Traveling with kids is daunting on its own, but it can seem even more overwhelming if you haven't done it in a while. For the most part, we have been spending a lot of time at home for the past year and a half, and while that has a lot of families itching to get out and go somewhere, in actual practice, it's stressful — especially the actual travel part.
Getting to your destination doesn't have to be quite as stressful as you're imagining, though, and the more willing you are to embrace the chaos, the more fun you'll have on your next adventure.
Ready to hit the road (or take to the skies) with kids again for the first time in a long time — or maybe even the first time ever? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you plan.
Stay Organized While Packing
Anyone who's traveled before and after kids knows that you bring a lot more stuff when you have little ones along for the ride, so when you're packing, stay organized from the beginning. If you've never used them before, you can't have too many packing cubes — it'll help you organize everyone's clothes, and on the way home, you can easily separate the dirty laundry from the clean clothes that didn't get worn on your trip (there's always at least some).
The same thing can be done with gallon sized Ziploc bags, and some moms even swear by packing an outfit for each day for your child separately into a bag, including socks, underwear, and hair accessories. The bags can then be reused when you get home — for your next trip or for something else.
Keep Kids as Close To Their Normal Schedule as Possible
Of course, this is vacation we're talking about, and bigger kids will love the chance to stay up late and (hopefully) sleep in when they get the chance. But for babies and young toddlers, it might be worth the effort to keep them on the normal schedule they follow at home — at least as closely as you can without compromising too much on your travel plans.
For some, this might mean making sure your kids wake up and go to bed at the same time that they do at home, while others might want to take it a step further and keep meal times the same, too. Scheduling in a time for a nap or hotel downtime isn't a bad idea, either, even if you have kids who ditched their naps a long time ago.
Leave as Much Buffer Time as Possible
The sooner you accept that things will not go as planned while traveling with kids, the better off you'll be, and the best way to do that is to build in some buffer time on your travel day. If you can avoid making any concrete plans on arrival day, do it — and if you're flying, leave for the airport an hour earlier than you would if you were traveling solo.
On road trips especially, traveling with kids can be unpredictable. You'll probably have to stop more often for bathroom breaks, diaper changes, and snack stops — and you may even find that it's helpful to stop at a park or playground during your drive to let the kids get out and stretch their legs. Giving yourself plenty of time for the unexpected will take the pressure off of you, and it might end up making the day a little more fun.
Let Go of All Those Screen Time Hang Ups
Many parents choose to put a limit on the amount of screen time their kids have at home, but when you're traveling, it might be a good idea to loosen up the rules just a little bit. Whether you're driving or flying, using a tablet or an iPad can be a lifesaver in keeping kids occupied. Download their favorite movies from Netflix or Disney+ ahead of time so they'll be accessible without internet, and add a few games (or even eBooks) they can enjoy on their journey, too.
Most importantly, if you feel any guilt around this issue, let that go, too — sometimes, traveling with kids is purely about survival!
Buy the Extra Plane Seat
While your child is still young enough to sit on your lap, it can be really tempting to save the money and skip buying them their own seat. But if your flight is longer than an hour or so, and you can swing, it, buy the seat. The extra room will be a lifesaver, and if you're traveling with a baby, it can make things a lot easier to bring a carseat for them to sit in, which will feel familiar for them (and leave your hands free).
Bring a Bag of Tricks
This is especially helpful for longer journeys and road trips where kids get cranky, but always remember to bring a bag of secret weapons for keeping the kids happy and entertained that you (or whoever is in the passenger seat up front) can easily access. Pack it full of snacks, toys, and little surprises that can distract kids when they start getting bored or fussy. The dollar store can be a great place to stock up on inexpensive, small toys that might serve as a good distraction while you're en route.
Traveling with kids is tough sometimes, but remember: No matter how many things have gone wrong (or how cranky the little ones — and you — are), the journey will eventually end, and the destination will be worth it.
