Traveling with young children can be fun, and challenging. Our family took a big trip this summer with our young child, and while we did enjoy ourselves and all returned home in one piece - it took a LOT of planning to make sure the long plane, car, bus, and train rides went smoothly. Whether you’re going out of the country, state, neighborhood, or just taking a long commute to and from summer camp, here are some tips to get you through trips with young children, especially those (like mine) who may need more stimulation than simply looking out the window. 

Safety Tips

• If riding on a plane with a child under 40 pounds, you can bring a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved car seat for them to use on the plane.

• If riding in a car, kids should use car seats or booster seats if they haven’t reached the age or height requirement for a regular seatbelt.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 13 years old always ride in the back seat. Make sure your kids understand the importance of staying calm in the backseat, and to not distract the driver.

• If riding in a bus, wait for the bus away from the street. Kids must wait until the bus driver opens the door and gives them the okay to board. If the bus has seatbelts, make sure everyone is buckled before the bus leaves and stays buckled until the bus arrives at its stop. 

Boredom Busters

• During long plane or car rides, have plenty of activities and supplies at the ready, especially books, coloring books, travel-sized games, fidget toys, water, and snacks. We let our child pick out a few of his smaller cars and toy vehicles to take with him as well, but avoided ones with loud noises, so as not to disturb fellow passengers (too much).

• Let your child know what to expect on their trip and show them pictures of the fun things and places, and people you plan to visit! Talk about new experiences, such as going to a water park or riding a train for the first time, and if they’ll be meeting new friends or family members, go through photos and tell stories of them with your child.

• Visit the library to check out copies of books and music before you go on your trip. Also, search out rest areas for free paper maps, so they can follow your route on their own and circle local attractions they may want to visit. 

Snacks and Travel Hacks

• Having snacks during your journey will not only help keep your child fed; it will keep them occupied. Include a variety of food options such as fresh fruit, healthy nuts, sweet treats, and crackers. Different options can increase your chances that you’ll have something everyone wants to eat, and you can even have your children help you pack the road trip snacks ahead of time.

• Pack other essentials that will be easily accessible to you during your trip, such as a change of clothes, wipes, plastic bags for sudden illnesses or messes, and a first aid kit.

• If your child grows tired of their usual toys and books, try to bring along a new toy and have them open it during times of waiting. An inexpensive new book or game may keep your child’s attention longer. 

Traveling gives you and your child the opportunity to learn and grow. And while traveling will come with lots of excitement and stories for your child to tell when they return, it can also help teach patience. Children will learn what to do during times of waiting and will learn to be flexible if something doesn’t go as planned. Remember to communicate with your family, even when challenges arise; it’s possible that your whole family will be experiencing new schedules, food, cultures, and/or traditions for the first time. And while traveling with young children may feel overwhelming at the time, you’ll be sure to have wonderful memories that last a lifetime!



For more tips and family resources, keep up to date on our Family Resources page: https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/family-resources.