Your Ultimate Checklist: How to Prepare for Kid-Friendly Travel

April 3, 2024 LIzzie Assa

We’ve all heard the saying, “ Traveling with kids is a trip not a vacation.”

I kinda agree with the sentiment, but not entirely. Hear me out.

Scroll to the bottom for all of our travel guides.

Yes, your mindset needs to change when traveling with kids. Vacation with kids and vacation without kids is an entirely different experience.

No, Your vacation with kids doesn’t need to feel like a work trip.

Preparing Yourself for Travel

Talk with your partner before you go. What is your goal for the vacation? Is it to spend time together as a family? Is it to relax? Is it to sightsee? When you are traveling with young kids, set the bar LOW. You cannot do it all and have fun. For example, if your goal is to relax and spend time together as a family, skip the dinner reservations and eat early by the pool in swimsuits. Take turns with your partner having time away from the kids and indulge in a nap, spa treatment or daily walk on the beach. Alone time allows you to reset and actually enjoy family time spent together. If your goal is to sightsee, set the bar low. Choose only one or two destinations per day, and build in unstructured time for playgrounds. Rather than asking your little ones to sit nicely through a tour and then in a restaurant, consider taking food our and letting the kids run around while you and your partner enjoy a picnic and the kids snack.

Work around naps and rest! No one will have fun when everyone is cranky and tired.

Preparing Your Child Ahead of time:

Anticipation is half the fun. Show your child images of where you will be going. Have them imagine themselves there and ask what they think will happen first.

Staying at a hotel or air bnb? Use the website and show your child where they might be sleeping.

Look up menus at the restaurants you might eat at. Have your child choose some menu options to look forward to.

Taking an airplane? Read books about airports and airplanes ahead of time.

Make a simple countdown picture calendar to show your child exactly how many days you’ll be on the trip and when you will return.

PLAN FOR DOWNTIME

Think through your day-to-day. Will you build in time for naps or quiet time? If so, pack a small bag of quiet time supplies for independent play on the go.

Explain to your child how naps/ quiet time might be different and what it will look like while traveling.

“At home, you nap in your crib! On the trip, you’ll get to nap in the stroller/ car.”

“At home, you have quiet time in the playroom. On the trip, you’ll have quiet time in the hotel room”

What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag When Traveling With Kids

Something familiar like a lovey or a doll. This gives your little one a sense of comfort and normalcy, especially at naptime.
Something exciting and new. Make it small, yet functional, like a new pad of paper and stickers , or post-it notes shaped like animals.
SNACKS… because kids. Go with something easy and familiar, and add in a small treat to keep it special! We love this bento for snack travel. And t hese pouches are for pre-portioned, easy-to-grab-and-go snacks.
Bring a change of clothes no matter how old your child is. It’s not a bad idea to throw in a change for yourself as well. I love these wet bags for storing clean and dirty clothes.
A book with lots of short stories. I especially love the Frog and Toad series or George and Martha. Waiting for your flight to take off? Read a quick Frog and Toad story. Stuck in a long line to check in? Let your partner deal with the details and gather up your little ones, head to the lobby couch, and read.

LET YOUR CHILD HELP YOU PACK THEIR CARRY-ON BAG

Allowing your child to feel some ownership over their things is great for lots of reasons. Most importantly, it gives them a feeling of control. Having your child help pack their own carry-on bag allows them to feel connected to the process. As you gather your items, talk to your child about what you will do, whom you will see, and where you will sleep. Answer their questions as best you can. If they want to, let them make a packing list!

Invest in a sturdy child-sized backpack. The week before you travel, have your little one start practicing carrying around their backpack! Tell them, “You are growing up and I think you are big enough to carry your own backpack! What would you like to put inside?” Have them think about the trip and what they might like to have with them. Have them pack their bag and carry it on a trip around the block, to the store, etc. Talk about whether the bag is too heavy or just right. Build up their confidence about being in charge of their own stuff! They’ll love the extra responsibility, and you’ll love that they have something to keep them focused and busy.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE, SET UP YOUR SPACE FOR INDEPENDENT PLAY:

Find a basket, there’s usually one in the bathroom holding towels, and empty it out!

Lay one large towel on the floor in the corner of the room. Set the empty basket on top. Then fill the basket with a few of your child’s favorite toys. Show them that this is their very own play space in the hotel! Designating a playspace will invite lots of independent play. Go ahead and add a pencil with the hotel pad of paper! Add in a few snacks like fruit pouches, granola bars, and a leak-proof water bottle.