Are you daunted by the prospect of travelling with kids? Does the thought of the packing, the planning and the “are we there yet?” questions leave you stressed before you’ve even left the house? Here are 6 simple travel tips for making travelling with kids a breeze.
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#1. Use Tech for the Journey
We’re all trying to cut down on screen time, but when you’re travelling with kids, a little tech to keep them amused is completely justified. Thanks to the huge range of child-friendly apps, e-books, podcasts and games available, you no longer need to pack a bag full of toys just to keep everyone entertained.
That said, do pack a physical book too, or for older kids, a journal and pen so they can note down their trip and look back on it in years to come.
Recommended Reading: 15 of the Best Apps for Kids Travelling
#2. Label Favourite Items Before You Travel With Kids
Labelling favourite items makes it much easier to identify bags on the carousel, towels and clothes piled together at kids’ club, and precious items like teddies, blankies, sunglasses, cameras, books and tech that might otherwise get left behind on a plane, train, bus or boat, or in a restaurant.
Include a phone number so any misplaced items can find their way back to you. It also adds a layer of security at busy terminals — if you and your child become separated, they’ll have your number on them so you can be reunited quickly.
A nice bonus: once you’re home, the same items are already labelled and ready for the school year ahead.
Recommended Reading: Tips for Travelling With Kids With Allergies
#3. Get Kids to Help Plan the Trip
This one works best with older children, but letting them have a say — from where you go to what you do once you arrive — can turn a good holiday into one to remember. You might even discover a new family hobby, whether that’s stand-up paddleboarding, pony trekking, hiking or snorkelling.
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#4. Be Prepared When Travelling With Kids
Here’s an essentials list worth packing in your hand luggage:
- Medicines for earache and fever
- Cups with lids to avoid spills
- Ear plugs to help with ear pressure on planes
- Baby wipes for hands, surfaces and quick clean-ups
- Healthy snacks, so you’re not dealing with a sugar-fuelled meltdown
- A change of clothes for everyone travelling
Packing these in your carry-on can be the difference between a stressful journey and a calm one, whatever way you’re travelling. And if your luggage is delayed, having these essentials to hand means you can settle in without a last-minute dash to a pharmacy, shop or restaurant.
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#5. Leave Time When Travelling With Kids
Everything takes longer when you’re travelling with kids — it’s just a fact of family life. Build in plenty of time to get to your destination: toilet breaks (even on short car journeys), time to browse the airport, station or terminal shops, and time to eat before boarding.
Travel hubs get especially busy during school holiday periods, and the last thing you want is to be the family sprinting for the gate, or facing an expensive rebooking fee. Even if you do make it, arriving frazzled and stressed makes for a miserable start to the journey — for you and everyone around you.
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#6. Be Organised for Travel With Kids
It sounds obvious, but staying organised really does pay off when you’re travelling with kids. A few things worth checking before you go:
- When did you last check the passports? Children’s passports have a shorter lifespan than adults’, and expiry dates can catch you out.
- Have you printed boarding passes and completed online check-in?
- Have you booked seats together?
- If you’re hiring a car, do you know where to collect it, and do you have your driving licence with you?
- If you’ll be driving abroad, check with your insurer whether your policy covers driving in other countries.
- Travelling by public transport? Do you know the timetable and how to find your connection?
- Do you have some local currency, and a backup card cleared for use?
- Have you packed too much, or too little?
- Do you know what the kids have packed — and have you checked their hand luggage for anything that’s not allowed?
- Have you saved or printed copies of your insurance details, accommodation booking, transfer details and any agent contact numbers?
- And finally, have you downloaded the e-books, games and apps that’ll keep everyone happy along the way?
The list can feel endless, but getting organised before you leave will save your stress levels — and a fair few arguments — once you’re on the move.
Recommended Reading: 20 Travel Hacks to Make Holidaying With Kids Easier
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to pack in hand luggage when travelling with kids?
Focus on the essentials that solve problems fast: any medicines you might need, spill-proof cups, snacks, wipes and a spare change of clothes. These small items make the biggest difference if things don’t go to plan.
How much extra time should we allow when travelling with kids?
More than you think. Build in toilet breaks, time to browse shops, and time to eat before boarding, especially during busy school holiday periods when terminals and stations are at their busiest.
What’s a good way to keep kids entertained on a long journey?
A mix works best — a few downloaded apps, games or e-books for screen time, alongside a book, journal or activity for offline moments. Older kids often enjoy documenting the trip themselves.
Should older kids be involved in planning the trip?
Yes, where possible. Letting them help choose activities or destinations often leads to a more memorable holiday for everyone, and sometimes a new favourite family activity.
Related Articles
- 15 of the Best Apps for Kids Travelling
- Tips for Travelling With Kids With Allergies
- Surviving City Breaks With Kids
- 10 Top Tips for Happy Car Travel With Kids
- More Top Tips for Travel With Kids
- 20 Travel Hacks to Make Holidaying With Kids Easier
Got a travel tip of your own that we haven’t mentioned? Share it in the comments below — we love hearing what works for other families.
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