While traveling with children is not always easy, the memories created together make every challenge worthwhile. The following tips have truly helped make our adventures as a family smoother, more meaningful, and far less stressful. I share them in the hope that they might inspire more parents to explore the world alongside their children too.
I believe traveling is one of the most important experiences a child can have. I fervently believe it broadens a child’s horizons and exposes them to new cultures and life experiences that are simply impossible to recreate at home or through a textbook. Beyond that, travel teaches children resiliency, flexibility, understanding, patience, and the confidence to navigate an ever-changing world.
You Have To Bend Or You Will Break
Travel is definitely going to throw curveballs in your direction. How big those curveballs will be is often unknown. It is very rare that everything goes exactly as planned. However, through traveling the world both on my own and now as a family, I have found that when plans go astray, some of the most memorable experiences of the trip end up happening.
Flexibility is key to surviving change, as well as reminding yourself that change does not necessarily have to be a negative thing. My Type-A personality has had to learn how to bend with these situations, because otherwise I know I will break.
Children can absolutely detect fear or stress from their parents, and when they do, that is often when disaster strikes. Try your best to remain calm, cool, and go with the flow for the sake of your family and the overall memories of the trip. Sometimes the unexpected moments become the stories you treasure most later on.
Perfect Parenting Is Not The Goal
You simply cannot be perfect when you travel, so give yourself a much-needed break. Allowing your children a little more screen time or a different diet while away does not in any way make you a bad parent. And having a few off-schedule days once you return home does not mean you have failed either. Being perfect is completely overrated.
Having said that, I do think it is best to stick to your child’s routine as much as possible, especially when it comes to sleep and downtime. But if they miss a nap or bedtime gets pushed back one evening, it is not the end of the world. Sometimes the best family memories happen in the middle of those imperfect moments.
Travel Is Now About Them
When you travel with children, you need to accept that the days where you could do and see exactly what you desired are gone. Traveling with children means missing certain attractions in favor of a playground. Guess what? The joy you will have watching them experience a new place for the first time will make you forget all about your needs and wants in a heartbeat. It is one of the best feelings to witness your child’s curiosity blossom right in front of your eyes, and if you choose a destination that has a lot for them to do (there are tons of things to do in Lancaster PA with kids, for example) then you will find that it’s just as enjoyable as a more adult trip because they’ll be having so much fun that you won’t be able to help yourself finding the joy in the small kid’s stuff, too.
Experiences Are The Most Important
Buy that souvenir if you want to, however the memories you will bring home will have a much more lasting effect on your family than anything else. Even if the memories you are creating are ones your children are too young to remember, trust me, you will remember. Travel tips allows families to spend a very different kind of time together. As a parent, you get to see sides of your children that you might not otherwise knew existed. The time that you can do this is remarkably fleeting. On a side note, you can never take too many photos!
Choose A Child Friendly Hotel
Do your research before booking a hotel. Many hotels are far more accommodating to families and children than others. Staying at a child-friendly hotel will not only allow you to pack less, but it will also help you relax knowing that the staff and other guests are more likely to understand and sympathize with the realities of traveling with children.
Most importantly, try to let go of the fear of being judged by others. Your priority is your children — not what strangers may think. Children cry, get overwhelmed, and throw tantrums sometimes. That is simply part of life, and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. The same goes for airplanes and restaurants as well.
I have learned that when parents stay calm and confident, children usually settle much faster too. Give yourself grace and remember that your family deserves to experience the world just as much as anyone else.
Pack Only The Essentials
Children need a surprising amount of stuff, which can definitely contribute to travel stress. Honestly, this was one of the biggest reasons it took me so long to travel with Joaquín. The idea of packing for him completely and utterly overwhelmed me.
What I eventually realized, however, is that you do not actually need to bring as many “essentials” as you think you do. Most necessities can easily be purchased once you arrive at your destination. Packing lighter truly reduces stress and makes the entire family happier.
I have found that making a packing list and starting at least a week before the trip helps tremendously. On Joaquín’s first trip, I made the mistake of bringing far too many toys — two entire bags full — and once we arrived at the hotel, he had almost zero interest in them, because he was so fascinated by the new environment around him. Honestly, we probably could have gotten away with bringing only one or two toys total.
While some parents like to pack toys for the plane, I have personally found that downloading a few favorite movies onto my phone or iPad works wonders for keeping little ones entertained during travel days. Thankfully, most streaming services now allow you to download movies and shows to watch offline, which can be an absolute lifesaver during flights or long travel days.
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned from traveling with children? I would love to hear your experiences, tips, and favorite family travel memories in the comments below!
Truly amazing tips and guide! Thanks for sharing this post.
Awww thank you so much for enjoying!
Oh Andi, you have no idea what an inspiration you are to me! Thank you!!! I will definitely follow these tips with my baby.
Awww I am so glad my post has helped you! I wish you many beautiful adventures.
Andi! This is super inspiring!!! I do not have kids yet, but I am bookmarking this.
That is so sweet to hear and I do hope you get to travel with kids sometime in your future. 🙂
That is so sweet to hear and I do hope you get to travel with kids sometime in your future. Thanks for sharing information.
Oh we have been traveling like crazy! It is the best!!! <3
I love your style of writing – it makes me smile and I want to find the best tips for my baby boy… I just love that beautiful idea. It is amazing! Thank you, Andi!
What a lovely comment, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Wow, Miss Andi, every detail is absolute perfection! Love it! Thanks for sharing with us!
Awwww you are so welcome, thank you for your kind words!!!
You choose the best topic: traveling with children. Nothing better in life. 🙂
I think I agree!!! <3
Thanks for sharing Miss Andi, this was super helpful!
Yay you are welcome dear!
I like your post, it is really useful to me and my family. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
You are welcome! Happy travels!!!
I just want to say thanks for your wonderful post, it images a lot of knowledge and information that I needed right now. Thank for sharing with us this great post.
You’re welcome! I am so glad that it was helpful!!!
Awesome post!
Thanks!
great post! thank you for sharing.
Lᵒᵛᵉᵧₒᵤ❤
Thank you for your kind words!
I wish you many beautiful adventures with your little one!
Awww thank you so very, very much!!!
This content is really very helpful!
Great, that is wonderful to hear!
Your post is giving me confidence to travel with my little one!!!
Yay, I am so happy to hear that!
Wow, awesome post, thanks Andi!
Thanks for the kind words!
You make me want to travel with my kids now!
I hope you do!!!
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You have no idea how inspiring this is Andi! Thank you!!!
Awww yay I am so glad you loved the post! Travel away!!!
I like your post, it is really useful to me and my baby. Thanks for your useful information
That is wonderful news, you are so welcome!
Keep doing it! Thanks for sharing!!
We will, I promise. Thank you!
thank you
You’re welcome!
I will take tips from your article to write on my travel blog!
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Wow… You just cleared my doubts on traveling with my little siblings… I think I can be taking taking them now!
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I might suggest that if you really want to save money, you might consider a local trip instead of flying someplace.
It’s less expensive and you won’t need to buy things they need along the way.
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Awesome tips!
such a great article. thank you so much.
Andi’s invaluable tips for traveling with children are a beacon of wisdom for parents worldwide, offering practical advice and reassurance. Her engaging narratives and personal anecdotes make her blog a must-read for families seeking memorable and stress-free adventures.
Andi’s travel blog is a lifesaver for parents, offering invaluable tips and tricks for navigating the joys of travel with children. With Andi’s guidance, families can embark on unforgettable adventures with ease and confidence, creating cherished memories along the way.