As summer meets fall, many of us feel the pull to travel. Yet, for parents, journeys with young ones can seem daunting. Fear not! I've gathered practical tips for smoother family travels by road or air, accompanied by a list of essential, parent-approved products. Let's make your upcoming trips memorable and hassle-free.

Stroller as a Cart: 

Utilize your stroller as a luggage cart by attaching bags to the handles. This frees up your hands and makes it easier to navigate through the airport with your kids and belongings.

Gate-Check Essentials:

Pack a small bag with essential items like diapers, wipes, snacks, and a change of clothes for both you and your child. Keep this bag with you when gate-checking your stroller or car seat so you have easy access to necessities during the flight.

Pre-Boarding Strategy: 

Take advantage of pre-boarding with young children. This gives you extra time to settle in, secure overhead bin space, and get organized before other passengers board the plane.

Busy Bags for the Flight: 

Prepare individual "busy bags" for each child filled with age-appropriate activities like coloring books, small toys, puzzles, or sticker books. These bags will help keep your kids entertained during the flight.

Packing Cubes: 

Use packing cubes to organize clothes for each family member. It makes packing, unpacking, and living out of a suitcase much easier.

Travel During Sleep Hours: 

If possible, try to schedule your travel during your child's regular sleep hours. This way, they can sleep during the journey.

Snack Attack: 

Pack more snacks than you think you'll need. You never know when you'll be delayed or unable to find something your child will eat.

New Toys or Books: 

For long journeys, bring out a new toy or book that your child hasn't seen before. The novelty will hold their attention for longer.

Travel First Aid Kit:

 Always bring a first aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, a digital thermometer, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.

Car Seat for Flights:

 If you're flying, consider using your car seat. Children are used to sitting in them for extended periods, and most car seats are FAA approved.

Document Holder:

 Use a document holder to keep everyone's passports, boarding passes, and IDs in one easy-to-find place.

 

Embarking on a road trip with your little one can come with its unique set of challenges. The following tips are tailored specifically for car journeys, ensuring that both you and your child have a smoother, more enjoyable ride.

Travel Trays:

Invest in travel trays that attach to your child's car seat. These trays provide a stable surface for playing with toys, coloring, or enjoying snacks during the road trip.

Audio Entertainment: 

Bring along headphones or earbuds for each child to enjoy their own audio entertainment. This allows them to listen to their favorite music or watch movies without disturbing others in the car.

Rest Stop Activities: 

Plan ahead and pack outdoor toys or balls to use during rest stops. This gives kids a chance to stretch their legs, burn off some energy, and have fun during breaks.  It may also be a good idea to look for parks or playgrounds that will make the trip more enjoyable all around. 

Travel Comfort: 

Pack travel pillows, blankets, and cozy clothes for each child to ensure a comfortable journey. This helps them relax and potentially nap during long stretches of driving.

Snack Cooler: 

Use a small cooler or insulated bag to keep perishable snacks, sandwiches, and drinks fresh during the trip. This prevents the need to stop frequently for food and allows you to have healthy options on hand.

Travel Games: 

Prepare travel-friendly games like travel-sized magnetic board games or printable scavenger hunt sheets to keep kids engaged and entertained during the journey.

Portable Potty: 

Especially for road trips, having a portable potty can be a lifesaver during those "I need to go NOW" moments.

Downloaded Entertainment:

 Don't forget to download your child's favorite shows, movies, or games on your tablet or phone in case Wi-Fi isn't available.

Baby Carrier: 

If you have a newborn or toddler, a baby carrier can be easier to manage than a stroller, especially when navigating through busy airports.

Wipes Everywhere: 

Carry wipes in all of your bags. They're not just for diaper changes - they're useful for spills, sticky hands, public surfaces, etc.

Plastic Bags:

Have a supply of plastic bags for dirty clothes, wet swimsuits, or car sickness.

Sanity-Saving Products For Your Adventures

Queen Bee Backpack:

We might be a bit biased, but being able to access your items with one hand while traveling can truly streamline your day and make everything flow more smoothly. Additionally, the five zippered pockets coupled with three open ones let you organize all your essentials with ease.

Suction-Go-Bowl:

This bowl set not only transforms into a compact food container perfect for plane or car travels, but it also opens large and suctions securely to smooth surfaces. Reduce reliance on single-use plastics while also encouraging self-feeding during your journeys.

 

Softshell Snap-Close Silicone Food Container

Speaking of snacks…..the silicone SoftShell is a traveler's dream: compact and easy to clean with Cool Edge technology for microwave safety. It snaps shut, doubles as a plate, and eliminates the fuss of mismatched lids. Ideal for on-the-go sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers during your journeys.

Marker Parker Grip-Tight Coloring Organizer

Traveling with kids? The Marker Parker ensures art-on-the-go is mess-free! It securely grips marker caps, letting your child draw without detaching the cap. This means markers stay organized, caps aren't lost, and there's no more dried-out markers or floor clutter during your journeys. Essential for fuss-free creativity while traveling.

 

Busy Baby Bungee Bib

Discover the silicone baby bib that's not just for everyday use but a lifesaver for travels. Thanks to its bungee system for utensils and durable, easy-to-clean design, mealtime on-the-go just became a whole lot tidier and more convenient. Perfect for daily meals and essential for journeys with your little one!

Busy Baby Bottle Bungee

Effortlessly secure sippy cups and bottles, making it indispensable for strollers, car seats, and wagons. Reduce spills and keep your baby's drink within reach during your adventures. No more misplaced sippy cups on the go!

 

Buckle Me Car Seat Blankie

Unlike regular blankets that easily get tangled or fall, these come with sleeves, ensuring they stay on your child, while the dropped neckline ensures comfort and safety. As you journey, ensure your little one is both warmly snuggled and safely buckled without the fuss of regular coats or troublesome blankets. It's a must-have for road-tripping families!

Sleep Everywhere Sack™

For road-tripping families, the Sleep Everywhere Sacks™ is a thoughtful addition. Its design aids in smoother car seat transitions, helping your baby maintain their peaceful slumber during rides. A subtle yet effective solution for more serene journeys.

 

Totebook Kids Dry Erase Activity Kit

The Totebook Kids Activity Kit is a compact lifesaver. Offering screen-free entertainment, it's designed for journeys by car, plane, or even restaurant waits. Each kit contains a themed activity book, a dry erase front for doodling, tethered markers to avoid mid-trip mishaps, and a variety of pre-reading activities, from mazes to tracing. The reusable stickers and activities cater to independent play, all housed within a kid-friendly carrying case. Keep your young ones engaged and your travels smooth!

Unbuckle Me Car Seat Buckle Release Tool

UnbuckleMe eases child car seat unbuckling by 50%, perfect for travel transitions. Suitable for all US push-button buckles, it's a travel essential for caregivers, designed by safety experts.

 

 Wishing you all safe and happy travels!

 

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links to products. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our blog and allows us to continue to create content like this. Thank you for your support!