Traveling with kids, especially toddlers can be a challenge! Whether you are taking a day trip, a cross country drive or a flight with little ones, these simple tips can help make the ride a little smoother.
Keep a Schedule
Whenever possible consider your little ones usual sleep and eating schedules into the travel plans.
Traveling during nap or bedtimes may be a good idea if your little one will sleep or at least rest in the car. If you aren’t sure, plan a few dry runs leading up to your trip and practice car/ travel naps. I’ve always had strict nap schedules with my kids and they would literally sleep anywhere; car, beach, double stroller (in Disney), shopping cart, really anywhere!
Sleep
Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep for a toddler
If your little one usually goes to bed around the same time each night, try to stick to the schedule for the majority of your trip. Keeping toddlers up late may seem like a “special treat” but may also take away from daytime fun if they are consistently having late nights. Unfortunately, with toddlers usually staying up late does not mean sleeping in but just cranky kids. A few late nights can be fun but try to plan a few “good night’s sleep” as well.
- If you don’t want to miss out on evening fun, but want to get your toddler to bed early a few nights of your trip, plan for some older kid or adult special fun things you can do away from home in your hotel or rental that maybe you don’t always have time for at home. Bring a pack of cards, board games, rent/ download a new movie, or plan a special theme of indoor activities each night.
- Try to plan travel times around sleep/ rest times
- Usually “keeping them up late or skipping a nap” in hopes they will be extra tired and sleep in the car, plane, hotel, etc. will back fire with overtired toddlers so try to keep to a schedule as much as possible
Feeding Times (at the Zoo!)
Hangry toddlers are the last thing you want to be dealing with while trying to navigate traveling, so plan ahead!
If you won’t be somewhere convenient to stop for food during a toddlers’ regular feeding time, don’t skip it. Pack something substantial they can have on the go. A fed and rested toddler is a happy toddler. Always pack lots of snacks as well!
- Picnics in the back of the car have always been a great option for us verses fast food my kids don't really eat well.
- No spill containers or containers that fit in cup holders can be convenient and help limit messy travel eating
- When choose snacks to pack consider:
- snacks that take a while to eat (usually snacking toddlers are some what happy and quite- prolong the moment)
- Healthy snacks when possible as even a different diet than usual when traveling can lead to unhappy toddlers. If they aren’t used to a lot of fast food, relying on this during traveling can cause tummy and bathrooms issues.
Entertainment
It's always a good idea to pack plenty of entertainment for a toddler to have available during travel, waiting, restaurants, etc..
Here's a list and some tips on what I've always included in my toddlers entertainment bags!
- Tablets
- Don't forget to download some games and content onto the tablet to be used offline in case you don't have wifi or hotspot while traveling
- Also trying to avoid tablet time at home leading up to the trip may help relieve any "tablet guilt" you may have while traveling and help keep your little one more interested & engaged with the tablet if it's a travel time treat!
- Water pens and mess free markers are a great options for art fun on the go, without the worry of melted crayons and marker stained car seats!
- Scavenger hunts and car bingo
- Who Am I Game
- This is a simple and great game to keep toddlers entertained during travel and help them learn about some animal facts!
- SAMPLE: I am green, I hop, and catch flies with my tongue...
- Audiobooks are another great option for long car journeys to enjoy a family story-time together!
- We listed to the whole "Witches" novel by Roald Dahl on the way to Florida one year and the kids asked for it again the next year! This can also be a great alternative to a bedtime story and help with relaxation or nap-times too.
- Comfy Headphones
- Unless you want to listen to "Baby Shark" on repeat for your entire journey, you may want to invest in some toddler headphones.
- There are so many great options on the market including soft headband style ones that help keep kiddos comfy in their carseats with them on (pictured below)
- Kid Kits
- If you are looking for more screen free entertainment options, let Kid Kits create you an Airplane/ Car Activity Kit!
- This kit will be educational and FUN, with 5-7 activities that are easy to travel with and are geared specifically to your child's age.
Packing Essentials
- Pack a travel potty
- Sometimes making a potty pitstop just isn’t possible. Pick up a small portable potty that you can pop open and use on the go regardless of available rest stops.
- Bring a small blanket and pillow, stuffy or neck pillow to help your little one get comfy during travel
- Don't forget some comfort items from home like Teddy, blankie, a nightlight, a favorite bedtime book, etc. to help toddlers get a better night’s sleep away from home
- Always pack EXTRA diapers, a change of clothes, and wipes with you when traveling
- Consider your “diaper bag” for traveling
- You may want to opt for a light weight backpack for all your essentials vs. your usual everyday bulky diaper bag. You can still bring it along and keep it in the car but you may want a light-weight easy to carry bag for in and outs or walking around during travel.
- Charging cords and portable batteries for all devices
- You don’t want to miss capturing a magical moment of traveling with your phone camera or an S.O.S. Youtube video because of a dead battery!
Flying Tips
- Little ones can get super uncomfortable with ear pain and pressure during take off and landing, it's a great idea to be prepared with some options to keep them chewing, sucking, and swallowing during this time to help avoid pressure build up
- Suggestions: bottles or drinks with a straw, lollipops, pacifiers, fruit snacks or gummy candies
- Request bulk head seats with your airline and travel cots when on international or overnight flights if you are traveling with babies
- If you are traveling with a stroller you can keep it with you in the airport and just check it at the gate when boarding! Don't forget to pack a stroller bag (they usually provide plastic ones but I've found the cloth ones protect the stroller better)
- If you are traveling with a car seat
- check if it is approved for use on the aircraft
- If it is not or you don’t want them to sit in it on the plane, you can get a carseat cart! You can attach the carseat to cart and they can sit in it while you roll them through the airport (make shift stroller) you can also check your carseat at the gate!
These are some of the travel hacks I’ve used with my two under twos and many international flights between England and the USA! What are some of your favorite travel hacks? Share with us on our social media pages:
