Holiday travel with kids is hardly ever the dreamy family adventure Instagram makes it out to be. If you’ve traveled with kids you know the drill—meltdowns mid-security check, nature calls at the worst possible moment, snacks spilling on the seats…and you’re still five hours away from your destination. Argh.
And yet, every year, parents pack up for family travels because everyone needs the memories and the change of scenery; you shouldn’t delay having fun because of small kids.
But in all honesty, the road (or flight) to those magical moments can be more of a marathon than a vacation when you’ve got little ones in tow and no solid plan to keep things in check.
I understand this ordeal parents face and that’s why this blog exists. It’s not wishful thinking if you want a stress-free travel with kids this time because if you do a few tweaks, your trip won’t feel like survival mode from gate to gate.
Today I’ll share the best tips for surviving holiday travel with kids that are doable and actually make a difference. Keep reading for no-nonsense advice to make your next trip smoother and a whole lot less stressful!
Is it Hard to Travel With Kids for Everyone or is it Just Your Kids?
Traveling with kids is hard for everyone because it’s unpredictable, chaotic, and can push your patience to the limit, no matter how “well-behaved” your kids are at home. When you’re handling bags, dealing with restless kids, and sticking to tight schedules, it can all get easily frustrating. So if you have managed to travel with kids, kudos to you—even if it was not a pleasant experience.
Here’s why traveling by road and flying with kids during holidays can be stressful:
- Kids hate sitting still
- Delays and traffic throw them off
- They get bored way too fast
- Sleep schedules go out the window
- Too much noise overstimulates them
- Packing for them is exhausting
- Snacks run out too soon
- They always need the bathroom at the worst time
- Carrying them plus luggage is brutal
- Tantrums happen. A lot.
Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel With Kids That’ll Save Your Sanity
You have different duties as a parent at home, and when traveling, you might have to do all those duties at once—in a small space. Also, there’s no “quiet corner” when you’re 30,000 feet in the air or stuck on a highway. No parent deserves a chaotic experience; here are tips for traveling with kids that’ll help you:
Give Them a Little Travel Practice Session at Home
Kids behave better when they know what’s coming. So before traveling, a mini prep session at home—like explaining airport security and their time on flight—will reduce surprises and build cooperation. Even small things like walking with a backpack or sitting in a seatbelt for 30 minutes can ease the real travel experience if it’s their first time. This exercise will reduce resistance because the more they know, the less they panic—and the more in control you stay.
Book Early Morning Flights
Early flights have fewer crowds, shorter lines, and lower chances of delays. Most importantly, kids are fresher and less irritable in the morning so it’s a good time to start traveling. Booking early flights can also help you avoid the peak chaos of midday travel plus it’ll mean lesser exposure to overstimulation for the kids. This relatively calmer travel time may also increase the chance of you arriving before the kids’ nap time kicks in. So if your goal is stress-free travel with kids, this one’s a logistical win you can count on.
Bring Familiar Comfort Items & Snacks
Kids can handle transitions better when they have familiar things around. You should bring their go-to stuffed animal, blanket, or water bottle because it may help regulate their emotions. Also, if they don’t like any food on the flight, familiar snacks will prevent hunger-related meltdowns. It’ll also mean you won’t be relying on unpredictable airline or roadside food—so pack what you already know works if you’re confused about how to survive holiday travel with children.
Let Them Go to Airport Play Areas
Burning kids’ energy before boarding can pay off well because airport play zones are almost a reset place. Letting them run, climb, or even watch other kids helps release pent-up energy before long hours of sitting. It also controls their movement-based fussing once you’re in the air or strapped into a car seat. Use this window wisely because it calms them down and gives you a head start on a smoother journey.
Prep for Ear Pressure Changes
This is one of the most important tips for surviving holiday travel with kids—prepare them for ear pressure changes on the flight. Babies or toddlers can’t explain these pressure changes and they just scream. Of course, you can’t stop
pressure shifts, but you can prepare for them. For example, offer something to suck or chew a few minutes before takeoff and landing. You can use a pacifier or bottle for babies and lollipops, gum, or chewy snacks like dried fruit for older kids. Also, try to keep them awake during ascent and descent because swallowing helps regulate ear pressure better when they’re not drowsy. And if your child already struggles with sinus issues or colds, carry a saline spray or ask your doctor for kid-safe decongestant drops before the flight.
Download Entertainment Ahead of Time and Don’t Forget Headphones
If you’re unsure how to keep kids entertained while traveling, giving them screentime is one of the easiest ways. I know you don’t want them addicted to a screen but sometimes it’s the necessary evil. No matter how active or imaginative your child is, boredom creeps in during long trips. And it shows up fast so keep content already downloaded on your device. Don’t rely on Wi-Fi. Load up on shows, games, audiobooks, and music before you leave home—and test them. Also, pack kid-sized headphones that they already like using so they don’t fuss about uncomfortable earbuds or volume struggles mid-journey.
Be Ready for Messes
You can list a ton of air travel tips for kids and think you’re prepared, but there will still be messes because kids are walking, talking mess machines. Leaky juice boxes, surprise diaper blowouts, and even snack bag explosions—something will spill or stain.
And the worst thing you can do is act surprised when it happens. To survive holiday travel with kids, always pack a separate mess kit: wipes, tissues, a change of clothes, extra plastic bags, and hand sanitizer.
This kit should also hold what your child might need within the next two hours. Think: snacks, water, favorite small toy, comfort item, and medicine (if needed). If you’re on board with a baby or toddler, also add a spare shirt for yourself and keep that kit in an easy-to-reach compartment. Cleaning up quickly avoids the mess getting worse when you’re flying with kids during holidays and sharing tight quarters with strangers.
Follow the “30 On, 30 Off” Swap
When both parents are traveling together, take turns. One handles the kid(s) for 30 minutes, the other zones out to recharge, and then switch. It’ll keep you both from burning out because no one thrives when they’re “on duty” for six hours straight. The 30/30 approach creates balance and helps you both stay calm.
Dress them in Simple Layers
Travel is never the time to test new shoes, try “cute” outfits, or dress them like it’s picture day. Dress them in soft, breathable layers you know they’re comfortable in. If it gets cold on the plane or hot in the car, it’s easier to adjust with layers than to make them wear something entirely different. Anything that rides up, scratches, or fits weird will become a problem. This is one of those tips for surviving holiday travel with kids that sounds basic, but when skipped, causes hours of discomfort and whining.
Schedule Movement Moments on Road Trips
If you’re on a long drive, plan breaks that let you guys move—gas station stops don’t count. Add 10–15 minutes every 2–3 hours for walking, stepping out, or letting them run around (even in a safe patch of grass). Sitting still too long builds up tension that almost always turns into crankiness, fights, or “I want to go home.”
Pack Just Enough
Overpacking is a trap—you’ll think you need everything but hauling around ten “just in case” items will tire you out. Whether you’re flying or driving, you should have quick access, light bags, and fewer things to manage.
Prioritize what’s non-negotiable—snacks, wipes, meds, comfort items—and skip the extras that just take up space. Packing well also helps with airport stress as fewer bags mean less chaos at security and faster boarding. And if you’re driving, a clean backseat makes it easier for your child to stretch, sleep, or play without being boxed in by stuff.
Take the Trip, But Take the Pressure Off
Traveling with kids can be messy, loud, unpredictable, and exhausting. But it’s also where some of your most unforgettable family memories will come from. So yes, plan well. But don’t stress over perfect behavior or strict routines while you’re out making memories. Flexibility and preparation go hand in hand. These moments may feel wild now, but one day, you’ll miss them.
Suggested Reads:
FAQs
What is the hardest age to travel with a child?
Ages 1 to 3 are typically the hardest to travel with as toddlers are mobile, curious, and have big emotions—but limited ways to express them. They’re also too young to reason with but old enough to protest loudly.
Why do kids misbehave on vacations?
It’s because vacations disrupt their routine. New places, different bedtimes, unfamiliar food, and too much stimulation can overwhelm kids—all of this makes them act out.
What should I do if my child has a meltdown mid-travel?
First off all, stay calm. Speak softly, acknowledge their feelings, and move them to a quieter space if possible. Offer comfort—snacks or their favorite toy and skip discipline in the moment. Focus on helping them feel safe and grounded again.
