Traveling with kids is an adventure. It’s a chance to explore new places through their eyes and create cherished memories. However, it can also be challenging. Keeping youngsters entertained and content during the journey requires planning and a bit of creativity.
But this isn’t just about surviving a plane ride or a long car trip; it’s about enriching your family’s travel experience. Those giggles and wide-eyed wonders at every new sight are more than worth the effort.
In this guide, you’re going to find out about strategies and tips for every phase of travel with children between 3 and 6 years old, from the initial packing to the moment you return home. More than just getting from point A to point B, you’re going to learn how to make travel with kids enjoyable and fulfilling for everyone.
So, if you’re wondering ‘How do I keep my children engaged during travel without losing my mind?’ or ‘What are the best toys to take on a plane?’, don’t worry too much about it. By focusing on what resonates with your children, and with a little inside knowledge, you’ll become adept at navigating the sometimes turbulent skies of family travel.
Pre-Travel Preparation: Reducing Stress for the Whole Family
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the key to a smooth and enjoyable travel experience with kids is all in the preparation. It might seem daunting, but a bit of upfront planning can make all the difference. Let’s talk about how you can reduce stress before you even leave the house.
Planning your itinerary with kids in mind is essential. You’re going to find out about family-friendly attractions and activities that can be intermixed with more traditional sightseeing. Don’t worry too much about packing every minute with activities; allow for downtime and be prepared for the unexpected.
When it comes to packing, make sure to always include travel essentials for each child: extra clothing, travel-sized games, and snacks. Make a checklist, and involve your kids in the packing process, which can boost their excitement and provide teaching moments about preparation and responsibility.
Another thing I can’t emphasize enough is preparing your child for the travel experience. Talk to them about what to expect at the airport, during the flight, and at the destination. Use visual aids like books or videos if that helps. Make sure they understand there will be a lot of new experiences, but remind them of the fun aspects too.
Navigating the Airport and Flight: Coping Strategies for Parents
I’m going to give you a rundown on how to tackle one of the most daunting parts of travel: the airport and the flight. Airports are notoriously challenging for families, but I’ve got your back with strategies that will help everyone stay cool under pressure.
Let’s start with security checkpoints. Simplifying this process is all about preparation. Dress the kids in easy-to-remove shoes and minimal layers. Pack liquids and electronics where you can quickly get to them. And guess what? You can usually find a family lane that’s designed just for you.
Now, for those inevitable waits and potential delays, you’re going to find out about how to turn dread into delight. Have a travel scavenger hunt laid out for the kids, you can easily print these off the internet or download a few new interactive apps. Don’t forget to pack snacks – hunger is a mood killer, especially for children.
Ensuring a smooth flight experience is vital. Walk the little ones around the airport to tire them out before boarding. Then, buckle up with comfort items like a favourite blanket or stuffed animal. In my opinion, when kids are comfy, everyone’s happy.
You can always adjust your approach down the road, but these suggestions provide a foundation for stress-free airport navigation. Next, I’ll dive into a life-saver topic: the best toys to take on a plane. Choose something that resonates with you and fits your child’s interests, and you’ll enjoy a much more pleasant journey.
Entertainment in Transit: The Best Toys for 3-6 Year Olds
You’re probably wondering about how to keep those little bundles of energy occupied during a long flight. Don’t worry too much about the constraints of a plane seat; there’s a lot of clever toys designed just for such occasions.
In my opinion, the best toys are those that are quiet, compact, and can hold attention for more than just a few minutes. So, here’s a list of options that you can always adjust depending on your child’s interests:
Magnetic drawing boards – No mess, endless creativity, and perfect for doodles or learning letters and numbers.
Sticker books – Choose something that your child enjoys, be it dinosaurs, space or fairy tales, and watch them get creative.
Travel-sized board games – There’s a lot of opportunity in simple games like tic-tac-toe or connect four which can teach strategic thinking.
Colouring books and triangular crayons – The crayons won’t roll off the tray table, making for a more peaceful trip for everyone.
Foldable headphones and a tablet loaded with their favourite shows or educational apps – Making sure to download content beforehand eliminates the need for Wi-Fi.
Soft toys or dolls – A familiar ‘friend’ can be a great comfort to many children, especially when in a new environment like an airplane cabin.
Books – small short stories are best. Or their favourite book, or if you’re us, 10 favourite books! (Yes we over did the books!!)
You can always keep a couple of options in your parental toolkit and rotate them as necessary.
Just don’t focus too much on perfection. The goal is to ensure a quiet and engaged child, which in turn, makes for a much more pleasant journey for both of you. And, remember that the toys you choose should also be easy to pack away once the flight is over.
At Your Destination: Routines and Fun
The real magic of family trips isn’t just in the getting there; it’s what you do once you’ve arrived. You’ve prepared, you’ve travelled, and now you’re at your destination – tired but excited. The key? Mix the comfort of familiar routines with the thrills of new experiences.
People often ask me how we cope with the time difference and our daughters routine, and, if I’m honest her routine has always been fairly flexible and she usually adapts pretty quickly to her new surroundings.
You really need to able to adjust depending on your child’s mood but you also have to be strong and stick to what you want to do as well, this is probably the most difficult thing to balance. For example my husband and I would be happy to spend a few hours wandering the markets in Thailand but realistically the fairy is only gonna last 30 minutes (on a good day!) Soo…we compromise! And this is where a flexible routine comes in handy. We will maybe spend 20 minutes looking round the market and then go for a juice. Walk for another 20 minutes and find (hopefully) a play area or somewhere she can relax. Then off we go again with the promise of getting something yummy to eat!
Also, if a day doesn’t go as planned, or things are feeling a bit much, you can always adjust your schedule. Little things like a game night in the hotel or a casual stroll along the beach can become cherished memories.
I really hope you embrace the spontaneity that comes with family travel. Snap plenty of pictures, savour the little moments, and collect stories along with souvenirs. And remember, every trip is an opportunity for your kids to learn and grow – and for you to do the same as a parent.