Tips When Traveling With Kids and Small Children

According to the U.S. Family Travel Survey, roughly 85% of parents are likely to travel with their children at least once every year – whether it be a short road trip in the car or a cross-country trip in an airplane. 

Either way, parents must be prepared for the chaos that unfolds when traveling with kids. 

Packing, planning, and preparing for the trip is one thing, but actually getting everyone in the car is a completely different story – not to mention all the mayhem that follows once you finally leave the house. 

RELATED: 75 Terrific Travel Quotes to Inspire That Next Great Road Trip

Answers by Mamas Uncut: Traveling With Kids Edition

The question comes from one of our readers, who needed some advice before embarking on a 14-hour road trip with her four-year-old daughter – so, she asked our Mamas Uncut community.

You can join the discussion by clicking here. 

“Hey, moms! I’m looking for some long-distance road trip must-haves for kids, and tips as well! We’re moving 14 hours away, and it’ll be just me and my four-year-old daughter in the car,” Ashley asked. 

Don’t worry – we’ve all been there…

The constant fear that you’re missing something. The flurry of “Are we there yet?” comments coming from the backseat. Making sure your children – and significant other – are hydrated and satiated at all times.

Traveling with children isn’t easy, but that shouldn’t stop families from exploring as much of this beautiful world as possible. If your family is itching for a vacation or road trip, here’s how to make the most of it. 

7 Essentials to Pack When Traveling With Kids

Before you even think about leaving the house, let’s first make sure you pack everything you’re going to need. And yes, that means packing those things you may or may not need – because why take the risk?

From toys and band-aids to snacks and extra clothing – pack like you don’t plan on returning. 

Alright, that might be a little overdramatic, but you get the point. The last thing you want to do is be sitting in the airport thinking to yourself, “Jeez, I wish I packed that [blank]” or “Shoot, I forgot the [blank].” 

With that said, here are 7 essential items every parent should pack when traveling with kids:

7. Diapers & Baby Wipes

This might go without saying, but it’s worth being said because it’s the one thing you don’t want to be without – especially since you’ll be in a confined space (car, airplane, train, etc.) with other individuals.

To make life easy, pack anything you would normally pack in a diaper bag. 

Diapers, baby wipes, rash creams, changing pads, hand sanitizer—the whole nine yards. As a general rule of thumb, pack more than you think you’ll need, but pay attention to airplane/airport restrictions. 

6. Formula, Milk, and Snacks

A hungry child is an unhappy child – and an unhappy child is a recipe for disaster when traveling with kids. To avoid this, make sure your child never has to go without food – even if it’s just a quick snack. 

And don’t forget to pack any accessories they need while feeding. 

That includes nursing covers, breast pumps, bottles, bibs, burp cloths, pacifiers, and extra Tupperware containers (in case you have leftovers when eating out) – in addition to formula, milk, and other snacks.

5. Toys, Games & Entertainment

Overcoming boredom and keeping children happy are two of the biggest challenges parents face when traveling with kids. This is especially true when children are asked to sit still for long periods of time. 

Don’t worry – you can conquer their boredom by packing plenty of toys, games, and entertainment. 

And while the iPad or mobile device might be their go-to option, make sure you pack toys that reduce screen time. You can also play one-on-one games like ‘I Spy’ or ‘20 Questions’ to help pass the time. 

4. Car Seat, Carrier, & Stroller

A car seat is obvious, especially if you’re going on a road trip, but a stroller is necessary no matter what and a carrier gives you added flexibility for children who can’t walk yet or struggle to walk long distances. 

To make your life easy, invest in a 2-in-1 stroller/car seat. 

It’ll not only save room in your car (since you won’t need to pack both), but it also allows you to bring a car seat with you when traveling with kids via flying – which is a good idea if you plan on renting a vehicle. 

3. Medication & First-Aid

Make sure you pack any medications or prescriptions your child might need – even if it’s not a daily thing. You should also pack over-the-counter remedies, such as pain relievers and antihistamines (just in case).

Having it and not needing it is better than needing it but not having it. 

Not only that, but a first-aid kit ensures you’re prepared with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and tape when things go wrong. And since children are naturally curious and active, bruises and cuts are common.

2. Extra Pair of Clothes

Kids are prone to accidents, spills, and unexpected messes. Unfortunately for parents, these things tend to happen more frequently when children are out of their usual routines, habits, and environments. 

That’s why we recommend packing an extra pair of clothes for each child. 

Whether it’s a drink spilled during a bumpy flight or a puddle splashed during a roadside walk, having a clean set of clothes available ensures that these little accidents don’t become major inconveniences.

1. Documents & Identification

Having the proper documentation and identification is crucial for any trip – whether you’re traveling with kids or traveling alone. With that said, the requirements can vary depending on your mode of travel. 

This is especially true when going through TSA or airport security. 

To be safe, you should always carry some form of identification for your child – though a passport is required if traveling with kids outside of the country. Some situations might call for a letter of consent.

Getting Your Little One Ready for the Trip

Children are creatures of habit and routine. While going on vacation or a road trip might disturb those habits and routines, there are things you can do to help prepare your child for the adventure that awaits. 

Don’t forget – they need time to prepare and adjust, just like the rest of us. 

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend parents start preparing their little one – both mentally and emotionally – for their next trip the moment they begin the planning process (or when the trip is booked).

Here are five other tips to help you get your child ready for your trip:  

5. Involve your child in the packing and planning process – whether that means letting them choose the destination or letting them help you pack their suitcase. It makes them feel more connected to the trip. 

4. Be clear about where you’re going, what’s on the itinerary, why you’re going on the trip, and what your child can expect from start to finish. The more they know, the less stress and anxiety they’ll experience.

3. In the weeks or days leading up to the trip, try reading travel-inspired children’s books at bedtime or watching TV shows that help explain the nuances of traveling and being away from home for a while. 

2. If possible, adjust your child’s routine and habits to reflect the changes they might experience while traveling. For example, if you’re going to be switching time zones, put your kid to bed sooner than normal. 

1. Whatever you do, don’t rush yourself – especially with the packing process. The more organized and coordinated you are, the less stressful and anxious your child will feel in the leadup to the road trip. 

If you want to make this process extra fun for your children, create a visual countdown to the day you leave. It’ll serve as a daily reminder and act as a bonding experience for both the parent and child. 

This can be as simple as a calendar (make it a daily activity to cross off a day on the calendar each night or morning), or you can create a paper countdown chain (where each paper link represents one day). 

5 Tips for Long-Distance Road Trips

Road trips are often the preferred mode of travel for parents with infants and toddlers in tow. Airports and airplanes can be a little too hectic for your little one, but taking the car provides more comfort and control.

You can take breaks and pit stops as often as necessary, you aren’t confined to just one suitcase when packing, you won’t be dealing with crowds, and you can take a more scenic route to your destination.

With that said, it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. 

Car sickness, unpredictable behavior and/or meltdowns, traffic jams, disruptions to your normal routine or habits, unexpected costs, weather and climate changes, boredom, sibling arguments – the list goes on. 

Here are five tips to help you make road trips fun and enjoyable when traveling with kids: 

5. Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. From the moment you leave the house to the moment you arrive at your destination – everything should be planned accordingly, preferably down to the hour. 

4. Know where your pit stops are before you leave. These are your child’s only opportunities to use the bathroom (or to change your baby’s diaper) and are a great way to reset in between mile markers.  

3. If at all possible, try to schedule driving times around your child’s nap times. We recommend starting early in the morning or late at night – when kids are more likely to fall asleep or nap through the trip. 

2. Ensure all children are properly secured in car seats or booster seats appropriate for their age, weight, and height – after all, safety is what’s most important. Double-check that everything is installed correctly.

1. Take the scenic route, if it’s safe to do so – especially if passing through a national park or mountains. And don’t hesitate to take a break if you pass a playground or park – it helps keep your child’s spirits high. 

Long road trips can be incredibly educational for children – allowing them to see and experience new places, cultures, and landscapes firsthand, and teaching them how to be patient and overcome boredom. 

As children encounter different environments and cultures, they develop new interests or hobbies that they wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise, helping them grow and develop into unique individuals. 

5 Tips for Flying in an Airplane

Most parents find traveling with kids to be easier in a car, but road trips aren’t always a practical means of travel – and there’s nothing wrong with exposing your child to the airport or airplane travel at a young age. 

With that said, certain precautions need to be taken before flying with children. 

For starters, most experts recommend waiting until a baby has had its first set of immunizations (at least two months old) before flying to reduce the risk of contracting an illness when in a confined space. 

If possible, some experts suggest waiting until a child is 3-4 years old before bringing them on their first flight. At that point, your child is usually done with wearing diapers, can eat food, and can communicate.

Here are five tips to help make airplane travel with kids easy, fun, and safe: 

5. Always check in online and choose your seats ahead of time. It’s better to do this at home than at the airport when tensions are already high. Use your phone for boarding passes – instead of printing them.

4. Give yourself more than enough time to make your way through security, find your gate, use the bathroom, and buy snacks before boarding the plane. Get there early and keep everyone moving. 

3. Take advantage of early boarding, especially if you have multiple young children or a stroller. This allows you to get comfortable on the plane before everyone else starts making their way to their seat.

2. Aisle seats are best reserved for children who might need to take a bathroom break while on the plane, but window seats give your child a scenic experience and are better for children who like to fall asleep. 

1. Children who have their own seat are allowed to have their own carry-on bag. If you’re having a hard time fitting everything in your carry-on, don’t forget that you can have an extra one for each kid you have.

Don’t forget to make the experience fun. “If you’re focused only on the challenges, you’re going to miss the joys,” Christine Sarkis, editor-in-chief of the travel website Family Vacationist, said in an interview. 

5 Tips for Hotels & Lodging

Staying in a hotel with kids can be a fun and exciting experience, but it also requires some planning to ensure everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable stay – especially if it’s your child’s first time in a hotel.

In a way, it’s a breath of fresh air from their normal routine. 

But it can also be a stressful and anxious time for your child – and they may need to be comforted in ways you’re not used to comforting them as they adjust to life away from the home they grew accustomed to.

Don’t worry – we have some valuable tips to help make this experience as easy as possible for everyone: 

5. Do your research and pick a hotel with quality reviews – prioritize reviews that describe the hotel as kid-friendly or family-friendly. These are the hotels that go out of their way to provide exceptional service.

4. If your child isn’t old enough for their own room, make sure the room you book has enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably. That could be a room with two beds or one with room for a portable crib.

3. Most hotels offer some form of ‘continental breakfast’ in the morning, but only at a specified time. Check with the hotel to make sure you don’t miss out on this free breakfast – you’ll save a lot of money!

2. When you first arrive at the room, unpack your child’s suitcase an establish a home base. It’s important that the child feel like they’re at home, and the easiest way is to cater the hotel room to their liking. 

1. While it’s important to maintain some level of routine while traveling with kids, don’t feel like you need to be married to that routine. Let your children loosen up and give them a sense that they’re on vacation.

All hotels are different. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules and expectations of the hotel you’re staying in. The last thing you want to do is be a nuisance to others trying to enjoy their stay. 

You can also check out all the different services and activities available inside your hotel – the pool, game room, etc. It can add a little excitement to your child’s new, temporary home – and help pass some time.

5 Tips for Eating While Traveling

Traveling with kids is often synonymous with eating fast food and junk – not just because it’s easy and readily available, but it can help keep your child happy, especially if they don’t eat that type of food often. 

The problem with this is it’s extremely unhealthy for both you and your children. 

Instead of using traveling as an excuse to eat unhealthily, do your best to maintain regular eating habits and find healthy alternatives whenever necessary – don’t just settle for the first option you come across. 

“A family vacation is a great opportunity to role model for your kids and introduce your family to new types of foods while still having fun and allowing for treats,” says Emily Ostrowski, a registered dietician. 

Here are some tips to help you stay happy and healthy when traveling with kids: 

5. Always pack snacks. Not just for the road trip or airplane ride, but also for the hotel and whenever you go out on an adventure. Hiking? Museum? Aquarium? Beach? Joy ride? Either way – pack a snack!

4. If you plan on eating out often, make sure you choose your restaurants wisely. Try to avoid fast food as much as possible (maybe for a snack), but prioritize healthy restaurants with fresh food and ingredients. 

3. Keep fast and easy meals in the hotel room. I like to buy a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly, and things that can be heated up in a microwave (if the hotel gives you access to one, which they usually do).

2. If you’re visiting a city known for its unique food, try some of those foods as a family. It helps introduce your child to new things, but in a way that brings the family closer together through shared experiences.

1. Hydration is always key, especially if you plan on walking a lot or are staying in a climate your body isn’t used to. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water – not just soda and other sugary drinks. 

“Some kids have a hard time eating outside of the home,” says Ostrowski – adding that parents should pack small snacks, just in case. “If you have a child who isn’t a big ‘food explorer’ don’t force the issue.”

Make This the Best Trip Your Family Has Ever Had!

As children navigate new environments, they learn to trust their abilities, make decisions, and interact with new people – boosting their confidence, and helping them become more resilient and independent. 

Of course, it also helps bring the family together. 

These shared experiences away from the normal stresses and routines of everyday life can strengthen relationships and foster a deeper connection between family members – and we can all use more of that!

Traveling with kids might not be the easiest thing in the world, but nothing about parenting is – and that shouldn’t stop you from showing your children what this world has to offer outside of their own community.

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Whether this is your first time traveling with kids or something yo udo regularly, know that you can always count on the Answers by MamasUncut community to answer any questions you might have. Our online forum connects you with real mothers who have real advice on just bout any topic you can think of.