Top Tips for Traveling with Children

Do you have any plans to take your children on vacation? Spring break is coming soon and before you know it, summer will be here! Call it age maybe, but in my recent years, I have decided that traveling with my family is absolutely important to me, so whenever my kids are out of school, I am all about scheduling trips for the family.

I have 3 children, 2 teens and a toddler and while my teens are super easy to travel with, my toddler is not easy to travel with at all! When I first started traveling with him I searched and searched for travel tips. Some were big failures for me, but some were great and then I had to come up with some of my own. If you are stressing about your upcoming trips, relax. These top tips for traveling with children will help you have a more successful trip.

Top Tips for Traveling with Children

Bring Snacks

For the love of all things, bring lots of snacks for your kids! We all know exactly how difficult our children can be when they get hungry, so while traveling, let’s take the special step to make sure that this doesn’t happen. Here are some of my favorite snacks to bring along on a trip with kids:

• Dried fruits
• Nuts (I always avoid peanuts to be cautious of others with allergies)
• Chex mix
• Protein Bars
• Granola Bars
• Pretzels
• Fruit Squeezes
• Trail Mix

Bring Diapers and Pullups and Wipes

If you have a child in diapers, make sure to bring diapers and wipes in your carryon. If you have a young child that is recently potty trained, you might consider putting training pants on your child for your plane or car ride.

Pack Their Own Bag

Make sure that you pack a bag for each individual child for your trip. It not only makes it easier to get to specific things that you need, but it’s a great way to keep their preferred snacks and toys on hand.

Even better? Pack them a super cute bag that they love! They aren’t going to want any old boring backpack or suitcase though, you need to pick their bag well. Kids love to choose their own stuff and they love to have fun bags. They will absolutely love the travel bags that we have here. Check these out:

meow sleepwalkers bag - meow the cat has his nightcap on ready for an overnight at grandma’s house!

dragon magical bag - our magical bags make a night at the grandparents particularly special! a handy inside pocket keeps little items organized.

fairy princess magical bag - our magical bags make a night at the grandparents particularly special! a handy inside pocket keeps little items organized.

cuddlepack frog - this bright pajama soft corduroy backpacks is perfect for little ones to tote their favorite essentials. bag features padded adjustable shoulder straps and front zipper pocket.

Any of these bags would be so much fun for your kiddo to take along on your travels. Plus, several of them are pretty soft and cushy...full of clothing they can be used as a pillow.

Plan Travel Around Your Kids Sleep Time

If you are traveling by plane, don’t be afraid of planning nighttime flights, this will often mean that your children will sleep through the flight. If you are driving, the same rules go. These trips are much easier when your child is asleep!

Dress them Comfortably

If your kids are anything like mine, they don’t like to be uncomfortable. My 12 year old, for instance, refuses to wear jeans. If you want to not hear complaints during the trip, make sure that your children are dressed comfortably. I always find it best to put them in pajamas or sweatpants. This is especially true in plane travel.

Plan for Sickness

We went for a road trip last week and about an hour into the trip my son was puking. It happens. Kids get airsick, car sick, too much snack food sick. To make your trip easier, be sure to prepare for these sick tummy mishaps. Planning for this means you should bring along medicine (whatever sick tummy meds that you typically use), and an extra set of clothes in case of mess.

Additionally, make sure to have your insurance cards with you in case it becomes something worse than just motion sickness.

Relax

Kids take their cues from us. If we are stressed out, they are going to be stressed out. Try your best to relax as much as possible with travel. Even during the stressful parts of traveling with children I just try to remember that famous saying “this too shall pass” because it will. You will be at your destination soon and if you have followed all of these tips, it will be a smoother trip!