Travel Tips WITH Kids
The most intimidating part of traveling with young kids is anticipating the unknown. How will we carry all of our luggage? Will they sleep in a pack and play in a hotel? Will they cry on the airplane? Will they meltdown each day? Will we have any fun and relax? The unknown can be the scariest part of traveling with young kids, and infants. It’s like riding a bike, you just need to jump on it, and take off when you are ready!
My number one tip when traveling with kids is to prep all you can to make YOUR life easier on vacation. This means thinking through each part of your day and travel plans, and thinking how you can simplify routines and activities and what products will help you do so.
Recently, I created an IG video with some of my favorite traveling tips and products. CLICK HERE to watch!
SLEEP
The Slumberpod! Full confession, we have not used this product yet because my kids are too big for a pack and play, but we will for sure be using it this summer with the new baby. I can see how if you have a fan, and white noise machine inside the Slumberpod, your baby or toddler would be able to sleep in broad daylight, in your room without being disturbed. This could also be a great travel tool if you travel across time zones and want a dark room earlier in the day to reset your child’s internal sleep clock.
It also fits over a mini crib (which is often given in hotel rooms) or a toddler cot. Kids love containment when they sleep. They feel safe and secure, and there is a part that you can lower so they can see you while they are falling asleep if that would be helpful for your family.
Use code KIRSTRUSSELL20 for $20 off.
PACKING
We use both packing cubes and packing bands to pack the kids clothes and items. Packing cubes are great for pajamas, blankets, small toys, and items such as toiletries and extras. I do not like to think about and dig through a suitcase full of tiny clothes to find outfits, so I plan all the boys outfits ahead of time and wrap each outfit in a packing band. This also saves so much room in the suitcase! You roll up the shorts and shorts in a tight bundle, then wrap the band around the outfit. This is also so help to put “matching” outfits together. For example, when I wanted to the boys to be in coordinated outfits one night, I wrapped them together and it was so easy to find!
TRAVELING
Our carseat and stroller gate check bags have been on many, many flights! Yes, they are black in some places from the hustle of airplane luggage, but they have never ripped, and are approved by TSA. They close at the top so your items will not fall out, and have a place to write your last name in case another family also has the huge red bags. Here’s my tip when flying with a stroller or carseat that you will check at the luggage counter or gate: Stuff as much as you can into the bag! For example, in our single stroller bag we put Connor’s booster seat, water wings, the riding board for the stroller, and hiking backpack. They hold a lot! You are technically not supposed to stuff anything else in the bags, but no one has ever checked our bags or said anything.
Here are backpacks we have the boys wear themselves. Jackson is in a medium, and Connor is in a large. For the price, the quality is outstanding! I love that they have a handle at the top in case our toddler begins to run ahead. I also love that they clasp at the chest for stability so the shoulders never slide off the boys.
No spill water bottles are a must. We keep them empty then fill them at water stations around the airport.
CARSEATS
Connor was in a MiFold travel booster seat as of our last trip. We choose this one because we knew he wouldn’t fall asleep in the car since we didn’t have a lot fo driving to do. If he did fall asleep, he wouldn’t be in a safe position for this booster, and therefore we wouldn’t be as comfortable. The strap on the shoulder is very secure, and kids cannot get out of it themselves.
Our other favorite convertible carseat is this Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible carseat we have used based on the lightness, safety rating, and price points.
Since we travel frequently, we did buy extra travel only carseats since installing two complex carseats in the airport at 11:00pm one time with two crying children left us a tad traumatized.
ACTIVTIES
Here is what we brought on our last trip, with a 3 and 6 year old. We usually bring one activity per day we are traveling. On the airplane, we love sticky notes and busy boards. Containers with snacks like these are fun to open and close as well!
- Writing Tablet
- Mess Free Coloring
- Lego Travel Tote
- Travel toy car storage
- Playdoh sets from Etsy. So many different small businesses make these!
Other items that we don’t travel without include ziplock bags, portable music player, and bath time activities. After a long day, our kids love to take relaxing baths which gives Matthew and I some time to regroup!
ITEMS FOR MAMA…..
When we talk about making our own lives easier on vacation, I am obsessed with the following travel items for ME!
This large toiletry travel bag holds it all. It also folds up very nicely. Don’t forget to put sunscreen or foundation in a ziplock bag inside of it so it doesn’t leak.
My face is very sensitive to sunscreen. I’ve tried a variety of facial sunscreens for years and these are my top two favorites: Jordan Harper’s Sheer Protection Face Sunscreen and Elta MD Face Sunscreen.
No matter where we go, I always pack electrolytes.
My lips will not stay hydrated, even when we travel to Hawaii. I’ve been using this Lip Sleeping Mask for years, and still use it a few times a week. Recently I fell in love with Jordan Harper’s Lip Replenisher and WOW, it works for dry lips.
The need to hide dark circles under my eyes is a priority on vacation. I don’t love the application of this Magic Away Concealer , but the product itself is amazing. Not too thick, and not too thin. To keep it in place, I put this secret brightening powder underneath it.
Each vacation, I wear this Everyday Belt Bag. I simply love it for quick outings like to go grab coffee on vacation or when we went hiking. For a bigger option when I know I need to carry some kids things, I bring my Lululemon Festival Bag.
Let me know if you have any questions, or would like me to add anything to this list! The memories you make while traveling will be priceless.
