Traveling with kids can be overwhelming, especially if it is the first time you have attempted this feat. And when you add a toddler or young child to the mix, things can get messy really quick if you are unprepared.

Traveling is not only a great learning experience for kids, but it can also help them become more empathetic and worldly. Thus, if you and your children are adequately prepared for the trip, it could be the best idea you have ever had.

However, if you do not take the time to plan ahead, traveling with kids could become a disaster in record time.

Although traveling with kids usually gets easier as they age and the more you do it, you are still bound to experience a few snafus at the beginning. So taking your kids on a trip is not for the faint of heart, but with some preparation and a calm mindset, you all can have an awesome trip and lots of fun – minus the stress, headaches, angst, worry, and frustration. The good news is there are awesome ways to travel with kids successfully – all you have to do is keep reading.

Looking for ways to make traveling with kids easier and fun? Well, you are in luck because listed below are a variety of tips that can make trips with your kids stress-free and even relaxing.

Pre-Planning & Pre-Booking

1. Research Your Destination In Advance

When venturing to a new destination, you will need to research it in advance, especially if you want traveling with kids to be a “piece of cake.” This is especially important if you are planning to go out of the country.

Doing research in advance not only prevents you from becoming stressed out but also helps you know what to expect once you arrive at your destination.

It can help you find an affordable hotel, figure out transportation to your location and once you arrive (to get around town), select the best flights, determine the mileage and gas requirements (if you are traveling by vehicle), select child-friendly and adult-friendly activities, and learn the weekly weather forecast.

You can also learn more about the population, culture, religion, foods, history, and significant people, places, and events in your upcoming location.

FYI: If your kids are old enough, ask them to research locations with you. In other words, use this planning activity as a teachable moment. Ultimately, researching can help your kids learn about other people, places, cultures, historical events, belief systems, and religions.

Nuts and bolts – Including your kids in the research process can help them feel more included and prepared for the trip. Kids who feel included and valued are more likely to stay calm and positive and less likely to be in a bad mood, grumpy, angry, resistant or stubborn, bored, or destructive. The result? Less stress, more peace of mind, and more time to focus on the purpose of your vacation.

2. Clearly Explain The Journey To Your Kids

After thoroughly researching your chosen location, you will need to explain the journey to your kids. Tell them what to expect, what they may see or experience, the length of time you will be there, and how you expect them to behave while there.

Wherever possible, include your kiddos in the research and selection process. Let them choose some of the activities you will do there to engage them in the planning. Clearly explaining the trip to your kiddos can make them feel more empowered.

More specifically, talking with your kids ahead of a trip can provide them with their own voices to share their input, opinion, concerns, questions, beliefs, preferences, wants, and needs. Kids who feel heard and respected are more likely to be cooperative when traveling, while kids who feel ignored and disrespected are more likely to be deviant, difficult, grumpy, whiny, angry, anxious, and depressed.

Nuts and bolts – You can prepare your kids for the journey by being open and honest. Doing this can reduce or eliminate any anxiety they may have while it gives them a chance to bring up their questions and concerns. It can also help your kids become more empathic towards others, providing them with an opportunity to learn about other ethnic and racial groups, cultures, historical events, foods, music, and the arts. So, what is the key to success when traveling with kids? Honesty, openness, and clarity when sharing tidbits about the location with your kids.

3. Pre-book Flights, Transportation, Hotel, And Activities

Why is pre-booking important? Because it can prevent you from developing a massive headache and becoming extremely frustrated and anxious.

Understand that when you book your flights, transportation, hotel, and activities in advance, you are left with fewer worries and more time to devote to other endeavors, such as preparing for a business presentation, visiting family members, or just enjoying time with your family.

The guesswork is removed, reducing any stress or angst you may have about traveling with kids. For instance, you know where you are going, how you are going to get there, where you are going to stay, how you are going to get to your temporary residence, what you are going to do once you arrive, how you are going to get around town, and how you will get back home.

And since you know, you’ll be able to discuss all of it with them.

Nuts and bolts – Pre-booking can be a blessing, especially when traveling with kids. It can also help you snag more affordable flights, hotels, transportation, and activities. So, pre-booking helps you get more bang for your bucks. Ultimately, you will feel calmer because everything is organized and in place, which in turn will make the rest of your family feel calmer and more in control of their behaviors while traveling.

4. Complete A Checklist

Creating a pre-travel checklist is another thing you can do to reduce your anxiety and help you feel more in control. A checklist is important because it ensures that you do not leave anything at home. Parents who are well-prepared for a trip tend to fare better than those who are not.

And truthfully, traveling just goes more smoothly when things are organized. That is why having a checklist is imperative before traveling with kids.

The last thing you need is a crying child who left her Minnie Mouse at home or a grouchy kid without his iPod or Kindle. All that does is lead to a stressful and depressing experience. Tears and tantrums do not make for an awesome trip with your kids. So, sit down with your family, including your kids, and create a pre-travel checklist.

Base this list on your family’s needs and wants, and try to go over it together a few times to make sure nothing is left out. And as it gets closer to your departure date, gather the things on the checklist. Ask your kiddos to collect the items they want to take with them, and have them bring those items to you to pack.

Nuts and Bolts: You can pack the items for your kids or supervise them while they pack their own suitcases or small bags. This will help ensure that your kids are packing everything on the checklist. Check off each item as you or your kids pack it.

Having a checklist can truly be a blessing – for you and your kids. And it can help you have an awesome adventure together!

5. Check The Weather

You can avoid dressing inappropriately by checking your destination’s weather in advance. The last thing you want is for you and your kids to arrive with the wrong clothes, like shorts and summer dresses in cold weather or sweaters and sweats in hot weather.

If you are uncomfortable because you’ve selected the wrong attire, you will be cranky. And if your kids are uncomfortable, they will be cranky, too. They will also complain that they are cold or hot the entire trip. Keep in mind that airports and planes tend to be cool, so you should take jackets or coats in your carry-ons or wear them, just in case.

Therefore, the best way to avoid unnecessary stress, irritability, complaining, and bad moods is to make sure you and your kids have dressed appropriately not just for traveling but also for your destination.

Nuts and bolts – You can avoid drama by checking the weather and temperatures to make sure you pack the appropriate attire for you and your kids. Also, don’t forget to pack the weather-appropriate shoes and extra blankets for the plane or car ride.

Lastly, pack a travel umbrella in case it rains unexpectedly, a windbreaker in case it becomes windy, and a sweater, long sleeve shirt, or heavy coat for any unplanned cold weather.

6. Plan Ahead And Leave Plenty Of Time For Mishaps Or Delays

The best way to travel with kids is to plan ahead and anticipate any mishaps or delays that could occur while venturing to your destination. How can you anticipate mishaps and delays? Well, no one knows your kids better than you, so think about how your kids behave when out and about or when you have been traveling with them in the past.

Were your kids well-mannered, polite, and cooperative, or were they difficult, stubborn, and deviant? Did your kids follow instructions, or did they run wild at the first opportunity? What are some areas of improvement for your kids when it comes to their behaviors in public spaces? What are their strengths? And what sorts of remedies have you found to get them back in line when these problem behaviors come up?

Once you determine if there are areas of improvement needed, address them with your kids at least two or three weeks in advance. Don’t forget to think of unexpected delays or accidents that could occur when traveling, things that might have nothing to do with your kids but could affect them.

For instance, a flight delay, running late for the airport, needing to potty with no rest stops around, an unforeseen hotel cancelation, an unclean hotel room, bickering family members, cramped living spaces, motion sickness, getting lost, cramped seating on the plane or in the car, and closed activities due to Covid-19.

Then think of possible solutions should the unexpected happen. Lastly, write these solutions down in a notebook, and put it in your carry-on bag.

Nuts and bolts – Planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time for glitches or delays can empower you and ease your kids’ anxiety. It can also ensure that your kids are on their best behavior. And it will certainly help you feel adequately prepared for whatever may happen along the way—because nothing ruins a good trip like stress and anxiety from being unprepared.

7. Do A Practice Run Before Travel Day

About a week or two before you head out on your trip, do a practice run with your kids. Pretend you are heading to the airport or packing up the car, and then go through the motions with them. Have your kids pack their bags or luggage the night before the practice run and put them to bed earlier than normal that night.

Get your kiddos up early (if you intend to leave early) the next morning at the same time they will need to get up on the actual travel day. Instruct them to take showers or wash up, comb and brush their hair, get dressed, make their beds, and eat breakfast. Also, make sure your kids have dressed appropriately for the trip.

Lastly, pull out your travel checklist and do a quick check of kids’ bags to make sure they have packed everything they want and need for the trip. If all is in order, take their bags to the car. Don’t forget to grab your kids’ coats or any other weather-related items they may need while traveling.

Then head out to the airport or toward the interstate or highway. A practice run will help your kids understand what to expect on the travel day, so there is no confusion when it is time to go.

Nuts and bolts – Explain to your kids that you are doing a dry run to experience how it will all work on travel day. Make sure they know this is just a drill and not the actual day! If things become shaky during the first practice run, repeat it until you have the kinks worked out and everything runs smoothly.

It is easier to travel with kids when there is less confusion, and everybody knows what to expect.

Health and Wellness Essentials

1. Schedule Doctor’s Appointments For Your Kids At Least A Week Before The Trip

The last thing you want to contend with during a trip is a sick kid. Because, let’s face it, viruses tend to spread easily amongst children. So, schedule doctor’s appointments for your kids to ensure that they are in tip-top shape before you travel with them.

Keep in mind that if your kid becomes sick, there is a good chance you or your spouse will too. Sickness does not make for a good time for anyone, so before you go anywhere, make sure your kiddos are well. You’ll have one less thing to worry about if you travel with healthy kids.

Nuts and bolts – Do not travel with sick kids.  Also, make sure your kids are up to date on their vaccinations before leaving the country. And do not forget to wear and bring lots of the appropriate masks to prevent your kids from contracting viruses like Covid-19.

2. Keep A Travel-size Hand Sanitizer & Multiple Masks On You At All Times

If you are traveling with kids, it is important that you always carry supplies of travel-sized hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and masks. With Covid-19 still on the rise in many places, it is important that you always protect your kids from it, even if others refuse to do the same for themselves and their kids.

So, rub hand sanitizer on your kiddos’ hands after they touch something like a rest stop or airport bathroom doorknob, a toilet, the sink, or any other item that could harbor germs. And always have them clean their hands before eating, even if it’s just a snack.

Keep in mind that kids tend to touch everything, and the little ones tend to put everything in their mouths, which can make them very sick. This not only goes for the coronavirus, the flu, and other viruses.

Have your kids wear masks in the airport and whenever they are out and about. It is also important for you to use hand sanitizer and wear a mask when in public, not just for your own health and well-being but also for that of your kids. Why? Because you could contract Covid-19 or another virus and not realize it.

You could be asymptomatic and still get your kids sick—and the other way around! Understand that traveling with kids who are ill from the coronavirus or another virus is not only inconsiderate but also life-threatening to those who have not been vaccinated, infants, people with compromised immune systems, older individuals, and anyone you may come in contact with on a plane, at the hotel, or at an activity or event.

Nuts and bolts – You will have a hard time traveling with kids if they are ill from the coronavirus or other viruses, like the flu. Not only will you spend most of the trip worrying about your kids, but you’ll also put other travelers’ lives at risk.

And, if the other travelers have not been vaccinated, there is a possibility Covid-19 could become life-threatening for them. Also, keep in mind that most airports and airlines require masks to be worn at all times (except when eating).

Furthermore, if you and your kids do not have masks or are not wearing them in the airport and on the plane, you may be asked to reschedule your flight. The same may be said for hotels and activities or events. Thus, if you plan to fly, check the airport’s and airline’s Covid-19 policies to see if masks are required. If so, take some with you and pack extras.

3. Keep Your Kids Hydrated And Fed

Most kids, regardless of age, are “eating machines.” So, your kids will probably complain about being hungry many times while traveling to the destination. Some kids snack a lot out of boredom, while others may snack out of stress and anxiety. Sometimes, kids are really hungry or “hangry,” especially if they have not eaten in a while.

You know your kids, so you know when they typically get hungry or if they’re just bored. But to keep things peaceful and steady, it’s nice to give them a little something when they tell you they are hungry or starving.

Also, make sure your little ones stay hydrated because they can get behind on their fluid intake fairly quickly. And, if traveling by plane, your kiddos can become dried out due to the enclosed space and recycled air.

So take kid-friendly juices and water with you if traveling by vehicle or partake in the complimentary beverages offered during most flights. And, if possible, take a traveling water bottle for each family member that can be filled up in the airport after you pass through security.

If not, purchase some sugar-free, kid-friendly beverages from airport vendors to take with you on the plane. Place the beverages in your carry-on bags for later use. It’s great to have something available when arriving at your destination, particularly if you are in another country with a wait to go through customs.

Hydrating while traveling helps keep the mucous membranes in your kids’ noses moist, which helps protect them from pesky viruses like the coronavirus and flu).

If your kids become dehydrated, it increases the risk of them becoming sick not only while traveling but also during the trip. Try to stick to healthy foods while traveling like fish, fruits, lean meats, healthy fats, lots of veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and water.

Selecting healthy foods for your kids can boost their immune system functioning and help them stay healthy for the duration of the trip.

Nuts and bolts – If you are traveling by plane, check the airports’ policies for liquids in advance to determine if you can bring outside beverages on the plane with you. If not, bring water bottles for your kids to fill up or purchase healthy snacks and beverages from an airport restaurant or vending machine once you pass through the security checkpoints.

This is important because staying hydrated and fed is essential for traveling with kids.

4. Send Your Kids To Bed Early The Night Before The Trip

The night before your trip, get everybody to bed early. If your kids do not get proper sleep before the travel day, they will most likely be super testy and tired, leading to an unpleasant travel experience for you and them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, not getting adequate sleep (between 8 and 17 hours, depending on their ages) each night can put your kiddos at risk of becoming ill or run down.

Thus, getting enough rest is imperative when traveling with kids. During sleep, our minds and bodies repair and revitalize themselves. The result? Rested, even-tempered, and obedient kiddos and you, too. Getting enough sleep before a trip can help keep your temper at bay, your stress level low, and your mood stable.

Nuts and bolts – Make sure you all get proper sleep the night before traveling and during the trip. If your kids are rested, they will be more likely to cooperate with you, be relaxed and in a good mood, and enjoy the travel experience. Try to keep your kids on the same sleep-wake cycle while away, so their moods remain consistent, and their attitudes remain positive.

Essential Items To Bring Along

1. Make Sure Your Kids Have Their Basic Necessities

Want to make traveling with kids a “cakewalk?” Make sure you pack their basic necessities, such as diapers, baby food pouches, formula, wipes, extra undies, bath wash and lotion, favorite stuffed animal or toys, Kindles or tablets, age-appropriate activity workbooks, reading books or magazines, cards and games, weather-appropriate clothes, pajamas, and shoes, tissues, medications, and first aid supplies.

As mentioned previously, create a pre-travel checklist with your kiddos. Then, check off each item once it has been packed. Taking a little extra time to check off packed items can save you a world of stress, anxiety, worry, headaches, and heartache while traveling with kids.

Nuts and bolts – If your kiddos do not have their basic necessities during the trip, you will not have a good travel experience. Your kids will be in a foul mood if something is left behind. And if your kids are young, forgetting their most precious items could lead to nonstop crying, screaming, tantrums, and meltdowns. Your kids’ bad moods could influence your own moods and attitude, leading to an unhappy time for all.

2. Pack Lots Of Healthy Snacks

A win-win for traveling with kids involves packing plenty of yummy but healthy snacks! What kid doesn’t like to snack? So, a good way to distract your kiddos during a road trip or plane ride is to provide them with lots of snacks.

Let’s be honest, a full mouth can lead to a full tummy, and a full tummy can lead to more compliance and less complaining. In fact, researchers suggest that snacking while traveling can enhance the travel experience, sparking feelings of happiness, joy, and general satisfaction.

Nuts and bolts – Packing lots of healthy snacks for your kids can keep them busy and satisfied while traveling. Some good snack choices include mixed nuts or trail mix for energy and strength or KIND chocolate chip or peanut butter protein bars for those mid-day slumps.

Other examples are pre-cooked popcorn, dark chocolate nuggets, and bananas for improving your kids’ moods. Applesauce pouches, fruity baby food pouches, fresh fruit and veggie smoothies, and carrots are helpful for strength, endurance, strong immune system functioning.

And, of course, don’t forget lots of water.

3. Take A Car Seat And Stroller With You

If you decide to travel to your destination by plane or car, you will also need a car seat or booster seat for children 12 and under, according to the CDC.

Another thing that parents of infants and toddlers need to remember is their baby carriage or stroller. These items are extremely important when traveling with kids. Nothing ruins a travel experience like navigating the airport or going to activities with no mode of transportation for your little ones.

Young kids can be super wiggly and heavy, which can slow you down and tire you out, especially when you are trying to carry all of their paraphernalia and snacks. Moreover, one of the milestones of toddlers is autonomy or independence, so they will want to get down and walk on their own at some point.

What happens if you refuse to put them down? You’ll probably see lots of tears and temper tantrums.

Imagine standing in long lines at Disney World with an infant in your arms and a toddler holding your hand – in the heat – without a baby carriage or stroller. Sounds miserable, doesn’t it? So, make sure that you take these two items with you on the trip.

Nuts and bolts – Taking along a baby carriage or stroller is imperative for traveling with infants and toddlers, even if you are flying to your destination or riding in a vehicle to it. Still take it. Check the carriage or stroller at the airport or store it in your vehicle’s trunk until you reach your destination.

However, if you do not want to tug a baby carriage or stroller around the airport or there isn’t going to be enough room in the trunk of your vehicle once you’ve placed your bags and luggage inside, you can usually find baby carriages and strollers to rent almost anywhere. So, research rentals before you head out for your trip.

Preparing for the Day of the Trip

1. Dress Your Kids Comfortably

If you plan to travel with your kiddos, you’ll need to dress them in comfy clothes and shoes. No one, not even you, likes to sit for long periods in scratchy, tight, or restricting clothes and shoes.

Think about the last time you had to wear a stuffy suit and tie with dress shoes at work or a fancy dress with heels to a company dinner. How did it make you feel? Not great? Now apply that to your kiddos.

The difference between you and your kids is that you have life experiences and maturity to help you deal with unpleasant situations. Your kids do not.

While you can “suck it up and soldier on,” your kids don’t have the maturity or life skills to do the same. So, what do they do? Complain, cry, melt down, yell, and misbehave until they can get out of those pesky clothes and shoes.

What does this do to you? It ramps up your stress and anxiety to all-time highs. It can also cause you to feel down due to their distress and low mood.

Nuts and bolts – By making sure your kids are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, you lower the stress and anxiety levels of all your family members. Your kids will relax and be in a better mood, which in turn will cause the same for you. Don’t forget to dress comfortably because when you are uncomfortable, it will dampen everyone’s moods.

Need suggestions for comfy clothes and shoes for your kiddos? Think sweatsuits, jeans, soft sweaters, “flowy” blouses, long- or short-sleeve shirts, leggings, pajamas, hoodies, shorts, summer dresses, tennis shoes, furry boots. Stick to stretchy and loose clothes, socks, undershirts, and onesies.

2. Have Your Kids Travel Documents Readily Available

Can you imagine arriving at the airport and trying to check in for your flight only to learn you are missing one or more of your kids’ travel documents? If the documents are important or a non-negotiable requirement, you will be forced to go back home to retrieve them.

If it is close to the time of your departure, you could miss your flight, triggering angst, stress, sadness, and disappointment for everyone, including your kiddos.

You could possibly switch to another flight, but there is usually a penalty fee for doing so and it will impact your arrival plans, which means you could end up spending more money to travel with your kids than you originally expected.

This could put you in a financial bind, causing you to cut out one or more activities, leading to a bunch of disappointed kids. Unhappy kids can add to your own stress, nervousness, and depression, leading to one miserable travel experience.

Nuts and bolts – You can reduce or eliminate your worry and stress simply by researching the airport’s flying policies and requirements for minors a few weeks before your trip. Every airport has its own policies for kids, so research each airport you enter, including for layovers, to ensure any travel documents your kids need are readily available.

3. Only Pack Items Your Kids Need For The Trip

If you want to have a good travel experience, you will need to only pack the items your kids need for the trip. Having too many heavy suitcases and bags to carry around will make everything so much harder.

In addition, if you allow your kids to pack too many unnecessary items, you increase the risk of something getting lost or left behind at a hotel, someone’s home, Airbnb, resort, on the plane, in the rental car, or at an activity or event.

So, just instruct your kiddos to pack what they need and a few things they want for the trip. Explain to your kids that the extra items will be waiting for them once they return from the trip.

Nuts and bolts – Some essential items your kids may need when traveling include baby wipes, jackets, a set number of weather-appropriate clothes and shoes, blankets, a tablet or kindle for watching kid-friendly cartoons, educational shows and movies, 2-3 books per kid, 1 favorite toy per kid, several workbooks or puzzles, 1 coloring book per kid complete with crayons or washable markers, and mini travel games.

4. Keep An Eye On Your Kids At All Times

The worst thing that can happen while traveling with kids is losing them! Thus, it is important to watch your kids at all times while venturing to your destination.

Remember, you are out of your usual environment, so one or more of your kiddos could get turned around, lost, or—the unthinkable—taken or left behind.

The truth is: kids are quick, which means they can disappear in seconds. A missing kid can cause you to experience extreme distress.

But you can avoid this by always watching your kids. If your young one needs to potty in the airport, go with her. Or if one of your kids takes off running at a rest stop, run after him and explain why running away from you is dangerous.

Nuts and bolts – Explain to your kids why it is important to stay with you and hold your hand when traveling once you arrive at your destination, at your living, and at events or activities. Use kid-friendly terms to explain what could happen to them if they get separated from you and why it is so important for them to stay close to you.

Mental Health Tips

1. Keep Calm When Things Do Not Go As Planned

The best thing you can do to have an enjoyable travel experience with your kids is to remain calm when things don’t go as planned. How can you keep your head together when things are spiraling out of control? By practicing deep breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation.

When things just are not coming together as you hoped, it’s best to give your kids something to do. For example, hand them paper and crayons to draw or write, bring interactive toys for your baby to play with, or give your kiddos a tablet, smartphone, or laptop to watch age-appropriate movies and cartoons.

This will distract them while you try to figure out how to remedy the situation.

Then, sit down, take a couple of deep breaths, visualize how you want the trip to go, including the travel part, and think of ways you can salvage the trip. Once you calm down and can think rationally, you’ll be able to turn your travel experience around.

Nuts and bolts – Kids feed off their parents’ moods and behavior, so if your kids see you “wilding out” or extremely upset, anxious, or depressed, it will cause them to experience the same emotions. However, if you remain calm and collected even when things go wrong, they will most likely adopt that attitude when dealing with their own adversities.

So, when traveling with kids, model the behaviors you want them to exhibit. Show them how to handle delays, disappointments, and mishaps the right way. If everyone remains calm, even a travel situation that is going off the rails can turn into a positive experience.

2. Set Aside Quiet Time Or Naps Each Day

Most young kids need some downtime every day. This could consist of naps or sitting quietly somewhere and reading, listening to soft music, watching a boring cartoon, or lying awake on a bed or in a car seat.

The key to making this tip work is enforcing downtime every day at the same time, even if you are on a plane or in a vehicle traveling to a new location. Explain to your kiddos why quiet time or naps are needed. Tell them it will help recharge their bodies, so they can fully enjoy the activities you have planned for them.

Nuts and bolts – Kids can become overstimulated when they are around too much noise or activity. When kids become overstimulated, they tend to be irritable and fussy.

Scheduling quiet time and naps for your kiddos at the same time each day can help them relax, re-center, and revitalize. Understand that most kids, from babies to teens, need a healthy combination of activity and downtime to r peaceful and cooperative.

3. Try To Relax And Have A Good Time With Your Kids

If you want to have a stress-free experience while traveling with kids, you will need to try to relax and have a good time, regardless of the circumstances. This includes work commitments, bad attitudes, delays, rambunctious kids, lost reservations, canceled flights or activities, and complaints.

In other words, roll with the punches and keep a positive attitude. Look for something positive when things start to fall apart and focus on that. This is important because your kids are watching you and learning how to deal with the trials and tribulations they will face in their own lives.

So, find something that can lower your angst and help you re-focus on the people who mean the most to you – your kids.

Nuts and bolts – A good way to enjoy traveling with kids is to focus on the positive in every situation, even the unpleasant or unexpected ones. Be thankful that you can spend this time with your kiddos, even amid chaos. Your kids will only be little for so long, so cherish these travel experiences. Select activities that you and your kids can enjoy together and make beautiful memories with them.

In Conclusion

It does not matter if this is your first trip with one of your kids or your tenth time with multiple kids; traveling with one or more kids can be challenging, if not overwhelming.

From researching your destination, pre-planning and pre-booking, determining what to pack for each kid, and gathering your kids’ travel documents to trying to prep them before the trip, preparing for accidents and delays, staying calm yourself while trying to keep your kids calm amid chaos, and making sure everyone is staying relaxed enough to enjoy the trip, traveling with kids can be nerve-wracking. But it doesn’t have to be.

With a little preparation, traveling with kids can be easy and enjoyable.

Another great plan! It is, however, missing the important information included in the CDC source reference here about vaccinations. Any needed routine and travel vaccinations should be given well in advance, and not the day or two before departure!

Read the original blog at ParentingPod.com; written by Ree Langham, Ph.D. Psychology