Travelling is one of my favourite things to do. We were lucky enough to visit a few far flung places before having Little H which we’re very grateful for because travelling with kids is an entirely different experience!
Just going on just a short car journey can test your patience to the limit if the kids are grumpy/tired/bored, so going on a plane definitely needs some preparation.
All parents know that a happy child = happy parents, so here are some tips on how to keep kids happy when travelling. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter my competition to win a Trunki travel pillow with holiday booking website Holiday Gems.
During The Car Journey
You don’t need stress before the holiday has even started so it’s a good idea to make sure the kids are happy in the car on the way to your destination.
Pack a lunchbox that the kids can easily reach if they need anything, this will avoid the inevitable “I’m hungry” whines from the back. If you’re on a long journey plan pit stops so they can stretch their legs and go to the loo without any motorway emergencies.
We also pack a bag just for the car full of toys, books and colouring to keep ours entertained. We also have the best invention ever – a dvd in the back of the car. You can easily go for the length of a film without hearing a peep from the backseat!
At The Airport
Once you’re through passport control there’s usually a bit of a wait at the airport which can be really boring for kids. Whenever we fly we pack a Trunki full of toys and snacks which comes in very handy. A few travel games are ideal, or you could let them buy a new book in one of the airport shops.
It’s also worth checking what’s available at the airport, we found a small soft play area at Gatwick – especially a good idea if you want to wear them out before the flight!
On The Plane
Flying with kids is stressful. As soon as you start queuing at the gate you know your fellow childfree passengers are hoping they don’t get stuck next to you.
Unhappy kids are not fun to travel with. This is where the Trunki full of toys mentioned above comes in handy! We also load the tablet full of games and videos, this is the one time where there’s no limit on screen time.
If you can get the kids to sleep on the plane then you’re winning. I’d recommend taking a pillow, blanket and putting them in pyjamas if you’re on a night time flight.
On Holiday
If you can go to a hotel with kids entertainment do it! We’ve been self-catering and to family hotels, and as much as we like to be in a villa on our own, a hotel with a kids’ club is a godsend. If the kids can make friends then they’re happy and you’ll get some peace.
Check out the local area before you go away to find out what family friendly excursions there are near your hotel. Kids probably aren’t going to be happy spending a lot of time sightseeing, but throw in a zoo or waterpark and you’ll have some happy little people.
A nap in the afternoon might not be easy, but if possible is a good idea for all ages to avoid tired kids having meltdowns when you’re out later than usual of an evening.
Hopefully, these tips should help to keep kids happy when travelling. What would your top tips be for any parents planning to travel with children?
The lovely people at Holiday Gems have supplied a fantastic Trunki Travel Pillow for me to giveaway to one lucky reader. This will definitely help to keep your child comfortable when travelling. Enter below…
Good luck!
Mummy in a Tutu
That pillow looks ace! Going to show my sister this as it’s ideal for her little girl!
I wouldn’t dare travel without the iPad. Technology has saved us from going completely bonkers when travelling with a young child, although to be fair, our daughter also likes being busy doodling on her sketchpad or even just colouring 🙂 That’s a cute pillow btw.
Their Trunki case!
Books, toys and games.
Oh I so wish we’d had these when we drove the 6 hour drive down south with all four kids!! They might have stopped them whining quite so much!
their ipad
Colouring books
Tissues! Can’t leave home without them!
my must have travel item is a pack of wet wipes !
Their iPads fully loaded with games & a film, absolute godsend for delays and bored children
We were just given a Trunki and can’t wait to use it it’s going to make flying seem like a lot less of a hassle that’s for sure!
Pens, pencils and lots of paper are travel essentials for kids.
dvd player , they love watching dvd’s wjile traveling
Definitely a tablet with lots of fun apps for distraction purposes
Ipad keeps them entertained
my nephew must have his blanket he wont leave the house without it
Toy car, books, snacks and wet wipes
Thank fully doll and teddy bear,
Definitely wet wipes Haha!
We went to Tenerife with 2 yr old & were dreading the flight! All was fine in the end as we took plenty of entertainment! Love the pillow ? x
Baby wipes…. they clean up most disasters!
lots of snacks
we’re trying to decide if to do a self catering villa or hotel for our next holiday…great tips, thanks!
Crisps,fizzy drink and watching a DVD
Snacks 🙂
toys
Loads of snacks!
Snacks, ipad, colouring pens and books!
A tablet, to keep them distracted
We are taking our little two on a plane for the first time in April and we are planning on taking trunkis full of activities and ipads. xx
their tablets
Besides his cuddly Penguin – that has to go with him everywhere…I wouldn’t be without his sunhat, sunnies and wipes ?
My sister nailed this on my nieces first holiday this year. She spent about a fiver on cheap as chips toys so she had a surprise every 15 minutes and was an angel there and back!
An iPad and baby wipes!
Wet wipes! I couldn’t live without them lol
thanks for the chance
xx
Tablet, snacks and toys
An activity book.
We have a travel game called Shut That Box which we love
Is it sad that I kind of want the Trunki Travel pillow myself? I know I am an adult but its just so darn colourful and cute x
My kids would love this travel pillow. So cute. The tablets help when we are on the move.
My niece has to have Charlie Bear.
My children’s must have travel item is travel sickness tablets; from experience, I wouldn’t travel any distance without them. I’ve tried before and dealt with the consequences.
Books to read
Favourite Dolly called baby!
The pillow sounds great and some great travelling tips too.
My cabin sized foldable buggy, much better than having to check it in at the desk!
Headphones, the ones that the airlines give that goes in the childrens ears, just don’t fit, we have now purchased our own and the children are much happier bunnies when on a flight!
A games compodium!!
What’s your must have kids’ travel item? . . . . anti sickness bands
Colouring books & pens
Mini travel games …..
Activity books x
their tablets
his book.
Baby wipes
A pillow
My daughters tablet loaded with her favorite tv programmes and films
Wipes and tablet charger!!!
travel games 🙂
We put a film on my son’s Ipad for him to watch to pass time away and some new games
Must have travel item has got to be wipes! Especially with my messy little boy!
Trunki case
Wet wipes. useful for all the family
What a fab idea, I think it is important to get as comfortable as possible when travelling so this is perfect. The design is also pleasing on the eye X #KCACOLS
A colouring book and pencils are my favourite way to keep the children quiet on long journeys.
iPad and toys
Portal iPad or DVD device just to keep her entertained
iPads and lots of snacks x
Snacks and colouring books and pencils!
tablet, with lots of games on it
A collection of CD of songs and rhymes to sing along with.
Teddy bear
We used to give our kids some new toy to keep them busy on the plane and I think they started to look forward to that “treat” #KCACOLS
colouring books and pencils x
Snacks
Kelly Ellen Hirst
We’ve not tried flying with kids yet, but often travel up and down motorway visiting family. A new comic keeps our children entertained for ages 🙂
Plastic bags for mishaps…….. and wet wipes!!
there tablet
Their ipad for definate! #KCACOLS
Their iPads are the most helpful items when travelling.
A kidizoom camera!
The best food we aked for travelling was a big box of cheerios lol not messy and everyone happily eats them! Puzzle books are our must have.
Thanks so much for linking up with #kcacols. we hope you can join us next time.
books to read on the journey
Books, toys and games.
I want an adult one!
Baby wipes x
Drinks and snacks, especially grapes
Their ipads, also some sticker books
Wet wipes and an I-Spy Book
iPad and sticker books. Oh and snacks!
Their ipad filled with new content
A 12v car kettle for warm drinks or a warm wash with a pop up bowl.
Having plenty of water , baby wipes and a plastic bag !
IPad
ipad please
Snacks and kindle
non spill juice bottles for them
My little boy has to travel with his favorite teddy xxx
some toy cars
Snacks! Lots and lots of snacks and a good singing voice!
Transformers (ideally a new one for a long trip) and Lego
Travel Aquadoodle is our travel essential – colouring but without any risk of leaky pens!
Ipad for my son and snuggly blanket for my daughter!!
My daughters always take a book, maybe a piece of homework to get it out of the way and a blanket.
Activity books and pencils
Sticker books ?
Can I say a gag?? A bag of little treats as rewards for good behaviour seems to work more often than not.
Blanket and snacks x x x
A colouring book and pencils
his pad with cbeebies on it!
Book tomread and snacks
an iPad
Travel goodies (munchies, drinks, sweets). It never seems as fun and special without them ?
Their blankets ?
colouring books and crayons and mini travel games
Their DS’s and sweeties ?
snacks and books
My phone.
Reading books & colouring books…..plus a few snacks like fruit
portable dvd player
wet wipes
Baby wipes! The mess my daughter makes everywhere she goes!
baby wipes and snacks x
I swear by the Usborne travel card packs. They are wipe clean with a pen and have loads of different games and activities for the kids. Keeps them amused for hours. Best money I’ve ever spent.
favourite teddy, Ipad and baby wipes
The iPads and phones.
Lots of books, luckily both my kids love books
books, portable dvd player, music for singing
Books. Our 2 year old little boy loves to ‘read’ picture books and recite his favourite stories.
Their favourite toys ( within reason )
Has to be the DVD player, but hide and seek still is the best x
Wet wipes
The iPad has been like a personal babysitter for me, it kept my son content for hours before he fell asleep and I could enjoy my magazine and glass of wine in peace 🙂
Notepad and pencil so we can invent our own little games to play!
Baby wipes and books
My girl adores her pink Trunki and always packs it for a long journey.. we mustn’t forget her soft toy rabbit called Budge <3
Currently our must have travel items for car journeys with our 2 year old granddaughter are a change of clothes and wet wipes. Food and drink always seem to be messier in the car, not to mention potty training mishaps.
travel pad and pencil(hangman,noughts and crosses,loads of games in one)
A ride along trunki – we don’t go anywhere without ours now!
We took snacks. Lots of fruit and fig rolls and toast.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.