Have you ever had the chance to travel with kids? Maybe just your niece and nephew? Or maybe a friends’ kid. If yes, then you do know how tricky it is to be travelling with children.
Kids can be hard sometimes especially if what they really want is not being given. Or if they have tantrums and they are in a bad mood.
But kids are kids! We still love them and enjoy their company no matter how hard they can be sometimes.
In their young age, they have little experiences compared to us. It is important that you help make every experience memorable. And that in the process they would be learning, too.
Travelling is a good way for them to see and learn new things. But you might worry about their tantrums. And that the kids were hard to deal with sometimes.
That is why travelling with kids is a challenge and something that should not be taken too lightly.
We have to make sure that they won’t mess up the fun getaway. We also have to see to it that they are in good condition. And of course, they have fun during the trip.
This way, you are not just saving your trip but you are also helping the kids get the most of their travel experience.
As young parents, my husband and I also struggled so many times when we are travelling with our daughter. She’s just little, yes, but a handful at times.
But the feeling of being able to share travel moments with her is priceless that’s why we are not stopping anytime soon.
For parents who are also thinking of travelling with kids, here are 10 essential tips for travelling with kids to keep you sane:
Table of Contents
- Involve your kids during planning.
- Pack as light as possible.
- Do not forget the medicines and first aid kit.
- Bring appropriate clothing.
- Bring toys and books to keep them occupied.
- Use technology for entertainment.
- Bring only one carry-on.
- Go to places that kids can enjoy.
- Do enjoyable activities.
- Have enough food and rest when you travel with kids.
Involve your kids during planning.
While planning for a vacation, you can ask your kids what they want. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to follow everything they want though.
You only have to look into what your kids are looking forward to for a vacation. You might even be surprised that your kids can actually give you great ideas for your trip.
When you are planning, see to it that you always consider your kids. Limit your activities and be flexible with it too.
Pack as light as possible.
Remember that you will be bringing your kids with you. So, do not pack so many stuff that would give you heavy luggage.
If this happens, you will find it hard to bring your kid and your stuff. Pack only items that are very necessary and try to get other items to the place you are going.
Do not forget the medicines and first aid kit.
We are not saying that your kids will get sick during the trip. But you have to be prepared for it.
There are instances that sudden sickness may occur like aching stomachs or aching heads due to travel. Having their medicines with you will immediately heal or relieve your kids. This includes basic first aid kits for cuts and burns.
You wouldn’t want your kids to be in pain or in bad condition while on travel. And a sick kid is grumpy, clingy and whiny.
If they get sick you will also not enjoy the vacation.
And if you can, check out local hospitals before you go. It sometimes helps if you have back-up plans just in case something bad happens that your medicines can’t heal.
Bring appropriate clothing.
One of the most important things you need to know is the weather. You should be fully aware of the weather in the area you will be going to.
Also, anticipate cold and warm ambience even during the trip.
Hence, you have to prepare your kid’s clothing that is appropriate for the weather and temperature. Make sure that your kids will feel comfortable during the trip especially if you have a baby with you.
Bring toys and books to keep them occupied.
You can bring some toys and books with you especially if your kid has a favourite toy or book. But make sure not to bring too many of them. One toy and book will do.
But if you have an iPad or a tab or a kindle, even better. That would lessen your luggage for you won’t need to bring a book. You can download some digital storybooks and let your kids read it during the trip.
Use technology for entertainment.
There are different gadgets that your kids can use. Some of them like PlayStation Portable (PSP) are intended for playing games. You can also let your kids play games, read or watch movies on your iPad.
Technology is your friend in making sure that your kids don’t get bored during the travel. Kids tend to be in a bad mood if they feel bored.
That is why you’ve got to plan in advance on what you can do to keep your kid entertained.
Bring only one carry-on.
Do not be bringing too much stuff and do not bring too many bags with you. Have only one carry-on bag.
This will help you to be at ease while keeping an eye on your kids. This can especially be an advantage for you if you are carrying a baby with you.
One carry-on bag will contain the essential things you need for your kids and also for you. You will need wet wipes, extra shirts, diapers (if you have a baby) and others depending on what your kids really need anytime. Try to tuck in some snacks too.
Go to places that kids can enjoy.
Since you have involved your kids in the planning, for sure you will be able to choose places where your kids can enjoy.
It shouldn’t be just any place. You have to check each place that you plan to go to make sure that it allows kids and it is safe for kids.
You can also research different spots in your destination that would be interesting for your kids and for you as well.
Do not forget to include restaurants in your research so you already have an idea of where to eat. And again, see to it that they have food that your kids eat.
Do enjoyable activities.
Aside from going to places that your kids will enjoy, have some activities that they will love to do.
Activities vary depending on the places you go to. You can also consult your kids on the activities they want to do. If you are still on the plane or in the car or in any vehicle, you can also do some activities and games.
Some parents let their kids create a journal for the trip. You can also do the same.
A scrapbook can also be a good idea. This way, your kids will have a great time trying to accomplish something.
Have enough food and rest when you travel with kids.
The last thing you want to have is a kid in a bad mood. So, make sure that they get enough food and rest especially if you will have a long flight. Let them get enough sleep too.
This is a must not just during travel but even when you get to your destination.
Squeezing in too many activities on your itinerary can be a problem. Kids seem to have unlimited energy at times, but they get tired easily too.
Give nap times and allow plenty of flexibility with your itinerary. This will allow you and your kids time to rest.
Travelling with kids can be both fun and challenging. But the key is, you merely need to plan everything while considering them.
If you do that, you will not have trouble and your kids will also have a good time.
Remember that this isn’t just about your kid’s mood and enjoyment but this is also about family bonding and rare experiences for them.
Make sure that your trip will be memorable for your kids so that they will still remember it even when they get older.
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another great travel tips! thanks for posting. very helpful.
I don’t have kids so I’ve never had to worry about any of this while travelling. It does provide some insight into how well my parents used to cope 🙂 Holidays were certainly never boring to me as a kid.
Cheers to our very patient parents, then! <3
Yes. This is so important. When traveling with children it is more important to pack for their comfort. They will have fun and in turn you will have fun. lol
So true. We usually travel with my nephew and ensuring that he is happy, makes the whole vacation happy too. LOL. 😀
That is so imformative! I do not have kids yet but this is a great post to keep in mind when I do 🙂 thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome! 🙂
This is a great list of things, thank you for sharing! Since I dont have any children I always travel solo/duo, and just need to worry about myself. But if I ever have kids I will definitely keep travelling with them.
That’s so great to hear! That is also what I would like to do once my daughter is manageable 🙂
This is so helpful! I don’t have kids but one of my best friends has a little boy and we sometimes all go on trips together! Now I’ll actually be able to help her plan and get ready!
That sounds great! 🙂 Thank you, Justyn! 🙂
A great list! We find that rest is key. Travel can be a sensory overload for little minds and they need their downtime. 🙂
A well-rested kid is indeed a happy kid! 🙂
My three kids are all mid-teens now, so we have had our experiences travelling together when they were younger. It is always big production when we go out of the country together. But the important thing is the precious bonding experience.
I completely agree! 🙂
Very useful tips here Marvi! No kids but I’ve travelled with family & kids.. so much things to take care of during travels. It’s good to be well-prepared.
Thank you, Kristine. Indeed, being prepared is a must!
I remember my parents always asking me and my brother for one thing we wanted to do in each place we were going. It helped us learn how to compromise (i.e. we’ll do my thing too, but your thing first) and also kept us invested in the trip/excited about each destination. Great tips!
Wow! I’m sure you all had a good time! 🙂 Thank you, Carrie 🙂
Well said. Kids are kids and we should have all the precautionary measures especially for their safety while bringing them in traveling. Every kid should have appropriate tag or id to wear with complete address and person to be contacted with in case he is lost.
That’s such a great add-on, Gil. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Great tips! I always think parents are such rockstars when they travel with kids 🙂
Thank you!
I’m single but i will definitely take note of your tips when traveling. Packing light is one of my goals every time I travel, so when having kids around things will double but i want to really do this!
Those tips are really useful.. i always travel around with my kids and I’ll put all those tips you wrote in my mind.. TQ so much for all the tips..
You’re welcome. Glad that you liked it! 🙂
I don’t have kids (don’t even have a partner) so with solo travel I only have to worry about myself. Gotta give it up to you parent travelers – you guys are heroes.
So true! Parents are indeed heroes! 🙂
Great tips! For #5, when I traveled with my little cousins, I would go to the dollar store and stock up on those color books and a few crayons – kept them busy for quite a while 😉
Oh! Great idea! kids does need some distraction! 🙂
My travels within my country began when I was probably about 2 yrs old, thanks to my parents!!! I’m yet to have a kid and I’m already scared about traveling with kid. But I when I think of how my travels taught me so much, traveling since childhood is necessary! So, thanks much for the tips.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for breaking it to the world.. Traveling is possible even with kids, most people don’t understand that. I have been telling my friends the same thing for years
Proper planning is the key! 😉
Getting the kids involved in the planning seems like a great idea to help them feel more involved and not just like they are being dragged around
This is a wonderful article. Travelling with kids can be tough, but we just cant leave them back! Involving them is one of the best options. Sometimes they give great ideas!!
Thank you Amrita! 🙂
Those are great tips for parents. It is good to give the kids an exposure of the outside world at a young age.
I do not have kids, yet, I also have traveled with other tourists who have kids especially in my travel consultancy biz where I usually share what’s best to do and bring to let the kids enjoy their travel and do not get bored. Thanks for sharing this one. It is adding more info to my list.
These are some very good tips. It’s really tough travelling with kids and every time something works and something doesn’t. It also feels very tiring when they simply refuse to go with the flow. I think this post is really gonna be helpful.
Thank you, Madhurima Maiti! I’m glad you find it useful! 🙂
good tips! After all traveling with kids isn’t that different, just that you have consider the needs and wishes of more people 🙂 I think the rest part is especially important; nothing is more stressfull than a tired child; that in worst case is even hungry and bored 😀
Thank you Lena! 🙂 Couldn’t agree more! 😉
I can’t imagine what it’s like to travel with kids, but since we had a lot of friends visiting us in the south of France with their kid I have to admit that a lot of things have to be a bit more planned. so kuddos to all the travelling families out there! This is quite a handy post! cheers.
Thank you Ariane 🙂
Great tips. Many parents hold off on traveling until their kids are older. Your kiddos must be lucky to be able to travel so much–what an excellent learning opportunity.
Handy tips! I always think it’s incredible when I see parents traveling with young ones, then I remember my own parents did the same. Do you think it’s possible to pack light even when traveling with children?
I think it depends on the age of the kids and the place you are going to go 🙂 I always find that if we are going on trips to the beach, we tend to bring more stuff like gear not only for us adults but also for the kids 🙂
Very useful
Especially the medicine part is really important think
All true! Traveling with kids is both hard and fun 🙂 You should be prepared for everything, but also be lightweight. I liked the idea of involving kids in trip planning. That way they will look forward to it. And besides that, even the youngest kid can provide some help 😉
Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! 🙂
This was actually funny to read because I do not have kids but what you mentioned are things which I look for haha.
I involve everyone while I pack, I pack light, medicine, all weather clothes etc
Great post! 🙂
I am a solo traveler ATM, but the whole time o was reading this, in my mind I was just preparing myself for the future God willing. I will bookmark this article for future reference and share it with my friends who love travel and they kids. I like that you should involve kids in the planning, I think it works across even for adults. The moment you involve people, the feel like a part of the process and they cooperate.
I don’t have children, so I always find it interesting to read a post about travelling with them. I think it is a great idea to get them involved in the planning process of the trip. They think that they are adults and love all that stuff. Also, what did we ever do with having gadgets to entertain them 🙂
So informative. I don’t have kids but I lots of my friends will totally be interested in this article – will forward to them right now!
I think it is a great idea to include them in the planning of the activities. Some things really make sense when you think about it like planning something they will enjoy over just you enjoying it. In the end do you want to deal with a tantrum all day because they don’t like what you are seeing?
Knowing how stress I get when traveling alone I’m so impressed by people who travel with their kids too! I guess the take home message here is that you need to be organised. I think I could learn a think or two here.
So true! Hats off to all parents out there who travel with their kids! 😉
I don’t have kids, but I can totally see how planning correctly is important. I see so many people traveling with children, yet they have no clue about how to do it right. This is definitely helpful for many parents. Pinned 🙂
Keep the kids in mind while traveling. You may have a hard constitution but your kids, particularly under 10, maybe too tender.