Bree-Anna Burick Jul 14, 2024 8 min read

Tips for a Stress-Free Family Vacation

Family vacations are the highlight of the year for millions of people around the world. However, they can also be one of the most stressful concepts that you have to deal with. This is especially true if you have children.

Learning how to travel with kids is an ever-changing process. The destination from last year may not work this year since children have a tendency to change their interests so often.

As your kids grow, even the travel accommodations that you’ve relied on in the past may not be suitable anymore.

Fortunately, there are some vacation tips for families that can help you get the most out of this special time with your family without dealing with too much stress.

Start Planning Early

One of the most important tips for traveling with kids is to start planning as early as possible. Even when you’re not traveling with children, having plans that cover everything from plane tickets to what luggage you’re going to take is crucial.

That importance gets taken to another level when you’re figuring out how to travel with kids.

Start by making a list of everything that you’re going to need for the trip. Obviously, the age of your children will impact this list.

If you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll need to account for diapers, wipes, and other similar items. If your kids are a bit older, you’ll want to account for toys, electronics, chargers, and other necessities.

All of these items should be planned for in addition to clothes, shoes, and undergarments.

The goal of making a packing list is to cut down on the stress that comes from trying to figure out what everyone needs the night before you’re scheduled to depart.

If your kids are old enough to pick out some of their own stuff to take, give them a list of the items that they’ll need to bring along.

Even if they’re not old enough to actually pack a suitcase yet, having them arrange the items on their bed can help you cut down on the amount of time that you spend getting everything together.

Planning ahead also involves looking for some kid-friendly options to enjoy while you’re on vacation. Some destinations are designed for adults, meaning they offer very little for children to do.

While avoiding those places is a good move, it’s also important to have an idea about what you can take your kids to see when you get where you’re going.

Don’t Procrastinate Packing

Is there anything more stressful than trying to make sure that everyone’s luggage is ready to go the night before you leave?

Unfortunately, packing is such a stressful proposition that many travelers put it off until the last minute. This isn’t a good idea when you’re trying to get an entire family from point A to point B.

Packing early can be a bit tricky since you have some items that you’ll need to use between the planning phase of your trip and the day that you leave.

Fortunately, most people have extras of some of the items that they need lying around the house.

For instance, you probably have more cell phone and tablet chargers than you need. Go ahead and round those items up and get them packed away.

You can also pack the items that are specifically needed for the place where you’re vacationing. For instance, if you’re going to a beach, go ahead and get those swimsuits and beach towels packed away. Everything that you pack today is something you don’t have to look for when it’s crunch time.

Avoid Overpacking

When you were a single person or a newlywed who only had to worry about your own luggage, it was probably common for you to pack more than you needed for a trip.

After all, what if you got where you were going and decided that you needed a last-minute outfit change? Those days are over.

One of the most important tips for traveling with kids involves taking only what you need. This is especially true if you’re going to be in a busy airport.

If your kids are pretty young, you’ll likely be stressed enough trying to make sure that everyone gets to the gate in time. There’s nothing worse than trying to navigate a family through an airport while keeping up with more luggage than you truly need.

The temptation to overpack is strong, especially if you’re going to be on an extended vacation. However, it’s important that you pare down to the basics of what you need.

Do a Practice Run

Practicing for vacation may seem a bit odd, but it’s actually a great way to help your children get ready for their trip. While packing, loading the car, and going through airport security may be the norm for adults, there are a lot of things that your children may not be accustomed to.

Choose a morning when everyone is off work and get up early. Have your kids take their luggage to the car just like they’re leaving for a trip.

If you’re flying and the airport isn’t too far away, drive out to the airport. Some airports around the country actually have programs in place that allow families to do a practice run so kids can get used to going through TSA checkpoints.

Airports in Atlanta, Kansas City, and Minneapolis-St. Paul all have designated areas where Delta employees help families with children navigate a test run so they know what to expect.

Even if you don’t live near an airport, or your closest airport doesn’t offer a familiarization experience, sit down with your kids and watch some videos online about going through an airport.

Many children are visual learners, and seeing how the process should work will help them gain a better understanding of how travel works.

Safety First

You know about the importance of having the right car seats and packing medications for your family. However, there are other safety measures that you can take that will allow you to worry less about your kids during your trip.

A child getting lost at the airport or during your vacation is a parent’s worst nightmare, but it’s important that you take steps to keep it from happening.

Many parents choose to write their name and phone number on their child’s arm in case they get lost.

If that’s not the route you want to take, consider investing in a GPS device that you can put in your child’s backpack or pocket. You can download an app on your phone that allows you to locate your child in real time.

No one wants to imagine getting separated from their kids on what should be a fun, memorable family vacation, but it’s crucial to plan for the worst.

Take Regular Breaks

Maybe you’ve decided to take a road trip instead of flying for your vacation. Depending on your child’s age, this may be the best route to take since you won’t have to worry about car seats in a rental car when you get to your destination.

If you’re going to be spending hours in the car, make sure to give yourself time to take plenty of breaks along the way.

This isn’t only important for adults, especially those who are driving, but it also gives your kids a chance to stretch their legs and get some excess energy out.

Try to look for some parks along your route and pull over for half an hour or longer so your kids can be active for a bit. This also allows you to make some great memories during the trip itself.

Be Adaptable

Your vacation isn’t going to go exactly the way that you planned. That’s a harsh reality, but it’s one that parents must accept.

With this in mind, commit to being adaptable.

Don’t get stressed if your kids are having fun at the beach and don’t want to go to a theme park. Don’t get too upset if you miss that dinner reservation because your little ones just couldn’t wake up from that nap.

Being adaptable doesn’t mean that you don’t have plans in place, but it does mean that you don’t let something going off schedule ruin your entire trip.