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Taking a trip with your kids doesn’t always feel like a vacation. You have to pack everything for an entire family, deal with a long flight or road trip and manage meltdowns, all while coping with changes in routine and inconsistent bedtimes. So it’s no wonder vacations can feel more exhausting than relaxing.
Scary Mommy readers are sharing their best tips to make traveling with kids easier … and even fun:
- “Pack painter's tape and black trash bags to cover bedroom windows! Zero damage and doesn’t take up a ton of space, or you can buy them anywhere when you arrive. (Blocks out light that can wake kids up early.)”
- “Bring a full change of clothes for yourself if flying with an infant. I learned that the hard way.”
- “Baby wipes. No matter the ages of your kids, they are good for any kind of clean up.”
- “Pack a new toy or activity book. Something they haven’t played with a million times.”
- “Take advantage of baby gear rental services. Trying to pack a Pack 'n Play, high chair, etc. in a car or with you on a plane can be too much stuff.”
- “If you have assigned airline seats, board LAST. Waiting to get on the plane with the last group means little legs can still move and walk around before being stuck in a seat.”
- “Fly at off times. The airport is much quieter and easier to navigate later in the evening or early in the morning.”
- “When flying and in busy places, I dress my kids alike. So much easier to track the same outfits as they are running around or in a public place.”
- “Everyone carries their own stuff on the plane. My kids have done this since they were 4, and it made my life traveling as a single mom so much easier.”
- “My best flying hack is always to stop at the store before we go and buy little boxes of candy for the flight crew. We stick a note on them, and my son hands them out to the crew as we board. They remember us and LOVE him, and we get the best service every time!”
- “Get Internet for your car and just let kids use the devices.”
- “Do less. I plan one thing a day, and the other half I let the kids have downtime. I think overscheduling is one of the biggest issues with kid travel.”
- And The Ultimate Tip: “Leave them with grandparents. 🤣”