Traveling with kids can seem daunting, but with the right strategies and gear, it can become a rewarding adventure for the whole family. Forget the stress and embrace the journey with these expert-backed tips and essential product recommendations designed to make traveling with children smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re navigating airports, exploring new cities, or venturing into the great outdoors, preparation is key to a successful family trip.
Gear Up for Family Adventures: Must-Have Travel Items
One of the biggest challenges of traveling with kids is managing all the extra stuff. Lightening your load with smart gear can make a world of difference. Parents who travel frequently swear by compact and efficient solutions. For instance, ditching the bulky traditional stroller for a micro stroller like the Pockit Air can be a game-changer. This stroller is praised for its incredibly quick setup – popping open in just “two seconds” – and its suitability for children from 6 months to 5 years old (up to 55 pounds). Its compact size when folded is perfect for navigating crowded airports and fitting into overhead bins.
Beyond strollers, consider inflatable booster seats and bed bumpers to further simplify your travel packing. These space-saving alternatives to bulky car seats and bed rails easily fit in a carry-on, ensuring safety and comfort for your little ones wherever you go. For families who love outdoor adventures, toddler-sized hiking packs are invaluable. These allow young children to carry their own snacks and small items, making hikes more engaging and manageable for everyone. Choosing the right gear is the first step towards stress-free Travel With Kids.
Involve Your Kids in the Travel Planning Process
Keeping children engaged and excited about travel starts long before you reach your destination. It’s tempting for busy parents to handle all the planning themselves, but involving kids in the process can significantly improve their behavior and cooperation during the trip. As travel expert Romeyn points out, children are much more likely to be well-behaved when they understand what’s happening and feel like they are part of the adventure.
Start talking about the upcoming trip early, even with toddlers who may seem too young to grasp the details. Describe the experience of flying – the sounds, the sights, and what to expect. Explain the itinerary in simple terms, focusing on fun activities and what they will see and do each day. For older children, like 8-year-old Luna, as suggested by art teacher Marilyn Lobos, involve them in looking at maps, creating lists of activities (especially backup plans for rainy days), and brainstorming unique experiences specific to your destination. Encourage them to think about what they can “do, see, eat, and experience here that we can’t do at home or anywhere else?”
For teenagers and tweens, participation in planning becomes even more crucial. Chris Bergaust, a seasoned traveler and father of four well-traveled children, emphasizes that “teenagers will appreciate having a voice.” Allowing them to contribute to itinerary decisions, activity selections, and even accommodation choices makes them feel valued and responsible. This sense of ownership translates to greater engagement and less resistance during the actual trip. By involving your kids in research and planning, you transform them from passive passengers to active participants in the family travel adventure.
A family walking on a beach at sunset, with a child holding an adult's hand.
Consider Combining Destinations for a Richer Experience
For families seeking to maximize their travel experiences, consider a combo trip that blends different cultures and environments. Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel agency Black Tomato, recently took his young daughters on a multi-destination adventure combining Iceland and Morocco. While seemingly contrasting destinations, this combination offered his daughters a captivating introduction to “two very different cultures, lifeways, environments, and topographies on one trip while having the right balance of adventure and chill time.”
Combining destinations can be particularly enriching for children, exposing them to diverse landscapes, cuisines, and ways of life within a single journey. Carefully selecting complementary locations can create a trip that is both stimulating and balanced, offering a blend of exciting activities and relaxing downtime. Think about pairing a bustling city with a tranquil natural escape, or combining a cultural immersion experience with a beach relaxation segment. With thoughtful planning, a combo trip can broaden horizons and create lasting memories for your family.
Master the Art of Airplane Seating with Kids
Navigating airplane seating arrangements with kids can be tricky, but strategic approaches can significantly improve the flight experience for everyone. For families of four, travel expert Romeyn has found success booking seats in different rows when traveling with two adults and two children. This might seem unconventional, but she explains, “it was far easier for [my husband] to handle Indah and me to handle baby Mira and not to have them getting in each other’s way or waking each other up.” Separating siblings can sometimes minimize squabbles and allow each parent to focus on the needs of one child.
Another strategy, favored by DiGregorio, involves booking aisle and window seats in the same row and hoping the middle seats remain unoccupied. “Sometimes people show up for [the middle seats] and we scoot over and give them the aisle,” he says. “But sometimes we get six seats for the four of us.” This approach offers the chance for extra space and comfort if the flight isn’t full. Whether you opt for separate rows or strategic seat selection within the same row, planning your seating arrangements in advance can contribute to a more peaceful and comfortable flight when traveling with kids.
Embrace Screen Time Strategically During Travel
While many parents strive to limit screen time at home, travel can be an opportune time to relax those rules strategically. Packing an iPad or tablet loaded with educational games and children’s shows can be a lifesaver during long journeys. Chris Schalkx, a writer and photographer based in Bangkok, admits that “Peppa Pig was our secret weapon” for keeping his son quiet on public transport and in restaurants.
The key is to be prepared. Before your trip, download videos and apps for offline viewing, as Wi-Fi can be unreliable or nonexistent, especially on airplanes. Chris Bergaust also advises turning off electronics about 10 minutes before arrival at your destination. This “gives kids a chance to reset and be less grumpy” and transition smoothly into the next phase of your travel day. Used judiciously, screen time can be a valuable tool for managing downtime and meltdowns when traveling with kids.
Leverage VIP Airport Services for a Smoother Experience
Airports can be particularly stressful when traveling with children, but utilizing available VIP services can alleviate much of the hassle. Many airport terminals offer family-friendly amenities like indoor playgrounds, designated security lines, and check-in counters for families. DiGregorio advises, “They aren’t clearly advertised, so you should always ask. They can save a ton of time and headaches.”
For longer layovers, consider booking day rooms in airport hotels or lounges. “It gives us a private place to sleep and use a home base,” DiGregorio explains. Another valuable service is pre-arranging a VIP meet-and-assist service directly through the airport or a local tour operator. “Someone will be waiting for you as you walk off the aircraft to escort you through immigration and other formalities,” he says. “This removes the pain of figuring out where to go and what to do, and waiting in any lines.” Exploring and utilizing these VIP options can significantly streamline your airport experience when traveling with kids.
Always Be Prepared with Food and Snacks
Keeping kids fed and happy is a constant task, especially when traveling. Snacks are essential on planes, but remember that “feeding the beasts that are our offspring is a 24-7 job,” jokes Campbell Levy, founder and CEO of CampStories and father of three young boys. “Kids wake up and expect breakfast, so be prepared.”
When booking hotels, inquire about larger refrigerators for your room to store milk and other essentials. “Many hotels have larger refrigerators available to roll into your room—call ahead and request it,” advises Levy. If possible, opt for a room with a kitchenette for even greater flexibility in preparing meals and snacks. Having food readily available minimizes hunger-related meltdowns and ensures everyone stays energized and content throughout your travels.
Build in Cushion Days for Adjustment and Relaxation
Finally, remember to factor in adjustment time when planning your itinerary, especially when crossing time zones. “As much as [travel] can be a slog for adults, time zone shifts can prove especially disorienting for the youngest,” notes Tom Marchant. His strategy for combating jet lag is to “build in an extra day or two to acclimate to a new time zone.”
If you have a limited number of travel days, consider choosing destinations closer to home to minimize time zone differences. DiGregorio’s family prioritized travel to South America when their children were younger because the similar time zones to New York made it easier to maintain their sleep schedules. Incorporating cushion days into your travel plan allows everyone to adjust, relax, and fully enjoy the experience, leading to a more positive and less stressful family trip.
Traveling with kids requires extra planning and preparation, but by implementing these expert tips and utilizing smart gear, you can transform family trips from stressful ordeals into cherished adventures. Embrace the journey, involve your children, and remember that the memories you create together are the greatest souvenirs of all.
