How to Travel with Kids

Taking a family vacation is a great way to bond with your children, help them discover new cultures, and create beautiful memories together. Those memories shouldn’t have to include cranky, sleep-deprived kids on the verge of a full-blown temper tantrum in a foreign country, though.

Follow these tips on traveling with kids to plan a successful trip and make sure everyone enjoys the adventure!

Plan ahead

In my own experience, most of the things that I could do quickly on my own take twice as long when my kids are in tow. Make sure you’re setting aside plenty of time for important events or airport security. This extra cushion can be a life-saver. Or, if you don’t end up needing it, you could take the extra time to explore and find something new!

Pack snacks

Avoid any hunger meltdowns by stashing a few snacks in your bag. Protein-heavy munchies like granola, peanut butter crackers, and cheese sticks are great ways to keep your kids full and energetic for whatever you have planned for the day. It can also help save money on expensive, sugary snacks.

Mid-day naps

Sleepy kids can be impatient, irritable, and prone to tantrums. If your kids are younger than ten years old, make sure you’re taking the time to return to your lodging in order to recharge everyone’s batteries. If your children are unaccustomed to hotels, pack a pillow from home or a comforting stuffed animal to make sure they get the most out of their naps.

Split up

Instead of dragging your teen to a kid’s show, or your five-year-old to a roller coaster, split up parenting duties and ensure that everyone gets to do at least one thing that they’re interested in. This allows your children to connect individually with a new place and culture and can also avoid a lot of arguing. Just make sure you’re also finding time for activities that are fun for the whole family.

Bring a plane bag

Pack a small bag of activities to keep your kids busy on the plane. Make one special for each child to perfectly capture their interests and avoid sibling rivalry. Things like coloring books, games, and snacks are all great things to include in order to keep them busy on long flights.

Pre-Book as much as possible

Having a plan can ease a lot of stress when traveling with kids. Instead of a more spontaneous trip you might have taken on your own, you should have lodging reservations, transportation plans, and a list of at least a few activities that you want to do when traveling with kids. Make sure to check to see if you can save time waiting in line by buying tickets to attractions ahead of time.

Do you have any other tips or tricks that have helped you travel with kids?

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