Cover Photo Credit: Ashley Wegh Photography
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As the holiday season approaches, families everywhere are preparing to pack their bags and hit the road to visit loved ones. But for many parents, the thought of traveling with kids—especially during holidays—can be overwhelming.
Hannah, a busy mom of two young boys, has plenty of experience traveling with younger children. This last summer, their family went on a 30-hour road trip! She shares her experience and tips on how to make holiday travel not only manageable but memorable.
The Joy of Traveling with Kids
For Hannah and Travis, the holidays usually mean traveling. “One of the ways we got our boys to be good-natured travelers was simply by doing it frequently. Just like anything else, practice helps,” Hannah shares. In today’s world, it’s easy to always be entertained. Hannah knows that learning how to handle being bored is an important skill for her boys to learn.”
Plus, “If you want to travel with kids, you have to travel with kids.”
Of course, traveling with little ones isn’t always picturesque. Hannah admits that certain aspects can be tough, such as diaper changes in less-than-ideal spots, finding healthy places to eat, and frequent stops. “While frequent stops can be frustrating, it’s actually a beautiful opportunity to slow down,” Hannah shares. “We drove through Michigan this summer and were so close to our cabin, but could tell the kids were nearing a meltdown. We ended up stopping at a roadside park with the most beautiful beach and seeing our kids’ reactions to Lake Michigan was one of the highlights of our trip!” These unplanned moments are often the most special.
Keeping the Journey Screen-Free
On their recent 30-hour road trip, they managed to travel with no screen time, a feat many parents might find unimaginable. Her secret? A lot of preparation and a lot of snacks! She packs a bag of diverse toys to keep up front, which she slowly passes out during the drive so they always have a new toy to play with. “When I think I’ve packed enough snacks, I double it!” she jokes.
They packed the iPad for their road trip, fully expecting to use it. “We wanted to see how far we could go before offering it to our 4-year-old. We were so glad we put in the extra effort to encourage them to find creative ways to stay busy,” Hannah shares.
Practical Travel Tips for Families
Hannah suggests keeping things simple for parents who are hesitant about traveling with their younger kids. “Set your expectations low,” she advises. “If you expect a loud, restless, and frequently interrupted trip, then the worst thing that happens is your expectations are met. The best thing that can happen is you will be pleasantly surprised!”
One of her go-to strategies is to have a variety of playlists ready for different moods and moments. “We have a playlist of Theo’s favorites, a nursery rhyme playlist for Izzy, and a “calm baby” playlist for when they start to get grumpy and could use something soothing.” Music can make even the longest stretches of highway more bearable.
Above all, Hannah swears by snacks. “Pack ALL the snacks! It is amazing how many emotional hardships kids can get over when offered an interesting snack.”
Finding Joy in the Journey
For Hannah, one of the sweetest perks of traveling with her kids is seeing the world through their eyes. “We travel so much that our four-year-old LOVES gas stations. He thinks they are such a treat. Kids always find joy in the ordinary if we give them the opportunity!”
Hannah’s advice for families hitting the road this holiday season is simple: embrace the adventure, expect a little chaos, and make room for spontaneous moments that turn a trip into a memory.
*Are you looking for more travel tips? Check out our post for top travel tips with toddlers and our road trip essentials!
