Roadtrippin’ or Airportin’?
With Thanksgiving around the corner and many people traveling near and far to visit loved ones, it got us thinking, there really is no “right” way to travel with kids; However, there are definitely practices you can put in place to reduce stress and make it an easier experience for all!
We took a poll on Instagram and it looks like 30% of you are roadtrippin’ for the holidays.
Although traveling with kids certainly isn’t a “one size fits all” method, we sat down with the queen of traveling with kids, Shawn herself, to jot down her do’s and don’ts! Read below!
What toys are best to give kids on long trips?
“My kids are four and two and a half so this may not work for every age but I always recommend keeping kids busy with activity books. We do a lot of sticker books, coloring books, drawing pads with markers, etc. and it keeps them busy and engaged for a longer period of time than standard toys.”
What is your secret to keeping toddlers quiet on a plane?
“Honestly, everything is free game on a plane and sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. We sometimes play really engaging games and other times it’s headphones with movies playing. My kids also love playing with drawing apps on their iPad. We don’t give them a lot of iPad time the week leading up to the trip so they look forward to using them even more on the flight.”
What are your top travel snacks?
“We like to pack KIND Bars, Annie’s brand cheddar bunnies and anything that’s easy to clean up. A pro tip we discovered is to stop by Starbucks before you hit the road or board the plane because they have the best options for healthy kid snacks. They have string cheese, veggies with hummus, smoothie pouches and hard boiled eggs which are all great healthy snacks with a punch of protein.”
How do you handle judgment if your kids are loud on a flight?
“They're kids! They're supposed to be loud at times! Everyone has been a child at one point so they should all remember what it’s like.. It’s also important to remember that an airplane is public transportation and I think some passengers forget that part. Give yourself grace, all you can do is your best and you will get to your destination eventually and never see those passengers again!”
For long car rides, how do you keep kids on a nap schedule?
“My travel motto for the kids is to forfeit the nap schedule and protect bedtime! I always try to choose travel itineraries that allow us to get to our destination in time for dinner and bedtime that falls within an hour range of their normal time. This keeps things consistent for them and allows for a good night of sleep.”
Any other tips to keep them entertained for long periods of time?
“Travel is messy but the longer you wait to travel with your kids I personally think the harder it gets! It’s like ripping off a bandaid, you just have to try it. Your kids will get used to it and they need repetition with it just like everyone else does. Don't think because your kids are older it will be easier, that’s not always true and your kids may surprise you! Regardless of how the travel goes, it’s always worth it to see your loved ones for the holidays and even on the most stressful travel days, we’ve never regretted making a trip as a family!”
Roadtrippin’ with the Easts!
In case you missed it, check out Shawn and Andrew’s first time taking both of their little ones on a road trip earlier this year!
And click here to watch their most recent 3-day road trip to the Midwest!
