Traveling with kids is one of the best ways to make lasting family memories, but it can be unpredictable. Whether you’re hitting the road, catching a flight, or heading out to sea, the key to traveling with kids is preparation and patience.
To help you prep, we have a printable vacation checklist for parents traveling with kids. Plus, we’ve sorted our travel tips by age and vacation type to make planning even easier.
💗 Traveling with Kids Under 2: Tiny Travelers, Big Feelings
Stick to their rhythm. Try to keep naps and meals close to their usual schedule. If they normally nap in a bed, try to get back to the room at nap time. If they fall asleep in the stroller, make sure they’re comfortable in the travel stroller. Lastly, bring their favorite blanket, their Lullababy doll, or a sound machine if that’s what they depend on to fall asleep at home.
Pack light, but smart. Bring a lightweight stroller and a few soft toys like the LullaBaby plush bath dolls. Clean out your diaper bag and remove all the forgotten stuff at the bottom. Then you can pack their favorite dolls and toys on top of the diapers, wipes, and spare clothes or swimsuits for easy access.
Make time for snuggles. New places can feel overwhelming. Holding their favorite baby doll provides comfort on the go and gives them courage to try new things.
💛 Traveling with Kids Under 5: Curious, Wiggly, and Ready to Explore
Bring tiny surprises. One new treat per travel day goes a long way. Think: a mini coloring book, a sticker set, a bubble wand, or a new outfit for their LullaBaby doll. Small daily treats keep them focused on screen-free play they can do independently.
Prep them for what’s coming. Talk through what the travel day will look like. The best way to prepare a child for a big day of travel is by breaking down all the steps. Roleplay with their doll. Pretend to “go through security” or “board the airplane” together, talk about patience, staying close to mommy and daddy, and using their indoor voice.
Encourage imagination. LullaBaby dolls are great travel buddies and bedtime helpers. Use play to keep your little ones as busy and calm as possible during all the big moments of the trip.
🧡 Traveling with Kids 6 and Up: Big Kids with Big Ideas
Let them help pack. Older kids love independence. Give them a check list of books, snacks, and small toys to pack and turn packing into a game.
Give them choices. Give them just enough options so they feel like they picked everything themselves. Ask, “do you want your plush bath doll or your LullaBaby doll with the pink dress?” and not “Which doll do you want to bring,” to prevent them from getting overwhelmed.= while giving them the control they crave.
Keep boredom at bay. Great screen-free options for older children include card games, drawing pads, or a journal. They can pass the time in a peaceful way without relying on phones or mom or dad to keep them entertained.
🚗 Road Trip Tips
Break it up. Plan your stops in advance and schedule lots of time to stretch and move. For some kids, a longer stop can be more beneficial than several shorter ones, or vice versa. You’ll know your child’s car habits, so structure your trip around that.
Car-friendly kits. Pack a small bin or packback with books, travel games, and soft toys like LullaBaby dolls, perfect for nap time in their car seat or booster. Make sure to avoid anything with lots of small parts that can fall and frustrate little ones.
Snack smart. Bring plenty of easy-to-eat snacks in spill-proof containers, and lots of water. Avoid foods that can spill, like yougurts, or snacks that with fill your backseat with crumbs. Opt for sliced fruit, gummies, apple sauce poaches, muffins, cheese strings, or anything else your kids will love.
✈️ Airplane Tips
Layer up. Planes can get chilly, so dress your children in layers and pack an extra outfit in an easily accessible carry on in case of spills or accidents.
Takeoff tricks. Have a bottle, pacifier, or chewy snack ready to help with ear popping, or if possible, breastfeed your baby at take off and landing. For older kids, make sure to hold their hand if they need.
Keep them entertained. Much like on a roadtrip, you can bring a bag of travel-friendly toys and dolls to keep them company on the plane. For older kids, bring compatible headphones so they can watch a movie and an eye mask so they can sleep if it’s a red eye flight.
🚢 Cruise Tips
Don’t over-plan. Excursions sound exciting but might be too much for little ones. Strict schedules and early departures don’t often mix with young kids. Instead of a museum tour, opt for a simple day floating in the pool or play in the sand. Choose one low-key activity a day, like a beach visit or a walk around the shops.
Mealtime magic. Cruises don’t have reliable wifi, so setting a screen in front of your child to keep them seated at a restaurant won’t work. Pack a different quiet toy to keep kids calm. A small surprise, like coloring books or stickers could work for independant play. You can even bring their LullaBaby doll to the table with the attachable table seat to help keep them close.
Nap-friendly spaces. Check if your cabin has blackout curtains or bring a travel shade to help with daytime naps. If you’re off the ship, make sure your stroller is comfortable for naps. Or prepare a shaded snuggly place for your child to sleep at the beach.
🏖️ All-Inclusive Resort Tips
Scope out the kid-friendly perks. All inclusive resorts have loads of activities and games for kids, including animations and shows. Check the daily schedule, explore the resort, and find the best spots. Maximize toddler pools, water slides, swings, jungle gyms, and snack stations.
Plan downtime. The sun and stimulation can be a lot, and will drain your little one. Even if your child is moving out of the nap phase, try to schedule daily naps or quiet time in the room. If they’re well rested for dinner, you’re whole night will run smoother. They might even want to participate in the kid’s shows.
Evenings are for winding down. Bring bedtime stories, cozy pajamas, and their favorite LullaBaby doll to help them have sweet dreams at the hotel. Try to replicate their home routine in the hotel to make them comfortable. Be open to disrupted nights and early morning snuggles as your child adjusts to the new environment.
Wherever you’re traveling with kids, LullaBaby can help bring comfort, calm, and creativity along the way. So print out your vacation checklist and let’s get packing and make some fun family memories.