But the reality is that traveling with kids is a lot.
Like everything in life, however, practice makes perfect.
Plus, there are plenty of tricks that make it easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful.
“This is the only piece of advice I give to parents (because I’m sure they get enough), and it is GOLD…"
So I asked theBuzzFeed Communityto tell me their best advice fortraveling with kids.
Here’s what they said, along with some suggestions from the parents of Reddit.
While a tablet may immediately placate your child, you’ll pay for it in the end.
Save the screentime for when you really need it.”
“Invest in a SlumberPod if you could afford it.
“Gate-checking a stroller and car seat is free!
It’s useful for transporting all kinds of gear.
u/Lupicia
4.
“While your kids are still infants or toddlers, go places that youve been to before.
You wont feel obligated to see every single sight and attraction you havent seen before.
you’re able to take it a little slower and hit just the highlights.”
“When my daughter was a toddler, I packed balloons in my purse when traveling by plane.
Sometimes other children would join in on the fun.
We would leave the balloon behind once we boarded.
This was an easy way for her to get some energy out before a long flight.
Plus, balloons take up zero space in my personal item.”
Teach your kids the game Red Light, Green Light.
Have your small child walk in front of you and make a game of saying ‘Red light!’
and they stop, and then ‘Green light!’
and they start walking or running again.
It’s a good trick!”
m4baf689e0
7.
“I use dog wee-wee pads as a liner to change my baby on public changing tables.
I find that the reusable diaper-changing pad gets gross and full of germs.
“Puffy stickers from the dollar store are great entertainment.
KHandcock
9.
“Always bring all of your babys very important belongings in a carry-on.
These items are so expensive and hard to replace if they’re lost or delayed.
Leave them in the car seat just as you would if you were driving.
If you have to take them out, put them back in as soon as you could.
meanbeans
13.
This is not the time to limit screentime.
“When I was a kid, my family took a lot of road trips.
We would always drive late at night.
My parents used to put us kids to bed and then transfer us to the car.
I thought this was odd until I was an adult and realized it was strategic.
We kids would fall back to sleep in the car and wake up at our usual time.
Our awake time (read: bored and whiny time) would be cut in half.
Plus, there would be less traffic.”
“Feed babies and toddlers during takeoff and landing to help them clear their ears.”
“Pack aMary Poppinsbag filled with treats and toys that are perhaps not allowed at home.
It will be a magical, wondrous trove of treasures that is usually forbidden to my children.”
A sitter for the evening was well worth the money.”
u/zealous_avocado
18.
“Pack a thermometer, pain meds, and a change of clothes for everyone in your carry-on.
Our 7-month-old spiked a fever and vomited all over my husband on an overseas flight.
We had changes of clothes for her, but not for us.”
Mysa
19.
Buying diapers at the airport when a flight is delayed is RIDICULOUSLY expensive.”
“Consider buying a bassinet that turns into a travel crib.
We love ours from Guava so much.
It’s expensive but soooo worth it, especially given the multipurpose use.”
“We prepare an individual backpack for each of our kids every time we fly.
Lots of novelty keeps the kids entertained.”
“attempt to stick to your baby’s sleeping and eating schedule as closely as possible.
Plus, itll be tough to get back into it when you get home.”
“When flying with kids, if possible, have Dad take the kids and Mom do the luggage.
Dads get more sympathy with kids.
It’s sad but true.”
sarahm130
24.
“Wear your baby.
Carriers are light, flexible, and totally hands-free in the airport.
But for the rest of the flight, wearing her keeps her sleepy and comforted.”
Note: Some entries have been edited for length and/or clarity.
