Traveling with Kids? Your Guide to Fun, Stress-Free Trips
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Traveling with Kids? Your Guide to Fun, Stress-Free Trips
Traveling with kids is like herding cats, except the cats are tiny humans with endless energy and a knack for asking for snacks, lots of bathroom breaks, and reminding you that they are bored every five minutes.
As a mom of three, I haven’t mastered the art of family travel yet, but I have learned how to laugh through the chaos and prepare for the best journey possible.
Here’s your ultimate guide to making it through your next family trip with your sanity intact and a few good stories to tell.
1. Family Travel Planning: Prepare for the Chaos, But Expect the Unexpected
When it comes to traveling with kids, planning is essential—but so is staying flexible.
Have a loose itinerary that covers the basics: your travel dates, accommodations, key activities, and meal times. But don’t overpack your schedule.
Build in extra time for those inevitable detours, whether it’s an emergency bathroom break, a last-minute snack stop, or a spontaneous playground visit. As we know, kids are unpredictable, and the more you can roll with the punches, the less stressful your trip will be.
Remember, some of the best family travel memories come from those unplanned moments that happen when you let go of the schedule.
Bonus Tip: Download a few travel apps that can help you find nearby kid-friendly restaurants, parks, or attractions. Having a backup plan at your fingertips can save the day when things go sideways.
How to Prepare Kids for Travel Days: Setting Expectations and Staying on Track
By keeping your kids informed and involved in the day’s plans, you’ll help them feel more secure and excited about what’s to come.
Bedtime Briefing: Setting the Stage for Tomorrow
Before tucking your kids into bed, take a few minutes to go over the plans for the next day. Keep it simple and exciting—highlight the activities they’ll enjoy, like visiting a new park, trying ice cream, or going on a boat ride.Setting expectations and gives them something to look forward to, making the morning transition smoother. It also gives them a chance to ask questions or voice any concerns, so you can address them before the day begins.
Morning Review: Starting the Day with Clarity
In the morning, as everyone is getting ready, do a quick recap of the day’s plans. Remind your kids of the fun things you talked about the night before, and mention any changes or updates.This not only helps to reinforce the plan but also sets a positive tone for the day. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and keep everyone on the same page, especially if your itinerary involves multiple activities or transitions.
Midday Check-Ins: Keeping Everyone on Track
Throughout the day, especially during transitions from one activity to another, take a moment to check in with your kids. Let them know what’s coming next, whether it’s lunch, a nap, or the next big adventure.These check-ins help manage their expectations and can prevent surprises that might lead to frustration or meltdowns. It also gives you a chance to gauge their energy levels and make adjustments if needed—like adding a quick rest or snack break.
Be Flexible and Open to Changes
While it’s great to have a plan, it’s equally important to be flexible. Kids can get tired, overwhelmed, or just plain hungry at the most inconvenient times. If something isn’t working, be willing to adapt the plan—whether that means taking a longer break, swapping activities, or even skipping something altogether. Let your kids know that it’s okay to change plans and that the goal is to have fun together.
End-of-Day Recap: Reflecting and Recharging
At the end of each day, take a few minutes to talk about what you did. Ask your kids what their favorite part of the day was, what they didn’t like as much, and what they’re looking forward to tomorrow.I find that this helps my kids process the day’s experiences, gives me insight into what’s working well, and it helps them wind down for bedtime. Plus, it’s a great way to reinforce the positive moments and build excitement for the next day’s adventures.
Regular check-ins, flexibility, and open communication are key to ensuring that your travel days run smoothly, with fewer surprises and more smiles all around.
2. Packing Tips for Parents: Pack Light (Unless You Have a Toddler)
Packing for a family trip can feel like prepping for an expedition—especially with toddlers who seem to need half the house just for a weekend away! But trust me, less is more (except when it comes to the little ones).
Stick to the Essentials
Clothing: Pack versatile outfits that can be mixed and matched, and try to limit everyone to one suitcase. (Yes, that includes you, fellow over-packers!)
Essentials: Don’t forget a small first-aid kit (because you never know when a band-aid will save the day), travel-size toiletries, and plenty of snacks to keep everyone happy.
Comfort Items for Kids
For the kids, bring along comfort items like a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, plus a few small toys or books to keep them entertained—and to keep you sane.
Pro Tip: Always pack an extra change of clothes in everyone’s carry-on. Juice box explosions and impromptu shirt napkins happen more often than you’d think!
Medications
I always pack over-the-counter cold and flu meds, plus allergy medications—because my kids touch everything and then touch their faces. We also bring melatonin, giving less than a quarter of the recommended dose if they’re sick or haven’t been sleeping well. Important: This isn’t medical advice—check with your doctor first. This just works for us on rare occasions.
Clothing Tips
Darker clothes with patterns are my go-to (unless we have family photos)—they’re great at hiding spills and smudges that come with traveling with kids. And don’t forget to pack more underwear and socks than you think you’ll need!
Laundry on the Go
If you can do laundry mid-trip, take advantage of it. It’s a great way to lighten your load. On our last trip, 3 out of 5 of us got sick on the way home, and I ended up hauling four bags and two suitcases—keeping things manageable is key!
More Packing Tips
Need more packing advice? Check out my ultimate packing guide on my website here.
Bonus Tip: If your kids are old enough, give them their own small backpack with their favorite items, water, and snacks. It keeps them occupied and gives them a sense of responsibility.
3. Keeping Kids Entertained While Traveling: Your Sanity Saver Kit
Keeping kids entertained during travel is the secret sauce to a better journey.
The key is variety: pack a mix of activities to keep their attention spans occupied. Coloring books, puzzles, a tablet loaded with their favorite shows or games, and a few new toys (the novelty factor works wonders) can be lifesavers.
And let’s not forget snacks—the true heroes of family travel. A mix of healthy options and special treats can go a long way in staving off boredom and hangry meltdowns. Don’t be afraid to get creative: make snack time an adventure with fun, easy-to-eat foods like fruit kabobs, cheese sticks, or trail mix. My youngest likes to make her food look like animals and that simple activity makes her very happy.
Bonus Tip: Introduce “mystery bags” for longer trips. Fill small bags with toys, activities, or snacks that your kids can open at different points in the journey. It adds an element of surprise and gives them something to look forward to.
4. Family Travel Safety: How to Keep Kids Safe (and Avoid Meltdowns)
Safety and Comfort Tips for Traveling with Kids
Check Your Gear:
Before you leave, double-check that your travel gear—like car seats, strollers, and carriers—meets safety standards and is easy to use. If you’re flying, check with your airline about rules for bringing car seats or strollers.
Choose Family-Friendly Accommodations:
When booking a place to stay, opt for hotels or rentals that are family-friendly. Look for amenities like cribs, high chairs, child-proofed rooms, and elevators if you’re bringing a stroller.Plan for Emergencies:
Research nearby medical facilities at your destination, just in case. And yes, getting travel insurance for the whole family is a smart move—you never know when someone might decide to test their ninja skills on the hotel bed.
Bonus Tip: If you have younger kids, consider a simple child ID bracelet with your contact info for crowded places. For my kids, who are seven and older, I make sure they have emergency contact numbers and a copy of our itinerary in their backpacks. I also give each of them a GPS tracker—though, to be honest, those aren’t always as reliable as I’d like. Hopefully, we’ll never need them, but it’s better to be prepared.
5. Educational Travel for Kids: Turning “Are We There Yet?” into “What’s That?”
Travel is an incredible opportunity to introduce your kids to new cultures, languages, and experiences.
Turn your trip into a learning adventure by engaging your kids in the journey. Teach them a few phrases in the local language, explore museums, or visit historical sites together.
Even something as simple as letting them help navigate (with your guidance) can turn a walk through the city into a treasure hunt.
And don’t forget the culinary education—trying new foods can be both fun and educational. Who knows? Your picky eater might just discover a love for sushi or tapas!
Bonus Tip: Create a travel journal for your kids where they can draw, write about their experiences, and collect souvenirs like postcards or ticket stubs. It’s a great way to keep them engaged and create a keepsake from your trip.
6. Laugh Through the Madness: The Secret to Enjoying Family Travel
No matter how much you plan, traveling with kids is always an adventure—and not always the kind you expect. There will be delays, meltdowns, and moments that make you question your sanity. But these are the stories you’ll laugh about later, so try to find the humor in the madness.
When things go wrong (and they will), take a deep breath, remind yourself that it’s all part of the experience, and keep your sense of humor. After all, the best memories often come from the unexpected moments when everything goes off the rails.
Bonus Tip: As a Virgo, it took me some time to learn that not everything needs to be perfect to be fun, which makes the adventure more enjoyable for everyone.
Keep Kids Entertained While Traveling
12 Fun and Easy Verbal Games to Play
1. 21 Questions
21 questions, one person thinks of something (person, place, thing, or food, etc.), and the others have to guess what it is by asking up to 21 yes-or-no questions. The goal is to figure out what the person is thinking of before running out of questions.
2. The Alphabet Game (Categories)
Pick a category, such as animals, foods, or countries. Then, go around and take turns naming something in that category in alphabetical order. For example, if the category is animals: "Alligator," "Bear," "Cat," and so on.
3. Story Building
One person starts a story with a single sentence, like "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a dragon." Then, each person adds a sentence to continue the story. The goal is to create a fun and possibly silly story together.
4. Rhyme Time
Pick a word, and each person takes turns coming up with a word that rhymes with it. For example, if the word is "cat," responses could be "hat," "bat," "rat," etc. The game continues until someone can’t think of a rhyme.
5. Two Truths and a Lie
Each person says three statements about themselves—two that are true and one that is a lie. The others have to guess which statement is the lie. It’s a fun way to learn new things about each other.
6. I'm Going on a Picnic
The first person starts by saying, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing [an item that starts with A, like apples]." The next person repeats the sentence and adds an item that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. The game continues through the alphabet. It tests memory and creativity.
7. The Movie Game
Someone names an actor, and the next person has to name a movie that actor was in. Then, the next person has to name another actor from that movie, and so on. It’s a great game for movie buffs!
8. Guess the Song
One person hums or sings a few lines from a song, and the others have to guess the name of the song. You can make it easier by giving hints or choosing a specific genre.
9. What Am I?
This is similar to 20 Questions, but instead of asking questions, one person gives clues about what they are thinking of. For example, "I am something that flies and has feathers" (a bird). The others try to guess what it is based on the clues.
10. Would You Rather (Extended Version)
Take "Would You Rather" a step further by not only choosing between two scenarios but also explaining why you chose that option. This can lead to some funny or insightful discussions.
11. Word Association
One person says a word, and the next person quickly says the first word that comes to mind associated with it. The game continues rapidly, and if someone pauses for too long or repeats a word, they’re out for that round.
12. The License Plate Game
If you’re on a road trip, look at the license plates of passing cars. Try to spot plates from as many different provinces, states or countries as possible. You can also make it competitive by keeping score.
These games are perfect for passing the time on long trips, keeping everyone engaged, and making travel fun without needing any supplies!
Ready for Your Next Family Adventure?
Traveling with kids may not always be smooth sailing, but it’s the perfect recipe for making unforgettable memories—and plenty of hilarious stories to share later.
Whether you’re meticulously planning your itinerary, packing everything but the kitchen sink, or finding creative ways to keep the kids entertained, the key is to embrace the chaos and find joy in the unexpected moments.
Remember, the best part of any journey isn’t just the destination—it’s the little moments in between, where laughter and love create the magic of family travel.
So, pack your bags, gather your patience, and get ready for an adventure that you’ll remember long after the bags are unpacked. And hey, when things go off the rails (because they will), just take a deep breath and roll with it. You’ve got this!
Safe travels, and may your family adventures be filled with laughter, love, and maybe just a few less "Are we there yets”.
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