30 Tips For Traveling With Kids: Lessons From the Summer

Traveling is a source of great fun. It’s never fun to travel alone. People travel in groups or with their families so that they can share their observations with each other. Kids, with their unique viewpoints and their innocent outlooks contribute a great deal to the overall enjoyment. However, traveling with kids presents several risks that must be taken into consideration. This article provides 30 tips if to help you enjoy great trips with your kids.

Plan For Safe Flying With Kids

1. Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. It takes much longer than usual to achieve anything with kids in tow.
2. See if you can get a vacant seat next to you; this can be invaluable especially if you’re traveling with toddlers without special seats.
3. Carry toddler harnesses with you; toddlers will insist on walking around, making it a nightmare for you to collect baggage and present documents.
4. Keep an eye out for fast track immigration check points and custom points to make your travel with kids easier.
5. If you’re traveling with a baby, keep a diaper, baby wipes and a baby nappy sack in the seat pocket in front of you. Sometimes there’ll be no time to reach up for your bag in the locker.

6. Try to get a seat close to the larger bathroom towards the rear of the plane.

7. Check if your airline provides cabin crew assistance to set up a change table in a toilet cubicle. You will be glad of this assistance during a screaming, squirming baby emergency.
8. Sometimes the food is heated too much in airplanes; test the temperature of the food before you give it to your kid.
9. Use diaper pins and a blanket to create a privacy screen if you plan on breastfeeding your baby on the plane.
10. Fill your departure cards at home before your travel; this will save you the mad rush at the airport.

Plan For Child Safety While Traveling

11. If you’re traveling with other adults, divide up the responsibilities beforehand. If you have more than one kid, assign the safety and accountability of each kid to a specific adult.
12.Dress your kids in bright, distinctive clothing. It’s very hard to spot a kid who’s running around among other kids and adults. Choose bright red sweaters or t-shirts with very specific logos or cartoons.
13. Write down your home address, contact numbers, cell phone numbers and each child’s allergies on cards. Pin these cards to your children’s clothing, or make your kids wear them on a piece of string around their
necks. In case your kids go missing, these cards will help the cops get them back to you.
14. Carry plenty on water with you; don’t let your kids drink locally available water at your destination.

Plan Your Attire When Traveling with Kids

15.Wear comfortable clothes during your travel. A pair of comfortable leggings or jeans and cotton t-shirt works best. Always carry a spare t-shirt for yourself, just in case of spills.
16.If you are nursing, wear clothing that’s nursing friendly, such as a cotton button down blouse. Carry a shawl so that you can cover yourself while nursing.

Check out Momaboard’s Best Outfit for Traveling with Kids.

Plan For Medical Emergencies When Traveling with Kids

17. Carry all basic first aid items with you while traveling. Don’t assume you’ll get what you need on airlines, buses or at your destination.

18. Carry your kids’ health certificates and allergy lists with you wherever you go.

19. Ask your pediatrician to refer child doctors at your destination. If you are traveling outside the country, check the medical facilities at your destination first.

20. Get your kids vaccinated against any prevalent diseases at your destination.

Learn more about dealing with emergencies overseas.

Carry All Necessary Documentation when Traveling with Kids

21. If you’re traveling overseas, both you and your kids will require visas. Carry all the necessary documents, including copies of your kids’ birth certificates.

22. If your child is adopted, be sure to carry the adoption papers.

23. If you are traveling with your kids minus your partner, carry proof of consent from your partner. If you’re divorced and have sole custody, carry your custody papers. These contingencies are especially important when you’re traveling to countries such as Mexico or Colombia where child kidnapping, trafficking and adoption are common.

Keep Your Kids Occupied When Traveling

24. Start a few projects before you commence your travel, such as exploring the adventure potential of your destination or counting the number of towns in it and so on. This will keep your older kids occupied.
25.Bring a few toys, puzzles and other lightweight games to keep your younger ones occupied. One good method to keep them occupied during long train journeys is to count the bridges that pass by.
26.Take snacks, especially healthy sweets on your travel with you. Food can keep even the hyper ones occupied.

Keep Your Luggage Lightweight When Traveling with Kids

27. Pack only what you want. Take disposable nappies, disposable underwear and even disposable towels so that you’re not saddled with weight.

28. Don’t pack too many clothes for the family. Buy a few things as you travel.

29. Pack according to the weather conditions at your destination. If you’re traveling to a cold region, take a few warm coats along and buy cheap warm clothing when you get there. You can give these away later.

30.If you are carrying many bags and suitcases, it’s a good idea to send some bags to your destination in advance using a baggage delivery company’s services. If you’re traveling to states within the US, or among European countries, you’ll find baggage companies that’ll do this for you.

Get Momaboard discounts on services that will deliver your baby supplies directly to your destination.

Teena writes for gift experience provider company Adrenaline that offer a large range of thrilling experiences like helicopter rides, tandem skydiving, racing experiences all across Australia.

Want more tips? Check out Momaboard’s Ato Z’s of Family Travel guide