Best Tips for Families Traveling with Kids
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It’s no secret that traveling with kids can be difficult. If you’re a parent, chances are you will most likely be doing some kind of traveling with your kiddos, whether that’s by land or air. Here are some tips and tricks for easing the stress and challenges that come with traveling with kids.
Prepare a List of Everything Your Kids Need
Make a list just for your kids’ needs— like clothes, diapers, bottles, toys, a travel crib, etc. Try to do this ahead of time when you have some time to think. Pack everything a few days before you leave so you can check things off your list.
If you have a lot of gear, there are a few options to save yourself from lugging stuff from point A to point B. It’s worth a phone call to wherever you’re going to see if they have any items you need so you can leave those things at home. There are also rental companies for baby gear like Baby Quip that will deliver to your door or even to the airport.
Loop Your Kids into Your Travel Plans
If your children are big enough, front-loading your plan is a great way to make the transition (and travel) smoother.
Front-loading means ‘preparing your child for changes ahead of time’, and it’s a quick and easy way to make even busy days feel more structured and predictable. It can head off negative reactions and help you and your family stay sane.
Let them know what to expect and what the plan is. For example, we’re taking our kids to Seattle to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. This is an example of what front-loading looks like with our kids ages 3 and 5:
“Ok, in 5 days we’re heading to Grandmas house! Here is the plan. We will wake up early in the morning. Get dressed, have a muffin and get in the car. You will have your sweaters, backpacks and shoes on. Then we will go to the airport! We have to check-in and I’ll make sure you have time so we can go to the playground (some airports have playgrounds by the way). Then we get on the airplane. On the airplane you need to have inside voices and be calm for a few hours. Then the airplane will land and Grandma will pick us up in her car!”
You can go through this with your kids every day leading up to the day of travel (unless they’re older).
Pack a Backpack for Easy Access to Items
Pack a backpack for your travel day for you and for each of our kiddos so they have their own backpack. In the kid’s backpack you can pack snacks, a reusable water bottle, and a few new (or borrowed/used) toys that can keep them occupied based on what your travel looks like.
In your backpack, pack your travel documents and extras of everything— including a change of clothes for everyone including the adults (trust me). Just in case you have a blow-out on the plane (been there!).
Traveling with a baby? A roll of colored tape that you can pull pieces apart and stick all over your baby and the surrounding area will keep your little one busy!
Remember, You Can Do Anything for A Few Hours or Even a Day
Despite the best-laid plans, things can go wrong. It helps to remember that the day of travel is just that— a day. And that this too shall pass.