travel hacks for families

✈️ Traveling with Kids: Real-Life Tips That Actually Make Family Trips Easier

/ jennifersheeman / Leave a comment
Family with kids standing in subway station during travel day
Real-life travel with kids—learning as we go and making memories along the way.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you.

Traveling with kids, especially on bigger trips like our New York City itinerary or San Diego family guide isn’t always easy—but it also doesn’t have to be stressful.

After multiple trips with three kids (including busy airports, long drives, and “we forgot that?!” moments), we’ve found what actually works—and what definitely doesn’t.

These are the real-life tips that have helped us travel smoother, pack smarter, and actually enjoy the experience as a family.

Family sitting together on public transportation during travel
Some of our favorite travel moments happen in between the destinations.

🎒 1. Pack Smarter (Not More)

Overpacking is one of the fastest ways to make travel harder.

Instead of packing for every “what if,” focus on mix-and-match outfits, layers, and essentials.

✔ Choose neutral pieces
✔ Pack items that can be reworn
✔ Keep each child’s items grouped together

Blue hard-shell suitcases and carry-on luggage for organized family travel
Simplicity wins—having the right luggage setup makes travel days so much easier.

👉 FAVORITE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Pro Tip: Use packing cubes to separate each child’s clothes. It makes unpacking faster and saves you from digging through every suitcase to find one missing shirt or pair of pajamas.

🧳 2. Ditch the Big Suitcases

Dragging multiple large suitcases through airports, hotels, and city streets? Not it.

We’ve found that using:

  • Backpack suitcases
  • Carry-ons only (when possible)
  • Vacuum-seal bags

…makes a huge difference.

👉 MUST-HAVE:

🍿 3. Snacks Are Your Secret Weapon

Hungry kids = stressed travel days.

We always pack:

  • Easy, non-messy snacks
  • A few “fun” treats
  • Refillable water bottles

This saves money and avoids last-minute meltdowns.

Pro Tip: Pack one “surprise snack” per child. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference during delays or long travel days.

🎧 4. Keep Kids Entertained (Without Screens 24/7)

Screens are helpful—but they don’t have to be the only option.

Bring:

  • Small travel games
  • Card games
  • Coloring kits
  • Downloaded shows for backup
kids coloring pages and crayons used as travel entertainment for children
Simple activities like coloring and small games go a long way on travel days.

👉 FAVORITES:

Pro Tip: Rotate activities instead of giving everything at once. New = exciting, even if it’s something they’ve already played with before.

✈️ 5. Make the Airport Part of the Adventure

Instead of rushing and stressing, we treat airports like part of the trip.

✔ Let kids help navigate
✔ Grab a fun snack or treat
✔ Build in extra time so no one feels rushed

🗺️ 6. Keep Your First Day Simple

The biggest mistake? Overplanning your arrival day.

After travel, everyone is tired—even if they don’t show it right away.

✔ Plan one simple activity
✔ Get settled
✔ Let kids decompress

Pro Tip: If possible, book a hotel in a walkable area with breakfast and a pool. That combination makes family travel so much easier.

🏨 7. Choose Hotels That Work for Families

Where you stay can make or break your trip.

We always look for:

  • Central location
  • Free breakfast (huge win)
  • Pool (game changer for kids)

👉 FIND FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS:

❤️ 8. Expect Imperfection (And Roll With It)

Something will go wrong.

A delay. A meltdown. A missed plan.

And that’s okay.

The best trips aren’t perfect—they’re the ones you laugh about later.

✨ FINAL THOUGHT

Traveling with kids isn’t about having everything perfectly planned.

It’s about creating moments, exploring together, and making memories along the way.

And once you figure out what works for your family… it gets easier every time.

✈️ Don’t Miss These Family Travel Guides

Planning your next trip? Start with one of our most popular family travel guides below—full itineraries, tips, and everything we learned along the way.