Travelling with children can feel like a military operation. There are bags to pack, snacks to remember and, somehow, a favourite toy that absolutely has to come along too.
Whether you're travelling with a baby for the first time, tackling a long car journey with a toddler or heading to the airport with the whole family, a little preparation can make the journey much easier.
Here are our practical tips for travelling with babies and young children – and making getting there feel a little less stressful.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need
Everything takes a little longer with children. Getting out of the house, stopping for the toilet, changing a nappy, getting through airport security – even buying a coffee can become an event.
Building extra time into your journey means that an unexpected stop or last-minute nappy change doesn't immediately put you behind schedule.
If you're flying, allow plenty of time at the airport. If you're driving, don't plan your journey around the absolute fastest arrival time. A bit of breathing room can make the whole experience feel much more relaxed.
Pack a Separate Bag for the Journey
One of the easiest ways to make travelling with children less stressful is to keep everything you'll need during the journey separate from your main luggage.
Depending on your child's age, your travel bag could include:
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Nappies, wipes and changing essentials
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A change of clothes – and possibly a spare top for you
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Drinks and plenty of snacks
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Bibs or muslins
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A favourite comforter or small cuddly toy
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A few books or small toys
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Headphones for older children
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Any medicines your child may need
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Tissues and hand sanitiser
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A reusable bag for wet or dirty clothes
Keep the things you're most likely to need somewhere easy to reach rather than at the bottom of a suitcase.
Don't Underestimate the Power of Snacks
For toddlers and older children in particular, snacks can make a surprisingly big difference to a long journey.
Pack a selection of familiar, easy-to-eat foods and avoid relying entirely on service stations, airports or what might be available on the train.
Small portions also give you something to bring out at different stages of the journey rather than handing over everything in the first ten minutes!
Remember to take plenty of water too, particularly when travelling in warm weather.
Choose Travel Toys Carefully
You don't need to pack an entire toy box to keep children entertained.
A few carefully chosen activities that don't take up much room are usually more useful. Sticker books, colouring, magnetic drawing boards, small figures, card games and favourite books can all work well depending on your child's age.
For older children, an audiobook, film or game can help break up a long journey.
It can also be worth keeping one activity hidden away until later. A toy or book they haven't seen yet can buy you some valuable entertainment time when everyone is starting to get restless.
Travelling by Car with Children
Long car journeys can be particularly difficult for young children because they have very little freedom to move around.
Plan regular stops so everyone has a chance to get out of the car, use the toilet and stretch their legs. If you have a toddler, finding somewhere they can safely have a little run around can make getting back into the car much easier.
Try to have everything you need for the journey within reach, rather than packed in the boot.
And if you're travelling during warmer weather, remember that the temperature inside a car can change quickly. Dress children appropriately and check that they're comfortable throughout the journey.
Flying with Babies and Toddlers
Airports can be exciting for children, but they're also busy, noisy and involve a lot of waiting.
Tell older toddlers and children what will happen before you arrive. Explain that you'll need to check in, go through security, wait for the plane and then find your seats. Knowing what comes next can make an unfamiliar experience feel more manageable.
Keep essential items in your hand luggage and check your airline's rules for travelling with pushchairs, car seats, baby milk and other baby equipment before you leave home.
During take-off and landing, swallowing can help with changes in cabin pressure. Feeding a baby or offering an age-appropriate drink can encourage this naturally.
And don't feel that you need to keep children perfectly quiet for the entire flight. Travelling is a big experience for them too.
Travelling by Train with Children
One big advantage of travelling by train is being able to move around more freely than you can in a car.
If possible, reserve seats in advance so you know everyone can sit together. A table seat can be particularly useful for snacks, colouring and games.
Keep your main travel bag somewhere accessible and, if you're taking a pushchair, check what storage is available on your particular service.
For longer journeys, breaking the trip into smaller sections can help children understand how much longer is left: perhaps a snack after the first stop, a story later and a game for the final part of the journey.
Keep Some Familiarity from Home
Travelling involves lots of unfamiliar sights, sounds and experiences, particularly for babies and toddlers.
A few familiar things can therefore be reassuring. Their usual cuddly toy, comforter or favourite book can provide a little piece of home while you're on the move.
If you're travelling around your child's usual sleep time, familiar sleepwear can also help maintain some of their normal bedtime cues once you've reached your destination.
Be Prepared for Travel Sickness
If your child is prone to travel sickness, keep wipes, spare clothes and a suitable bag somewhere you can grab them quickly.
For car journeys, looking ahead rather than down at books or screens may help some children. Fresh air and regular breaks can also make travelling more comfortable.
If travel sickness is a regular problem or you're considering medication, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional about what's appropriate for your child's age.
Accept That the Journey Might Not Go to Plan
You can have the perfectly packed travel bag, leave the house early and carefully plan every stop – and your toddler can still decide they've had enough halfway there.
That's family travel.
Try not to pack too much into the journey itself and be prepared to change plans when you need to. Sometimes an extra stop, a walk around the airport or abandoning the planned activity is the easiest option.
Getting from A to B with children doesn't have to look perfect to be successful.
Ready for Your Family Adventure?
Travelling with children gets easier with experience. You learn which snacks disappear first, which toys actually keep them entertained and exactly how many spare outfits you really need.
Give yourself plenty of time, keep the essentials close to hand and try to enjoy the journey as part of the adventure.
And once you've arrived, you can concentrate on the important bit – enjoying your time together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make travelling with children less stressful?
Allow extra time, keep essentials easily accessible and avoid over-planning the journey. Snacks, drinks, simple entertainment and familiar comfort items can also make travelling easier for young children.
What should I pack when travelling with a toddler?
Keep a separate travel bag with nappies or toileting essentials, wipes, spare clothes, snacks, drinks, a comforter and a few small activities. What you need will depend on the length of your journey and how you're travelling.
How do you entertain a toddler on a long journey?
Try a mixture of books, stickers, colouring, small toys, songs, audiobooks and age-appropriate screen time. Rather than giving them everything at once, introduce different activities throughout the journey.
How often should you stop on a long car journey with children?
Plan regular breaks and be prepared to stop sooner if your child needs one. Babies and young children shouldn't be expected to remain in the same position for an unnecessarily long period, so factor stops into your overall journey time.
What helps babies when flying?
Keeping your baby comfortable, feeding as needed and having familiar items close by can help. Swallowing during take-off and landing can also help with changes in cabin pressure, so feeding or offering an age-appropriate drink may be useful.
