Traveling with kids can be exciting, frustrating, and a little nerve-wracking all at the same time. Sure, you want to share the world with your kids, but what about getting through the airplane flight, touring museums, or just enjoying a nice dinner?
Here are some tips and tricks we have learned from traveling with our own kids.
Traveling with Kids
Have Them Write in a Journal
This is age dependent, but even kids as young as five can keep a journal, even if you have to write a few sentences for them.
When we travel, we have Tyler and Kara do their writing at dinnertime. This seems like the perfect time to review the day and jot down a paragraph or two. For young kids, just a few sentences are fine. Older kids can write more. Have them write about their favorite activity or even about something they didn’t like. The entries may be hilarious. Plus, it can be eye opening as to what stands out to your kids as the most memorable part of the day.
Your kid’s journal just may be your favorite souvenir of the trip.
Let Them Lead the Way
Have your kids lead the way through the airport, train station, and subway station. This is a great opportunity for them to learn how to navigate through airports and metro stations and to learn how public transportation works.
Just in Case They Get Separated from You
Teach them what to do if they get lost or separated. Before leaving your hotel, have a plan in place just in case this happens. We make sure Tyler and Kara know where to go if we get separated on the metro, out on a city street, or at any public place.
Give Them Your Information
Write your contact information on the back of your hotel’s business card and put it in your child’s pocket or shoe. If your child gets separated from you, they will have your information and the hotel’s information so you can be reunited.
Include Them in the Trip Planning
Talk to your kids about activities in the places you plan to visit. Include some of the activities they express interest in.
If they are old enough, have them research a place you plan to visit.
Encourage Them to Take Photos
Let them bring a device that they can take pictures with and encourage them to take photos. When you return, build an album for them with their favorite photos.
Let them Buy Souvenirs
Give them a fixed amount of money for souvenirs. Let them pick out souvenirs of interest and learn how to manage their money.
Teach Them How to Haggle
If you are in a location where haggling is customary, then teach your kids how to do it, especially for the souvenirs they want for themselves.
Keep Museum Visits Short and Sweet
Visit no more than one, maybe two, museums in one day. Let’s face it, kids think museums are boring. If you push them to do too much, they’ll return the favor by whining, pouting, and making the experience less than pleasant for you.
If you do plan to visit museums, here are some tips to make the visit fun for the whole family.
Turn the visit into a scavenger hunt. Do some research before your visit. What are the main things you want your kids to see and learn at the museum. Make a list of these things and have the kids find them and check them off. You can even split into teams (with one adult on each team) and designate a meeting location for when everything has been found.
Play eye spy.
Count the number of ears in the museum, excluding live people. Sounds strange but it makes them look at everything in the museum.
Take scary face selfies in front of museum displays.
Bring a Favorite Toy to Keep Them Occupied
If you are going on a road trip, long flight, long bus ride, or a train trip, bring along plenty to do to keep your kids occupied. Coloring books, travel games, and an iPad with games and movies are all great ideas.
Have you traveled with kids? What other tips and tricks do you recommend? Comment below!
You Might Also Like:
TRAVEL ADVICE: Here is our list of tips to help you maximize your time while traveling. We also have tips on traveling without your kids plus a massive list of 101 travel tips we learned while traveling around the world.
FOR FAMILIES: If you have children, here are 12 great national parks to take your kids.
USA ROAD TRIPS: Planning your next big adventure in the USA? Check our our USA Road Trip Guide for travel ideas and sample itineraries.
VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks.
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Comments 10
Hi,
I love your blogs!! Like you we have a girl & a boy. Many times it is less expensive to stay in a hotel room. When the kids were younger they would sleep in the same bed. Now they are preteen. Some of the hotel rooms don’t have a cot or couch. Getting 2 hotel rooms would really cut into the budget. Not sure how to work out the sleeping arrangements. When talking to the kids, they said they don’t care. They just want to travel to different places. How do most families handle this situation?
Feel free to edit. I wasn’t sure how to say it. Thank you.
All the Best
Patty
Author
Hello Patty. Thanks for writing in. Tyler and Kara even now (they are 18 and 20) don’t mind sleeping in the same bed, just as long as they get to travel new places, just like your kids said. However, if we are traveling for more than a week, we get an apartment every few nights so they can have their own room for a night or two, just to give them some space (this also has the advantage of coming with a washing machine, in most cases, so we can also do laundry). Cheers, Julie
One of the best read i have found on the web today. I have one kid but thats enough of 5 kids. These tips will really help in for my next travel. I am trying to figure out some peaceful trips. But I dont think that will be Possible. Hahha 🙂
Note: I love my kid and enjoy travelling with him. Thanks for these tips EarthTrekkers. Keep shinning.
Great article to read! Next time I will follow the same instructions while on trip with kids. Thanks
Wow!! Really great article and also great family! Your thoughts inspired me. Travelling with kids is more fun and sometimes more challenging too, LoL!! But this post will be really helpful.. Thank you!!!
Most parents consider travelling with kids a big challenge. This article actually inspires to do so. I like the tips you have shared here. The idea of writing down the day’s experiences will help children store happy recollections from childhood. I also liked your suggestion about teaching children how to haggle and manage money.
What a great post! Our family (my wife and I plus kids 4, 7, and 9 years old) are preparing to embark on a 7 month trip and it is really necessary to be prepared with kids. Your article shared some very great tips that every family should follow.
What a great article. Thank you for all of your advice and information. It definitely motivated me to give it a try to traveling with kids. Lovely post.
Lollipops! Keep a few small lollipops in your bag. When deployed at the right moment, these can revitalize a flagging kid and avert a meltdown. Also ice cream! Teach them to order their favorite flavor in the appropriate language.
Author
Great tips! Thanks Sara.