Simple Tips for Holiday Traveling with Kids

Does your family often travel for the holidays? It can be challenging to go on a trip during one of the busiest times of the year. We keep our young children happy and engaged with a few simple tips. Establish a travel routine and bring some travel gear for kids while you focus on what’s most important, making memories!

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Bring lots of activities for kids

My kids have trouble staying busy while we are traveling on a plane or in the car. I bring plenty of kids travel activities such as coloring books, sticker books, Look & Find books and drawing pads. A travel tray is helpful because it provides a flexible surface for coloring and drawing. My daughter likes using the Snack & Play Travel Tray for coloring on the go because it has a padded border to keep things from falling off. The travel tray secures around a child’s waist with a strap and clip and the mesh side pockets hold coloring supplies within reach.

Take a variety of healthy snacks

Snacks are essential for traveling with kids. Even adults like to pass the time by snacking while traveling. Low mess, portable and easy to open snacks are the most helpful to entertain kids while traveling. Fruit snacks and fruit leather is always welcome, apple slices and oranges are healthy and fairly easy to bring along in a container, and packaged peanut butter crackers easily become a favorite family travel snack. When selecting travel snacks, I try to limit sugar and bring along pita chips, pretzels, fruit and even yogurt that’s frozen in a reusable food pouch.

Plan for flexible naps and portable playtime

Most kids benefit from a routine, even while traveling. My kids need a routine or they become cranky and discontent. Even if our travel routine looks different than our routine at home, I still plan regular times for play, snacks, lunch, naps and screen time. It’s also helpful to do planned outings with your kids such as going on a daily walk, visiting the local library and going out for frozen yogurt.

Bring a few toys along too! This cute light up NogginStik baby rattle is a fun interactive baby toy. It encourages sensory play with a glowing globe that changes color, bumpy textures, a soft rattling sound and a mirror on the bottom so babies can see their own face. The colorful lights are activated by baby’s batting hand and encourage visual tracking.

Don’t forget to bring the compact stroller

We’ve gone out several times with young kids and forgot the stroller, which always makes our family adventures harder. A compact stroller is essential for taking kids around a new town.

Our compact stroller from Joovy easily fits in the trunk of most cars and can hold two kids in variety of positions. This Joovy stroller can hold 2 kids seated once you add the attachable back seat, or you can accommodate a baby in the front seat and a toddler can either sit or stand on the rear platform. The platform is ideal for kids who want to get up frequently to walk around. The Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite Stroller has a nice awning and plenty of room for storage under the stroller, plus a few pockets along the sides and handle.

Potty train on the go

Potty training can be a difficult stage for a few months and especially while traveling. Pack ‘n Potty by Tottigo makes the whole potty training routine so much easier! This unique travel potty looks just like a regular potty insert, except that it’s fitted with a drawstring bag that allows you to tuck it back into the bag and take it along with you.

My daughter used the Pack ‘n Potty at a number of stores on family outings. She was not yet confident to sit on a standard toilet and it was very convenient to bring her own potty along. The Pack ‘n Potty also provides a sanitary surface for kids to sit on.

Sleep tight away from home

My kids sometimes have a hard time sleeping away from home. Kids like to feel secure and cozy at night and new beds can feel strange. The Shrunks makes these awesome inflatable bed rails that you can place on either side of your child, under the sheet. These travel bed rails provide a soft barrier on either side of the bed. My daughter loves to use her inflatable bed rail even at home. Travel bed rails are easy to bring along on a family trip because they deflate and roll up into a small travel pouch. Just tuck the rolled up bed rails and small foot pump into your suitcase and you are good to go for cozy nights away from home.

Have fun and make memories on your family travels

Once you get to your destination, have fun! If you are traveling for Christmas, do some kid-friendly holiday crafts that only require paper and some scissors. Cut out snowflakes, make a Christmas tree centerpiece and string popcorn to make a edible holiday garland. If there is snow outside, go sledding or make a snow fort. Kids will cherish the memories they make with your family. Happy travels! ♥

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!