My friend Kelly is a wonder… and a wanderer. She travels more than most people change their clothes. Okay, I’m exaggerating, but it is a lot and she now has the best family travel tips.
Over the last 3 years, she has gone on at least 32 trips! I can barely muster up the strength to take my kids to the playground. When it comes to family travel, I simply feel… intimidated. Kelly gets it, but says “the benefits outweighed the negatives for me.”
“I, generally, am planning my next trip before my last is over. There is so much to see in this world… I also love watching my kids experience new things and gaining world knowledge.”
Kelly’s family includes 3 girls (ages 13, 8, and 6) and one boy… her husband Nick (age 42). For the record, I wasn’t the one who put him in the “kids” column, but I welcome the joke.
She recalls, “Traveling with toddlers is not fun.” So, here are quick tips for those still muddling through that part of parenthood. Then she shares 7 MORE travel tips for families below these three toddler tips!
3 Toddler Travel Tips
1. Choose pool vacations over the beach
Kelly once rented an Airbnb in Cape Coral, FL, which had a private pool. She also recommends looking into all-inclusive resorts which have kids clubs, as do cruises. I love this tip because I remember taking my son to the beach when he was one and it was a nightmare. One of the hardships was the application of sunscreen on the little ones. The struggle is real. So, this brush on sunscreen is something I will be “adding to cart” immediately.
I always call the bag I have with me while with the kiddos my “mom purse” or “mom bag”. Well, here’s a perfect bag for the pool and for carrying mom’s must-have sun hat.
2. Don’t forget the stroller
Not just to carry the kids, but to carry all your things! In some cities, there are stroller rental services that will bring the stroller to you and pick it back up! These are a must-use rental resource for traveling with kids for ease.
Speaking of strollers, I get a lot of compliments when I go out with this stroller ride board add-on for kiddos.
3. Don’t forget the snacks
Kelly says they come in handy when a distraction is needed, “Snacks are good for husbands, too!”
My group of friends and I marvel at how often Kelly travels. Whether it’s a trip with the family to see Hugh Jackman on Broadway…or a girls trip to Canada, Kelly’s booking that ticket. She’s almost always a “YES” person, so here are some tips to make you one, too.
7 Travel Tips From A Mom Who Travels A LOT!
1. Gear the vacation around your child’s needs and personality
For example, while adults may like a 7 course meal – a kid?… not so much. Some kids like to be continually busy…some do not.
2. Bring snacks & water
I know we mentioned snacks before, but it can’t be said enough. Crispy Green and Bear Snacks make me feel less guilty about the pile of stale goldfish crackers that are currently residing in my son’s car seat.
And here’s a must-have car organizer so those snack wrappers don’t get all over the car.
3. Make reservations!
Kids + waiting = everyone crying (including the parents).
4. Plan ahead
Make YouTube and Google your best friends. Learn about the place you’re going before you go. Many places have fast passes or reservation times for certain things. Cruise ships are great with childcare and it gives parents a break!
5. Know your budget
If you can’t afford it, try to avoid it. Kids often want all the things, so set clear expectations ahead of time. For example, if there is fact painting and a balloons and a gift shop, tell your kids ahead of time that they can pick ONE. Kelly’s go-to sites are Kayak, Skyscanner, and Vacations To Go for deals. Although she says it’s usually best to use these as a guide and then book directly with what you find. Traveling at non-peak times can also help bring down costs, if you don’t mind the kids missing a few days of school.
6. Look for “packages”
For example, at Great Wolf Lodge, you can get passes that can help you budget what you get the kids, so instead of saying “no”, you are checking things off a list that you already paid and budgeted for.
7. Use your points
Sign up for rewards programs like mileage with airlines and loyalty programs with hotels. Kelly just got her family a hotel room priced at more than $500 a night for FREE! Also, there are perks like late checkouts and room upgrades once you reach the higher levels. And speaking of hotels, check out the popular slumber pod to help the kids nap/sleep through the night while away from their room at home.
Okay, but where should I go?
Great question. Here are Kelly’s favorite spots… and, as I said, she has a lot to choose from:
- The Bahamas
- Key West, FL
- Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL
- Hersheypark in Hershey, PA
- Cape Coral, FL
We hope you enjoy the best family travel tips from a mom who travels a lot.
