Having kids is a reason to travel, not a reason to stop.
Traveling with children can be intimidating. Stop thinking about the “what if” and just go for it. It will take more planning, but in the end, it will be worth it. And if things get too crazy, you can always come home.
10 Tips for Traveling with children
Do a little extra research - This is a big one. We plan all of our trips ourselves so we make sure to do lots of research to ensure we have everything we need to keep our little one happy. Everything from travel time to grocery stops, we typically make sure we are prepared.
Leave extra time and slow down - Let’s be honest, kids are unpredictable. No matter how organized and together you are, there is always something that slows you down. Whether it is a potty break/diaper change or your child just doesn’t want to cooperate, it is good to remember that traveling isn’t easy on them either. No matter what we have planned, we always try to be adaptable to make sure we are making time to meet their needs too.
Do all the planning before you leave - Have all of your reservations ready and itineraries booked in advance. Making lists in advance can help you stay organized and can keep things a little less chaotic.
Buy the right gear - This is a really important one! The right gear can make your life so much simpler.
Carrier or Stroller - The easiest way to get from point A to B is by using a child carrier for small children and strollers for toddlers. When our son was a baby, we used the Ergo 360 for all flights. It was so easy to carry him through the airport while keeping your hands free. Now that he is a little bigger, we have been using a stroller. We love the GoodBaby Pockit Lightweight Stroller because it folds up so small and it fits in the overhead compartment on the airplane. It also comes with a super handy travel bag.
Car Seat Bag - This one has been a lifesaver for us, especially for trips that require extra gear. Buy a bag that zips over the seat and allows room for extra items. When we are traveling in cold climates or have special items for trips (coats, lifejacket, etc), we utilize the extra space for jackets or items that would typically put our suitcases over the weight limit.
Backpack or Diaper Bag - This one is obvious for most moms because our everyday lives include a bag of some sort to support our children. We have been using the Land Diaper Bag/Backpack for over 2 years now and it still looks like new. This is a durable, waterproof backpack with tons of compartments.
Hiking Carrier - For outdoors excursions or hiking trips, a child carrier is a major necessity. We wouldn’t feel comfortable taking kids into the mountains without the correct gear. We use the Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier and highly recommend it.
Consider booking a vacation home vs hotel - VRBO and AirBnB have completely changed the way we travel. While we do enjoy staying in hotels and luxury resorts, there are times when a vacation home is so much more convenient.
Kitchen - Typically, if we are going to be in a location for a week or longer, we opt for a vacation home. It is nice to save a little money on meals throughout the week. We typically don’t eat out much during breakfast and lunch. Also, for those of you with picky eaters like mine, having a kitchen makes things so much easier. You can easily prepare meals at home or be prepared for dining out.
Washer & Dryer - Having the ability to do laundry is fantastic. It allows you to pack lighter and keep your little one’s dirty clothes clean. As a mom of a two-year-old boy, clothes are always covered in dirt throughout trips. It’s nice to wash some items and not have to take them home filthy.
Extra space - It’s nice to have a living space for us to hang out as a family and for kids to play.
Leave time to adjust to time changes - Traveling to different time zones is tough enough adjustment for adults so it definitely needs to be treated thoughtfully with children. When traveling to a time zone that is a few hours or more difference, we typically try to take it easy the first day and not fill the itinerary too full.
Pack smarter - Pack Snacks and food for the trip to keep your kids happy and to avoid extra stops. Sometimes when traveling, there isn’t a food option readily available when kids are hungry. Also, try to eliminate extra bags by avoiding unnecessary items. If you can’t downsize, have older kids help with the bags.
Plan your flights thoughtfully
Can you fly at naptime or bedtime?
Pay extra for fewer connections
If it is a long flight, it might be worth the upgrade to first class for a bed
TSA Precheck and Global Entry
Schedule downtime and allow younger kids time to nap - No matter where we are traveling, we try our best to schedule in time for our little guy to still get his daily nap. This can be challenging at times, but it is always possible to stop for a short break. On road trips, we will typically make sure our driving time is during his typical naptime.
Include activities for kids in your itinerary - We try to be thoughtful of our son when planning an itinerary too full. While he enjoys the outdoors, we still make sure to give him time to play and run around. He loves trucks and digging in dirt. When on hiking trips or outdoor adventures, we make sure to find some off the beaten path places to give him some time to play in the dirt. When we travel to the beach, we often try to stay at a property with a pool.