When it comes to vacationing with kids, you’ve got all opinions, ranging from people who won’t take their kids farther than the mailbox to parents who fly internationally with a lap infant and preschooler. And then there are those who fall somewhere in the middle. If that’s you (i.e. you’re interested in taking the occasional trip with your kids, but don’t yet have it down to a science) keep reading. This post includes tips from real parents—things you may not have thought of—that can make your trip a little smoother.
Choosing the right destination
Firstly and most importantly, choose an itinerary that you’ll be able to manage easily with kids. A packed sightseeing trip to major cities where you’re on your feet all day navigating crowds, stairs and tight schedules will probably be stressful with kids. Ditto for places with fragile items on display and long stretches of time where kids are expected to be silent. On the other hand, trips that include wide, open spaces and the ability to go at your own pace can be delightful. Think beach towns, national parks with easy trails and family-friendly resorts. The main thing is to find a place where the kids will have plenty of room to just be kids.
Finding the right accommodations
It’s safe to assume that one of your considerations when deciding where to stay is that everyone should be able to sleep. If you’re staying at a hotel, look for a suite option that will enable you to put your kids in another room, separated by a door. Even if it’s not officially two bedrooms, just having that additional room can help everyone sleep better. A suite is usually more cost-effective than booking two connected rooms and makes it easier to keep a close eye on the kids.
Plus, you’ll be able to relax without having to hold your breath once the kids are sleeping and you’re stuck in the hotel. Suites usually have a kitchenette, which is helpful (read: crucial) when you’re preparing bottles and snacks all day.
Other things to keep in mind when booking a hotel stay with kids
- If a bathtub is a necessity, make sure your room has one
- Rooms with interesting views can entertain the kids for hours
- If the hotel has a pool with zero entry, splashpad or shallow beach, that makes a great daily activity
- A casual restaurant open for dinner daily is usually kid-friendly and will save you from having to take your kids out after a long day
Another great family-friendly option is an Airbnb, which often provides better value than a hotel when you need multiple bedrooms. Plus, having access to a full kitchen means you can prepare meals at home instead of eating out for every meal—which can be expensive and stressful with young children. Caveat: make sure to put any expensive decorative items out of sight and reach when you arrive.
The little things that help a lot (for the way)
While you’re surely packing a boatload of stuff for a trip with the kids, there are some extras that are essential for getting through a long drive/plane ride.
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Things to keep the kids busy that don’t make a mess
- Water coloring books
- Window clings
- Magnetic drawing boards
- Small interactive toys, like fidget spinners
- Fabric busy book
- No-residue tape (stick it to windows, chair backs and clothing for them to peel off)
- If you plan to use tablets for screentime, be sure to load them up before, as Wi-Fi is not always reliable
- Snacks! Besides for being another thing to keep them busy, snacks can also help stop tantrums, ward off hunger and prevent ears from popping during air pressure changes. For this last purpose, it should be something that causes them to suck and swallow (pacifier/bottle for very little ones).
- If your child is potty trained:
- Our Folding Potty Seat is perfect for using in public restrooms to make the toilets kid-friendly.
- Our Folding Potty Chair is great for when you’re on the go with no accessible facilities.
- Empty plastic bags – you can never have too many. Good for containing clothes that got dirty or spilled on, sealing off soiled diapers and holding the wrappers from all those snacks.
- Comfort items – to provide familiarity in new and overwhelming environments, and to help with sleep.
- Earplugs – to hand out to nearby passengers if a worst-case scenario comes to fruition. Or for yourself:)
Planning your day
Schedule activities for when the kids are at their best. So if your kids start their mornings bright and early and get cranky after lunch, plan your day around that. Bonus points if the activity is low-cost or free, so you don’t feel pressured to “get your money’s worth” and feel bad if you need to make an exit. Don’t overschedule and leave plenty of transition time between activities. You’ll need it—between diaper changes, snack breaks, lost shoes and the occasional meltdown. Stay away from things that require a narrow window of time. Everything takes longer with kids, but you’ll be chilled knowing whatever time you arrive is ok.
When things break down, divide and conquer. You take the overstimulated one somewhere to sit for some quiet time, while your spouse stays with the non-exhausted child, or vice versa.
Best advice: build some break time into your day when everyone turns in for “rest time”. They can hang out in their beds, read a book or play quietly on their own. Traveling or not, everyone can use a break from each other when you’ve been together all day.
Be ready to pivot – if you see tonight’s not the night for a meal in a new restaurant, eat a familiar meal at your accommodations and have the kids do something low-intensity, like color or watch TV, before calling it a night.
Getting in some you time
While most of your time will probably be spent enjoying fun things together with your kids, you can absolutely carve out time for yourself too. Instead of feeling “stuck” in the hotel room at night, pick up your favorite local treats during the day and enjoy some downtime once they’re in bed.
Coordinating your vacation with family or friends who have kids the same age can also be a real win-win. That way, your kids have fun without you having to provide the entertainment and you get some adult interaction too.
Go with the flow
If there’s one piece of advice to take along with you on your trip it’s this. If you’re stuck with a specific image in your mind of what a vacation is supposed to be like, you’re guaranteed to be disappointed. When you’re vacationing with kids, showing up and letting things evolve can help you relax even when things get chaotic.