Written by Mia.
A family vacation is a beautiful way to make new memories with your loved ones. When you have kids, you want to make sure they have trips they can reflect on with fondness.
Granted, you must prepare quite a bit to make the traveling portion a breeze! Are you worried about flying or traveling with a toddler or baby? Here are some simple tips.
1. PLAN EVERYTHING OUT
When traveling with kids, you can’t leave any detail up to chance. Get as much info on paper as possible, from the landmarks you want to visit to the lodging you’ll stay in. For traveling, determine if you’re catching a flight or renting a car and what works best for your family's needs.
A survey found that about 79% of people were worried about costs when planning family trips. So, remember to budget when making plans. Calculate how much money you’ll spend and add a buffer in case of sudden expenses.
2. PACK AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE
It’ll be hard to chase your children around if you have a mountain of luggage, so try to pack as light as possible. You can buy essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste when you arrive.
If there’s anything you want to focus on, it’s the carry-on bag. It should hold essentials such as travel wallets, phone chargers, and headphones.
3. BE STRATEGIC WITH THE SEATING SYSTEM
If you’re taking a long drive with the family, you must prioritize who sits where. This can be especially important when flying with toddlers and young children. If Siblings A and B quickly annoy each other, it’s better to place Sibling C between them or split them between parents.
Don't be afraid to get up and move or change seats, especially on a long-haul flight. Adjust according to your family dynamic - you know what is best!
Be as meticulous when you’re booking airplane seats. Sometimes, if you book the window and aisle seats, it’s highly unlikely for another person to take the middle seat. The extra space is perfect if you have a fussy baby. Babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages love being in a window seat to look at the views.
4. GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME
If you have a flight at 2 p.m. on a Saturday, expect crowds and anticipate that weather may cause traffic delays. Try your best to leave the house as early as possible. You can tell the kids the flight is an hour earlier to help them move faster.
With that, the whole family can arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare and minimal stress. The extra buffer gives you more flexibility. In the worst case, you might have time to go home for forgotten things. But at least you will have time for a bathroom break at a gas station.
Another tip for flying with a toddler is to board the plane later in the boarding process. This is better than boarding when the airline first calls families with small children. It allows them more time to get their energy out before sitting on the plane and waiting for everyone to board.
5. TIME BRINGING OUT THE SCREENS
While it's entirely your call when it comes to screens, they can be a fantastic way to distract the kids during travel. However, parents should use screen time as a last resort. Some kids may get bored halfway through the trip if they use the tablet or phone from the start.
Try to find other forms of entertainment, like “I Spy” at the airport. You can mention an object that’s hard to find, so they take their time looking around the space. “Red Light, Green Light” is also pretty enjoyable and stops little ones from running too far away.
6. AVOID HUNGER MELTDOWNS
Swapping out lunchtime for travel time? As parents know, hunger can make kids angry and irritable. Bring snacks with you to avoid making your children hangry. And when you think you have enough... bring more!
You can also rework your plan to eat before driving or flying. Reusable water bottles are an additional lifesaver to quench any thirst tantrums.
7. BE CAREFUL OF SUDDEN SICKNESS
As adults, you might feel used to traveling by plane, boat, or car. However, kids up to 12 often get motion sickness. So, have remedies ready in case this happens to your little ones.
Remember to be as understanding as possible to ease your child's discomfort! Flight attendants are especially helpful, so don't hesitate to ask for a cup of water or a bag for nausea.
BONUS: EXTEND TO HAVE A CUSION DAY
Traveling back home? If your budget and schedule allow, think about adding one more day to your vacation for a travel day. Having an extra day to buy souvenirs, pack your things, and explore can give you more time before you go back. Your kids will appreciate the extra time to loaf around, too.
MAKE TRAVEL SIMPLE AND FULFILLING
Traveling with children can be challenging at first, so it pays off to be as prepared as possible. Lowering your expectations and going with the flow can often help when unexpected meltdowns occur or plans change. Enjoy the rest of the vacation, and take many photos and videos of your family. Take notes for your next big trip, too.
