The first time we traveled with a baby, I packed like we were moving to another country. Diapers, wipes, blankets, pacifiers, burp cloths, board books, bottles, and more snacks than a convenience store shelf. You would’ve thought we were preparing for the apocalypse instead of a four-hour road trip. Fast forward and now my kids are older, and we’ve taken eleventy dozen trips, some by car, some by plane, I can honestly say: you can travel with kids and actually enjoy it.
It won’t always be seamless, and sometimes you’ll forget the one thing you swore you’d never forget (hello, toothbrushes). But traveling as a family can be deeply enriching, memory-making, and even fun, yes, fun. The secret isn’t in perfectly behaved children or luxury accommodations. We never get the luxury accommodations. The secret is in preparation, perspective, and a generous helping of grace.
Whether you’re gearing up for a road trip, hopping on a plane, or just trying to survive the rest stop bathroom visits with dignity intact, these tips can help you navigate travel with littles, middles, and teens. A few years ago I shared tips on how to travel with kids without losing your mind. I’m back with some tips on how to enjoy traveling with your kids. Because there is a difference, and you deserve to keep your sanity and your joy.
Adjust Your Expectations
First and foremost, let’s set the tone: this is not a Pinterest-perfect vacation. This is a real-life adventure with real-life children. There will be messes. There will be delays. There will be moments when you question your decision to leave the house. But there will also be laughter, bonding, and growth.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV) reminds us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” There is a time for bucket-list travel and a time for snack-fueled detours to roadside attractions. Embrace the season you’re in, goldfish crumbs and all.
Pack Smart
For All Ages:
- Create a family packing list: One for essentials, one for comfort items, and one for entertainment.
- Pack by day or outfit: If your kids are younger, gallon zip bags labeled with the day or activity make dressing a breeze.
- Don’t forget comfort items: stuffed animals, special blankets, or sleep sound machines can make a new place feel like home. Don’t forget medical supplies if you need them, like a nebulizer or CPAP machine.
- Snacks are gold: Think protein, fruit, and fun stuff too. Hungry kids are cranky travelers.
Baby and Toddler Must-Haves
- Diapers and wipes (always pack more than you think you’ll need)
- Portable changing pad
- Extra clothes (for baby and you, trust me)
- Lightweight stroller suitable for airplanes or a baby wrap carrier. I had a Moby, a Boba, and an Infantino when my youngest was little, and I generally packed all three. LOL
Preschool and Early Elementary
- Activity books, stickers, mess-free markers
- Small toys, stuffed animals, or action figures
- Audiobooks or kids’ playlists
Tweens and Teens
- Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. Make sure to get them the earbuds they like. My daughter prefers in-ear headphones with the little wing things. My son prefers earbuds that are more button like and just sit in the ear.
- A good book or device loaded with offline content. They can download shows from Netflix or Hoopla ahead of time!
- Travel journal or sketchpad
- Charging cables and backup batteries
Tip: Let older kids help pack their bags. It builds responsibility and ensures they bring what they’ll actually use. If your older kid is a tween, make sure you double check their packing, even if they are packing from a list. Otherwise, you might be surprised when you get to where you’re going and they have seventeen pairs of shorts and two shirts. Just saying. For Easter, we gave our kids their own softside carry-on luggage set as their Easter basket.
We also got this set of toiletry bags that had 8 in the pack, and had a dear friend of mine custom embroider three of them with the kids initials to match their luggage sets.
They were all a bit confused, like, why do we need our own luggage, are we going somewhere? Yup. We’re going to Florida this summer, kids.
Road Trip Survival
There’s something nostalgic about piling into the car, snacks in hand, windows rolled down (at least for five minutes before the AC wins), and singing loudly off-key to ’90s road trip songs. Road trips offer flexibility and freedom, but they also require a game plan.
Road Trip Tips:
- Leave early: Kids are often happier in the morning. Early departures beat traffic and tantrums.
- Plan stops intentionally: Map out rest stops, parks, or fun attractions. Even a 15-minute picnic at a scenic overlook can refresh everyone. When we roadtrip to my Dad’s, the kids know which pitstops we are hitting along the way.
- Use window clings and travel trays: These make the backseat more fun and functional.
- Rotate entertainment: Movies, games, stories, music—have a rotation to minimize boredom.
Favorite Road Trip Games:
- I Spy
- License Plate Game
- Would You Rather?
- Bible Trivia (let the older ones quiz the younger ones!)
Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Road trips often come with surprises like road construction, bathroom emergencies, wrong turns. Don’t let the detours derail your joy. Let them be opportunities for spontaneity.
Flying with Kids Without Losing It
Airports and airplanes come with their own set of challenges. From security lines to cramped seats, flying can feel like an endurance test. But with a little prep and a lot of grace, you can make it work, even with toddlers in tow.
Before the Flight:
- Talk through what to expect (especially with younger children)
- Let them burn energy at an airport play area
- Dress kids in layers and pack a change of clothes in your carry-on
In the Air:
- Bring gum or chewy snacks for ear pressure
- I can’t chew gum, so I pack a Breathe Again roll-on from Young Living in my wallet.
- Use a tablet or phone without relying on Wi-Fi
- Pack quiet toys, a book, and surprise snacks
- Don’t overpack your carry-on; just the essentials! Be sure to pack your medications in your carry-on.
Luke 12:25-26 asks, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” Let this be your travel mantra when turbulence (literal or emotional) hits.
Managing Different Age Groups
One of the most challenging parts of traveling as a family is meeting everyone’s needs (or wants), especially when your crew spans age groups (whether toddlers or teens). Each age group has its joys, and its demands.
Babies & Toddlers:
- Stick as closely as possible to the nap and meal routine.
- Embrace stroller naps and babywearing. My toddlers lived in the wrap when we traveled when they were younger.
- Be flexible. You’re not trying to see everything; enjoy something.
Preschoolers:
- They love structure, so preview the day with them.
- Give them “jobs” like carrying their backpack or checking off a travel list.
- Use visual schedules or stickers for motivation.
Elementary Kids:
- Let them help choose activities.
- Keep a small stash of rewards for keeping a good attitude or for being helpful.
- Involve them in learning about your destination—maps, books, even local foods.
Tweens and Teens:
- Respect their need for independence. Let them have some say in how you spend time.
- Give space where you can (let them sit in a different row on the plane, have their own room or bed, etc.).
- Encourage journaling or photo-taking to reflect their own memories.
Whether your kids span different age groups or just have vastly different interests, be sure to plan things that interest them. On our recent trip to Florida, we had one who wanted to visit the Armament museum, one who wanted to meet a dolphin, and one who wanted to visit a bookstore. We did all three. Why? Because Philippians 2:4 (ESV) reminds us, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Traveling with people with different interests teaches selflessness like few other things can.
Keep the Faith While You Travel
Travel can disrupt routines, including spiritual ones. But it also offers beautiful opportunities to grow in faith together.
Faith on the Go:
- Listen to faith-based audiobooks or podcasts in the car. If your family isn’t inclined to listen with you, listen in your earbuds. I personally use Skullcandy Earbuds, because I have tiny ear canals and they are the only ones that make earbuds small enough to fit.
- Do a short family devotional each morning or evening if they are open to it
- Pray before meals and before adventures – get your kids to say the blessing if they are open to it
- Take photos of places where you feel God’s presence and talk about it
- Journal any insights you have from the Lord. I shared mine from our recent trip to Florida in my God in the Gulf: Lessons from the Beach article.
- If you’re out of town on the day that you would typically attend a faith related service, find a local one to attend or join one online. If we’re at my Dad’s, we attend his church. If we’re in another location on a Sunday, we try to plan to see if there’s a local church we want to attend. If not, then our church has a livestream of our service, so we can catch it while traveling.
Psalm 121:8 (NKJV) says, “The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Travel with confidence. God is with you, whether on the open road, in a TSA line, or finding your hotel at midnight.
Capture the Moments
It’s tempting to focus on snapping the perfect vacation photo, but the best memories often happen between the clicks. Slow down. Watch your kids discover new things. Eat ice cream before dinner. Play in the hotel pool. Laugh when things go sideways.
Make a memory, not just a schedule.
Tip: Keep a journal or let your teen document the trip with their phone camera. You’ll love seeing things from their point of view. We handed our old DSLR over to our 17yo and let him take all the photos he wanted. He really enjoyed capturing moments on this trip and he got some really great photos.
Not sure where to start with your family travel journal? Use these Family Travel Memory Journal Prompts to get you started.
Reflect and Recharge
When you return home, take time to unpack your heart before you unpack your suitcase. Reflect on what went well. Celebrate the wins (no lost luggage! only one meltdown!). And learn from the challenges.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) encourages us, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Travel is rewarding, but it’s also exhausting. Give yourself and your kids space to rest and reset.
Enjoy the Journey
You don’t have to be the perfect travel planner or have perfectly behaved kids to enjoy traveling as a family. What you do need is a spirit of adventure, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of grace. There will be sticky fingers, spilled drinks, and maybe even a forgotten toothbrush or two. But there will also be shared giggles, new experiences, and a family story that no one else gets to tell but you.
So take the trip. Book the tickets. Pack the snacks.
And enjoy it.
