Tips for Traveling with Kids
Exploring new places with your children, whether 2 hours from home or half a world away, can be both exciting and exhausting. Some of this depends on how far you are traveling, some on the ages of your children. Younger children can become overwhelmed more easily in unfamiliar environments – they may not sleep as well, they may throw more tantrums, refuse to eat, and become fearful more easily. Older children and teens may try to test the limits of their independence, or not be as willing to participate in family activities. No matter the destination or the age of your child, there are steps you can take to ensure the safety and comfort of your family and still have a great time together.
Travel by Car
- Plan frequent stops (every few hours), particularly with younger children. Allow for time out of car seats and boosters to stretch, run around, go to the bathroom and have snacks.
- Always wear seat belts and use appropriate car seat restraints for younger children.
- Just like in the recommendations for air travel, bring plenty to do. Young and older children become bored quickly, particularly on long trips and when it is not feasible to move around freely. Remind your teens to have their electronic devices fully charged prior to leaving.
- Never leave a child alone in the car, even for a minute.
Travel by Air
- Don’t rush. Allow for extra time through airport check in and security.
- If possible, it is most appropriate for children under 40 pounds to be restrained in an airplane seat with a car seat, just like in a motor vehicle.
- Bring plenty to do. Young and older children become bored quickly, particularly on long flights and when it is not feasible to move around freely. Remind your teens to have their electronic devices fully charged prior to leaving.
- Pack snacks! Children (and adults, if we’re being honest) become cranky and less willing to do what is asked of them if they are hungry.
- Allow infants to nurse, drink from a bottle, or suck on a pacifier during descent. This will help to decrease ear pain. Give older children gum or a drink with a straw.
Travel by Ship
- Keep your eyes on your children at all times. Cruise ships are large, noisy, and crowded. Children can easily get lost or confused.
- Monitor your child closely in the pool. There may or may not be life guards present, but ultimately your child’s safety is YOUR responsibility. Use life vests.
- Never allow children to climb or lean over guardrails on the ship decks. Do not place your child on the rail to sit.
- If your cruise cabin has a balcony, never allow your child to be unattended on the balcony. Do not allow climbing on the chairs or tables if they are present.
- Wash your hands often.
- Discuss motion sickness treatment options with your doctor prior to leaving.
International Travel
- Every child, regardless of age, requires a passport to travel abroad. Plan in advance!
- Be sure to check with the CDC Travel pages as far in advance of your vacation as possible. You can search by country to see specific recommendations regarding vaccinations and infection prevention, such as malaria prophylaxis.
- Adjust your child’s sleep schedule slightly prior to traveling to countries in largely different time zones. Reduce jet lag by encouraging exposure to daylight as soon as you arrive.
- Keep your eyes on your children at all times while traveling. It can be easy for them to wander and potentially get lost in an unfamiliar place.
Unique Situations
- Pack all prescription medications your child may need for the trip in a bag that will stay with you – ie, do not place medications in your checked luggage. You may also want to consider taking fever/pain relief medications and a first aid kit.
- If your young child needs a “lovey,” such as a comforting stuffed animal or blanket, don’t forget it at home! Travel to unfamiliar places can be scary to these young ones, and bringing something comforting from home can help ease this fear.
- If your vacation involves being close to bodies of water – swimming pools, rivers, lakes, oceans – be sure to monitor your child closely any time he or she is near the water. Safety measures for children may be different in other locations, particularly in other countries. Do not always count on lifeguards being present or life vests being available.
- Don’t forget the car seat! You cannot count on rental cars or car delivery services to have them available and children under 4 years of age will still be required by law to be appropriately restrained. If you are traveling by air, these can usually be checked at no additional expense but be sure to check with your airline to confirm.
- Bring sunscreen and bug spray, if traveling to areas where you may need it.
- Consider travel insurance. While this doesn’t just apply to traveling with children, there are more chances that illness or accidents can disrupt your travel plans.
Final thoughts
Traveling with my family is one of the highlights of my life. Exploring new places, seeing the beauty that surrounds us, and watching my children explore the world around them with fresh eyes is an experience I will never forget. Whether we are simply driving to the Rocky Mountains nearby or traveling by plane-bus-ship to far away beaches, the time spent together as a family is priceless. That is not to say that it is easy! There are always going to be hiccups and unexpected pitfalls while traveling with children. Hopefully the tips in this article can help you prepare and prevent at least some of them.
Above all, when traveling remember to have patience. With your children, yourself, and the people you encounter along the way. You won’t regret it.
Resources
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