45 Essential Family Travel Tips To Make The Best Of Your Adventure

Before you head out on your next family vacation, there are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind. To help make the most of your travels, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide packed with over 40 essential family travel tips.

“You’d better travel now before you have kids. Once you have kids, you will be stuck…for years.”

Thankfully, I didn’t listen to this well-intentioned yet unsolicited advice from a friend.

Few things are as rewarding as traveling with your family. Seeing the world through your children’s eyes, watching them experience new cultures and customs, and creating memories that will last a lifetime add to an unforgettable adventure.

However, family travel can be tricky — keeping everyone fed, entertained, happy, and in harmony can be overwhelming. Based on my personal experience, I have put together this guide. It contains over 40 family travel tips that will help make your family vacation a success.

Traveling with your family can be among the most rewarding yet challenging experiences and a fantastic way to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime. However, family travel can be tricky — keeping everyone fed, entertained, happy, and in harmony can be overwhelming. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first family vacation, knowing how to manage the logistics and emotions can make or break your trip.

This guide, packed with over 40 family travel tips, aims to equip you with practical advice and insights to ensure your family adventure is a joyous success.

Whether you are a first-time traveling mom or dad or just looking for new ideas and top tips, read on for the best advice. Sit back, relax, and get ready for the time of your life.

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

But First…The Benefits of Family Travel.

Traveling with your family is a great way to spend time together and create lasting memories. Not only that, but family vacations can also be a great way to learn about new cultures and experience new things. Here are ten additional benefits of family travel.

1) You’ll get to spend quality time together. There’s something special about spending time together on vacation. With no work or school to worry about, you can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

2) You’ll create lasting memories. Vacations are an excellent opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. From exploring new places to trying new things, you will have plenty of stories to share when you return home.

3) Your kids will learn about different cultures. One of the best things about traveling with your children is that they’ll learn about other cultures — this can be a great way to teach them about the diversity of the world and its many different people. Experiencing new cultures firsthand can foster empathy and understanding in children, teaching them to appreciate diversity from a young age.

4) You’ll have plenty of new experiences. When you’re on vacation, there’s no limit to unique experiences. From trying local food to going on safaris, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

5) Educational Experiences. Every destination offers unique learning opportunities. Kids can see history come to life at historical sites or experience different cultures first-hand, enhancing their education beyond textbooks.

6) Boosting Confidence. Navigating new environments helps boost children’s confidence. Whether ordering food in a foreign language or trying a new activity, these experiences encourage them to step out of their comfort zones.

7) Health Benefits. Engaging in physical activities like hiking or swimming during travel encourages a healthier lifestyle for the whole family.

8) Strengthening Family Bonds. Working together to create an itinerary or solve travel-related problems creates a sense of collective achievement.

9) Enhancing Communication Skills. Travel situations often require negotiating and compromising, improving family members’ communication skills.

10) Unplugging from Technology. Many family travel experiences encourage everyone to unplug from screens and be present, fostering deeper connections.

If you are a first-time traveling mom, you need these 40+ essential family vacation tips to make the most of your upcoming adventure.

Kids are super busy with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and schedules. Time spent with them on a typical weekday can be minimal and sometimes hectic. Getting away from home takes much of this day-to-day stuff away. It won’t be easy sometimes, but the more you go, the more you know.

• Travel teaches children patience.
• And flexibility.
• Traveling with children creates a lifetime of shared family memories.
• Teaching them how to travel early will make life much easier for you in the long run.
• Travel brings families together.
• My kids can both navigate a city like a boss.
• And research their destination, so now they create their own personal itineraries.
• Children learn things they cannot learn in school or at home.
• Traveling encourages children to move out of their comfort zone.
• If you travel with your kids, YOU get to continue to travel.

The Planning Process.

1)  Get the kids involved.  

Find kid-friendly travel guides for them to study before a trip.   For our trip to London, I purchased two books, Mission London and Kids Travel Guide London. 

Getting them involved in research makes them more curious about the destination; they can add what they want to experience to the itinerary.

Let them suggest different attractions based on what they have read.  I will often consult them on where they may want to go next.  For example, for our upcoming Christmas vacation, whoever wins NCAA bracketology gets to pick our destination, which will be related to an NBA or NFL game venue, I am sure.

2) Choose Family-Friendly Destinations. When selecting a destination, consider what activities and experiences it offers for all age groups. Research family-friendly attractions and read reviews from other families to gauge whether a place is suitable. Websites like TripAdvisor or family travel blogs can be invaluable resources.

3)  Let the school know beforehand so the teachers can give them homework before the trip.  Plan vacations around the school schedule so there aren’t any missed days.  However, sometimes, this does not work out. 

My kids missed two days for our Galapagos expedition.  The teachers knew at the beginning of the school year that they would be out of school for those two days. 

Most teachers don’t mind kids missing a few days for a fantastic learning experience like travel.  I try not to make this the norm, however.

4)  Choose a destination that will make the entire family happy. 

The Disney Cruise is an absolute favorite in this family, with many activities for every age group. 

There are kids-only programs where parents aren’t even invited.  Our kids will not go; they won’t even try. Looking back (and looking forward), this has been a good thing for us.  Spending time with our children is what it is all about.  We only have them for so long.

5) Consider bringing a friend. When I was a teenager, our family took vacations in the Georgia Mountains. My parents always allowed me to take a friend; this kept me occupied and happy.  Someone once told me that the best travel accessory for a teenager is a friend. 

However, this can be tricky. Some friends aren’t easy to deal with and can be high maintenance.  The choice of a friend has to be well thought out so this idea does not backfire on the parents.  Pick a friend who will make your child happy and not make you too nutty.  Y’all know what I mean.

My thoughts on bringing a friend on vacation have evolved as my teenagers have grown up. Teenagers would rather be with friends and spend a ton of time with their friends on a day-to-day basis. Our time with them is limited. I sometimes hesitate to bring a friend because I want time with my kids.  In a few years, they’ll be off and on their own.

6)  Give them space.

When booking your lodging, make sure the accommodations are spacious. If possible, try to have a separate area for the kids, especially if you’re staying for more than five days. They need space to wind down and have quiet time, and so do the adults.

7) Let them sleep.

Teenagers need their sleep, so let them have it. Plan your itinerary so that they get downtime and get to sleep in. And while they sleep in, head out for a walk and some me-time. Book a yoga class or go for a run. Or better yet, sleep in yourself.

Sometimes, an early activity cannot be avoided, but early days should definitely be minimized. And they will like you better, I promise.

8)  Culture.  

Book a few cultural experiences ahead of time: theatre, an art museum, or a historical attraction.

Culture does not sound exciting to many children.  Mine have been known to complain.  But it is important to me, and they will thank me later. 

9) Buy them a travel present before leaving. 

Binoculars, a travel guide, a soft travel blanket, a new stuffed animal (this one can double as a pillow), or a new travel backpack.

Pre-Travel Home Prep.

10) Before you go on vacation, you should do a few things to prep your home. Here is a list of things to remember, from arranging for pet care to discarding the perishable food on the counter and in the refrigerator. Taking care of these things before you leave allows you to relax and enjoy your time away without worrying about what’s happening at home.

1. Arrange for Pet Care.
2. Stop the mail and newspaper.
3. Let a neighbor know you will be going on vacation.
4. Discard perishable goods in the frig.
5. Empty all garbage cans, the dishwasher, and the dryer.
6. Clean out the garbage disposal, too.
7. Store your expensive jewelry in a safe.
8. Leave a light on in the hall (or set a timer).
9. Make sure all of the doors are locked.
10. Arm your house on your way out.
11. Leave a spare set of house keys hidden on the patio or with a trusted relative or neighbor.

There are many things to do before you head out for your adventure. Preparing to leave for vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. Begin your trip organized and prepared so you aren’t obsessing over what you forgot to pack or do before you left. Read more here.

Packing Tips: Don’t Leave Home Without These Essentials when Traveling with the Family.

11) Travel documents.

Gather your travel documents, including passports. Check ahead of time for the country’s requirements for children’s identification.

On our way back to the United States with our little kids, we encountered a scary situation in St. Thomas. We did not have the proper official identification for them, as we hadn’t required it in the past while traveling out of the country.

Well, leaving St. Thomas is required, and they take it seriously. It was scary for the kids and for us, too.

12)  Tech. A controversial subject.

We stay busy all day, eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together daily, and are physically active wherever we go.   I don’t have a problem with screen time during vacation.  It is downtime for all of us. My daughter watches Netflix and chats with her friends, and my son catches up with the latest basketball news.

It is okay with me to have some daily screen time.  Frankly, I like it, too.  I check social media, look up news from home, research, plan our next day (or next vacation), check emails, and upload pictures from the day.  My husband can do some office work online.  I have some rules and boundaries, but I spend time online daily.

13) Noise-canceling headphones 

I bought my husband the Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones for Father’s Day last year; it was the best gift ever.  He loves them.  When I asked him what he couldn’t travel without, he said, “Noise-canceling headphones!”  I hope he’s not trying to tell me something.

14) Medications for common travel issues/First Aid Kit.

Be prepared with the basics. There’s nothing worse than a sick kid or a sick family during vacation. Packing the essentials will save you time and money.

Bring the following over-the-counter medications/ointments for travel:

• Acetaminophen.
• Ibuprofen.
• Imodium.
• Pepcid.
• Tums.
• Benadryl.
• Epinephrine (food allergies).
• Cortisone cream.
• Benadryl cream.
• Include a small first aid kit with bandaids, wraps, and tape.

15) Caffeine  

Café Bustelo makes these perfect little coffee packets (or this small bottle is also easy to pack).  All you need is hot water.  I don’t leave home without them.

16) Non-Disposable Water Bottles 

Pack S’well Bottles for the whole family. Each bottle has a unique and fun design they have picked out.

If you travel to a destination where the water is questionable, buy Gallon water jugs and fill each bottle individually. At least you won’t have to dispose of tons of little water bottles.

17) Books 

Bring a book or, better yet, a travel guide. Or the Kindle Paper White.

18) Snacks. Snacks. And more snacks.

I have a child with multiple food allergies, so this is a must for us. We can’t always find snacks for her that don’t contain allergens, so I always stock up on her favorites. She can eat pretzels and chocolate, so all is good.

19) Hand Sanitizer

Many germs await us in these amazing places where we roam; always carry hand sanitizer. Travel-sized hand sanitizers can be purchased at most convenience stores and airports. We buy from Amazon in bulk.

20) Tide Travel Sized Laundry Detergent

These little Tide travel packets have come in handy more than I thought they would. We often travel to AAU Basketball tournaments. I use these to wash their sweaty, stinky uniforms.

If you want to pack light, you can do a few hand washes along the way. These little travel-sized detergents have been a game-changer (pun intended).

21) Packing Cubes.

A fellow uber-organized travel blogger recommended these Packing Cubes, another game-changer. They come in several different sizes and are quite durable. 

22) Steamer.

Pack clothes that travel well and don’t wrinkle—that’s my best advice. But if you must, travel with this little steamer. 

It is compact, so it is easy to pack. I can steam two shirts, and then it needs a refill, so it is unsuitable for bulk steaming. But who does bulk steaming on vacation?

23) Barefoot Dreams Blanket Wrap 

It’s easy to pack and great for airplanes, cold restaurants, sleeping, and sometimes even as a scarf.

24) Chargers ~ Don’t forget your chargers. 

I am a big fan of charging stations when traveling. That way, we are all charging in one place. I also bring several extra batteries to use if the battery loses charge while we are out and about.

25) Pack a good, quality camera.

To me, a novice photographer, Canon cameras are the easiest to use and get you the best photos. 

Packing Tips when Traveling with Kids.

26) Let the kids pack for themselves. ~ Teach them early how to pack, with a checklist, of course. By packing for themselves, they are learning independence and accountability. Plus, in the long run, they will be packing like champs.

27) Don’t overpack. ~ You will have to pay a fee, be miserable lugging all of that stuff around on travel day, AND you won’t wear half of it.

Family Travel Tips for the Airport.

28) Consider your flight time wisely.

This family does not like early flights. It is painful to work with them super early during vacation. If your kids and your husband are the same, like mine, avoid this if possible.

Choose a late morning or afternoon flight. Or if traveling across the pond, choose a late flight, and maybe they’ll sleep.

29) Arrive early at the airport.

Another essential family travel tip when flying is to arrive at the airport early to avoid the rush and the hustle and bustle of parking, checking in, checking bags, and the TSA security line. Then you have plenty of time to relax and spend time with your family before you board.

30) Sign up for TSA Precheck. Spend $85 and speed through security without removing your shoes, laptop, liquids, belts, or light jackets.

31) Entertainment at the gate (since you arrived super early).

• Go for a walk around the terminal, but keep a close eye on the time.
• Listen to your favorite playlist or podcast on your noise-canceling headphones.
• Read your travel guides and dream about your destination. If you haven’t created your itinerary, now is the time.
• Read a book or magazine, or listen to an audiobook.
• Make a TikTok with your kids.
• Watch a movie on Netflix.
• Stretch out in the airport lounge if you can.
• Close your eyes, deep breaths, and relax.

Healthy Family Vacation Tips.

32) Exercise.

• Walk everywhere you can.
• When booking your lodging, book where there is a pool or gym.
• Mix in a workout while sightseeing. For example, go horseback riding, stand-up paddleboarding, bike riding, or kayaking.
• Drop in for a yoga or CrossFit class.
• Go out for a run. Here are the top tips to keep running while on vacation.

33) Pack sunscreen and wear it. Protect your family from the harmful rays of the sun. While sun exposure provides Vitamin D, which is essential for bone strength, it can cause skin damage, skin cancers, and early aging.

34) Maintain proper nutrition, or at least 80/20.

• Begin your day with a healthy breakfast.
• Pack healthy snacks.
• Hydrate.
• Stock your hotel refrigerator with healthy goodies: hummus, hard-boiled eggs, greek yogurt, fruit, and veggies.
• Cook your meals, if you can.

Now, the Fun Part: Family Travel Tips While at Your Destination.

35) Have a plan. 

Know where you are going to stay and reserve.  Book a vehicle if you need transportation.  And create a soft itinerary. Oh, and maybe even let the kids pick a few fun activities to add to your itinerary.

36) Take public transport.

Kids love the tube, underground, subway, and even the bus. It’s an experience. And maybe even a life skill.

37) But, walk or ride a bike when you can.

38)  The Ultimate Family Vacation Tip for MOM — Plan “me” time.  

Schedule a massage or facial, take a walk, practice yoga, or go to the gym. My husband will hit the gym for an hour daily; nothing stops him.  Take time away to regroup, decompress, take a deep breath, or whatever it may be to keep fresh. 

39) Don’t overbook.

Don’t overbook your day, or you will have a load of complaints and maybe even tantrums. Know your kid’s (and your travel companion’s) limits.

If you want to see something and it’s too much for them, consider leaving them with Dad and heading off alone for an hour or two.

40) Schedule downtime for the family.

Make sure to schedule downtime. You will need it, too.

41) Let them play.

Let them splash around in the pool and build a sandcastle. Don’t rush it. You only have this moment once.

42) Just be there. 

Be present.  Relax. Enjoy these precious family moments. 

Post-Vacation Reflection

43) Creating Lasting Memories and Learning from the Experience. Encourage family members to keep a travel journal or scrapbook. Reflect on the trip’s highs and lows together and celebrate what you learned about each other and the world.

44) Engaging Kids in Post-Vacation Routines and Schoolwork. Ease back into routines by gradually adjusting sleep schedules a few days before returning home. Use travel experiences as learning opportunities in schoolwork and discussions.

45) Travel Journal Prompts. Provide kids with prompts to inspire their travel journaling. Questions like “What was your favorite part of the trip?” or “What did you learn about a new culture?” can spark creativity and reflection.

Family travel is a treasure trove of opportunities for connection, learning, and adventure. It teaches us to adapt, appreciate diversity, and cherish the moments that truly matter. By being well-prepared and open to the unexpected, you can create unforgettable experiences that your family will talk about for years to come.

Ready to hit the road? We’d love to hear your stories and tips! Share your favorite family travel tip below and inspire others to create their own adventures. Safe travels, and may each trip bring you closer as a family.