Setting off on an adventure with your little ones is a thrilling yet sometimes daunting experience. Explore our comprehensive packing list and essential tips to make your family travels as smooth as possible!
Traveling with kids requires the right gear to ensure a smooth journey. Consider investing in a SlumberPod to create a dark, cozy sleeping environment for your little one no matter where you are—it just goes right over top of their play pen! And this one might sound weird, but trust us, it's helpful. Bring doggy pee pads for diaper changes! Changing pads can get dirty which is a pain when you're in an unfamiliar place (especially if that place is the airplane bathroom). A disposable item like a pee pad means you don't have to worry so much about clean up. You can just gather everything up into the pad and toss it! It's also more sanitary than laying your baby on a counter or floor.
Balloons are fantastic for impromptu fun and games without taking up much space in your bag. Blow it up in the boarding lounge and watch your kids be entertained, and then toss it before you board!
Baby wearing can be incredibly convenient, allowing you to have your hands free while keeping your baby close and comforted. Don't forget to gate check your stroller and car seat unless your child is sitting in the car seat on the plane; this makes navigating through the airport easier and ensures you have what you need upon arrival. If you have a baby or young toddler who might become fussy, consider buying them a seat and using your car seat on the plane. You can make them feel a little bit more like it's just a normal vehicle ride!
When packing your carry-on, make sure to include essential items like extra diapers, a change of clothes for everyone (including parents—handy if your luggage is lost, and also if there are any...kid messes, if you know what we mean), and important health items such as a thermometer, infant Tylenol, and a snot sucker. Your kids are bound to get sick at the most inconvenient times, so it's best to be ready for anything! Keep your most crucial items easily accessible and consider using a detailed packing list to stay organized. Check out this helpful packing list!
Make sure you'll be prepared for security by packing carefully—keep things that need to be removed from your bag right at the top, and wear shoes that come off and on easily! Also keep snacks and toys handy in case you need to distract the kids.
Ensuring your kids are comfortable and entertained during travel is key to a pleasant journey. Save screen time for when you really need it—whether your child is used to lots of screen time or it's a rare reward, if you give it to them from the start of the trip, they could get bored. Use it strategically, either when they start to get antsy or as a reward for making it through a certain amount of time! Bribery can be an extremely effective tool as a parent when you're travelling, don't be ashamed to use it. Bring along toys and snacks that are new or special treats as well, as this can be exciting!
Games like 'Red Light Green Light' can be a fun way to get your kids through the airport safely and efficiently. Teach them to walk in front of you and follow the typical rules of the game. It will make walking more fun and help you catch them if they try to run off. Yelling "red light" turns an attempted escape into a return to the game and will hopefully give you time to grab them before you lose them!
Dress your kids in layers to accommodate varying temperatures and avoid shoes with laces to make security checks quicker. Stick to their normal schedule as much as possible to keep them well-rested and in good spirits!
Consider having some snacks and drinks ready for both take-off and landing. This is when their ears are most likely to be bothered by elevation changes, and chewing and swallowing can help relieve some of the pressure! For little babies, breast or bottle feeding at these times will ease the pain and keep them calm as well.
To ensure smooth travel days, book flights with early departures to align with your kids' schedules and minimize disruptions. This also means less crowds to navigate and less chance of delays! You can also consider travelling overnight so your kids can sleep through the bulk of the time. They'll arrive well-rested for all the fun waiting at your destination, and you'll keep your sanity intact!
Play travel at home to prepare your kids for the experience and avoid seating them in aisle seats. They are less likely to get bonked by people passing down the aisle, and also less likely to try and escape down the aisle! When choosing your destination, opt for places you’ve already visited if your kids are young and require a lot of attention if you are okay with revisiting somewhere you loved. This way, you can take it slow and not worry about missing out on experiences!
You may have heard people with kids say that they lost opportunities to travel once the kids arrived. This doesn't have to be the case, and we hope these helpful tips will show you how great it can be to keep experiencing the world together! There's nothing better than experiencing everything for the first time all over again through your child's eyes. It takes an exciting trip and makes it truly magical!
Ready to embark on your family adventure? The Trusted Travel Consultants at CAA Travel are ready to help! Let us send you on a trip that will create core memories for the whole family. And don’t forget your travel insurance! You never know what could happen—keep your most precious cargo protected for it all.
Don't forget you can come to CAA for all your Travel Tips! And CAA members can enjoy exclusive discounts on travel, so let us give you the best deal for your big trip.