Traveling with kids can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be challenging. From organizing and packing everything you need to keeping your kids entertained and comfortable during flights and road trips, there are many factors to consider.
However, with some planning and preparation, you can make your family vacation more enjoyable and stress-free for everyone. In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the top family-friendly travel hacks to help you save space in your luggage, keep your kids entertained on long flights, and make your trip as smooth and less stressful as possible.
Planning
Do your research
Research your destination beforehand and make a list of kid-friendly activities and attractions to visit. It will help you plan your itinerary and make the most of your trip. You may only visit some of the places, but it’s always good to have something to choose from.
Get a travel insurance
Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies. This can give you peace of mind and help you deal with any issues that may arise.
Some credit cards, such as American Express Platinum or Capital One Venture X, offer travel insurance benefits. Using a credit card with travel insurance benefits is a smart way to pay for your travel expenses while providing added protection against flight delays, cancellations, or lost luggage.
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X card offers valuable rewards for travelers, including a 75,000 mile welcome bonus and premium travel benefits. With luxury perks like airport lounge access, statement credits, and anniversary miles bonuses, this metal credit card can elevate your next vacation.
REWARDS RATE
2x-10x
BONUS VALUE
$1,200
SIGN-UP BONUS
75,000 miles
ANNUAL FEE
$395
Make copies of your passports
Make copies of your passports and other important documents, and store them in secure cloud storage. If your documents are lost or stolen while traveling, you can at least access the copies.
Apply for a no foreign transaction fee credit card
Make sure to apply for a no foreign transaction fee credit card before visiting another country. These fees may seem like little, but they can add up quickly. Why pay extra money when you could skip paying those fees altogether?
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great credit card to have in your wallet as it offers excellent benefits such as primary Car Rental insurance as well as waiving foreign transaction fees. You can read our Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card review here.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
You can earn a signup bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards Points when you signup for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card and spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. This bonus alone is worth at least $1,200 in travel rewards when transferred to travel partners such as Hyatt!
REWARDS RATE
1x-5x
BONUS VALUE
$1,200
SIGN-UP BONUS
60,000 points
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Get a debit card that refunds foreign transaction fees and foreign ATM fees
Whenever you’re traveling internationally, in many cases, you need to have cash in local currency. We were happy to discover that if you have a Schwab Checking account, you can withdraw cash from it in ATMs worldwide without any fees. Schwab will refund all ATM and foreign fees; the account is absolutely free without any monthly maintenance fees. A must-have on international trips!
Enroll your family members in mileage programs
Enroll all members of your family in mileage programs (the kids too). If you are a frequent flyer, these miles can later be redeemed for upgrades or free flights, saving you money and making your trip more affordable.
Enroll your family members in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
If you travel a lot internationally, you know that the lines at passport control could be long and slow-moving. If you have several international trips lined up within the next few years and want to save time, you should enroll in Global Entry (which also comes with TSA PreCheck). Read about getting Global Entry with kids here.
Although the enrollment fee is $100 per person, some credit cards, such as American Express Platinum and Capital One Venture X, have a credit to be used towards that fee.
Rent a car
You should consider renting a car at your destination. We think renting a car is the best way to explore new places. It allowed us to visit new cities and countries at our own pace and adapt if necessary, adding or skipping the locations we initially planned to see.
Packing
Pack essentials and medication
Pack essential items like diapers, wipes, and medications. Pack enough of these items to last the entire trip, and consider bringing extra just in case. Also, bring a small first-aid kit (most importantly, with a fever-reducing medicine) in case of minor injuries or illnesses.
Pack layers
We always suggest that you bring layers of clothes with you – including a sweater or a lightweight jacket (foldable in a pouch). The weather is often unpredictable, and it helps to be ready for any outcome, especially when traveling with kids.
Use packing cubes
Use packing cubes to maximize space in your luggage.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are small, zippered bags that help you organize and compress your clothing and other items, allowing you to fit more into your suitcase. We think these cubes are life saviors when it comes to packing. Not only do they save space in a bag, but if you get different sets in different colors as we do, you can designate a specific set for each person in your family and easily know where things are.
Use hanging toiletry bags
Use hanging toiletry bags to keep your toiletries and other small items organized and easily accessible. This can save you time and hassle when packing and unpacking and help you avoid losing or forgetting anything.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Keep your toiletries and small items organized for stress-free packing with handy hanging toiletry bags. Their compartments store everything neatly so you can quickly find what you need when traveling. Hang them in your hotel or tent for easy access. With your items streamlined in these bags, you’ll save time packing and avoid forgotten items.
Bring a hand wash detergent
Hand Wash Detergents
You may not always have access to a washer, but you might need to quickly wash a few things (especially the kid’s clothes). These little hand wash detergents are small, lightweight, and easy to use. Simply pour some water in the sink, open the pouch, put the detergent in, and wash your things.
Take one set of clothes in a carry-on
If you check your luggage and have a carry-on, pack a set of one t-shirt/a pair of socks/underwear for everyone in the carry-on. So if your luggage is delayed (or lost), you will have a change of clothes for everyone.
Bring a small cooler
Small Cooler
Keep snacks fresh for hours with the PackIt Freezable Snack Box. The built-in cooling gel can be frozen overnight and keeps contents cool without ice packs. Fits containers, bottles, fruits, veggies – perfect for lunches, day trips, and on-the-go. Made from nontoxic, lead/BPA-free materials. Foldable rectangular design with handle for easy transport.
Bring a travel stroller
Bring a good travel stroller. A stroller can be a lifesaver when traveling with young kids, but traditional strollers can be bulky and difficult to maneuver in crowded airports and tourist attractions. Instead, get a good travel stroller that is lightweight, compact, and easy to fold and carry.
Get a luggage scale
Luggage Scale
Use a luggage scale to avoid overweight baggage fees. We always check the weight of our suitcases at home before leaving for the airport. This can save you money and hassle at the airport and help you avoid having to leave any items behind.
Things you’ll need on the road
Travel blanket
Travel Blanket
Bring a small travel blanket to make your kids more comfortable on the plane or during long car rides. Not only will it work as a way to keep them warm, but it will also make them cozy and relaxed (just as you wanted).
Toys
Pack a few small toys and games to keep your kids entertained on the plane and during downtime at your destination. We always let our kids pick a few of their favorite toys and books from home. And we get a couple of inexpensive new things, such as sticker books and a small puzzle with us, so they would be excited about something new and stay busy longer.
Electronic devices
Keeping your kids entertained on long flights can be challenging, but having access to electronic devices can make a big difference. We simply download their favorite movies and tv shows into a tablet, set it up on the tray table, sit the kids comfortably, and try to enjoy our flight as much as possible.
Headphones
Bring headphones to watch the movies and listen to music or audiobooks on the plane or during quiet time at the hotel. Having adjustable kid’s headphones is definitely the best way for them to enjoy their tablet time.
Snacks
We can not emphasize this enough – kids need extra snacking! Whether on the plane or at the hotel at your destination, when they wake up at 4 am from jet lag – they’ll need that extra something to boost their energy. So be sure to pack a lot of snacks, such as individually wrapped granola bars, fruit chips, or yogurt pouches.
Power bank
Power Bank
Don’t let a dead phone ruin your trip! Pack a portable power bank to charge devices on-the-go. This compact savior stores backup power to revive your phone anytime, anywhere. Just connect and charge without outlets. Avoid low battery dread with this travel essential!
Wipes, sanitizer
Always bring scent-free wipes and sanitizer. Whether to quickly sanitize any surface or to keep those little hands clean before their snacks (when you don’t have access to a washroom to wash your hands), those wipes and sanitizer can be very convenient.
Purell Hand Sanitizer (Travel Size)
Keep hands refreshed on-the-go with Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer. This gentle, aloe-infused gel formula cleans hands without drying skin. Just a quick dollop banishes germs and microbes. Clip it on your belt or toss in your bag for easy, water-free sanitizing.
Bottom line
In conclusion, traveling with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience but complicated at the same time. Using these family-friendly travel hacks, you can save space in your luggage, keep your kids entertained on long flights, and make your trip as smooth and stress-free as possible.
We are sure your family can have a fantastic vacation with some planning. Whether you are taking a trip to a beach, thinking of a mountain getaway, or a big city adventure, these tips and tricks can help you make the most of your trip and create lasting memories with your kids.
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