Written by Christi Sparrow
Congratulations on deciding to go on that family trip! Now you might be wondering how in the world you’re going to pull it off. Traveling with kids is like any life skill, practice makes improved. While we can never be 100% prepared, these 12 essential travel tips for traveling with kids are aimed at helping you feel more confident as you walk out the door so you can focus on enjoying the journey and making new memories. Enjoy this simple guide and please comment below with your best travel tips when you hit the road with your children!
1. Start packing early.
Lay out your suitcase several days before you leave, and start compiling the items you don’t want to forget. Keep a running packing list of items for your child(ren) on your phone. Double-check the list right before you leave for your trip. This packing list will come in handy for future trips, too!
Some items to remember include your child’s birth certificate and/or passport, plenty of clothes appropriate for the weather at your destination, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, lightweight toys and books, digital thermometer, diaper rash cream, travel size toiletries, teething oil, first aid kit, plastic bags (for soiled/dirty clothes), toothbrush and toothpaste. Consider using packing cubes to organize your and your child’s belongings.
Bonus tip: You can get your FREE Packing guide by simply signing up for our newsletter!
2. Don't overpack.
This may seem like one of our more obvious travel tips, but it’s worth noting that too much luggage can cause unnecessary stress, especially with your kids in tow. Think through the logistics of how you will carry, push, pull, or drag your belongings from point to point. Many of the consumable items you intend to pack can be found at your destination. On the other hand, consider if there are specific products your child needs that may be difficult to find where you are headed.
For shorter trips, it might make sense to pack enough of your necessities to see you through. For longer trips, it might make sense to purchase some items after you get settled at your destination. And ask if your accommodation has a clothes washer. On longer trips this amenity is so very helpful.
Empty your diaper bag and repack it with only the essentials. It’s amazing how many random items hibernate in the depths of diaper bags. Try to keep it as light as possible, while having those essential items easily accessible.
Related post: 7 Essential Family Travel Accessories
3. Pack a strategic snack bag for the kids (and you).
This is one category where you really can’t overdo it. We all get cranky when we’re hungry, and kids are no exception. From delayed flights to malfunctioning trains to bumper-to-bumper traffic, it really helps to have familiar, nutritious snacks on-hand. And not just for the kids— grownups need energy, too!
Some healthy portable snack ideas include apple slices, bananas, baby carrots (steamed for the little ones), sliced bell pepper, a small tub of peas, cheese sticks or Baby Bel cheeses, granola bars, graham crackers, fruit and veggie baby/toddler food pouches, (which are delicious at any age and are allowed on flights), peanut/almond butter sandwiches, hummus and avocado sandwiches, or dried fruit.
Don’t forget bottles for your baby, a nursing cover, and/or a sippy cup for your toddler. Incidentally, some airlines do have lids and straws for their in-flight beverage cups. Packing your own food is also a smart financial decision. Airport food is often expensive, (and the quality is hit-or-miss), and the same goes for convenience stores on highways.
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4. Stroller or baby carrier or both?
This decision has everything to do with your mode of transportation, your planned activities at your destination, and how you and your child(ren) are most comfortable. If you’re flying, strollers can be checked at the gate so you can use it right up until you board. And baby carriers are helpful on flights as a way to soothe your baby or toddler and encourage napping. If you’re driving, consider what will fit in your trunk.
At your destination, will you be doing a lot of walking? Are the streets likely to be bumpy (think cobblestones) or paved? Does your accommodation have an elevator? If you decide to bring a stroller, consider packing a bike lock so you can secure it whenever and wherever you need to. And if budget allows, consider purchasing a simple, light-weight stroller for travel so you can leave your bulkier one at home.
5. Invest in an ID bracelet for your children.
You can’t put a price on peace of mind, and a sturdy identification bracelet makes a lot of sense when traveling with kids. (Heck, it makes sense every day even when you’re not traveling!) The thought of losing your child in a busy place is simply terrifying. The thought of losing your child in an unfamiliar city or country is even more terrifying. While having your child wear an ID bracelet does not mean you can be less aware of your surroundings, it does provide you with some peace of mind knowing that if you and your little one were to get separated, your child is wearing your contact information so a stranger could more easily reconnect you.
Read our review of ID Bracelets for Kids here: 7 Essential Family Travel Accessories
6. Visualize your travel day, control what you can, and be prepared for unexpected circumstances.
Mentally preparing yourself for various scenarios can help you feel more confident as you step out the door. One of our best travel tips is to picture yourself moving through airport security, down highways, in and out of taxis, or changing trains with your kids. Allow yourself plenty of time and arrive early. It’s better to have extra time than to be rushing to catch a flight or train.
If budget allows, look for the most direct flights to reduce the amount of time traveling and the possibility of unwanted delays. When considering layovers, give yourself enough time for the entire family to hit the restroom and navigate through an unfamiliar airport.
If your child is under two years of age, decide whether you will purchase a seat on the plane for them or hold them on your lap. If you have a child between 22-44 pounds and riding in their own airplane seat, you might consider purchasing a safety harness for your trip.
Also consider the timing of your travel. Sometimes it’s a good idea to travel during nap times. Sometimes you have no choice but to be on the move all day long. And it’s a good idea to pack some new entertainment options for your kids just in case those naps don’t occur as scheduled. Plan how to break up long road trips or train rides with various activities, snacks, games, or books.
Make sure your phone and other electronic devices are charged, and remember to pack the chargers and converters, if needed. Bring some cash in your destination’s currency for your first meal or taxi rides. Consider downloading an app like Google Translate to help you communicate with locals in a foreign city. And always pack extra baby wipes and diapers. You got this!
7. Vacation rental or hotel when traveling with kids?
Before you book your accommodation, take a moment to think about your current daily routine and what key factors provide your family with comfort and reduce stress. For example, do you want the ability to prepare meals at your accommodation? Do you want more than one room? Maybe somewhere to relax after the kids go to sleep? Do you want access to a gym or pool? Do you want a clothes washer and maybe even a dryer?
A vacation rental may provide more flexibility in terms of space, appliances, and even price. However, if you are looking for a pool, pre-cooked breakfast, room service, a gym, and the possibility of a kids club, then a hotel or resort might be the best fit. Just ask yourself what you are willing to sacrifice for the experience you are hoping to get out of your accommodation.
Once you book, contact your host or hotel and reserve or request a portable crib, high chair, or any other baby/toddler equipment that you might need. And here’s another travel tip: if you have room in your suitcase, pack an extra crib sheet from home for your child just in case your accommodation doesn’t provide one.
Related post: Vacation Rental vs Hotel for Families
8. Adjust your expectations for exploration, and be prepared to take days at a slower pace.
This is one of our best travel tips with kids. If you’re used to fast-paced travel pre-kids, take some time to think about how much you’ll realistically be able to see and do each day while traveling with kids in tow, and consider scaling back. Think carefully about nap times and bedtimes when booking tours, tickets, and reservations. A fancy dinner may sound enticing, but a 7pm reservation may have your toddler spinning out of control before the bread basket hits the table.
Try to maintain your home routine as much as possible because a familiar schedule tends to benefit the entire family. When the kids are rested, they are more likely to enjoy family outings which translates to more fun for everyone. Pick a maximum of one or two activities or outings each day, and enjoy engaging with your children. Watch them as they touch, smell, feel and explore their new surroundings. Often kids are happy with the simplest experiences, and they remind us to slow down and take it all in!
9. Jet lag is a real thing.
Unfortunately there is no secret solution to this travel inevitability. Your approach may depend on how many time zones you are traversing and how long you will be at your destination. If your destination is relatively close and your trip is short, you might not even adjust your kids to your new time zone. If your destination is several time zones away and you will be gone over a week, it makes sense to adjust your body clocks as soon as possible.
When traveling from the United States to Europe, for example, you typically arrive in the morning after an overnight flight. Allow your kids (and yourself!) a brief afternoon nap, wake up for dinner, and then try putting the kids to bed at their regular bedtime in your new time zone. It will take a couple days, (see #8 above), but soon enough the whole family will be adjusted and ready to get out and explore.
10. Make the most of dining out.
Consider planning that special culinary experience during the lunch hour instead of the evening. Often it’s easier to make reservations for lunch, (or you might not need one at all), menu prices may be cheaper, and the atmosphere is more casual. All of these considerations make for a more family-friendly experience. You might also seek out farmers markets or indoor food halls for uniquely satisfying meals on-the-go. And you might even pick up a few items for a picnic lunch the next day.
Related post: 23 Tips on How to Save Money to Travel
11. Involve your kids!
While admittedly children are at the mercy of our travel plans, it’s still a good idea, and even fun, to involve them in the process. For example, ask them to choose exactly five of their shirts to pack in the suitcase. Let them know what your travel days will look like so they can be prepared. Help them pack their own backpack with activities for the airplane or car ride. Provide your child with an inexpensive notebook as their travel journal. They can sketch pictures, record their favorite things each day, or just practice writing their name.
Teach them how to use a map, and help them help you navigate a new town. On days when you can be flexible, let them decide between two acceptable outings, for example, visiting the zoo or the children’s museum. Chances are your kids will be more excited and engaged before, during, and even after your trip if they are involved from the start.
12. Keep calm and enjoy!
The last of our travel tips may be easier said than done, but remember, travel with your kids is supposed to be fun! Of course there will be challenges and unexpected inconveniences, that’s inevitable. But remember that by exposing yourself and your family to new surroundings, new food, and new people, you are broadening your kids’ understanding of the world and building their resilience and resourcefulness. And you stand to keep gaining confidence as you venture out into the world with your family. Enjoy making those memories!
We hope these travel tips help make your next trip with kids a little more enjoyable and a little less stressful.
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10 thoughts on “12 Essential Travel Tips with Kids”
Love this post! So many great pieces of advice! I still have multiple packing lists saved on my phone based on the original one you sent me for my first trip with Sloan. I’ve noted Sloan’s age with each list update so that I can remember all of those age-specific items when packing for baby number two. 😉 so helpful!!
Awesome, Kate! Thanks for reading our post and sharing your thoughts!
If there are any other family travel topics you’d like us to write about, don’t hesitate to ask. 😉
Brilliant information! Particularly love the id bracelets, something so simple but probably wouldn’t of thought of, brilliant for better peace of mind! Also getting the kids involved from the get go keeping them engaged. Excellent! Enjoy your travels x x
Thanks for reading our post, Laura! And thank you for your comments. Happy travels to you, too!
Great tips! I need to get my daughter an ID bracelet for travel!
Hi Leah! Thank you so much for your comment! I love the ID bracelet we got for our daughter. We chose her favorite color, so she loves wearing it, and we included a love note to her on the last line of the tag. 🙂
P.S.- Love your article about the Lake District in England. My husband and I got engaged in Windermere!
Pingback: Lessons Learned Traveling with Kids: Thoughts After Four Months | Puddles and Passports
Great Post! I haven’t traveled with a baby and this is something I can refer to next time. Thank u!
Great article.