This blog post looks into what you can expect when traveling with kids and how to manage your expectations – written from experience, we have been on over 15 vacations with our daughters (currently aged 4 & 5 years).
Let me tell you, traveling with kids can be an exhilarating yet challenging experience. We’ve brought our daughters on around 15 vacations so far; we brought our youngest to Lake Garda when she was just 3 months old. And although it can be tough parenting in the heat, in a new destination – for us, the pros have far outweighed the cons.
And if you’re reading this, it’s likely you love to travel – exploring a new destination is more than likely your ‘happy place’. However, when you bring little ones into the mix, your travel narrative changes significantly. But don’t worry – embracing this new chapter can lead to some of the most rewarding adventures of your life. So, speaking from experience, here’s what to expect and how to manage your expectations when traveling with kids.
Our tips for traveling with kids
Expect the unexpected
Yep, the number one tip is to prepare for the unexpected. If your kids are anything like mine, they have a way of turning even the best-laid plans upside down. You might have a full itinerary in mind, but flexibility is key. Flights can be delayed, and naps can be missed, leading to cranky little travelers.
Our eldest daughter also gets car sick, and so we’ve often had to pull over for 30 minutes or so on the side of the road while she recovers. Actually, we find this calm carry device eases her symptoms massively recently, and we’ve been able to take longer drives on vacation.
In short, instead of stressing, approach each hiccup with a sense of humor and adaptability. This means building in extra time for everything, from getting through airport security to walking to the next attraction.
Pack wisely
Heading away with kids doesn’t mean overpacking, but rather packing smart. Bring along a variety of snacks, toys, and entertainment options to keep your kids occupied during long waits or flights. A well-packed carry-on can be a lifesaver when you need to distract a restless toddler. Pack extra clothes for the kids in your carry-on too, in case of spills or motion sickness.
Consider buying or borrowing a lightweight buggy for the trip, especially if your kid is under 4 years. We like to rent a car when we’re abroad, so we tend to take our car seats with us and use this car seat travel bag for packing them up. Handy tip – you can also pop some clothes in here; they never checked/ weighed ours.
For the plane, we couldn’t be without our Amazon kids’ tablets – we typically download some Netflix shows to our phones, too. And my girls love coloring, so we pack a few coloring books/ crayons for them, too.
🛒 Copy our family-friendly packing list:
- Cosatto buggy or similar travel buggy for when their little legs get tired; the streets, though narrow, are fairly buggy-friendly
- Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet
- This car seat travel bag
- The Trunki is very handy for the airport as you can pull them along
- A calm carry device – it really helped my daughter with travel sickness and to sleep at night
- Rock shoes – for the beaches
- Rash vest – to protect little ones from the strong sun
- A beach hat
- Reusable water bottle
Try to choose kid-friendly destinations
When it comes to choosing destinations and activities, aim for kid-friendly options. While you might be itching to explore a scenic hiking trail or spend hours in an art museum, consider balancing those desires with activities that cater to your children’s interests and energy levels.
Many cities have many amazing family-friendly attractions like interactive museums, zoos, and parks. Research ahead of time to find places where both parents and kids can have fun. Also, don’t underestimate the joy of a simple beach day or an afternoon at a local playground. These activities often gave us our most relaxed and happiest travel moments.
Some places we’ve visited that we’ve found to be particularly kid-friendly include:
- Lake Garda – Gardaland, Movieland and Parco Natura Viva are my must-visits if you’re traveling with kids in this part of Italy.
- Malaga – our girls loved the Alcazaba and the Interactive Music Museum and the Butterfly Park in Benalmadena.
- Madeira – my daughters loved Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, the Whaling Museum & the colorful houses in Santana.
- Mallorca – we loved Drach Caves, Katmandu Park and the town of Soller here.
- Costa Brava, Spain – we loved the Marineland water park and the glass-bottom boat tour in Tossa de Mar.
- Malta – we loved Popeye’s Village, the Saluting Battery in Valletta, and the Malta Aquarium.
- Lanzarote – Lanzarote Aquarium, Rancho Texas Theme Park, and the Aquapark in Costa Teguise are some excellent things to do with kids here.
- London – Be sure to check out The Natural History Museum, The London Transport Museum, and take a day tour to Harry Potter Studios.
- Cork, Ireland – Fota Wildlife Park, Cork City Gaol, and the Shandon Bells are some of our favorite things to do here.
- Sydney – Taronga Zoo, the SeaLife Aquarium, and go on a day trip to the Blue Mountains if you’re visiting with kids.
- San Francisco – The Aquarium of the Bay, the San Francisco Zoo, the Exploratorium, and Alcatraz are my favorite kid-friendly activities here.
- Seattle – We loved checking out Chihuly Gardens & Glass, Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks store, and going on a whale-watching cruise.
- Orlando – Of course, Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are two of the top things to do here for families.
Pick kid-friendly hotels/ Airbnbs
Traveling with kids also requires you to shift your perspective regarding accommodations. Gone are the days of small, romantic hotel rooms. Instead, look for family-friendly accommodations that offer extra space and amenities like kitchenettes, laundry facilities, and pools.
Many hotels in Europe offer kids’ clubs, too, which are a great way to keep the kids entertained for a few hours and out of the sun, and give you a bit of a breather.
Renting a villa or apartment can be a great choice, too, offering your family the space to spread out and the convenience of a home-like setting.
Involve them in planning the vacation
One of the best ways to ensure a smoother family travel experience is to involve your kids in the planning process. Depending on their age, let them choose a few activities or destinations that they’re excited about. This not only gives them a sense of ownership and excitement about the trip but also helps manage potential disappointments.
When we’re deciding where to go, we show our girls some YouTube videos of the place and hotel and let them voice their opinions. It’s always interesting to hear their thoughts even though they are only 4 and 5.
A child who’s involved in the planning is more likely to be enthusiastic and adaptable when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Be realistic 🙂
Finally, maintain a realistic outlook on your travel goals. While it’s natural to want to see and do as much as possible, remember that the pace of travel with kids is different.
Set achievable goals for each day and relish the small victories – whether it’s successfully navigating a new city with a stroller or simply enjoying an uninterrupted family meal.
Don’t measure your trip’s success by the number of attractions visited, but by the quality of the experiences and the memories created with your family.
Thanks for reading!
From our experience, traveling with kids is an adventure that requires patience, flexibility, and a good sense of humor. By managing your expectations and embracing the unpredictability that comes with traveling with children, you’ll open yourself up to discovering incredible destinations through the eyes of your children.
Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by snaphappytravel