Having kids, clearly, brings lifestyle changes - change can be difficult and fun! One aspect of life that takes a major shift with kids is traveling! Once you travel with kids, it will make traveling without kids a breeze :) We both love to travel (Sheena has been quite brave and taken her kids on multiple international trips already) & have figured out some helpful “favorites” for when we travel with kids! We hope that you can find the fun and adventure while making memories with your family in a new city!

Helpful Tips Before Your Trip

• Remember to check the weather for your destination! This will help guide with you pack for yourself & your kids!

• Download any apps to devices that kids will want to use in the car or on a flight! Some airline apps also have free entertainment (e.g., movies, TV shows, games).

• Pack those snacks! And when you think you have enough, pack some more :) Nothing worse than a hangry kid in the airport.

• Look into renting any big baby/toddler equipment. Renting a crib, stroller, car seats, or high chair can help with lessening the load of what needs to be carried through the airport and taking up space in a rental car. Baby Quip is a great place to look! You can also reach out to where you’re staying to see if there is a company they regularly work with!

At the Airport

• Let them run wild! No, seriously. The more energy the burn in the airport before boarding the plane, the better.

• For babies in diapers, consider using an overnight diaper for the flight. They’re more absorbent so you’re less likely to experience leaks/blowouts (but who are we kidding, the blowouts will still happen, so don’t forget to pack an extra set of clothes for you and your baby).

• Have a pacifier or bottle ready to go for take off and landing. Little ones have a harder time popping their ears with the change in air pressure, so the sucking motion with a pacifier or bottle will help. If your kids are past the bottle phase, you can try lollipops or hard candy (as long as they’re old enough for it to not be a choking hazard). We love Zollipops! They’re sugar-free, allergy-friendly treats that help clean your teeth, which means they’re dentist-approved!

In the Car

• Think about time of departure. Does it make sense to leave during a nap time?

• Make sure to have easy access to any snacks and toys!

• Plan any bathroom breaks, stretch breaks, or meals along the way!

Here are Some of Our Favorite Travel Items

• Packing Cubes - Sheena also shared that she will organize her kids’ outfits using Ziploc bags. This way other will know the appropriate outfit for the day and the Ziploc bag can then be used if the clothes get dirty! Each of my kids has a designated color (obviously my daughter’s is pink). I’ll include her in the packing process so she can pick out some favorite outfits for vacay!

• Sticker Book, Poke A Dot Book, and a New Toy

• SlumberPod or Travel Blackout Shades - When traveling, there are a lot of components out of your control. The SlumberPod or travel blackout shades helps ensure your child will have a nice, dark place to sleep during nap times and at night!

• A good travel stroller - Make sure to think about what your plans are on vacation with your little ones. Will you need a stroller for tough terrain? Just for walking around town? A single stroller? A double stroller? We have used these strollers for travel:

  • gb Pockit

  • Nuna TRVL

  • Zoe

  • Baby Jogger City Mini

  • Babyzen Yoyo

  • Uppababy Minu

  • *Remember - there is a risk with gate checking strollers (Sheena shared her story on our podcast) but can easily be done if necessary :) Just remember a gate check bag for your stroller!

Remember - take a deep breath, expect at least a few things to go awry, and know laughter goes a long way! Fingers crossed your kids will begin a life long love for travel! Bon voyage!

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