My Tips for Traveling With Littles

Last year, we moved from LA to England. Our kids were 3 and 1. While my husband and I have never shied entirely away from traveling with kids, we definitely were leary of it. The truth is it is not easy, but living in Europe offers lots of opportunities to explore, and so here we are, globe-trotting with a 4 and 2-year-old.  🤷🏻‍♀️

 Here are a few of my best tips for you courageous souls who’d like to give it a go!

1. Screen time rules go out the window. I suggest making peace with this before you embark so you don’t feel riddled with guilt. Take comfort that their indulgence is temporary and could save your sanity, theirs, and everyone traveling on the plane/train with you!
2. There’s no such thing as too many snacks. Find some new things mixed in with their go-to favorites. Bring more than you think will be needed + their water bottle from home.
3. Sugar – I’m not a fan of it but there is a time and a place for strategically used treats. Dangle that carrot, reward good behavior, or create an incentive when extra patience is needed from your littles during travel. Yes, I guess I am encouraging bribery! Lol!
4. Plan something active before you try to have them seated for a long time.  If at all possible take them to the park or let them walk through the airport instead of riding in a stroller.
5. Give yourself extra time.  Going anywhere with kids can take extra time. This is the same for travel. There’s nothing worse than being late for your flight and running through the airport with littles in tow. No Home Alone airport scenes, please!
6. Pack your patience – traveling with the under-5 crowd is challenging. Not always, but often. Be prepared for the worst, hope for the best, and hang on for the ride.  I highly suggest avoiding traveling when they’re 1-2 years old. In my experience that is the most challenging time period. If you do brave it, make sure you bring a mantra like, “This too shall pass”. 😂
7. Pack a couple of extra changes of clothes, and maybe one for yourself (in case someone gets car sick or plane sick.
8. Explain what is happening and mentally prepare them starting at least a week in advance and repeat the plan often. Kids like to know what’s going on and will cope much better than you can imagine if they feel like they know what is coming.
9. Bring lots of activities on the plane…coloring, scratch art, etc.
10. Be prepared to walk the aisles and have that be ok. Try to get as much access to the aisle as possible.  If you’re a family of 4 get the entire 4 seats across and sit parent-child parent-child or spilt up to ensure you have two aisle seats.
11. Have a comfort object or a blanket from home they can use during travel to help them snuggle in and hopefully get some rest.
12. Invest in a travel stroller. My personal favorite is the Yoyo Baby Zen stroller which folds up so small that you can fit it in the overhead compartment on a plane or a train. Everyone in Europe seems to own this stroller. It’s even narrow enough to open up and use inside of the aisle on an airplane.
13. Pick a destination that is kid-friendly! Make sure that it’s worth it for the whole family to go here and that age-appropriate activities are available at least some of the time.
14. Once there, plan an active kid-focused activity for the morning to tucker them out and something more adult-focused for the afternoon when they’ll hopefully nap or be tired and more willing to chill. This way the day is balanced.
15. Practice makes perfect! Or at least it makes it easier. And even if the travel is hard, exhausting, and feels like more trouble than it is worth at the time, those memories will be something that helps you grow as a family and you’ll look back and laugh someday. Trust me.

What are your travel tips with littles? Share in the comments below!
Love and blessings,
Katie