21 Best Tips For Stress-Free Travel With Toddlers
Here are our top recommended tips to make travel with a toddler easier.
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Are you planning a family vacation but worried about the stress of travelling with kids? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Down below, we share some fantastic tips for a stress-free family vacation that will make your trip enjoyable for everyone. From packing snacks to limiting screen time, our recommendations will help you plan the perfect family getaway. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn how to make your next family vacation a breeze!
1. Pack Smart
If you’re traveling with toddlers, packing wisely is crucial. To ensure a smooth journey, make sure to pack enough snacks, drinks, and entertainment to keep your little ones occupied. Great snack options include crackers, fruit, and granola bars, while juice boxes and water bottles will help keep them hydrated. Remember to create a list of all the travel essentials you’ll need for your trip, such as diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, and toys. Pack these items in a carry-on bag that you can easily access during the flight or car ride.
2. Plan ahead
Start planning your trip well in advance, considering your toddler’s needs and preferences. This includes choosing a child-friendly destination, booking child-friendly accommodation, and planning activities appropriate for your toddler’s age and interests.
You can download our FREE Ultimate Travel Checklist Here.
3. Let Them Burn Off Some Energy Before Flights.
Before flights, we find it beneficial to allow our children to expend some of their energy. This helps to promote relaxation during the flight, as the tight aisles and restrictive seat belts require everyone to remain still. By allowing children to run around in an open space before boarding, they are able to release some of their pent-up energy. We have compiled a list of games and activities that we find to be extremely helpful in this regard.
- Play active games: Encourage your kids to play active games like tag, Simon Says, or a mini obstacle course before heading to the airport.
- Visit an airport playground: Some airports have designated play areas for kids. Take advantage of these spaces to let your kids run around and burn off energy.
- Take a walk: If you have extra time before your flight, walk with your kids around the airport terminal. This will help them stretch their legs and get some exercise.
- Do stretching exercises: Engage your kids in simple stretching exercises like touching their toes, reaching for the sky, or doing jumping jacks. This will help them loosen up and get their blood flowing
- Play active travel games: Play games like “I Spy” or “20 Questions” that require physical movement and engagement
- Dance or sing: Put on some music and have a dance party or sing-along session with your kids. This will not only keep them active but also boost their mood.
- Bring small toys or props: Pack small toys or props like a mini soccer ball, frisbee, or jump rope that your kids can use to play and stay active.
4. Bring Comfort Items
If your little ones have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, consider bringing a white noise machine or a favorite bedtime story to help them drift off to sleep.
5. Stick to Routines
It can be tempting to allow your toddler to stay up late or skip naps while on vacation, but this can result in crankiness and tantrums. Toddlers benefit from routines and predictability, so it’s best to try and maintain their regular schedule as much as possible during the trip. This involves sticking to their usual bedtime routine, mealtimes, and nap times. If you’re traveling to different time zones, it’s advisable to gradually adjust their schedule in the days before the journey to reduce the effects of jet lag.
6. Involve Them In The Planning
Toddlers love to feel involved and included, so consider involving them in the planning process. Let them help choose activities or destinations and ask for their input on where to eat or what to do.
This can help them feel more invested in the trip and can also help prevent tantrums or meltdowns during the journey.
7. Choose Child-Friendly Activities
As we aim to provide you with the best experience possible, we highly recommend using the GetYourGuide for booking guided tours. With its extensive coverage of 150 countries, you can easily find and book tours that include food tours or just sightseeing with all the information you need from a local guide. It’s one of our favorite tools and makes planning so much easier, especially when traveling with toddlers. Additionally, we suggest finding toddler-friendly activities such as playgrounds, petting zoos, and museums to keep your little ones engaged and burn off some energy.
8. Use Child-Friendly Transportation
When possible, choose child-friendly transportation options like trains or buses with designated family areas. This will make travelling with your toddler more comfortable and less stressful.
9. Be Flexible/Take Breaks
Even when you do your best, travel plans can still go wrong. Flights can be delayed, weather can be unpredictable, and schedules can change at the last minute.
Try to remain flexible and adaptable during the journey, and be prepared to change your plans if necessary. Remember that the journey itself is part of the adventure, and be open to unexpected experiences and opportunities along the way.If your toddler is tired or hungry, take a break and rest or eat before continuing with your activities. Try to cram only a few activities into one day. Take breaks throughout the day to rest, eat, and recharge. This will not only help your toddler feel more comfortable, but it will also make the trip more enjoyable for the entire family.
10. Bring a stroller or a toddler carrier
When traveling with a toddler, bringing a stroller or toddler carrier is life changing. This will allow your little one to participate in the fun while being easily transported. It also provides them with a sense of security, especially in new environments. Furthermore, it can prevent you from carrying your child for extended periods, which can be unbelievably exhausting and harmful to your back.. Additionally, using a carrier allows you to have both hands free for luggage and other necessities.
Personally, I have used the Liliputi carrier for four years with both of my boys and recently invested in a Tula preschool carrier for our upcoming trip to Asia. I highly recommend this as one of the best purchases to make your journey smoother.
11. Use a travel checklist
Using a checklist when traveling with a toddler can help make your journey smoother and less stressful. By creating a list of essential items to pack, you can ensure that you don’t forget anything important, such as diapers, wipes, and snacks. It can also help you stay organized and avoid overpacking, which can be cumbersome when traveling with a little one.
Additionally, a checklist can serve as a helpful reminder of tasks that need to be completed before departure, such as scheduling vaccinations or packing medications. Overall, using a checklist can help you feel more prepared and confident as you embark on your journey with your toddler.
Here, you can find our ULTIMATE travel checklist, which you can download for FREE.
12. Book accommodations with kitchen facilities
When traveling with a toddler, booking accommodations with kitchen facilities is always a good idea. This allows you to save money by preparing meals instead of always eating out. Our go-to booking platform for this is Booking.com. We love using Booking.com because of the wide variety of accommodations available, from budget-friendly options to luxurious stays. The site also allows you to filter by location, price, and amenities, making finding the perfect place to stay easy. By choosing this option, you’ll save money and have more control over your child’s diet. So, be sure to consider this when planning your next trip.
13. Dress comfortably
When preparing your toddler for travel, it is important to choose clothing that is both comfortable and practical. Opt for clothing that is easy to put on and take off, such as slip-on shoes and clothing without buttons or complicated buckles. This will make it easier for you to get through security checks and ensure that your little one is comfortable throughout the journey.
14. Be prepared for emergencies
Even with thorough planning, we all know travel emergencies can still occur. Make sure to pack a first aid kit with basic supplies such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers. If your little ones have any allergies or medical conditions, make sure to bring along any necessary medications or supplies. It is advisable to keep a record of emergency contacts and crucial medical details handy in case of an unforeseen situation.
15. Get travel insurance
It is highly recommended to double-check your travel insurance policy to ensure that it adequately covers any unexpected events that may arise during your travels with your toddler. Such unforeseen events may include flight cancellations or medical emergencies that require urgent attention. Taking this precautionary measure can help provide you with peace of mind while on your trip. Our go to travel insurance provider, which we recommend is SafetyWing.
16. Take advantage of downtime
Use nap times or quiet moments to relax and enjoy some downtime for yourself. This will help you recharge and be more present and patient with your toddler during the more active parts of the day.
17. Stay organized
It is important to keep your travel documents, such as passports and other essential items, organised and easily accessible. This will help prevent stress and confusion when navigating airports or other crowded areas. One effective method I like to use is to differentiate passports by applying different colour dot stickers to each so that it’s easy to identify them without opening them.
18. Stay calm
Traveling with toddlers can be stressful, but staying calm and patient is important. Remember that your toddler is still learning and experiencing new things and that taking things slow and enjoying the journey is okay.
One of my go-to methods for relieving stress and maintaining a sense of calm, even when dealing with two young children, is practicing yoga. Of course, it’s not always feasible to do so, in which case I turn to alternative methods such as listening to calming affirmations or an enjoyable audiobook for just a few minutes. I find that Audible is the most reliable platform for this and that is why we have been using it for years now. These practices can work wonders for your nervous system.
19. Keep your toddler entertained
Remember to pack ample toys, books, activity books and games to keep your toddler occupied during lengthy flights or car trips. You may also consider downloading educational apps or videos on your mobile device or tablet to make the journey more enjoyable. If you would like more suggestions on how to amuse young children during flights, please click here.
20. Pack healthy snacks
Avoid sugary snacks and instead pack healthy options like fresh fruit, yoghurt, and veggie sticks. This will help keep your toddler’s energy levels stable and prevent meltdowns.
21. Enjoy the journey
Remember to enjoy the journey and savour the memories you create with your toddler. Travelling with toddlers can be challenging, but it can also be a fantastic opportunity to bond and create lasting memories as a family.
When it comes to traveling with toddlers, many parents might feel intimidated by the thought of it. However, with the right planning and attitude, embarking on travels with your little ones can also bring about gratifying and pleasant moments that you and your family will cherish for years to come. By following the above-mentioned suggestions, you can make your toddler-friendly travel experience as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible, while creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.