Top 10 Tips for Thriving while Traveling with a Toddler & Baby!
I just came home from my FIRST vacation in 16 months yesterday! The last time we went somewhere was as a family of 3. Now, we're a family of 4. So much has changed since the start of the pandemic, but in some ways, nothing has changed at all. In some ways, it’s been nice not having to rush around making social engagements, meeting up with friends, going to weddings, booking trips and trying to squeeze it all in, especially with a new baby! But at the same time, my son was born almost NINE months ago, and he doesn’t even know other people or places exist! How wild is that?! We’d been traveling with my daughter since she was 5 weeks old, so a part of me has felt really guilty that I haven’t been able to give my son the same experiences. Given the global pandemic, there’s only so much we have control over; yet, we want to do the best for our kids and it’s hard to not to feel disappointed.
Needless to say, we were VERY happy to sneak away to a cottage for a few days! And I was soon reminded that traveling with kids isn’t always a "vacation" at times 😅 - somehow you imagine that because you're away, the tantrums will stop, the kids will just magically feed themselves, and that babies will suddenly sleep through the night. I can attest that none of these things happened! 😂
But at the same time, how DO you thrive while traveling with kids? I hated when people just told me to “Go with the flow” because to a new parent, what does that even mean?! So of course, I made a list for you - My Top 10 Tips for Thriving while Traveling with a Toddler & Baby (specific to road trips, not flights)!
Packing list. If you’re going to stress about forgetting things at home, make a list in advance, type it on your computer & email it to yourself so you never lose it.
Pack extra clothes for the whole family in case of poo-splosions in the carseat (has happened multiple times), bedtime accidents, and other bodily fluid leaks.
Don’t forget the bug spray, soap/hand sanitizer, sunscreen, matches/lighter (to start a campfire if you need it), chargers, necessary medications, and important phone numbers.
Also bring a potty for the road if you’ve got a toddler - often cleaner and easier than those gas stations.
And a water bottle that doesn’t leak!
Less is more. You don’t need to bring a billion toys for the kids. Every single thing while traveling is new to them. It’s easy for them to get overwhelmed with new sights, sounds, smells, people and places. They love playing with rocks and sticks, and just about anything! We bring a few versatile toys (stacking rings, rattles, balls and teething toys) and small board books. Involve your kids in the planning as much as possible (as is age-appropriate). Even as a baby, I had my daughter pick her favourite books and toys to bring. Then, if they get upset that they don’t have their (insert random toy/book/item here), you can remind them that they chose the items they wanted and that’s all they have.
It’s okay for your kids to be bored. Got a long drive to get somewhere? Or flights? (Haven’t crossed that milestone yet but I hear it can be fun!) Plan for activities to keep them busy if you’d like, but also embrace the creativity that comes with being BORED! Make up games, expect to sing a LOT of songs if you’re on a road trip. Bring music YOU like (remember this is your vacation too!) to listen to in the car.
Prepare food or at least a meal plan in advance (ignore this if you’re at an all-you-can-eat or planning to eat out all the time). Unless you want to spent all your vacation cooking and preparing snacks, get this stuff sorted in advance. Even if you plan on mostly eating out, having some snacks can help tide you over while you’re waiting for your meal to arrive at a restaurant. But here’s what I suggest:
Make a meal plan where you plan out each meal (and snack, if you want to be extra prepared!). Plan for the adults too, not just the kids.
Then see how much of your meal plan you can prepare in advance. Yes, it’s tedious at first, but it makes things pretty easy! I also like this method because we can ensure we’re getting some nutritious food in amongst all the fun stuff. If we’re left to eat out all the time, I’d be eating fries and ice cream. Delicious, but not very nutrient-dense or filling ;). Also, we’re vegetarian and mostly dairy-free, so if you have special dietary restrictions, BYOFood is almost always going to be a win! Just prepare extra of your dinners from the week before, freeze them and then bring on your trip! If you want a Sample Menu of what we ate over a 3 day, 2 night cottage trip, check it out HERE.
Stick to regular meals/snacks. Nothing is worse than hanger! Kids will often delay naps/bedtime if there’s a lot going on, but their little bellies will still need food at regular intervals, and so do we! We can often get carried away while doing fun things, so keep this one in mind. It doesn’t have to be exact times, but just have a general ballpark of when you’re going to eat next so that you don’t forget to.
Expect disruptions to nap/bedtime schedules. It’s going to be okay. Bedtime may be way later than normal.
Travel during naptimes. We try to time road trips so that the kids will be napping.
You may have to carry baby for naps. Backpack carriers are amazing for bigger babies & toddlers. They work better than the Ergobaby style because baby isn’t smushed against you, so they can actually look around and see things. We have the MEC Happy Trails Backpack but there are many brands that work! Make sure to try it out with baby in it before you buy. The carrier should be adjustable and comfortable for your body.
Recreate the same environment you would at home. This is what we used to have to bring for my daughter since she was a very sensitive sleeper as a baby - black garbage bags (to tape to windows to block out light…legit had to do this!), noise machine, favourite stuffie/blanket (if using these items), portable crib (to keep them contained - even if they end up in your bed at some point, it’s nice to have them contained for naps etc), baby monitor.
Expect tears & tantrums. Yes, even in public. No one is judging you as much as you’re judging yourself. So let go of this expectation that you have maintain this appearance of the perfect family. Literally every baby cries, every toddler tantrums. It’s part of their normal development, so just chill. Comfort your kids, redirect them, talk to them, but try not to just tell them to be quiet because you’re embarrassed they’re “making a scene” - plus, does it ever work to tell them to just calm down? 😂
It’s okay to have different rules while traveling. You may not regularly let your kids eat snacks after dinner, or stay up til 9 PM, or go to bed without flossing, but hey - it’s vacation! Bend or break the rules if you want to, and maintain your sanity.
Let go of expectations. They won’t like everything you like. They won’t like everything you think they’d like. Don’t picture this magical trip where you squeeze in a million things. Well, you CAN do that. But also remember, kids aren’t machines. They don’t move at your speed. They have their own wants and needs. Plan for ONE outing a day. Have a second option if you get rained out or if you manage to speed through the first one easily. It’s okay to have downtime where every moment isn’t filled with an activity. You’re not a bad parent if your kids don’t like what you planned for them. It’s all a learning experience and it helps you plan differently for the next time!
Take all the pictures & videos. Trips are where some of the best memories are made. You will see the sheer joy your kids have in doing the littlest things. I asked my daughter what her favourite part of our trip was, and she said “splashing around”, and then when I asked another time, she said “sleeping!” I kid you not! And this, from the girl who stalls bedtime like a champ! Apparently sleeping in her own twin bed and wetting the sheets both nights was really fun!
Don’t forget to HAVE FUN! Really and truly. I know you’re worried about bedtimes and food, but it’s all going to be okay!
And when you get home from vacation, allow yourself to soak in the post-vacation relaxation. Have a day back at home to recoup before you head back to work, if possible. Don’t rush to get a million things done (because there are always going to be things that need to get done). This one is HARD, trust me. I came back from our vacation, and was immediately like - omg all the laundry, omg nothing has been put away, omg the car hasn’t even been unloaded, omg I need to send these emails. But remember, not ALL the things can be done at the same time. And not ALL the things even need to be done! There is no urgency!
Alright friends, that’s it for now! Let me know what you think - what would you add? Was this helpful? Let me know!
Happy travels & stay safe!
Surabhi
