From One Mom, to Another: Tips for Traveling with Little Kids
Crowdsourced advice from moms who've been there.
One of the most daunting things for me as a new mom was the idea of traveling with kids. Now that they’re a little bigger (5 and 3) it’s easier, but, I survived those early trips thanks to my group of mom-friends and their been-there-done-that wisdom.
I wanted to get the best advice for traveling with little kids, from the wise and wonderful moms out there. Enjoy! And hopefully you’ll pick up a few new tips and tricks for your upcoming spring break and summer travel!
Pack Like a Pro
Tip: One Ziploc Per Diaper Change
When my kids were in diapers I’d travel with one diaper change per hour on the plane just in case, and I’d organize them by putting an entire change into one Ziploc/Hefty Zip bag so all I had to do was grab that Ziploc bag and my kid to change them – no need to lug a big diaper bag to the tiny bathroom and I could put the soiled diaper and items into that Ziploc bag and throw it away - here is what was in each Ziploc: diaper a few wipes in a smaller Ziploc bag to keep the wet but not get the diaper wet small pack (sample size) of Aquaphor/cream changing pad cover.
- Amanda @ Amanda Brown - Type A Mom
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Tip: Pack Lollipops for Takeoff and Landing
They help with ear popping on the plane. My kids are grown now but I still pack them — and hand them out to screaming kids on the plane. Their parents are always thankful.
- Jill @ Jill Meyer
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Tip: Photograph Your Outfits Before You Pack
Plan each day’s outfit at home, snap a photo, and save them in order in your Notes app. No more morning debates — kids open the app and know exactly what they’re wearing.
- Manisha @ AI Family Network
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Tip: Load Up on High-Protein, Nutrient-Dense Snacks
Skip the sugar and pack snacks that will actually sustain them. High protein, nutrient-dense — you'll thank yourself mid-flight.
- Brenna @ Brenna May
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Tip: Bring Your Own Baby Carrier — But Know the Rules
Airlines have gotten stricter about infant carriers on planes. The Björn, which used to be allowed during flight, is often no longer permitted. Research your airline’s current policy ahead of time and bring a compliant option so you’re not caught off guard at the gate.
- Brenna @ Brenna May
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Tip: Pack a Comfort Comeback
I suggest bringing a long lost favorite book. Giving an element of surprise and comfort to kids when they’re far from home
- Chenelle @ Adventurous Parenting
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Keep Them Entertained
Tip: One Good Toy Beats a Whole Bag
One open-ended sensory toy can replace 20 activities and leave you a lot more packing room. We pack a small jar of playdough (bonus if you had a few drops of lavender oil) and add a few loose parts like gems, buttons, a mini animal figure or two. Great for the plane, restaurants, and downtime in the hotel.
- Liz @ liz | wonderfilled world
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Tip: Play the Alphabet Game
Pick a theme — animals, foods, things in a classroom, items in one room of your house — and take turns naming one per letter, going in order around the car. The difficulty dials up or down depending on age, and the variety of themes is endless. The best part: no scorekeeping, so no sibling rivalry. Well, less sibling rivalry at least. It's also full of unexpected teaching moments — my kids learned about quahogs, salamanders, and ptarmigans mid-game, pausing for explanations and exploration. Roadtrips make for captive audiences, and talking with kids is the best way for them to learn.
- Wendy @ Moving Forward
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Tip: Give Yourself Permission to Forget About Screen Time Rules
Screens are your friends during travel. Let them have at it. Just make sure you've got headphones and that everything is charged.
- Jill @ Jill Meyer
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Tip: Bring Sticky Notes for Instant Entertainment
Bring sticky notes (like colored post it notes) or colored sticky tabs they can stick on the seat trays or windows. They are removable so no worries about them sticking them all over!
- Stacy @ Sweet & Sassy
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Before You Go
Tip: Talk Through Every Step Before You Go
Talk a lot about what's going to happen in the weeks leading up to travel. My three-year-old can describe each step of the airport in detail because we briefed him so thoroughly — he'll say "then we wait in line for our turn again." Airport-themed picture books help too
– Haley @ haley 🪻
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Tip: See It Through Their Eyes
The tram from the parking lot, planes on the tarmac, the rumble of takeoff — it’s all brand new to them. When you lean into the wonder instead of the logistics, you’ll find yourself more patient when delays happen and more present for the whole journey.
– Bri @ Modern Motherhood Musings
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Tip: Reframe What a “Good Trip” Actually Looks Like
Completely reframe what a 'good trip' with young kids looks like. Don't try to plan a relaxing vacation or a city break — it usually just leads to frustration. Our best family trip was in Norway. We stayed for a week in the middle of nowhere, about an hour from the nearest grocery store, stocked up the car with food, and just lived outside — hiking, stopping at waterfalls, drinking from mountain streams. The kids were active all day and slept incredibly well. Choose places where your kids are welcome as they are, where they can move freely, and where you can spend as much time outside as possible. Everything tends to go more smoothly that way. And maybe bring a bottle of wine or two for the parents.
– Annabella @ SCANDI CLASS
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Once You’re There
Tip: Find the Nearest Playground
Find the playgrounds! There’s an app called playground Buddy that’s great for roadtripping or if you’re renting somewhere and need to blow off steam!
- Kathryn @ The Moms Know Best (via Kayla Voigt)
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Tip: Slow Down and Do Less
Hear me out: slow down and do less. (What?! I just spent how much to fly how far to not check everything off the must-see-do-eat list?) When you're not operating on a strict schedule, you'll actually end up doing, seeing, and most definitely eating more than you realize — and it will be so much more memorable.
- Liz @ liz | wonderfilled world
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Tip: Check Your Museum Membership for Reciprocity
We have a local museum membership and always check for reciprocity at museums in other cities! We often get free or discounted day tickets.
- Angeliki @ Well & Wondering
What other tips or tricks would you add to this list? Leave a comment below!
We’ll be back next week with another edition of “From One Mom, to Another.” Let us know what topic you’d like to read about.
Mothers know best! What a fantastic list of tips. (brb: going to look up where all my museum memberships have reciprocity.)
Now that my youngest are 16 years old (twins), they know where to go but I still try to watch the experience from their eyes. There’s still the excitement of a trip. The reminders are more — do you have your phones, chargers and AirPods. Plus my girls still travel with a favorite stuffed animal.