Making Family Trips Fun and Stress-Free
Traveling with kids can be an adventure of a lifetime, but it also requires a lot of preparation and planning. As a mom who loves exploring new places with my little ones, I’ve gathered some top tips to make your family trips enjoyable and stress-free. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or a bustling city, these tips will help you make the most of your journey. These tips for traveling with kids are great for international trips, too! We took our 6-month-old and 4-year-old from Denver to London for a 10 day Europe family trip use these for tips for traveling with kids on plane (blog post coming soon!)
1. Plan Ahead and Be Flexible
Research and Prepare
One of the most crucial aspects of traveling with kids is planning ahead. Research your destination thoroughly. Look for kid-friendly attractions, restaurants, and accommodations. Make a list of activities that are suitable for all age groups.
Be Flexible
While planning is essential, flexibility is equally important. Kids can be unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. Be prepared to adjust your schedule and go with the flow. Allow for downtime and spontaneous fun.
2. Pack Smart and Light
Essential Items
Packing smart is key to a successful trip. Make sure you have all the essentials without overpacking. Here are some must-haves from my favorite travel items list:
- Travel Pill Organizer: Keeping medications and vitamins organized is a breeze with this compact travel pill organizer. It’s especially handy if you have kids with specific medical needs.
- Portable Charger: A portable charger is a lifesaver, especially when your kids’ devices run out of battery during a long journey. Be sure to bring extra cords incase your cord gets lost or damaged.
- Reusable Snack Bags: These eco-friendly snack bags are perfect for packing healthy snacks for the road. They are durable, easy to clean, and reduce plastic waste. I love that they are good for the planet. We also use snackleboxes to pack a variety of snacks!
- Weekender Tote: This bag is perfect because it has a compartment for shoes in the bottom. I also love that it has a strap that will fit over the handle of a carry-on or luggage
Travel Light-ish
While it’s tempting to bring everything you think you might need, traveling light is much easier. Pack versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, and limit each family member to one suitcase. Don’t forget to leave some room for souvenirs! Plus, you can always purchase some of things at most places that you go.
3. Keep Kids Entertained During the Trip
Bring Entertainment
Keeping kids entertained during travel can be challenging. Here are some ideas to keep them busy:
- Tablets and Headphones: Load tablets with their favorite movies, games, and educational apps. Don’t forget the headphones to keep the noise levels down.
- Books and Coloring Supplies: Pack a few books and coloring supplies to keep them engaged during quiet moments.
- Here is one of our new, favorite books that we got our 4-year-old. She spends 2 hours doing the tracing and matching games. We loved that there were so many different styles and only gave her one bag of the matching at a time so she would stay entertained, not get overwhelmed but also not make a massive mess, too.
Get your coloring supplies here!
- Travel Games: Compact travel games are great for long car rides or flights. They keep kids entertained and help pass the time. We LOVE these screen-free games from Giiker: Super Slide and Super Sudoku
Interactive Fun
Engage your kids with interactive activities-this is one of my top traveling with kids tips. Play “I Spy” or create a travel journal where they can draw and write about their experiences Carolynn loves to spend time playing and interacting with us. These activities not only keep them busy but also make the trip more memorable.
4. Prioritize Safety and Comfort
Car Safety
If you’re traveling by car, ensure that your kids are safely buckled up in appropriate car seats or booster seats. Make sure the car is in good condition and equipped with necessary safety items like a first aid kit. We also love to use our Tiny Traveler (DISCOUNT CODE INF-LEXIE10) monitors for the kids. This allows us to keep an eye on them without turning around or trying to manage a mirror and the weird angles or worrying about bump the mirror when getting the kids in and out of the car. I love that the Tiny Traveler Baby Monitor has day and night vision too – and you can hook up multiple cameras. It even has a clip that you can use if you’d like to bring the monitor in at night and clip it to the end of a popup or bassinet for little ones.
Air Travel
For air travel, bring along comfort items like neck pillows and blankets. These can make a significant difference, especially on long flights. Ensure that all your carry-on items comply with airline regulations to avoid any hassle at the airport.
Our daughter LOVES to have her own backpack and I highly recommend having the children’s carry-on packed with extra clothes, snacks, and entertainment so it is always close by reach. We usually pack a blanket and an extra water bottle, as well. STAY TUNED for more on the Undem’s Air-Travel Must Haves! (BLOG POST COMING SOON)
5. Maintain Routine while Traveling With Kids
Stick to Schedules
Kids thrive on routine, and traveling can disrupt their schedules. Try to stick to regular mealtimes and bedtime routines as much as possible. This helps them feel more secure and reduces crankiness. We often try to travel during the night or evenings to make it easier on the kiddos!
Nap Time
Don’t forget about nap times. Plan activities around these times to ensure your kids get enough rest. A well-rested child is a happy traveler! Trust me – we have had our fair share of meltdowns and unhappy kiddos while traveling!
Bed Time Traveling with Kids
While it’s easy for adults to go to bed and sleep in, often kids are going to wake up at exactly their normal time regardless of how late you go to bed. Granted, there are lots of trips where we are up later than usual, but the kids do wake at their usual time. Be prepared for them to be more tired and possibly cranky the day after a late night.
6. Stay Healthy and Hydrated
Hydration
Keeping kids hydrated during travel is crucial. Bring refillable water bottles and encourage them to drink regularly. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and irritability. We also use water additives like Clean Simple Eats or STUR to flavor with fun tastes!
Healthy Snacks
Pack healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and granola bars. Avoid sugary snacks that can lead to energy spikes and crashes. Healthy snacks keep kids satisfied and energized throughout the journey. Don’t forget – you can also buy snacks when you get there, too. But make sure that you have plenty for the trip there and back. Especially with kids, a hungry child is an angry or dysregulated child.
7. Involve Kids in Planning
Let Them Choose
Involving kids in the planning process makes them feel more excited and invested in the trip. Let them choose some activities or places they want to visit. This can also help manage their expectations and reduce potential meltdowns. It also gives them something to look forward to on the trip!
Educational Opportunities
Turn the trip into a learning experience. Teach them about the destination’s history, culture, and geography. This not only keeps them engaged but also makes the trip more enriching. We love to visit museums, chapels, castles, and ruins. A great place to check is Trip Advisor and Yelp for kid-friendly locations. Be realistic about your timelines and kids’ attention spans – we try to limit to one MAYBE two of these activities per day because it can be hard to for them to hold all that energy in, especially if you have busy kiddos. Other great places to search for at discovery or science centers.
8. Use Technology Wisely
Navigation Apps
Utilize navigation apps like Google Maps to plan your routes and avoid getting lost. Some apps also provide real-time traffic updates and suggest alternative routes. We often will map our routes ahead of time and make sure that we are doing activities that will burn energy, grab some food, and then travel during naps times or schedule some structured nap or calm down time. Having a good game plan is a one of the best traveling tips for kids.
Travel Apps
There are numerous travel apps designed to make your trip easier. Apps like TripIt can help you organize your itinerary, while PackPoint can assist with packing lists based on your destination and activities.
Read here the Tiny Traveler Ai Classic: The Ultimate Family Travel Must-Have for Adventures and Backyard Fun
9. Make Memories while Traveling
Capture Moments
Don’t forget to capture the special moments. Take plenty of photos and videos to create lasting memories. Encourage your kids to take their own pictures too. We love this digital camera for Carolynn to capture all her own special moments. It does require you to grab a small SD card.
Souvenirs
Collect small souvenirs from each destination. These can be anything from postcards to keychains. They serve as wonderful reminders of your adventures together. We love to get a shot glass for us and a keychain for the kids.
10. Relax and Have Fun
Enjoy the Journey
The most important tip is to relax and have fun. Traveling with kids can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the unexpected moments, and enjoy the precious time with your family. Know that you are doing to have some moments here and there but it will all work out.
Stress-Free Travel
Remember that things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. Focus on the positives and make the most of your time together. A happy and relaxed parent sets the tone for a happy and relaxed trip-if you are worked up and stressing, so will your kiddos.
Conclusion
Traveling with kids can be an incredible adventure filled with unforgettable moments. By planning ahead, staying flexible, and prioritizing safety and comfort, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Use these tips for traveling with kids and the recommended items to make your family travels stress-free and fun. Embrace the journey, create lasting memories, and cherish the time spent exploring new places with your loved ones. Happy travels!
These best tips for traveling with kids and recommended items will help you make the most of your family trips. For more travel inspiration and recommendations, check out the CozyBliss MilkyPlush blanket and other essential travel items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Happy travels!
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