Holiday Travel With Kids | Survival Guide
If you’re planning holiday travel with kids, there’s only one secret to a smooth trip: planning. It’s all about being prepared for the unexpected. Whether its a 2 hour car trip or an 8 hour flight, I recommend having a game plan to keep the kids entertained and happy. If you were at home, you’d likely know what you’d be doing throughout the day; its the same for when you travel as a family.
Holiday Travel With Kids Tips
Talk Up the Trip
Traveling is exciting for the kids! It can be a whole new adventure for them. Sharing that excitement adds fun to your trip. Tell the kids where you are going and the funs things you have planned when upon arrival. You can even let them wear a special outfit since it is a special occasion. Believe me- nobody on the plane will care when your kid is dressed as Spiderman if it keeps them happy.
Bring Activities
Not even adults like to sit in a seat and do nothing and this is especially true for kids. If you are flying, consider activities that they can do on the small table in front of them, like coloring or watching movies on a tablet. If you’re driving, purchase a lap desk so they can color and have a hard surface to play on.
Pack Food
Even if food is offered during your travel, pack extra snacks. It may not be able during a time that is convenient to their normal schedules or, even worse, it could be a food they refuse to eat. Putting finger food in small bags, like pretzels or cereal, can make it easy for them to eat on the go.
Be Ready for Anything
Pack wipes and hand sanitizer just in case the kids get messy and you need to clean them up. A change of clothes and extra diapers is also a great idea. Accidents will inevitably happen at the most inconvenient times, so be prepared for anything. Traveling with a kid who is being potty trained? Consider packing a portable potty too!
Take a Deep Breathe and Go with the Flow
Kids look to adults in stressful situations. Try to remain calm when you’re experiencing delays, unexpected change of plans or even turbulence. Hopefully they’ll sense that you’re remaining calm and they will too.
I wish everybody easy holiday travel with kids this season, whether you are traveling across the city or across the country. Planning in advance should help everything go smoother and keep a smile on your face! Then once you arrive, sit back and toast with a cocktail to successful day of traveling with kids.
Tell me: Are you traveling this Holiday season?
oh man I couldn’t agree more! The whole be ready for anything comment! Haha! I traveled with both babies alone and wanted to cry way to many times! I wish i had more snacks, more distractions and more hands! lol
So many cute ideas to build up anticipation for the trip and fully enjoy it!
As my grandmother says, “traveling with children is more than a notion”. We really have to know how to plan ahead to eliminate some of the hassles.
I haven’t been on a plane in YEARS. However, we have done quite a bit of road tripping over the years. We’ve become pretty knowledgeable on all things road trip. Snacks, games, wipes, sanitizer, drinks, and entertainment are up there on our list.
XO
Food and entertainment are key for my girls. If they get hungry or too bored, they are done. Talking up the trip lets them know that the wait will be worth it, which is super helpful!
Keep the kids entertained during the trip is always a great way to make the trip going smooth both for the kids and parents. I love how you start the tips with telling the trip to the kids, and sharing the excitement with them.
Great advice! Don’t forget a great pair of shoes, because you do not want to have your feet hurting while keeping up with the kiddos!
I hope to go visit my sister in Atlanta for NYE. I love spending time with my nephew and niece. Having just travelled to Disney with them, I’m kind of glad I can fly to Atlanta alone. They are adorable, but you definitely have to keep your eye on them, especially my neice.
We’re flying for the first time with our one year old next month and I am SO nervous! Thank you for all of these tips. They’re definitely going to come in handy!
Can I for one say that I have enough problems getting a husband and dog organized for travel, so I can’t imagine throwing kids into the mix! Kudos to you!
It’s crazy hard to travel with kids during the holidays – routines get all off and kids get cranky! You just have to have patience and a smile on your face! HA HA easier said than done! LOL Thanks for the tips!
Hahaha I always wonder how parents survive traveling with their children ESPECIALLY when it’s a baby. I always feel bad for little babies on planes + the parents are always trying to keep their child quiet and I know they feel so bad when they’re not able to keep them silent. It’s such a weird feeling, but this is definitely a good guide for it. I appreciate parents, and see the struggle so I don’t give them a hard time when their kids are acting crazy!! xx Adaleta Avdic
Such great advice! As important as it is to have a plan your last point is spot on…sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and roll with things!
What a useful guide! This helps a lot of people whose newbie. Worth sharing.
I need these tips because in 2 weeks we’re heading to ….DISNEY! 🙂 New follower! 🙂 Love your blog!
I love this! I have traveled a lot with my kids and it’s always crazy! I’m always looking for tips to make it just a little less crazy!
It must be so difficult with so many people travelling this time of the year to have kids in tow!
This is a very useful guide. It seems like you could apply it throughout the year when you travel.
The last one all the way! I always have to remind myself not to stress too much if things do go perfectly. Eventually we will get where we are going and it will be awesome!
Totally agree with everything that you listed here. I always make sure that I pitch the trip every time I can before the big day. And you can never survive without toys too. You’ll be doomed without them.
I don’t have children but I can only imagine how much of a handful it can be! I always feel for parents who are trying to keep their kids under control in cars or on the plane! These are definitely some great tips which I’m sure will help out some parents this coming holiday season! ^^
I definitely agree with telling them all what you’re doing before going. I used to not be very interested until they told me all about the adventures. Great post!
I don’t have any kids so I can’t relate but I am sure this is super helpful for those who do have kids. My parents say my sister and I were really good travelers so I will have to see how my own do one day.
Great tips!!! I’m always telling people traveling with kids doesn’t have to be this horrible task if you plan properly