10 Family Travel Tips
Traveling with your little ones is such a special part of life. You are making beautiful memories as a family that you will be able to look back on for years to come. Even more, you are helping your children develop necessary life skills that they can’t get just anywhere. Of course, we are thankful to have these experiences and bond with them, but honestly, it can be hard sometimes! As much as we would like it to be, traveling with kids is not always butterflies and rainbows. My husband and I love to go on trips with our 3 Children (7, almost 4, 1). We’ve gone on trips around our home state, California, and all around the world since our oldest son was as only 7 months old. I'm sharing with you 10 family travel tips I’ve learned along the way.
1. How to keep your kids safe while traveling
No matter where you are traveling to, there is always that worry in the back of your mind (or sometimes right in front!) about keeping the kids safe. Unfortunately, as parents, this doesn’t ever really go away. But there are things you can do to be prepared for the worst and put your mind at ease at least a little bit.
When doing your research for the trip, don’t forget to look into things like the neighborhoods, and surrounding areas for how safe it is. You can look at reviews and blogs for guidance on kid-friendly neighborhoods. I also love talking with our Airbnb host and getting insight and recommendations for the area when we get to a new place. This is a great way to see hidden gems that might be less known to tourists and also what areas/streets to stay away from.
While we always do our best to keep everyone close, in the event that we do get separated or in an accident, you want to be able to be reunited again. Consider having the kids wear an ID bracelet at all times. You can make your own and add any information you’d like. Or you can buy some pre-made ones. Make sure to add their name, and your phone number at least! This pack on Amazon has some fun designs that can help get the kiddos excited to keep them on. When our kids get a little bit older, we want to start implementing this!
2. How to include your kids in a family trip
Imagine if someone woke you up, put all your things in a bag, put you in a car and you had no idea where they were going. That would be scary! It’s no different for our kids. While they obviously don’t need all the details, it can be helpful to let them know what the plan is for your trip. When they know what to expect it can help to reduce tantrums and encourage them to cooperate. They might not have the words to express their confusion but we know we would feel just the same if it were us. You might even include them in some of the decision-making. If you’re deciding between the zoo or the aquarium, let them have a say so they can feel like an important part of the process.
Our older kids are 7 and 4 years old. They both always know when they have a trip coming up. We love to share it all with them and they always look forward to it. Throughout the trip, our 7-year-old will share his favorite parts of traveling and spending time together. As parents, hearing his thoughts and what he loves about it is just the sweetest thing to hear. I always love keeping them well included in conversations about the trip!
3. Family travel tips for keeping kids happy
I can’t be the only one who plans a perfect itinerary only for one unexpected bathroom break to turn into a 30-minute mission… right? Do yourself a favor and expect the unexpected. You know your babies best. Sometimes, we just think traveling will be different and forget to plan for the little things that we are used to at home. You deserve not to be stressed running to the next reservation. When you plan things far enough apart and leave room for mishaps, you also get to move slowly. You get to stop and smell the flowers, explain to your toddler how the bird makes that nest in the tree, or stop for a surprise snack, or nap– for them or you!
We also make sure to pack their favorite snacks for the road/flight. This gives them something to look forward to on the way and keeps them busy! If it's a long journey, a good old-fashioned game is always a good idea too. “I Spy” and the Alphabet game are always my go-to.
4. Don't overpack – kids need less than you think
Especially when you’re new parents, it can be really hard to not pack everything you own for the baby. And yes, babies need a lot of things. But try your best not to overpack when going on a trip. I learned pretty quickly that we don’t really need everything I end up packing. A lot of it just becomes weight added to our luggage. I like to stick to the basics when packing for the kids – clothes and toiletries (and even that will sometimes fill the suitcase to the point of needing to get on top and sit on it while you zip it up haha). Even with clothes, it can be hard to keep it small. So, I usually pack the basics for a few days and utilize the local laundromat wherever we’re visiting. Everything else, we can get to our destination!
Bonus Family Travel Tip: Get your kids their own backpack and have them help with packing. All of their things must fit in the backpack which makes it fun for them and easy for you.Check out this customizable backpack on Etsy.
5. How to prepare your kids for jet lag
We all know how hard it is to recover from a crazy time change. Add in some tired kids too, you might be in for some chaos. How can we prepare the littles for intense time changes while on a trip? Save this family travel tip for later! Have your routine follow the timezone you are wanting to match. So, if you’re getting ready to leave on your trip in a few days and they are a couple of hours ahead, make bedtime a couple of hours earlier. If they are a few hours behind, try to stay awake a while longer to adjust to the local timezone of your destination.
Likewise, try starting the morning earlier too. You can repeat this when you’re getting ready to make the trek back home- just flip it. We will try to stay awake as much as possible according during the local daytime and get as much sunlight as we can. By doing this, you’re training your and your kid’s bodies to operate in the right timezone before it's 2 naps too late and you’re in the middle of an airport with crying babies. You know what I mean? Been there, done that!
6. Plan variation in your activities to keep things exciting
When planning out your activities for the trips, try to keep lots of variety. We all know how hard it can be to keep the littles entertained. Instead of planning lots of outdoor things, mix in some museums, libraries, malls, etc. The alternative is a surefire way to wear the kiddos out right away or bore them to the point of no return. Keep things exciting while also giving yourself a break in scenery and energy levels!
7. Keeping your routine while traveling
As much as family trips can be all over the place and really throw a wrench in your routine, maybe it doesn't have to. Keeping the same routine your kids are used to at home can actually be really helpful to make things run smoothly. Not only do they know more of what to expect in the day, but those routines are already structured based on your kids’ energy. If they need that midday nap, they really need it when you’re even busier. Don’t feel like everything has to be forgone when on a trip. Instead, use your routines to your advantage and keep it predictable!
8. Family travel tips for returning home
Hopefully, by following tips 5 and 7, your transition back home goes pretty smoothly. But maybe it's not the kids that need some more help getting back into the swing of things… Mom and Dad are allowed to need a break too! Whatever the case, I recommend planning for a recovery day after a big trip. When you get home, you’ll have time to unpack, unwind, and breathe a little bit before jumping back into school and work. While a small change, this can do wonders for your mental health!
9. Family travel tips: book a photoshoot during your trip!
Looking back at pictures from your travels is such a special thing. Those moments are ones that are going to help shape your children into adults and foster the bond between your family. They are special times that you’ll talk about for years and years to come. But, have you ever gotten back from a trip, and pulled up the photos only to see crooked, poorly lit photos with one person not looking and the other one mid-blink? I definitely have and it's always a little bit disappointing. It's hard to focus on posing the perfect photo when you're traveling and being in the moment. But at the same time, these are the photos that will mean the most later in life.
Booking a travel photographer
This is why I recommend booking a photo session with a professional photographer when you are booking your trip. I know you’re probably thinking, “Professional photos? I thought that was only a thing to do during the holidays?” First, getting photos done is for way more than just Christmas time. Click here to read 6 Reasons To Book Spring Family Photos. Second, yes- you can absolutely book photos during your trip. Not only are there photographers basically anywhere you can go, but if you have one you really love, some will travel to you! This is something I’m so excited to start doing more in my own business. When I got to do a session with a friend of mine in Portugal (click here to see those amazing photos), I knew this was something I wanted to do with more clients.
My family and I go on trips all the time and love to travel. If you want to get all the updates about where I’ll be and when join my email list! That way, if we’re in the same area at the same time, you can get those wall-worthy photos and document your family memories forever.
10. Patience while traveling with kids!
Lastly, give yourself grace. All the family travel tips in the world sometimes still can’t prepare you for trips with the littles. It’s okay if things don't go as planned. It's okay if your kids aren’t happy sometimes. It’s okay if you need a break. Allow yourself to embrace the moment either way. You did this. You planned this beautiful experience for your family. You kept everyone safe and made it back home in one piece. It's something your kids are going to be forever grateful for. And you deserve a pat on the back!
See you in the world somewhere!
Getting to go on family trips with your kids is such a special privilege. The task can sometimes feel daunting but it's one of those things that you are grateful for at the end of it. Hopefully, these tips help you feel more prepared for this journey. Remember, we’re all just doing the best we can. And with more practice, you’ll be whipping around the airport and through the city with no problems. I hope to one day meet you out there in the world and have the opportunity to capture the love in your family so you can have amazing photos to remember your time forever.
PS if you want some inspiration or to get excited about your next trip, click here to watch my IG highlight from my family’s trip to Spain. Click here to watch the one for our trip to Portugal.
