Traveling with young children can be difficult, especially if they are toddlers. Sometimes it is hard to travel light and leave some of the things you need at home. This blog post will cover 7 tips for traveling with toddlers or young children so that you can travel as light as possible and still feel comfortable while on vacation!
Pack Snacks and Drinks for the Kids
Many people travel by plane, and toddlers are not allowed to bring their own drinks or snacks. You should always pack a few extra things for them in your carry-on bag to avoid having to buy something expensive at the airport kiosk.
Even if you’re driving somewhere with kids in tow, it is prudent to plan ahead so that no one will be starving or dehydrated. A good rule of thumb is two snacks per hour – but make sure they aren’t high sugar items!
There’s nothing worse than being stuck on some car ride without any food while your toddler starts whining about hunger pains. Obviously, this doesn’t even take into account travel delays or arriving late after nightfall in an unfamiliar area where there may be no restaurants nearby.
Bring a Few Small Toys to Keep Them Entertained
Bringing toys your child likes will help them stay entertained during travel. It is recommended to pack a few small toys to keep them busy for the duration of your trip, but make sure you don’t over-pack too many things as it will be harder to travel with more than one carry-on bag or backpack between two people.
The toy should be easy enough that they can play with it at their seat or in their lap while still being able to watch out the window or get up and walk around when needed for potty trips etc.
Some suggestions are puzzles, coloring books, stickers (or travel sticker books), cars/trains/planes, building blocks, and other “hands-on ” toys.
Packing the travel-size versions is also a good idea so that they will fit in your carry-on bag and not take up too much space on the plane or car ride.
Bring Entertainment for Yourself – Books, Music, or Movies
Bringing books can be a provider of entertainment for you when you travel with your kids. They can be a distraction for them and provide some relief from the flight or car ride. If they are old enough, books can serve as an educational tool to help young children learn about geography or point out landmarks on their journey home.
Make Sure Your Toddler Is Wearing Comfortable Clothes
Making your child wear comfortable clothes is one of the most important, but often overlooked travel tips for traveling with toddlers. If your child is wearing clothes that are too restricting or uncomfortable then they will likely be fidgety and want to take them off which can lead to a lot of unwanted attention from other passengers on the plane. This is why baby reins are a good idea, especially since your child will want to move freely. Toddlers also cannot hold their bladders for much longer than 45 minutes – especially when sitting down during travel time! Keeping this in mind as well as keeping lots of diapers on hand can help make travel more manageable for everyone involved.
Plan Activities Before You Leave So They Don’t Get Bored During Travel Time
Before leaving home, planning activities so your child does not get bored during travel time is imperative. And those activities should include coloring, sticker books, toys that make noise or are interactive (i.e., a toy with buttons to push).
Books and videos can also be useful resources for travel entertainment depending on the child’s age. In addition to these tools, consider bringing along an iPad or laptop equipped with games and apps specifically designed for kids their age group and interests.
If your child gets carsick while in a car seat when traveling long distances at higher speeds like in highway driving, bring plastic bags so they don’t throw up inside the car seat from getting sick over it; this will help keep them comfortable during travel without having to worry about messes!
Be Flexible With Your Plans
Last but not least, travel at your own pace. Be flexible with travel plans – if something doesn’t work out as planned, try again later! This is the only way to travel and have fun on a budget.
If you are really having trouble planning ahead of time or don’t know what to do while traveling (particularly with young kids), it’s always best to pack things like coloring books, magazines, paper, and pencils in case there isn’t anything that can keep them entertained available when they need it most. Remember that even though we plan for every contingency possible because we want our children to be happy travelers too, sometimes things just happen outside of our control which makes flexibility so important here.
Make Sure They Know What Is Expected of Them Before Getting Leaving Home
Make sure that your child knows what is expected of them before getting on the plane, train, bus. Explain to them where they will be sitting and why; also show them how to use their travel equipment like seat belts or stroller buckles. If you have a break from traveling in between flights, get out for some fresh air and let your children play with other kids if there are any around nearby.
There are a few things you can do in advance to make sure that your family outing is successful. Bring snacks and drinks, small toys for the kids, entertainment for yourself (books, music, or movies), clothes appropriate for the weather outside, and plan some activities before you leave. Be flexible with your plans but know how long it will take to get there so that if something comes up on the way home you’re not too late getting back. You’ll be glad you planned ahead when everyone has fun at their destination!
