7 Hacks That Make Traveling With Kids Easier
Navigating your way through airport check-in, security, and to your gate can feel stressful for a solo traveler, let alone a young family. There are often crowds, various lines to move through, and you’re on a time-restraint. Traveling with kids can make things more challenging as there are numerous bags to juggle while keeping a close eye on your little one in a busy space. With some parent-approved hacks, you can make traveling with kids easier and more enjoyable.
Start With A Game Plan
When you travel alone or with other adults, you don’t usually have to plan each detail of going through the airport. However, when you have young children, you may have more baggage and unpredictable factors to account for.
Having a game plan for your travel day and a tentative itinerary for the duration of your trip can help you keep things on track. This can include what time you need to leave for the airport, how you will get there, and any necessary information about transportation to your destination. When you travel with kids, try to get to the airport at least two hours early to account for any unexpected delays or issues.
Trip Plans
Having a general plan for your trip is also helpful. Scope out potential restaurants with food your child will enjoy to avoid any meltdowns or picky eating situations.
Strategically Pack Bags
Another hack to make traveling with kids easier is to carefully consider what you and your family will need for the trip. Consider how many days you’ll be gone, the weather forecast, and your planned activities, then select clothing accordingly. If your child wears diapers or pull-ups, add these to a checked bag as well as a diaper bag you can bring as a personal carry-on item.
Since suitcases have limited space, try to maximize space by carefully folding items and only bringing what you and your child truly need. This also means limiting the number of toys and activities you bring; establish limits based on the size of the toy and space in the suitcase.
Have a Go-To Bag
While your suitcases should hold essentials such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries, you should also have a go-to bag for the journey. This can be that previously mentioned diaper bag packed with snacks, a small toy, diapers, and other essentials. You can also consider a small backpack with books, coloring supplies, and other activities to keep your child occupied during the flight or long car ride.
Prepare for Security
Going through airport security can be stressful for anyone, especially when you have young children since kids often need help removing items such as jackets and shoes. To make things easier, only put TSA-approved liquids into your carry-on, and do not fill reusable water bottles beforehand.
Likewise, any technical devices, such as laptops, tablets, and phones, should be in easy-to-access areas so you can quickly remove them from your bag for security. Also, consider having a separate pouch for important documents, such as passports, tickets, and identification. This will help prevent confusion and make locating items easier.
Dress Comfortably
Comfortable clothing is essential for both kids and their parents. Select soft, breathable fabrics that allow easy movement while considering the weather and expected activities. Layers are a must, especially when traveling to destinations with varying temperatures or on long-haul flights where cabin temperatures fluctuate.
Moreover, the shoes you all wear should be supportive and suitable for walking. When dressing your child, select shoes that are easy to remove at security checks, such as ones with Velcro straps.
Get Your Kid Luggage
Giving children their luggage fosters a sense of independence and responsibility during travel. Choose lightweight, kid-sized suitcases or backpacks that they can easily carry. Teach them the basics of packing their bag with essentials such as a favorite toy, snacks, and a comfortable outfit. This helps them to feel more prepared and reduces the weight of parents carrying everything.
Having their own luggage also makes organizing everyone’s belongings much simpler and lets your kids feel like part of the travel process. Make sure to include comfort or sentimental items, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, as these can soothe a child in unfamiliar environments.
Buy Ride-On Luggage
Ride-on luggage is the perfect option for baggage, providing your child with a suitcase they’ll love using. You can pack everything they need inside the bag, and when they’re ready to ride, simply extend the handle, and off they go! Children can use their feet to push themselves on the bag, or you can use the retractable handle to pull them through the airport. Plus, having a ride-on suitcase eliminates the need to push a stroller through the airport, reducing the number of items you have to worry about.
Keep Your Child Busy
Invest in compact travel games or creative activity kits that are easy to pack and suitable for their age. For tech-friendly families, downloading movies, audiobooks, or kid-friendly apps can help stave off boredom.
Non-tech options such as sticker books, puzzles, or interactive storybooks are excellent for encouraging screen-free fun. Be prepared with new or “surprise” activities that offer a novelty factor and hold children’s attention for longer periods.
A Bonus of Ride-On Suitcases
Getting your child a ride-on bag allows them to feel entertained while going through the airport. Companies like Younglingz make bags with tablet attachments, so your child can sit and watch their favorite show as you help pull their bag.
Ditch Strict Screen Time Limits
Although you want your child to be in the moment during the vacation, having them play on a digital device during travel keeps them in one place and occupied. When packing the tablet, ensure you download games or videos for them and child-sized headphones.
Set Realistic Expectations
Managing expectations for both parents and kids can make travel significantly more enjoyable for the entire family. You may face delays during the journey, or things may not go as planned, and that’s okay! If your child becomes overwhelmed and needs a break, allow some downtime or a snack to help calm them down.
What’s most important is that you remain flexible with that carefully made game plan. A vacation is a time for your family to bond and relax, so don’t get too caught up in having everything go perfectly.
Shop at Younglingz
Younglingz sells luggage bags with toddler seats that are perfect for young children. We have various designs that boys and girls will love and sell attachment accessories to hold tablets. All our bags also have seat belts, handlebars, footrests, and easy-to-maneuver wheels, making traveling with kids a breeze. Shop our collection and make your next family vacation a little easier.