We love our kids, so naturally we want to travel with them. The question is how to have stress-free family travel?
Ultimately, stress-free travel is first about the mindset.
Even the best laid plans go awry.
So, how to travel with kids without the stress? Let’s prepare with these 4 simple tips.
- Start with Realistic expectations.
- Focus on flexibility more than perfection.
- Plan travel days around kids’ rhythms.
- What to do when you are stressed?
A note from author:
Traveling with kids isn’t something I learned from a book—it’s something I’ve lived.
Over the last 14 years, my family has racked up over 50,000 highway miles and our fair share of flight miles.
Starting, 14 years ago, with my first pregnancy, to now, a car full of 6 kids, plus the dog!
I’m really excited to write the Traveling With Kids Series and help parents feel more confident and less overwhelmed when traveling with you kids
Best of luck on your trip!
1. Start With Realistic Expectations
One of the biggest causes of travel stress is expecting trips with kids to look like trips without kids.
So, the BEST way to start your trip planning is to do this easy mental exercise:
Start by closing your eyes and imagining being on your trip.
Next, imagine everything that can go wrong DOES. For example…
- Your kid gets motion sickness and pukes on you.
- The plane is delayed, so you’ll need to entertain them longer at the airport.
- There is road construction, and you are stuck in the car longer than planned.
- They are overstimulated and begin to cry uncontrollably.
- In their car seat they start to cry, throw things, yelling, and kicking the seat in front of them.
Have you lost your marbles yet??? Crazy, yet true, every one of those above scenarios has happened to me!
This easy mental exercise has now given you a better foundation to set your realistic expectations.
Kids are learning how to express their needs, so when they are tired, overstimulated, or emotional, their behavior will be unpredictable.
You are now mentally equipped to handle any unexpected situations as best as possible.
2. Focus on Flexibility More Than Perfection?
Flexibility is one of the most valuable tools when traveling with kids.
Even your best planned trip will have unexpected surprises on top of missed naps, delays, and changes in plans.
So, how do we plan with flexibility in mind?
Start with…
- Choosing 1 – 3 important thing(s) for the day, then make those activities the priority.
- Give big travel windows between destinations (kids are slow).
- If the kids’ behavior seems questionable, adjust!
- Try a 30-minute reset (ice cream, park, quiet space, or active game.)
- Know your mental limits
As we open ourselves up to a more flexible schedule, we free ourselves from potential disappointment.
3. Plan Travel Days Around Kids’ Rhythms
Kids have natural rhythms—times when they’re more patient, rested, and adaptable. Planning around these rhythms can make travel days significantly smoother.
Easy formula for planning travel days:
- Always start by thinking of each individual child’s needs.
- With multiple children, think about all the children collectively and plan according to the greatest needs.
- Travel when they are well rested.
- Be willing to cut activities if needed.
- Schedule longer drives or flights around sleep times.
- Pay a little more for better travel times.
- Plan meals and snacks before hunger hits.
Once you know their rhythm incorporate that into your travel plans and prepare accordingly.
Stroller Travel Tip: When I have a napping child, I make sure my stroller is set up for a stroller nap. I bring a white noise machine, portable fan, and a blanket to drape over the stroller to block the light.
You don’t need to plan every minute, but being mindful of your kids’ patterns can prevent unnecessary stress.
4. What to do when you are stressed?
Being self-aware will help you to avoid the stress explosion that kids are good at bringing on.
When you feel the stress begin to boil in you here are a few ways to redirect and continue enjoying your trip.
In the moment, ideas to reduce travel stress:
- If you have another adult present, communicate your feelings and ask to step away for a minute to calm yourself.
- Kids will feed off your stress.
- If you don’t have another adult present, try to “mentally step away” to calm yourself and give perspective to the situation.
- Close your eyes and breathe slowly.
- Try repeating an affirmation you like… Ex. “I love traveling with my kids, how can I make this situation better?”
- Remember why you are there.
- Music
- Blast your favorite song and belt it.
- Connection (Hug, jokes, story from childhood)
We don’t travel with kids because it is easy, but because we really love them and want to share these amazing experiences with them.
Remember, it’s okay to feel stressed — it’s going to happen. What truly matters is how you handle it, because that’s what shapes the direction you move in next.
Final thoughts
Traveling with kids can bring amazing memories.
Remember you as you set realistic expectations, focus on flexibility, plan around kids’ rhythms, and manage your stress level stress free family travel is inevitable.
Have an amazing trip!
Hello Friend! I’m Chantell…
Wife, mother of 6 on earth and 6 in heaven — a God-fearing woman walking by faith and grace. I blog about Motherhood. Read More
Current question: “The best quote that got you through hard times?”
