Did you know that this year, 2 out of every 3 Americans plan to travel this Holiday season? This includes by plane, train, road trip, etc. in order to visit loved ones to celebrate, or for a much-needed vacation or trip. If you’re one of these many people, and you’re packing your family up to travel soon, I know how overwhelming that can be– especially with little ones. That’s why I’ve compiled my favorite travel hacks for any type of travel with kids, whether it’s plane, train, or automobile!
Hacks for Travel With Kids
Travel Hack #1: Prep Your Kids for Travel
Our kiddos (especially toddlers!) thrive on predictability. This is why preparing your child(ren) for any upcoming family travel is really important. If you’re heading to the airport, let your little one know what to expect when you’re there. You can say things like, “We’re flying on a plane! But first, we are going to go to the airport. There, we will get our tickets, they will take our suitcases from us to put them on the airplane, and then we will go through security. Security may be a little scary, but they want to check each person to make sure it’s safe for them to get on the plane”.
If you’ll be heading on a long road trip, you can also prepare them by saying something like, “We’re going to be driving to Grandma’s house! It will take us a long time, and you will be buckled in your car seat for a while. But, we will take breaks!”
When traveling across different time zones, children can experience jet lag just like adults. To help them adjust, try to gradually shift their sleep schedule before the long trip. During the flight, keep them hydrated and encourage short naps that align with the destination’s time zone. This can make the transition smoother and help everyone adapt more quickly to the new schedule.
Play is a great way to prepare kids for travel. Here are some of our favorite books, toys, and games to help prepare:
Fisher-Price Little People Airplane Toy
Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip
Travel Hack #2: Snacks!
This is an important hack for travel with kids: bring the snacks! Nobody is happy when they’re hungry (including mom!). So make sure to pack your kids’ favorites to keep them happy and full. You don’t want a meltdown when the specific crackers aren’t available at the airport! And no need to worry, you can bring (most of) your own snacks through TSA security.
Here are our favorite items that work great for packing snacks for the car, airport, plane, or train:
Travel Hack #3: Keep the Kids Entertained on The Journey
Ok, this one seems pretty obvious. But I mean endless entertainment. Packing a tablet and headphones for screen time in your carry-on or backpack isn’t the only solution with our kiddos’ attention spans (we wish!) and spotty Wi-Fi. To make it to your destination with an ounce of sanity, you’ll need an arsenal of toys, activities, and electronics to keep your child(ren) independently entertained for the duration of your travels.
Long trips can be tiring for little ones (and adults!). Make sure to take regular breaks to stretch your legs. If you’re on a road trip, plan stops at rest areas or parks where kids can run around and burn off some energy. For flights, take advantage of opportunities to walk up and down the aisle mid-flight (when it’s safe to do so). This not only helps kids stay active but can also make the journey more enjoyable for everyone.
Here’s a list of our favorite products for travel:
Travel Hack #4: Keep Everyone Organized While Traveling
In order to keep your mind clear and stress-free, I highly recommend finding an organization system that works for you and your family while you travel (not just throwing everything into a plastic bag last minute!). Does your kiddo want a certain toy at a moment’s notice? From diapers and wipes for younger kids, to crayons and coloring books for older kids, you know right where to grab it! For example, keeping all activities and devices accessible in this toiletry bag (this is my favorite hack!). Keep everything organized from luggage to carry-on backpacks for success.
Here are our favorite organization products:
Trunki Ride-On Suitcase for Kids
Check Out All of My Airplane & Road Trip Travel Favs!
Ready to Travel With Kids
Use these tips and tricks for your next adventure for a stress-free journey. Prepare your kiddo before your next family vacation by letting them know what to expect, packing all of the snacks, getting your toys, activities, and devices ready to go, and keeping it all organized. Check out our list of the Best Places to Travel with Kids in the US.
Don’t forget to use these hacks for travel with kids to set everyone up for a smooth journey. You got this!
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