Summer break is upon us! The kids are out of school, and it’s time to start thinking about travel and vacation. Of course, a Low-cost Staycation can still be a lot of fun if your family isn’t up to traveling. But, sometimes it’s nice to get away. Our family has traveled to Disney more times than I can count. Since we live in South Florida, it’s easy to pack up for a quick weekend trip, or even longer. We’ve also done 2 Disney cruises with our kids, which can be pricey, but are so worth it for the relaxation. The cruises also don’t require much as far as planning goes, so they’re a great way to vacation!
The biggest trip we’ve taken so far with our kids, though, has been to California and Hawaii. Yes, we’re nuts – we traveled from Florida to Hawaii with 4 kids (at the time). I did a lot of research before taking such a big trip with them because I knew it would be very different than the shorter trips we were used to. I’ll share with you what I learned before, during, and after our trip.
First, a little background on the trip
My husband and I are friends with a couple that we’ve known for over 20 years. Back in 2016, they planned to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Maui, Hawaii. Honestly, when we first got the invitation, we ruled it out. Our youngest was only 2, and it seemed almost impossible to do. It took us a little while to make a final decision, and I don’t remember what actually changed our mind, but we crazily decided to do it!
Luckily, we had airline points and hotel credits that we’d saved up, which saved us some money. We were also able to take a week off from work in order to make the cross-country trip worthwhile. The kids missed a few days of school, but it was worth it. Once we realized we had connecting flights and layovers, my wonderful husband also decided that we might as well spend a few days in California to go to Disneyland. His thought process: “we never know when we’ll be back on this side of the country”. So that’s what we did!
Disneyland
We had an awesome time visiting Disneyland for the first time. The Disneyland Hotel was awesome and had a great water slide and play area. The service was impressive, as can be expected at any Disney property. We were visited by characters at check in, which was totally unexpected, and had a last-minute character dinner just cause.
Hawaii
After 2 days in California, we traveled on to Hawaii. Our friends’ 10-year anniversary celebration was absolutely beautiful. We got to explore the island a bit and spent A LOT of time in the sun, pool, and ocean! We even attended a luau and took in some Hawaiian culture and food while we were there.
So, with that overview out of the way, here are 13 tips for traveling with kids:
1. Travel at the right time of day
I recommend planning your travel so that you’ll be on the plane or in the car during their naptimes or bedtime. It makes life a lot easier – this way, you won’t have to worry too much about keeping the kids occupied. With our connecting flights and layovers, it was difficult to plan the entire trip around naptimes, but we tried our best. Travel was definitely a lot easier when the younger kids were asleep!
2. Board the plane last
I know most airlines allow you to board early when you are traveling with small children in order to get them settled. But, I think it’s actually better to board later rather than earlier. It gives them more free time, and less time strapped to their seats. We had long flights, so even a few extra minutes outside of the plane was helpful.
3. Pack distractions
When traveling long distances with kids, it’s helpful to be prepared with distractions. Make a quick dollar store run before you travel to pick up cheap, small toys to keep them occupied. It’s helpful to pack new things, which should keep their attention longer than toys that they’re already familiar with. Toys, books, coloring books, puzzles, and mess-free arts and crafts are helpful to keep them busy. Wrap up each little distraction with wrapping paper, too, so that you can buy a little more time and add to the element of surprise! It’ll also keep their attention longer.
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend screen time for younger kids, and recommends less than 2 hours a day for older kids. I tend to break the rules a bit when we’re traveling. Laptops or tablets can sometimes be a lifesaver in these situations!
4. Pack comfort
Aside from packing new things, I also recommend packing things that your kids are familiar with. Their favorite stuffed animal, toy, or blanket can keep them comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. These things can help to provide security if they’re afraid during travel. As an aside, to provide comfort for younger kid’s ears, I recommend having them drink something during take off and landing if you’re traveling by plane. Swallowing will help them to relieve the pressure that’s associated with altitude changes.
5. Pack For Emergencies
I always pack a First Aid Kit with the basics, such as band-aids, Neosporin, and hydrocortisone cream. Packing medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, and probiotics are also helpful to get you through in case your little one comes down with something while you’re traveling.
6. Pack light
Traveling with 4 kids can make a suitcase look crazy! Packing cubes helped to keep the kids’ stuff organized. They were a lifesaver. In general, we tried to minimize what we packed. We didn’t pack new pajamas or bathing suits for each day. We bought what we could when we got to our destinations, just so we didn’t have too much to lug around. Consider doing this when traveling so that you don’t have to pack too much.
7. Plan your ground transportation
We didn’t rent a car throughout our entire trip. In California, we relied on Disney bus transportation, and in Hawaii a local taxi service. I planned all of this well ahead of time because I, of course, didn’t want us stranded anywhere. If it were just my husband and I, we probably could just wing it when we got there, but that’s near impossible with small children.
8. Don’t forget your car seat and stroller
If you normally use a large stroller and car seat, I recommend down-sizing when traveling (pack light, remember!). We normally use a pretty large Britax stroller for our youngest, but opted for an umbrella stroller for travel in the airport and when we got to our destinations. It was so much easier to travel with. We didn’t pack car seats because our destination transportation included a bus and a taxis service that provided car seats for us. Be sure to look into this when traveling with kids. Some rental care companies will offer car seats, so that you don’t have to travel with yours. Check out all your options, to be sure your kids are traveling safely during your vacation.
9. Plan your meals
For this trip, I planned out where and when we would be eating, based on our travel times. Again, my husband and I would just eat what we find if just the two of us were traveling, but with the kids we had to plan it out. Sometimes, we just ate what we found in the airport, but for the other times, I planned ahead and researched the local offerings in California and Hawaii. Of course, I recommend offering food before they even get hungry, and packing plenty of snacks. Traveling with kids is stressful enough – traveling with “HANGRY” kids is the pits! Also, don’t forget the hand saitizer!
10. Prep the kids beforehand
It’s helpful for the kids to know what to expect during our trip. You can go over the itinerary with them if they’re old enough to understand. Let them know that to expect when making it through the airport, and when on the plane, car, or bus. Give them a little information about your destination as well, to get them excited, but also well-prepared.
11. Plan ahead, but be flexible
Of course with kids, things can change at any moment. While it’s important to always have a plan, it’s also important to leave some extra time in that plan for the unexpected. You don’t want to miss your bus or plane, so stick extra time in your schedule for melt downs, tantrums, diaper changes, snacks, etc.
12. Take lots of pictures/video
In a few years, you’ll want to be able to look back on these memories of your time together – no matter how stressful it is. So, in the midst of all the chaos, I recommend snapping lots of pictures and videos of your family.
13. Pack a smile, and lots of patience
It takes a lot of planning and preparation to take a trip with kids, and sometimes just feels like straight “work”. But, the reality is that it’s still a vacation, so you want to try your best to enjoy it! So, pack a smile, be patient with your kids and their many moods, and try to sit back and relax!
Are you preparing to travel with your kids? If so, get a handy printable of my Tips For Traveling With Kids by filling out the box below. You’ll also get access to my Resource Library filled with other helpful cheat sheets, worksheets, and printables to make your life easier. As a bonus, you’ll also receive my weekly newsletter with weekly encouragement, lessons learned, and tips on making it through this journey as a working wife and mom.
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