10 Tips on Traveling with Children

Just the thought of taking my 9-month-old son on a vacation is enough to give me a panic attack. Any parent will tell you that traveling with children is about as exhausting as trying to herd a pack of wild chickens. Traveling with kids generally takes planning and a lot of patience; and I mean a lot of patience. While traveling to Yellowstone National Park last summer, my infant son slept soundly for most of the trip to the park. However, once we got to the park, he transformed into a wild child. He wanted to be held, and then he didn’t want to be held. He hated being in the car seat and had a pretty outstanding meltdown at a restaurant (some may call it a tantrum). Naptimes were spent driving in circles around the national park for like 2 hours. Or, we had to leave the park and take him to our vacation rental (30 minutes away) and let him sleep. Needless to say, that was one of the most exhausting vacations I had ever been on.

If you are strategic (and patient) you can have a fun and memorable vacation with your children. I should mention, there is really no “one size fits all” method tip for traveling with kids. You just have to figure out what works best for you. I do have a few nuggets for parents based on my own personal experiences.

1) Before you book your vacation home exchange, be sure to read the house rules from beginning to end. There are several vacation home exchange properties that have rules regarding children. These rules are generally for liability reasons. So be sure to do some research. If you have questions, just talk to your host or travel coordinator

2) Also, check in advance identifying things that you may or may not need to bring for your home exchange. For example, will you need to bring a portable crib? Does the home exchange have a DVD player for cartoons and Disney movies? Are there extra pillows and blankets? Is the pool gated?  It is best to know the answers to these questions before you arrive.

3)   Save room in the suitcase for toys and other things to keep your kids entertained. Many vacation home exchange properties have washers and dryers on-site. This means fewer clothes and more toys for your kids. I will also mention that iPads can be lifesavers. If you have an iPad, download movies and cartoons to entertain your kids either on the plane, at the restaurant, or at the vacation home exchange.

4) If you are traveling with infants and babies, do be sure to pack a lot of diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, etc. If you need to bring formula, I recommend bring formula instead of the ready to use formula. Pack more than you expect you would need. Trust me. I once spent more than an hour at like 10 o’clock at night trying to find a store that sold the exact brand of baby formula that we were using at the time.

5) Don’t forget the car seat! It doesn’t matter what country you are visiting (or what the rules are regarding car seats), you will still need to buckle your children into car seats or booster seats. Safety is still more important than convenience so be sure to bring your child’s car seat unless you are certain that one will be provided to you at your destination.

6) Purchase tickets popular attractions in advance. Bored children waiting in line is not a very memorable experience. If possible, purchase tickets in advance to minimize the amount of time you will have to wait in line with your kids.  

7) When you arrive to your vacation home exchange, do a quick safety check. Walk through your home exchange to identify possible hazards for children. In many cases, the hazards are minimal. But even something as simple as electrical outlets would attract my very curious (and very mobile) son. So be sure to do a quick walk through. If you have a toddler, you may want to pack some plastic outlet covers just in case (a box will set you back maybe $10).

8) If possible, try to stick to your child’s routine for naps, meals, and bedtime. One advantage to staying in a vacation home exchange is you really have all the comforts of home including quiet rooms for nap time. If you are changing timezones, remember your child’s sleep schedule will likely change. Do what you can to get your kid back on the track. If they are tired, call it a day, and put him or her to bed early.  

9) Bring food that you know your kids will like. If you are traveling to a foreign country, there are no guarantees that your kids are going to like the food there. And since kids tend to be picky, it is best to bring some food that you know they will like and enjoy. If your child has food allergies, be sure to bring an Epinephrine (epi) pen just in case. Not all restaurants disclose the exact ingredients used in meals (especially if you are traveling abroad).  

10) Be patient! Okay, so maybe the airline lost your bags. Or your 4-year-old decided to flush a bunch a toy down the toilet at the restaurant (and inadvertently, clogging said toilet and flooding the entire bathroom). Things are bound to happen. The best advice is to roll with it and try to have as much fun as possible. Weeks or months after these vacation “mishaps”, you will be able to laugh.

If you are traveling abroad with your children, be sure to check in with your pediatrician, or the nearest travel health clinic, to discuss vaccinations for children. And remember, passports are required for children of any age (including infants).  Most of all, remember you are on vacation, so relax, smile and enjoy. 

Thank you to Travel Writer Carla Roberts Pruitt @crobscarla