crumbs will be much less of a hit. Aim for toys and snacks that won’t require much clean up and will be easy to move on a moments notice.
- Pack on extra outfit (or three). No matter how hard you try, kids will always find a way to stain, rip, or otherwise dirty their clothes. Rather than having to find a way to translate “laundromat” on your travels, avoid the extra stress and pack a few extra emergency outfits.
- Roll, don’t fold. By rolling your clothes when you pack, you’re saving space and avoiding wrinkles. When you’re rolling, you’re compressing the clothing, leaving more space in your suitcase for other essentials like shoes and books. It will also save you some time later on when you don’t need to iron your family’s outfits for that fancy dinner.
- Let your kids help you plan. You may have a perfect itinerary for your dream vacation, but it will help put your kids at ease if they had some input too. Vacations and change can be overwhelming for children, so letting them pick out at least one activity will give them something to really look forward to.
- Don’t forget the little things. Once you’ve packed everything you need for your trip, go back and try to think of any little things you might need on a daily basis. Tylenol? Check. Baby wipes? Not just for babies anymore. Ziploc bags? You know it.
- Backpack of goodies. Give your children a little responsibility and pack them their own backpack filled with age-appropriate toys and snacks to keep them busy. It will help take a load off you, and give the kids a sense of pride for being responsible for their items.
Photo credit: Gretchen Heidemann Whitt
- Bring an extra map. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car; the long journeys can be tough. Give your little ones something to do by bringing an extra copy of your route and some crayons and let them follow along. It will keep the “are we there yet?” to a minimum, and the crayons will give them a safe (and clean) creative outlet.
- Two words: Magnetic. Puzzles. This one takes a little planning, but can be a lifesaver on long car or plane rides. Either buy a magnetic puzzle, or glue some cheap magnets on a favorite you have at home, and bring along a cookie tray or dry erase board on your trip. It will keep your kid’s hands busy, and you won’t have to worry about losing any pieces.
- Board the plane separately. Have one parent board first, taking most of the luggage on with them. Once they are all settled and have the seats saved, have the other parent board with the kids. This will save you some stress and give you more time to let them get out all their energy before the flight.
- Have lollipops handy. We all the know the gum or yawning trick for popping your ears on a flight, but did you know lollipops can have the same effect? Coerce your kids into behaving and save them from any pressure induced headaches with this sweet treat.
- Stick to your routine as much as possible, but don’t be afraid to bend the rules. Your routine may be the only thing keeping you sane at times, but going on vacation can be a whole other ballgame. At home you may forbid electronics at dinner time, but having your tablet charged and ready for the five-course meal at a fancy restaurant might keep your youngest from throwing escargot at his sister. Be prepared, and be flexible.
- Schedule some decompression time every night. With all the hustle and bustle of traveling, it’s a good idea to have a set amount of time reserved for kid’s relaxation. Whether it be reading a book, playing a board game or simply watching an episode of their favorite show, make sure you have at least 15 minutes to an 1 hour of downtime in your schedule.
- Make sleep a priority. It can be very tempting to want to skip nap time for all the fun adventures you have planned, but you may regret it when the inevitable sleepy meltdowns come knocking. Know your child’s schedule, and come up with codewords between adults for when its time to take them back to the room for a little bit.
Photo credit: Gretchen Heidemann Whitt
- Continental breakfasts are your new best friend. If scheduling allows, try to find a hotel that serves complimentary continental breakfasts. It will help take some stress out of your day, and you can always take some muffins for snack time later.
- For every adult activity, plan a kid-friendly one too. Even though that third wine tasting sounds like a lot of fun, your kids may get restless and cranky if there’s not enough activities designed for their enjoyment. For every late night luau, plan a coloring contest or arcade day.
- Take plenty of pictures, but enjoy the moment. We’re all after the perfect Instagram photo, but nothing kills the fun like an impromptu photoshoot with a demanding director. Take enough pictures for scrapbook memories, but remember to sit back and soak it all in too.
- Stay calm. Vacations can be stressful, but remember you are there to have fun! Take things with a grain of salt (and maybe a margarita), and remember you’re there to make lasting connections and memories with your family. Your calm attitude will help your kids have a better time too.
- No matter what you do, not everyone will be happy all the time. Even if you do everything on this list and more, chances are someone will be unhappy at some point during your trip. Roll with the punches, try to get to the root of the problem, and most importantly – don’t take it personally.
