Our Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Kids

We often joke that our travel motto when kids are involved is as long as no one is crying, we keep on rolling! It may be a joke, but don’t think I’m above “holding it” if the kids are both asleep and we are making good time! But in all seriousness, if there is one thing our family has learned this year, it’s how to travel by vehicle - with kids. After clocking in about 600 hours on the road between my husband and I over the course of the year, we think it’s safe to say we’ve got this figured out! So the next time you’re stressing about the long upcoming car ride you’ve got to make with your littles, just remember we’ve done twelve hour trips with ours, and survived! Check out our top five tips for roadtripping with kids!

1. Keep toys to a minimum. Isaiah knows we have a one toy per hand rule when traveling. Just enough for little hands to keep up with on their own. Otherwise, you risk the meltdown of a lost toy or part. We also encourage leaving the legos behind because you don’t want to spend an hour looking for  Captain America the mini-figure' s missing miniature shield under your seats in the dark. 😅 (Trust us, it's not fun!)
2. Don’t be afraid to sit in the backseat. Sometimes I can stretch out comfortably in the front passenger seat for hours, but every now and then the little one (being that he’s only three months now!) just needs to see mama to know that she’s there, so we keep the middle seat in the back open. This way, I can easily hop back there in the event of a fussy babe who needs to be pacified to sleep. (Don’t worry, you can pullover to make the switch. And always wear your seatbelt, whether in the front or the back!)
3. Comfortable car seats make all the difference. Nehemiah used to hate traveling in his infant bucket seat (probably because he’s so huge already!), so we invested in a Maxi-Cosi car seat for him. We wish we would’ve went with this one from the beginning! It’s the only seat you need for 5-85lbs. It’s super luxurious and cushioned, plus it comes in a gorgeous cream color that looks amazing in our interior. Since we made the switch, he is so comfortable and content in his seat, and often falls right to sleep! We even use a different seat for our four year old. Isaiah normally rides in a booster seat, but for longer trips, we break out the larger seat for added comfort and safety.
4. Tablets are your friends. I know a lot of parents worry about too much screen time, so on travel days we usually say no TV before or after we hit the road as a compromise. We love having a kid’s tablet for Isaiah. He doesn’t just use it to watch shows and movies, although we do have plenty downloaded for when he does. He uses it to draw, play games, and use learning tools on the go. We bought ours from Amazon because they have a really great kids warranty system, so you don’t have to worry about accidents! Plus, it’s built to withstand slippery toddler hands!
5. Pack snacks before hand! We usually pack a small soft travel cooler with juice boxes, water bottles, granola bars, bananas, and sometimes even PBJ’s before we go. This helps save on stops for food and drink, plus it saves money and allows you to snack healthier on the road!

So there you have it! Our top five tips for traveling with kids via car. And for you? Bring a pillow and a blanket if you have someone to alternate driving with. Your kids are going to be so content that you might even be able to catch a few roady Zzz’s in the passenger seat!

​Happy Traveling! 

Have questions or comments? Share your best travel tips or curiosities in the comment box below!