Traveling with Children: 14 Helpful Tips

Summer time for a lot of families means vacation time.  And, as we all know, traveling with children can be tedious to say the least. 

The bottom line is that you must be organized and you must attempt to anticipate the unexpected.  This can’t be done with a 100% success, but making every effort to anticipate invisible threads that may pop up on your family trip will help alleviate a ton of stress and chaos. 

If you’re planning a trip this summer, here are a few tips to help you get organized:

1. Make a packing list ahead of time.  Make a permanent packing list, as in type it up and print it out.  This will help you for all future trips. 
2. Plan your food.  This includes breakfast, snacks, drinks, lunch, and dinner.  Figuring out a budget for each meal will help you save money.  Also, if you bring your drinks and snacks, it will save a lot of money that would otherwise go to gas stations in the middle of nowhere that inflate the prices of their goodies.  Keep snacks somewhere with easy access.
3. Don’t overpack.  Creating a packing list will help with this.  We all have the tendency to throw your entire closet into the suitcase, thinking that maybe, just maybe you might need that shirt just in case you go here or there.  When packing for the kids, don’t go overboard.  I find that the more crap I have to lug around, the more stressed out I get and crankiness takes over.  Make it simple—only the bare necessities.
4. Ziploc bags.  I would buy at least a box of them just for the trip.  We don’t use very much of them at home because it’s not exactly green, but when you are in transit they can be a lifesaver.  I’ve used them for the following:  snacks, broken containers, dirty diapers and clothes, wet wipes, food, items I don’t want to leak, toys, and much, much more.
5. Hand sanitizer and wipes:  essential for keeping the germies off in high-traffic areas like airports, stores, tourist areas, etc.
6. Transit activities:  line up activities for the wee ones while you’re in the car, on an airplane, bus, train, or even just waiting in an airport.  Here are some ideas, but of course it varies by age:  coloring books, books, portable dvd players, music, legos, dolls, cheap camera, activity books from teacher supply stores, and bring a few fave toys that can fit in a small bag (or a Ziploc!).
7. Allow lots of time.  The more you feel like you are late, the more stress you will experience.  Get ready early and leave a cushion of time so you don’t spend your trip living in a whirlpool of chaos.  Vacation is supposed to = fun.
8. Camera.  Take lots and lots of pics!  Make sure you bring the charger and extra memory cards (put them on your packing list).
9. Take breaks.  Cooped up kids do not make happy kids.  Take breaks.  Wander around a bit and explore. 
10. Remember the potty breaks.  Take them to the restroom whenever you have a chance so there are no accidents in the middle of nowhere.
11. Keep a change of clothing handy for each kid.  If #10 doesn’t work out, or if the baby has a diaper blow-out…
12. Have emergency info lined up.  This includes health insurance information (what do you do if the baby gets sick?).  Also credit card phone numbers, copies of passports, etc.  Leave an itinerary with a trusted person, like your mom. 
13. Take a baby wrap or sling.  Much easier to travel with when you have a baby to tote.
14. Give the kids a set amount of spending money.  They WILL ask the hated question…”can you buy me something?”  This way, they get something, they have choice, and they learn a little responsibility.  You may want to give younger kids a daily amount, whereas older kids can get one lump sum.