To some, traveling with small kids may sound daunting; however, for others, it is like an effortless routine. Usually, kids’ unpredictable behavior is why parents dread traveling so much. The thought of flying is enough to make them cringe and deter them from spending a vacation in a different country.
However, the story can be very different if the trips are planned effectively. One of our staff members, Julie, a mom of an 8-year-old son, returned from a long holiday. She looked happier than ever before. Over a quick coffee catch-up, she shared that her recent trip to Norway was a lifetime experience. She went to see the northern lights and was nervous about taking her son on this trip. She said, ‘Despite having a bone-cracking cold and sometimes no hot water, we enjoyed every bit of it, and I’m going to plan it again.’
To my surprise, it wasn’t Julie alone – many of the frequent travelers who have been globetrotting with kids say – it’s a routine fun. On the contrary, newbies often find it challenging until they plan it right. 
Here are a few golden tips and tricks to make traveling with kids effortless:
Think twice about the travel timing and route
You may sign up for a destination that is just a few hours away, but a wrong route selection or a long layover can flip the game altogether. Also, the timing matters! To adults, it may not affect but to kids, it can be nerve-wracking. Kids live by their brain clock, and it isn’t very flexible. Also, kids are generally excited when traveling; however, the real deal begins after the dopamine gets down, and they feel restricted from any action during the flight or in the car.
The best way to handle their unpredictable tantrums is to be prepared with some activities at hand, such as a quick puzzle game, interesting comics, a tablet with downloaded cartoons, etc., to keep their monkey minds busy. If traveling by air, it is advised to choose flights that are closer to your sleep time so you get a chance to skip all the drama and tantrums that may occur on the aircraft. If the trip is by road, make sure you have stopovers for them to freshen up, stretch, and eat.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” – Mark Twain
Frequent travelers pack light and smart
As much as you must have all the baby/toddler gear available, it is equally important to pack light and smart. Kenza Ismail, a senior professional and mom to a 15-year-old, says – I’ve been traveling with my kid when he was just 4 months old, and I always packed light with essentials and bought the basics at the destination. This has helped me move to places easily and effortlessly.
Fatima Nabeel, an academician and a mom to two young toddlers, is a frequent traveler on long-distance flights, primarily from Australia to Pakistan. She added – In the beginning, I used to pack excessively to be ready for any situation, but I realized my excessive luggage put me in more trouble than my kids. With time, I learned to travel light and handy.
However, she emphasized and shared a tip for new moms who are fond of traveling. Moms who have kids allergic to certain foods, animals, or environments, or have any medical condition that may surface anytime, must always keep their kids’ medical history, medicines, and gear (if any) along while traveling. Be it on a flight or by road, moms must be mindful of what may trigger their kids’ medical symptoms and must pack accordingly. Mrs Nabeel says – Pack light but prioritize needs over wants.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu
Pre-define roles for better management
It may sound too calculated, but it brings so much peace and ease, said Betty, a young mom of beautiful triplets. She further added, ‘My husband and I decided on our roles in advance, which is the key to our successful travel history.’
Hamza and Betty have always been frequent travellers, and it never changed even after they hopped into parenthood. Betty shared, ‘We decided we would make our children live a more mobile life than a stagnant one. However, what has helped us achieve this was our role assignment before any trip. I generally take charge of the food and snacks, and he takes care of their evening showers and bedtime stories. We work in parallel to accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively. The same happens when we are out on the roads – he does the carrying, I do the talking.’
Hamza cheerfully added – Basically, I do the heavy lifting while Betty does the soft tasks!
“Live your life by a compass, not a clock.”
– Stephen Covey
Involve your kids in planning and research
Matt, a freelance digital marketer and a father of four kids, tweens, and teens combined, says, I have always found my kids more accommodating and flexible if they know the plan ahead of time. They are always ready for an on-the-go experience without having any complaints in case things go off the plan. He shares all his plans with his kids to let them think and come back with more exciting ideas. He added – we have been to 18 countries and it’s always a two-way thing – I give up on some of my choices and vice versa.
A Nomad Digital Marketer and a frequent traveler shares his tips for hassle-free traveling.
It is understood that kids may not be able to advise the best or can share many ideas, but it is critical to involve them in planning a trip so they are mentally prepared that they will fly to a new destination and will adjust as they approach it. Also, involving kids gives them a sense of autonomy, inclusiveness, and value.
‘Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
Avoid risky indulgence
We all maintain a bucket list of weird expeditions. However, it is not advised to experiment with it when you are traveling with your family, especially kids. Keep all risky indulgences at a distance until and unless you’re traveling solo or accompanied by friends.
The Ocean Gate submarine incident is more than a year old, but it feels fresh, and the recall sends chills down the spine. On 18 June 2023, Shahzada Dawood took his son, Suleman Dawood, on the submarine expedition and lost their lives within the first hour. His wife shared that it was on Shahzada’s list ever since he invested in the project and planned to take his son a week before, although it was she who was supposed to accompany her husband.
As I’m going to leave it here, I hope this makes your next trip a lot easier to plan and go on. While this is what I think of before planning a trip, you may have some more ideas to add to the above – feel free to share them in the comments. It’s a community that helps us become better with new ideas, experiences, and stories.
