10 Must-Know Tips for Traveling with Kids: A Family Guide
Simplifying Family Travel from Start to Finish
Traveling with kids can be one of the most rewarding experiences for families, but it also comes with unique challenges. Whether you're planning a road trip, flying across the country, or exploring a new city, these must-know tips will help make your family vacation smoother and more memorable.
1. Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible
Research your destination and create a loose itinerary but remember that traveling with kids requires flexibility. Not everything will go right. Build in downtime and be prepared to adjust plans based on energy levels and moods. Need help getting organized? Visit my Plan Your Trip page for helpful resources.
2. Pack Smart
Bring essentials like snacks, water bottles, prescriptions, travel ID/documents, extra clothes, and chargers/electronics. Make sure these are in a carryon or easily accessible bag in the event that your checked luggage gets lost. We had each of our kids carry their own backpacks and wheel their own luggage There are a ton of ways to fit items in your bags smartly.
3. Involve Kids in Planning
Let children help choose experiences or destinations. When kids feel involved in the planning process, they're more excited and engaged during the trip. This can be as simple as picking crab legs for dinner or going goldmining in Colorado! We make it a goal to include the thoughts of each of our kids and tailor something special and specific for them. For large families this is important because it lets your child know they are seen, heard and loved.
4. Keep Routines When Possible
Try to maintain regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. This can be hard on travel days, which is where you go back to planning. Make sure you have down time and bedtime routines similar on vacation. The more exhausted your child is the more exhausted the parents are too. Plus, exhaustion can lead to sick kids, which no one wants on a vacation.
5. Choose Kid-Friendly Accommodations
Look for hotels or rentals with amenities like pools, kitchenettes, or extra space. We search for hotels or resorts with free breakfast since we are a large family. Having a pool day helps get more pent-up energy from long car rides or sitting on planes all day. Most of the time when we ask kids what their favorite part of the trip was, they say the pool!
6. Prepare for Travel Days
Download movies, bring new toys or books, and pack plenty of snacks for planes, trains, or car rides. If your feeling crafty, create a guide or scavenger booklet for the to fill on their downtime. You can bring their electronics to help pass time during those long car rides. These can be helpful but also have their place, and the goal is to enjoy what's around you, and not focus only on the screen. We have done both, so definitely do what is best for your family for that trip. Just don't lose them!
7. Take Breaks
Don't try to see everything in one day. Schedule regular breaks for rest, play, and meals to prevent exhaustion and crankiness. I tell my clients to pick three must do experiences and then we go from there. The heat and cold can both affect kids and how long they can be outside, and you can't control that. So having that time planned is key to avoiding cranky kids.
8. Embrace Local Experiences
Visit playgrounds, local markets, or family-friendly attractions. We stopped by the Kansas City Farmer's Market one morning on our drive home. It was neat to see fresh flowers, local art, thrift store finds and we took home a clay watering can.
9. Pack a First Aid Kit
Include basics like bandages, pain relievers, antihistamines, and any prescription medications. Many times, these items are price gouged for tourists. Ever had a teething baby? You definitely want to be prepared for those 2 am cries.
10. Document the Journey
Take photos, collect souvenirs, or keep a travel journal together. We have collected park pins, stickers for our car carrier, and coffee mugs. It is our goal to get photos off the phones and into a physical photo album for each family trip we take!
Final Thoughts
Remember, the goal isn't a perfect trip—it's creating wonderful memories together as a family. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the mistakes, and enjoy the journey. We only have so much time with our children, and time is a thief. So, take the trip!
Ready to start planning your next family adventure? Check out our Plan Your Trip page for more resources and share your best tips for traveling with kids in the comments below!