Having kids changes everything. Even a trip to the store requires planning that takes into account nap schedules and snack preferences. So you can imagine how that affects your travels, whether they’re a quick weekend getaway, a road trip, or a glamping getaway. As someone with a strong interest in the subject, I took the opportunity to enlist the help of industry experts and fellow mom travelers (and pooled together lessons learned from dozens of trips with little ones in tow) to compile a list of our best family travel tips. These clever tips and tricks for every stage and age will prepare you for anything that travelling with kids can throw at you, proving that a relaxed family vacation is possible.
1. Involve your kids in the planning process.
I’m not suggesting you hand your kids a globe and ask them to point out your next vacation destination (although I think that would be pretty cool), but rather, I’m suggesting getting them involved before you even get on the plane, which could be something like making family flashcards with fun facts about your destination or cooking a recipe from that place together.
2. Use travel as an educational opportunity.
Traveling to new places opens our minds – and the minds of our children. The educational travel trend has skyrocketed in popularity with hotels, resorts, and tour companies realizing the value of offering experiences that teach visitors something new. “Allowing kids to follow their interests with activities and outings increases their interest and energy levels, while also adding an educational element,” explains Tom Marchant, founder of Black Tomato.
3. Consider using a travel agency.
Planning a trip takes a lot of work, and when you have kids, the amount of work increases exponentially. Some parents are great at arranging every detail, while for others it can be a source of stress. Using a travel agency can help ease the burden of all the arrangements, freeing up time for the myriad other tasks your family needs to complete before traveling.
4. Encourage your little traveller to pack their bags.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to babies, but for toddlers and teens, packing a bag with whatever they want is fun, even if it’s just a small backpack with toys and coloring books for toddlers. Their favorite travel-sized games will help keep them (and you) busy during free time during the day or evening.
5. Get a great travel stroller.
You will never regret buying a compact travel stroller like the Bombi Bēbee Lightweight Stroller. This stroller is lightweight, folds at the touch of a button, is easy to maneuver, and does triple duty as transportation, a snack station, and a place to nap while on vacation.
6. In the US, children under 2 fly for free.
Infants under 2 can travel for free on an adult’s lap within the U.S. – a huge cost-savings opportunity and a comfortable way to get your little one used to flying. (Keep in mind that you can fly infants on your lap on international flights, but there’s usually a small fee.)
7. Book a bulkhead seat.
Bulkhead seats are great for families with lap babies, as many airlines offer cribs for babies on board. As your child grows, you’ll have extra space to stretch your legs and grab your luggage, and you won’t have to worry about little feet kicking other passengers, so that’s reason enough to book these seats. Getting off the plane faster is also a bonus.
8. If you are traveling with small children, please enjoy priority boarding.
Most airlines allow parents with young children to board the plane early (usually after first class passengers and elite frequent flyers), giving families time to settle in before the crowded and sometimes chaotic general boarding process.
9. Car seats and strollers can be checked in at the gate free of charge.
Instead of checking your stroller (or car seat, if you’re bringing one) at the baggage check-in counter, just grab the stroller and wheel your tired little one around the airport. Then, drop it off at the gate for free before boarding the plane. You can pick it up after you’ve landed, before you leave the plane area.
10. Carriers are really useful.
While strollers certainly have many selling points, sometimes carriers are the best option, especially for small babies. It’s nice for infants and babies to feel close to a trusted caregiver in crowded places like airports and train stations. It also leaves parents’ hands free to carry bags, retrieve passports, and show boarding passes.
11. Pack snacks, snacks and more snacks.
Think you have enough snacks to feed a football team? Then you probably have enough for one kid for a short plane or car ride. All kidding aside, hunger can lead to moodiness (at any age), so avoid it at all costs. Little palates can be picky about food on any given day, so it never hurts to bring extra options, especially with opinionated toddlers. (Peter Rabbit Organic pouches, Serenity Kids Grain-Free Puffs, and Cerebelly Granola Bars are current 2-year-old-approved favorites.)
12. Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times.
This tip applies to all travelers, but is especially important if you have small children who need special bottles and can’t get water out of a cooler. It’s also good for the environment (and keeps the whole family hydrated) to bring reusable bottles that you can refill at clean water stations while traveling.
13. Prepare a first aid kit.
The old saying “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” definitely applies when traveling with your family. Of course, we all hope that we’ll stay healthy and unscathed throughout the trip, and chances are good that we will, but you want to be prepared just in case something does happen. That means having a first aid kit stocked with age-appropriate medications, electrolyte packs, syringes, a thermometer, bandages, gauze pads, antibacterial ointment, etc.
14. Ring pops are the best in-flight snack.
Speaking of airplane snacks, Ring Pops are actually the best sweet treats because licking them during takeoff and landing relieves ear pressure, and because they take longer to finish, they keep the kids busy and still for a while (I owe this tip to a friend of mine who is an amazing and creative mom of five boys).
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15. Screen time doesn’t count on airplanes.
Sure, some will disagree with this, but for the vast majority of parents, giving their child an iPad and letting them watch a movie is a small price to pay for some peace and quiet for themselves and other passengers.
16. Get some sticker books.
Reusable sticker books, like Melissa & Doug’s reusable sticker pads, are great because kids can use them on paper or to stick stickers on plane, car, or train windows.
17. Use entertainment creatively.
Kids need lots of things to keep them occupied during long (or even short) plane, train or car trips. Build out your entertainment arsenal with stickers and screens, as well as age-appropriate activities like busy boards and doodle kits.
18. Download music, podcasts, audiobooks, and shows before you go out.
It may seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten on a plane only to realize I forgot to download my podcasts. Simply download a playlist of music, podcasts, or audiobooks before your flight so you can always have your entertainment with you, whether your device is offline or not.
19. Be sure to bring a change of clothes.
It doesn’t matter how old your kids are (well, maybe teenagers should do this on their own), but it’s wise to bring a change of clothes for each child in case someone spills something, gets sick, farts, or just plain feels “gross.”
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20. Create a quiet sleeping environment.
We’ve all heard the stories of parents putting a crib in a hotel walk-in closet or bathroom to create a dark, quiet place for their little one to sleep. But that’s not always possible depending on the accommodation’s amenities. By purchasing a SlumberPod (as the name suggests, a tent-like dome that fits over the crib to block out light) and a portable Shusher, you can turn any place into a cozy, quiet sleeping space.
21. Rent larger baby equipment when you travel.
Instead of traveling or shipping large, bulky items like high chairs, car seats, and cribs, simply rent them from a company like BabyQuip, which is available in most major cities in the U.S. You can also pre-order diapers and wipes and have everything delivered in advance to your hotel or vacation rental.
22. Use packing cubes wisely.
Another great idea I heard from a mom friend of mine who has multiple kids is to use a different set of colored travel cubes for each child – this eliminates clutter and gives everyone easy access to their clothes.
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23. Go on a road trip.
A growing family means having to book lots of plane tickets, and the costs can add up quickly. Road trips are a great option that allow you to explore a destination with more flexibility, making them perfect for families. Some say it’s better to drive through it than to fly over it in a plane. If you see something interesting, pull over and take a look. Plus, many kids take naps in the car, which opens up the possibility of spending a few hours without playing Cocomelon on repeat.
24. Try glamping.
Having trouble getting your kids away from their screens? Get them back into the great outdoors with a nature-filled getaway that includes hiking, stargazing, s’mores and family naps in glamping tents.
25. All-inclusive resorts are the best.
Many parents love the ease of all-inclusive travel, where all you have to do is snap on a wristband and you’re covered from check-in to check-out, from food and drinks to activities. Beaches and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, for example, have created entire businesses on their family-friendly offerings.
26. You don’t have to give up luxuries.
Many parents think that the days of five-star luxury are over, but that’s not true: Many of the ultra-luxury hospitality brands like the Peninsula, Rosewood and Four Seasons are actually rolling out the red carpet for kids with kid-friendly programs, special dining menus and fun in-room amenities.
27. Choose your room wisely.
If you’re traveling with kids who need naps, aim for accommodation with outdoor space if possible. “You’ll be confined to your room for at least a couple of hours, so being able to escape to a terrace or patio for some fresh air is great,” says travel writer and new mom Katie Spratt Joyce.
28. If you are breastfeeding, please bring a haakah.
If you breastfeed or pump, bring a Haaka or manual pump as a back-up: “I’ve heard horror stories of electric pumps breaking or malfunctioning, or people leaving the charger at home, so it’s always good to have a Plan B for those situations,” Joyce points out.
29. Travel slowly.
Traveling will look a lot different than it did before kids came along, but that’s okay! The best part of traveling as a family is being able to explore somewhere together at a pace that suits you. It’s all about the experience, so that might mean doing just one planned activity and spending the rest of the day roaming on your own.
30. Go with the flow.
Research shows that children thrive on routine, but also value spontaneity and adventure. Years from now, your kids may not remember skipping naps, but they’ll remember that holidays were always special family times — memories they’ll cherish.
