Traveling With Tots

Summer is in full swing and you may find yourself daydreaming about a vacation, yet the thought of packing up the kids for travel may stop you in your tracks. Kids love adventure and a change of scenery too, and with a little planning you can have a vacation everyone will enjoy. Here are the top tips for traveling with tots:

• Get Them Involved: Grab a map and let the kids help decide where to go, and point out where it is you’ll be going. Then make a list of things they will need for their ‘adventure’ which not only makes packing much easier for you, it will also teach them responsibility. The more kids are involved, the deeper the memory.
• Research Rooms: When booking a hotel, do your due diligence to make sure it is kid friendly. If traveling out of the country, it would be best to contact the hotel directly because many of the older hotels have small rooms, are not kid friendly, or have bathrooms down the hall.

• Pack Smart: Packing light can be tricky when it comes to packing for a whole family. To bring fewer clothes, see if there is a washer/dryer available where you are staying (or a close laundry mat) and bring single use packets of laundry detergent so you can wash some clothes in the sink if needed. If you are traveling with a baby, spread her things over multiple bags so if a bag gets lost, it won’t be the one with all the items you need for your infant.
• Bring Snacks: We are all about smart snacking, and having non-perishable items can be a life-saver if you’re stuck in traffic or have a delayed flight. Try some trail mix, fruit leathers, single servings of nut butter or applesauce and of course- some Mum Mums.
• Under Schedule: While it’s good to have a general idea of what you’d like to do when you get to your destination, over-scheduling activities or events can create stress instead of relieving it. As any parent knows, kids’ moods change often so keep thing loose and light while on vacation.
• Enjoy: It seems obvious, but make it a point to enjoy yourself and the quality time with your family. Life is never perfect, and kids will be kids so don’t sweat the small stuff like a rainy day or a missed dinner reservation as those can often be golden opportunities for unexpected fun.