![]() Back in 2015 my husband and I decided to move our family across the country, from Michigan to Nevada. We are enjoying our stay here, but having family in another state means we get to visit as often as we can! We like to take at least one trip together as a family to see everyone, my parents, grandparents, cousins, etc! who live in my hometown. Making these yearly, sometimes twice yearly, trips means that we have some experience in traveling with kids. Harper has been on at least 10 flights, and Atwood has 6 under his 2 year old belt. Not to mention that 4 or 5 of those flights I was alone with one (or both kiddos!) You can do this! I wanted to share with you a few of the things that we have learned along our journeys to maybe make yours a little easier. Here are my 10 Tips for Traveling with (young) Kids. Planning!The key to any trip is Planning! Plan as much as possible, as early as possible. For me, a key to reducing stress is to have "everything" planned out. Obviously you can't actually plan everything, but having a good grasp on the majority helps make it easier to take curve balls in stride without it ruining your time. Break-up the TripIf at all possible, split up your trip. That could mean simply stopping in a park for a snack and a play break. I recommend timing it so that you can get some fresh air around the time right before your child will need a nap. It could also mean stopping for a night in a motel/hotel before continuing on your trip. A bubble bath or a jump in a hotel pool has a way of making a long drive fun. Leave Early!This goes along with planning, but rushing things; at the airport, loading the car, or even packing, means stress. Give yourself plenty of time to get these tasks done. Leave early for the airport, earlier than you think you need to. Having extra time at the gate to entertain a toddler isn't as bad as standing in line for security while running late. snacksThis one should almost go without saying, but pack lots of snacks. Not just "road trip snacks" like chips and treats. Your kids are going to be thrown out of their normal routine and they need healthy food choices to help keep them centered. Provide the best choices you can and they are accustomed to. Cut up veggies, fresh fruit, homemade muffins. Did you know that you can take all of those things through TSA? You should be able to get them through security without any issues. It does state on the TSA website that baked goods may require "extra screening" but I have never had an issue. Do make sure "liquids and gels" such as hummus or peanut butter are still 3.4 oz or less. Any questions? Check out What Can I Bring? and search for your item there. Audio-BooksWe try to limit screen time as much as possible in our home, but one thing we don't limit is Audio books. A fantastic resource is the app, Hoopla Digital. You can sign up using your library card from your local library and download up to 8 titles per month. They don't have everything available, but there are still a lot to choose from, and it's FREE. My children are both big fans of the Paddington Bear books. Children's Headphones![]() Of course you little ones will need something to use to listen to all of these free audio books. I highly recommend these headphones. They're inexpensive, sturdy, and have volume control so that they can't get too loud, even if your toddler turns up the volume. They come in other colors for each of your children. Oh, and they can be linked together, so multiple kids can be listening to the same thing. You can click the image to browse on Amazon. Short CyclesOne of the best pieces of advice that I found while searching way back before Harper's first flight, was to do everything in cycles. While on the plane or in a car, don't allow your child to do two actives at the same time. Snacking, screen time, coloring, etc. Allot 10-20 minutes for each activity, then put it away before moving onto the next one. The point is to stretch as much time out of each activity and make it last so that they don't blow through everything within the first hour. I also recommend waiting to give them their screen time for as long as possible. Save it as a last resort because the end of the flight, when they're over it and you're tired, is when you'll need a back-up. Tire Them OutHave extra time at the gate because you go there early? Good for you! We like to do laps around the terminal. We fill up water bottles, take bathroom breaks, and sometimes buy a special treat at the gift shop. There are endless amounts of airplanes for kids to watch through the windows, as well as all that goes on on the ground before take off. My kids like watching them load the suitcases, look for dogs in the airport, and race to the drinking fountain. Some airports even have small free libraries! Manage ExpectationsAt the end of the day, remember, they're children. Even the most well seasons travelers will have a bad day. Flights get delayed, canceled, and even missed. Life is unpredictable. Manage your expectations of your children, and do your best to keep them realistic. It will help with step number 10. Mental AttitudeFinally, remember that your kids feed off of our energy and attitude. Even if your child is upset or crying for the flight, it is only one day. At the end of your flight, you'll be able to walk off the airplane and carry on with your life whether or not the journey went smoothly! Everything will be easier if you have a positive attitude and try to laugh it off. Gain experience, gain confidence! Now, I am not an "expert" just a mom who wants to share her personal experiences with you. Your travel plans will differ from ours, and that's great. Safe travels! #havekidswilltravel
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hello,I'm Sam. Mother of two and the sole seamstress behind Found Path. Here I'll share a more intimate look behind the brand, and a peek into our lives. Archives |