“Are We There Yet?” Successful Tips for Family Travel

The smell of pine trees, taste of hot coco, and family traditions will fill the holiday season. And with all these fun, memorable traditions also comes traveling. Sitting in traffic, unpredictable weather, crowded airports, as well as delays can add extra stress to getting to your destination. Combine these factors with a fidgeting preschooler, and you might find yourself wishing you would have stayed home. Here are some tips to managing your holiday family travel like a pro.

Planning, Planning, Planning

Involve your kiddos in the planning of your family travel plans! New people and planes can be frightening for smaller children. Try making picture books to prepare them for unexpected obstacles, like the security line at the airport or sitting on the airplane. If you don’t have time to make your own book, simply google images on your phone and talk through your travel plans at bedtime.

Packing Tips

What to Pack

Children find comfort in their own things, so taking their own blanket and pillow can help them fall asleep more easily. Keep a small trash bag along with some items for minor emergencies in your glovebox; Band-Aids, wet wipes, tissues, baby aspirin, etc. Don’t forget to pack a small bag with a change of clothes for all your kids, whatever their ages. Potty accidents to spilt drinks can ruin any pair of clothes and having a spare can keep you from having to dig through your suitcase.

Visiting Multiple Locations

A life-saving idea is to not pack bags for each person but by destination. If you have a hotel to stay at for a night on your way to your targeted destination, pack one bag for the over-night separate from your suitcase. This way you can easily get things to your hotel room without hauling all your belongings with you just for one night.

Snacks Will Save You

We all know that kids can be picky eaters, so packing their go-to snacks is essential. They might not like the food on the plane or at Grandma’s house, so having some staples on hand could save you from a hungry toddler tantrum. By the same token, the less sugar, the better. String cheese and cheerios double as an activity. When it comes to refreshments, try to stick with water and steer clear of sugary drinks they may see as a treat. Because children typically only drink water when needed, this will cut down on bathroom breaks.

Tips for the Journey

Take Breaks

Kids are full of energy, and they are going to need to stretch their legs on long car rides. Allow time for these breaks and pack some things that can occupy them for a short time at rest stops (such as a Frisbee).

Tips for the Plane

Dress in layers – as planes can be cold and delays can leave you stranded in unideal weather conditions. Reassure your little one that their teddy bear or blanket will be returned after going through the security scanner. It may be a good idea to fasten a small note with your identification information, in case they slip away in a crowd. Nursing, chewing gum or munching on a snack during takeoff can help a child’s ears pop, which can be an unpleasant experience.

Get Your Kids Focused on a Surprise

Fill a backpack with new games and books, or just ones from around the house.  Do not let them unpack it or open it until a milestone is reached, such as boarding the plane or behaving for a certain amount of time in the car, only then can child get one of these cool new activities. This gives them something to look forward to, and encourages their best behavior. Special snacks can be included in this pack too!

You’ve Got This: Go With the Flow

No matter how much preparation you put into your holiday travels, you just can’t account for everything. Tell your family ahead of time that this trip is going to be an adventure and that we will be going with the flow, which means being flexible to changes or adjustments. This is helpful because then you can say when things change, “Let’s go with the flow”.

And remember give yourself ample extra time for restroom breaks, food stops and traffic jams. Even getting from the house to the car can take twice as long as anticipated with a toddler in tow. Remember that all the new experiences and travel may wear your little one out quicker than normal, so plan for earlier meals and bedtimes during your family travel plans.

And most importantly, enjoy making memories with your family that will last a lifetime!