If you’re planning a trip with little ones in tow, you know it’s about more than just seeing new sights — it’s a heavily thought-out and planned excursion that involves logistics and a little bit of patience. 

Whether you’re embarking on a long-awaited holiday, visiting family, or just getting out and seeing the world, travelling with kids isn’t the easiest thing to do. But have no fear! With the right preparation, the challenges can be smoothly navigated to ensure it’s a memorable and stress-free adventure for the whole family.

Why is it important to be prepared when travelling with children?

From temper tantrums to scheduled nap times, we all know that travelling with kids brings its own set of unique challenges. And being prepared is key to ensuring the journey is enjoyable for everyone involved! Think of it like packing a bag of tricks. When you’re prepared, you can smoothly navigate unexpected delays, changes in plans and any little emergencies that often pop up when you’re with kids. 

Whether it’s making sure that their favourite snacks are packed or they’ve got their most-loved teddy bear in hand, making sure kids are happy and satisfied can make the travelling process that little bit easier!

What challenges can you face when travelling with children?

We all know that it’s not exactly smooth sailing when you’ve got kids in tow, but here are some of the most common challenges you can face:

• Keeping them entertained — Long journeys can often lead to boredom for children, especially if they don’t have anything to keep them entertained. It’s important to have a wide variety of activities available for them, think: games, toys, books and even child-friendly tablets! This makes the journey more pleasant not only for them but also for you.
  
  
• Managing routine disruption — We all know how challenging it can be to get your little one to settle into a routine, and travel can disrupt daily routines, which can be unsettling for children. They might find it hard to sleep, eat or play at different times than they’re used to, which can really throw them off. If possible, try to maintain some semblance of their usual routine — such as keeping to their nap schedule — whilst still being flexible.
  
  
• Dealing with unpredictable moods — When children are out of their comfort zone, they can get a little irritable, especially when they’re hungry or tired. Being prepared to handle these mood swings with patience, understanding, and empathy is crucial, and having their favourite comfort toy or snack can be a real lifesaver!
  
  
• Limited mobility — Travelling with children often means moving at a slower pace and planning for frequent stops. Whether it’s bathroom breaks, feeding, or just stretching their little legs, it’s important to factor extra time into your travel plans.
  
  
• Packing and managing luggage — Packing for children involves much more than clothing. You’ll need to consider all of their necessities, from nappies to baby wipes to toys and first-aid kits. Efficient packing and organising can help manage the additional luggage, and remember to pack spare clothes and underwear for any possible accidents!

How can you make travelling with children less stressful?

Travelling with kids can be a bit of a juggling act, but with some thorough planning and strategies, you can make the journey enjoyable for everyone.

The best thing you can do is plan – in fact, good planning is the secret to a smooth journey. Look for child-friendly destinations — including pram-friendly areas — accommodations with family amenities, and check that the travel schedule aligns with your children's routines. If it helps, start with small journeys first — maybe a couple of hours' drive or a quick flight — and gradually build up to long-haul flights or destinations further away.

8 Must-haves when travelling with children

If there’s one way to keep your kids occupied when travelling, it’s with these eight must-have essentials:

1. Entertainment options — Kids can get bored quickly, so making sure that they’re properly entertained during a long car ride, train journey, or plane ride is crucial. Portable devices like tablets pre-loaded with their favourite shows, movies or games can be a lifesaver, especially during long trips. Don’t forget to download the content in advance, just in case you don’t have access to Wi-Fi.
   
   
2. Headphones — Going hand-in-hand with portable devices, child-friendly headphones are a must for electronic devices. They ensure that while your little one can listen to their shows or music, they won’t disturb other travellers. Look for headphones that are comfortable and have volume-limiting features for safe listening.
   
   
3. Travel pillow — Comfort is key, especially if your little one needs to take a nap on the go. That’s where our Trtl Pillow Junior comes in. With a flexible ergonomic design that has a quick fit and release action, it’s even easier to put on and take off. Plus, it’s co-designed with kids, for kids and gives world-leading neck support.
   
   
4. Snacks — Healthy, mess-free snacks are important to keep hunger at bay and to avoid any crankiness. Options like fruit bars, crackers, dry fruits and vegetable crisps are both nutritious and easy to seal and carry while you’re on your journey.
   
   
5. Hand luggage ride-on or backpack — For little ones whose legs may get tired, a hand luggage ride-on can make moving through airports fun and less tiring — plus, they’re great seats when you’re waiting to check-in. For older children, a backpack with their essentials gives them a sense of responsibility and helps keep their belongings all in one place. 
   
   
6. Activity and sticker books — If you’re looking for another option besides child-friendly tablets, activity and sticker books are great for stimulating young minds. They’re not only fun but also educational!
   
   
7. Puzzles — Compact travel puzzles or travel-sized brain and board games make them the perfect size for little ones. They’re great for keeping kids' minds active and occupied, as well as another form of entertainment for them to try.
   
   
8. Favourite toys — Travelling can be a scary and unfamiliar experience, especially for children. Bringing along a favourite toy or comfort item can help soothe and calm children as well as give that familiarity of home that they might be craving.

How do you properly pack for a holiday with kids?

Packing for and with children sometimes isn’t the easiest of tasks, but a great way to make sure you’re packing all your child's essentials (and extras!) is to use packing pods. 

Our Trtl Packing Pods come in three sizes — small, medium and large — and are designed to fit well in all luggage without the need to cram a square cube into a round bag.

Can children suffer from jet lag, and how can you manage this?

Absolutely, children can experience jet lag just like adults, especially when they’re flying across multiple time zones. Their smaller bodies and development of routines can make them more susceptible to the disruptions caused by changes to their sleep schedule; however, there are ways that you can manage this, including:

• Gradually adjust their schedule before departure — If possible, start adjusting your child's sleep schedule a few days before you’re due to fly. Shift their bedtimes and nap times gradually by 15 to 30 minutes each day until you reach the time zone difference. This can help ease the transition upon arrival and hopefully mean they’re already accustomed once you land.
  
  
• Stay hydrated — Encourage your little one to drink plenty of water before, during and after the flight, as dehydration can worsen the symptoms of jet lag. Make sure that you avoid giving them sugary drinks, as this can disrupt their sleeping pattern even more.
  
  
• Be patient and flexible — It’s important that you’re patient with your children as they adjust to this new time zone and new routine — they might be more tired or irritable than usual, but this is to be expected. Being flexible with your plans for the first few days can allow everyone to adjust more comfortably without the pressure of a hectic schedule.

Find out more about jet lag, its symptoms and how you can beat it with our guide.

Travel the right way with Trtl Travel

Travelling with kids can be an interesting experience, to say the least, but the better prepared you are, the smoother the transition will be.

It’s also important that you remain in complete comfort wherever you are, and that’s why our travel pillows will leave you feeling refreshed at your destination, whether it’s a quick trip of a few hours or a long-haul flight.  

To find out more helpful tips and tricks for all things flying, check out our blog page.