Make sure to check out my first travel with kids blog post here.
We’ve done road trips and plane trips and there are tips that help make things easier.
Road Trip Tips
We took a big road trip to Canada so my husband could meet an online friend for her wedding. Yes, we sure did that. We had three littles and I was pregnant again with our fourth. The trip was 17 hours total one way. We decided to stop at Niagara Falls on our way and break up the trip a bit. This still meant quite the drive with little kids.
Activities
I started by researching things to keep kids busy in the car. Luckily we had TVs in the second row and so I knew we had movies as an option. Picking out movies we hadn’t seen in awhile was a start. Then I discovered someone’s idea of making a binder of activities. At the time my oldest were preschool age.
I picked free age based printables from the internet. I then used plastic covers over the papers and dry-erase markers so they could re-do sheets, like practice writing their names. Then I used a pencil case to hold dry-erase markers, erasers and crayons. I used tote in between their car seats to store coloring books, binders, dry-erase boards, blank story books and more.
Another tip I found was to plan out changing the activity every couple of hours. So once we started driving, I gave them binders. Then after a couple hours, I switched them to coloring books. After that, it was time for a movie. This way you changed things up and kept their interest as much as possible.
Also, a great tip is to find new items. The dollar spot at Target or Dollar Tree items are great. I found cheap coloring books or activity books for them that they hadn’t seen before. I also packed surprise bags. Each child was allowed to open a surprise bag after so many hours if they were good. A reward if they behaved in the car and at any stops. I filled the bag with an item I found in the dollar spot.
Planning stops along the way and these activities in the car made for a really smooth trip. Especially one of this length. Of course, I also packed their tablets to use as well for some screen time.
Flying
Flying with kids seems terrifying the first time. I’m here to tell you it will all work out and it will be just fine. I’ve learned that the more calm you are about it, so are your kids. They will feed off your mood. So try to relax and trust that all will work out. Going with the flow is your best attitude because sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Lately, it seems nothing goes according to plan at the airport so be prepared.
Packing
Like driving, you are going to want to keep your kids entertained. My kids love this about flying on a trip. They know I’m packing them a bag for the plane and are excited about it. I don’t let them see it beforehand or on the way to the airport. Again, I go to Target Dollar Spot and find fun coloring or activities for them and any noise-free options they might find fun. Be kind to others on the plane and remember that others may not want to listen to things your kid is playing with.
I’ve also gone to Amazon and found fun things to add too, like window clings. Those are a great toddler option. Magic mess-free markers and paper are good for planes so they aren’t messy. Pop its, squishy toys and playdoh can keep toddlers entertained. Now that we’ve done this before I just keep the same activities I can reuse for their backpacks next trip and add something new every time.
For kids using tablets or electronics make sure you have headphones for them so they can hear what they are watching. This also makes sure others don’t have to hear it either! It’s a pet peeve of mine the parents that have their kids on planes, in stores, or anywhere public with the volume blaring.
Headphones we use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZL4QWDR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Snack packing
I also pack a snack bag for the plane. This has come in handy depending on when our flight is but especially if you have a wait for a vehicle or anything once you’ve arrived at your destination.
Our first trip to Florida with the kids we rented a vehicle the traditional way. There was a wait and also the vehicle we picked wasn’t big enough somehow so we had to get things ironed out. It meant the kids and I were sitting around while Dad got things right with them. Those snack bags were a lifesaver for my pregnant self and bored kids! I go to our local bulk/candy shop and get snacks and candy and then take Ziploc baggies to make a snack bag of all the different items I got. It’s a cheap way to get snacks of variety for all of them. Then we save by not buying airport snacks, which are outrageous in price. Also, cheaper airlines will charge for snacks, so you can save on that too. If you have small kids you can also put different snacks into tackle-box style or craft containers.
Baby gear
Traveling with babies usually makes you feel like you need to bring the house. Find out if your hotel is going to have a pack-n-play, then sleeping is covered. There is a company that will rent out baby equipment if that is something you need as well. www.babyquip.com
You can check your car seats and strollers for free. Always check with your airline first for their rules. I have always had no problem with this. If I brought car seats I usually check them with our checked luggage and then I use the stroller in the airport and you can check it once you board the plane. Then I carry/hold the baby on the plane. I believe I used the infant seat once on the plane and didn’t care for having it. It was stressful for me to bring them onto the plane and they wanted her strapped in. I wanted to hold her. So while it wasn’t an issue on the plane or anything, I decided I wouldn’t bring a car seat on the plane again.
Security
People have said to us “I can’t imagine all eight of you going through security.” We have definitely gotten it down to a science. Kids older than 12 have to take off their shoes, but younger kids don’t. I make sure before this point all the tablets and phones are in one backpack. Then I usually have the teenager in charge of getting them in the trays. I have a few kids I’m helping put their blankets and backpacks on the tray with my items and dad doing the same with his.
I don’t usually bring anything liquid at all, but you are allowed small liquid items in a plastic Ziploc bag. (Check the TSA website for these rules.) If I had these I would also put with the electronics that have to be taken out of backpacks and have that person in charge of getting them out of the bag and onto the tray.
I just try to remember patience and calm are the best way to get through as this is the most stressful part of the airport usually. We have been blessed to never have to wait in a super long line for security but we also make sure to arrive 3 to 2 hours early. Honestly, I’d rather have more time than not enough.
Vehicles
If flying somewhere, particularly in the U.S., you will want a vehicle when you arrive (most likely). We have had a great experience with Turo. It’s like Airbnb for cars. We have found that this saves us money. It’s an app on your phone or on their website www.turo.com.
We used the same agent the first couple times. She provided us with car seats as well for an extra rental fee. I would recommend checking them out as well as other companies to compare price. The best part about using Turo is that they come to you. No more having to get a shuttle to another location where you wait your turn in line to get your vehicle.
Arrival
Once you’re at your destination you have fun! Sure, vacation with kids is like being at home with kids but just in a different place. It doesn’t always have to be that way though. Doing activities with our kids on vacation is fun for both of you. Seeing new places and experiencing new things is really the best. When you get to view this from the eyes of your child it is such a reward. You remember what you work so hard for. To give your kids the best life possible! Plus who wouldn’t rather be on the beach with their kids than in cold weather with the kids? Hello, annoying coats and boots in car seats! I’ll take flip-flops and beach walks any day!
I hope this has helped you to feel more confident in taking your kids on vacation. If you haven’t yet, remember that doing anything for the first time can be overwhelming. Just remember to breathe and that most things if you forget them can be purchased there when you arrive and anything else is usually unimportant.
Make sure you are living your life to the fullest. Not just working and saving and thinking you’ll do the big things someday, because we aren’t promised tomorrow. Today is that day.