Let’s be real—traveling with kids is not just a Pinterest-worthy adventure full of matching outfits and smiling faces. It’s an unpredictable rollercoaster of meltdowns at airport security, snacks being the ultimate form of currency, and the constant fear of losing a favorite toy. But it’s also full of unforgettable moments, unexpected joys, and the kind of bonding that only happens when your toddler insists on holding hands for an entire six-hour flight.
So, if you’re gearing up for a family trip, here’s the real talk guide to traveling with kids—because there’s a lot people don’t tell you.
Everyone preaches minimalist packing—until you have kids. I always try to do carry-on only, but that just means I max out my carry-on allowance. I have a roller bag for each person, a personal item for each, and I utilize the space under my stroller as additional storage for items. Hey, if it collapses and fits inside the bag at gate check, it counts! Just make sure you can easily move around with all your items. I have an infant and a toddler that occasionally wants to help carry his own gear, so it’s important I can comfortably carry everything we’re bringing. That being said, packing light isn’t always easy with kids.
Pro Tip: Instead of packing cubes, try zip-top bags or compression bags to separate clothes by outfit or category. This makes it easy to grab what you need without rummaging through an entire suitcase. Also, roll clothes instead of folding them to save space and reduce wrinkles.
If you think security lines are a hassle now, just wait until you’re juggling a stroller, car seat, sippy cup, and a kid who suddenly forgot how to walk. TSA rules about liquids? They’re suddenly 10 times more confusing when you’re holding a screaming baby and trying to explain that, yes, this milk is essential for survival.
Pro Tip: Get TSA Pre-Check. Typically, it’s a much shorter line, and you don’t have to take your shoes off or remove electronics from your bag. It makes walking through security with children a little less hectic and gives you one less thing to worry about.
Bonus tip: Arrive early, wear shoes that slip on and off, and use family lanes whenever possible—they exist for a reason. Have one parent go through security first to be ready to catch escaping toddlers on the other side.
There is no “perfect” time to fly with kids. Morning flights? They’ll be cranky. Red-eyes? They might sleep—or they might not, and then you’ll question all your life choices. Daytime flights? Expect boredom and restlessness.
Pro Tip: So far, red-eyes have worked best for us, but that could change at any moment. Bring a mix of entertainment—stickers, coloring books, small toys, and a tablet loaded with shows and movies. Forget screen-time guilt—survival mode is activated when traveling with kids.
Hotels mean housekeeping and room service, but vacation rentals mean separate rooms and a kitchen—aka lifesavers for families. We typically go for hotels, but we look for things like a kitchenette and laundry services so we get the best of both worlds. A connecting room is always nice too!
Pro Tip: If your kids go to bed early, opt for an Airbnb with a separate living space so you’re not whispering in the dark at 7 PM. Bonus points if it has a washer and dryer.
It may sound weird, but duct tape can be a lifesaver when traveling with kids. Use it to:
Pro Tip: Wrap a small amount around a pencil or pen so you don’t have to carry an entire bulky roll. Or purchase a travel pack.
Motion sickness, altitude changes, or an unexpected fever can happen mid-flight or mid-road trip. Instead of digging through your checked bags, keep a small pouch with:
Pro Tip: Lollipops help with ear-popping for takeoff & landing!
If you have a child under 2 years old, book them as a lap infant even if you plan on buying them their own seat. Some airlines block the seat next to you for free if the flight isn’t full—giving you extra space without paying extra!
Pro Tip: If the flight fills up, you can still purchase the seat before departure.
You dream of cute café breakfasts and leisurely dinners, but reality looks more like frantically shoving food in your mouth before someone has a meltdown. Fancy restaurants? Maybe when they’re teenagers.
Pro Tip: I always make reservations at a few of the restaurants I want to visit, but I plan them at times I think my kids will chill and eat and I try to plan an activity that exhausts them beforehand. It doesn’t always work out, and sometimes I have to order that cinnamon roll to go!
Your kid’s perfectly timed naps and meal schedules? Yeah, those are gone. Time zones, travel days, and long excursions will throw off every routine.
Pro Tip: Aim for flexibility over perfection. Try to get one solid nap in and roll with the rest.
On one trip, in a different time zone, my toddler would crash after an early dinner, sound asleep by 6:30 PM—only to wake up fully recharged at 9:00 PM, wide-eyed and ready to party until 2 AM. No amount of rocking, singing, or bribing worked. It wasn’t until our last night that he finally adjusted, but by then, it was time to fly home. Jet lag won’t last forever—even though it feels like it will in the moment.
For every meltdown, there’s a magical moment—seeing the ocean for the first time, meeting a new friend at a playground, or the wonder in their eyes at a simple hotel key card.
It’s the moment your toddler runs barefoot on a beach giggling uncontrollably, or when your baby claps with excitement at the sight of a plane taking off. It’s hearing them confidently say “thank you” in another language or watching them marvel at an ancient castle like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. It’s realizing that their little world is expanding in the most beautiful way, right in front of your eyes.
These moments make the chaos, the packing, the exhaustion—all of it—completely worth it. They remind you why you do it, why you push through the hard parts, and why you’ll keep booking those trips, despite the challenges. Because seeing the world through your child’s eyes? That’s something no travel guide can prepare you for.
Pro Tip: Travel with kids is exhausting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Take the chaos in stride, snap the real (not just Instagram-perfect) moments, and enjoy the adventure.
Traveling with kids is a mix of chaos, joy, and a lot of snacks. It won’t be perfect, but it will be memorable. So embrace the unpredictability, pack those extra snacks, and remind yourself—one day, you’ll laugh about the airport meltdown (just maybe not today).
Now it’s your turn! What’s the best (or most chaotic) experience you’ve had while traveling with kids? Drop your funniest, most memorable, or hardest-learned travel lesson in the comments below—I’d love to hear your stories!
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