Traveling with kids is not easy, I agree. And when it comes to traveling long distances with kids, it seems all the more difficult. Isn’t it? I am sure there are lots of us who have been deferring traveling long distances with kids. Because we dread it. How to keep them engaged? Will kids remain confined in the transport for such a long distance? What if the kid falls sick while traveling? There are numerous questions, possibilities and negative scenarios that start haunting us as soon as we think of traveling long distances with kids. In fact, it takes years for new parents to muster the courage to start traveling with their kids.
So, I decided to put together some tried and tested tips for you on traveling long distances with kids. Through flights, buses, trains and cars. Yes, we have done it all. With the first one, when she was 3 years old, we took this 2 weeks trip to Europe. Using an overnight flight and going to a far off continent with a completely different climate.
And she did fine. With the younger one, we started traveling when she was 6 months old. We have done trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a 2 weeks trip to Thailand with her. But the most epic of all trips was our 3 weeks road trip from Bangalore to Madhya Pradesh!! And she has done well too. After this, we have done several long road trips with her. Driving upto 14-15 hrs at a stretch. And she is doing well.
Well, it’s not that my kids are super easy to travel. In fact there are moments when they get irritated, start that typical sibling fight in the car. Fight for the window seat in the plane. At times, their routine, sleep and food pattern gets disturbed. Giving up on travel was not even a question. So, to make things as smooth as possible, I slowly learnt a lot of tips and tricks over the years. And without further delay, let us get started with them.
Table of Contents
Time your trip as per your kid’s routine when traveling long distances with kids
Do your kids sleep well through the night in a moving vehicle? In that case an overnight bus or train or even flight might be a good option for you.
Or, in case your kids are used to day naps then you can easily take a 10-12 hrs road trip through the day while they take 1-2 naps.
Along with the naps, when traveling long distance with kids, you can also time your trip in such a way that your meal breaks coincide with your kids meal times.
When we take long road trips, we usually start early in the morning, around 4-5 am. Within 30 mins into the drive, the kids usually fall asleep. And the first few hours of the trip pass in a breeze. We only stop for breakfast when the kids wake up. Which usually happens between 8-9 am. While our elder one sleeps through most of the journey, the younger one takes her second nap around 2 pm, post lunch. And thus, it makes the last leg of the journey once again smooth. Mostly she wakes up when we reach our destination.
We haven’t traveled yet with our younger kid in train. But flights for us work better if it’s a day trip. Because constant announcements and other disturbances in the flight through the night disturb the kids a lot. And they get exhausted through the journey.
Similarly you could time your travel as per your kids routine to make it easy for you when traveling long distance with kids.
Pack enough food and snack for your kid
Hungry kids is the last thing you will want when traveling long distance with kids. As, hungry kids = irritated kids. And irritated kids = lots of sibling fights and crying 🙂
So, I make sure to pack lots of kids friendly snacks and other meals for my kids, especially the younger one. Sometimes they don’t feel like eating full meal at a go, especially when traveling long distances. So, I make sure to offer smaller bites at more frequency. Some of the healthy snacks that I usually carry include dried fruits, fruits, roasted makhanas, biscuits, cheese slices etc. Along with juice packs and curd packs.
For my younger kid I also pack meals for at least the day we start from home. Since she is a fussy eater. And doesn’t like outside food that much. So I usually pack rice which I can offer her with curd, idli, stuffed parathas etc. But things are getting easier with time. As, when traveling in South India, we usually get Idlis and dosas everywhere. And when in North India, parathas. So, overall, we are able to manage well. However, sometimes it so happens, particularly when traveling long distance with kids by road. That we don’t get a proper lunch outlet at the time when the kid is hungry. So, having something packed with me always helps save the day!
Long story short, you should pack such meals that your kid likes the most and will eat without a fuss.
Carry enough water with you when traveling long distances with kids
Sometimes, kids don’t have good appetite on long trips. And some kids even get motion sickness or feel nauseated and hence refrain from eating well. If the kids is only eating light or not eating, it’s very important to up their hydration. And in general also, when traveling long distances with kids, it’s important to keep them properly hydrated. So, you should always carry enough water with you when traveling long distances with kids.
When traveling in our own car, we carry enough water bottles from home. And when traveling by train, bus or flight, we buy some packaged drinking water bottles to carry for the kids. Apart from water, we can also offer the kids tender coconut water, fruit juices, or even plain oral rehydration solutions – particularly when traveling in hot climatic conditions.
And when traveling to cold places, I offer sips of warm water to the kids frequently. It also helps keep them warm from inside and hence protects them from cold.
Take ample breaks when traveling long distances with kids
Being in a hurry is the last thing you should do when traveling long distances with kids. In fact, ample breaks are the key to successfully completing your trip. Even if it may slow you down by an hour or so. We take 2 main meal breaks. And apart from these, we take loo breaks, breaks for snacks or sometimes simply to stretch our legs and step out of the car. This definitely slows us down compared to those who travel without kids. But it does wonders for the kids mood as well as health.
Getting out of the vehicle for just a few mins refreshes them. Particularly if they are feeling nauseated or exhausted.
When in train, there is plenty of room for the kid to roam around. So, there’s no worry. And when traveling in a flight, we usually try to break the journey instead of taking one long flight which is more than 4-5 hrs long.
When taking breaks, pick kid friendly places
Traveling with kids meals always prioritising them. Small thoughtfulness goes a long way in making your trip with kids successful. For instance, when taking breaks or stopping for meals, stop at places where there is something extra to engage the kids. A swing, a small kids play area, a mini zoo, some farm animals etc.
It’s a record that whenever we have stopped at such places for meals on the way, kids have been happier. And meals went down much faster 🙂
Make cosy arrangement for the kid to take their naps
If the kids nap through major part of the journey, there’s nothing like it. But to achieve it, try to make a cosy arrangement for your kids. Carry a throw blanket or a light blanket for them to snuggle in. Also, you can carry a neck pillow for the kid. If the kid is small, it will be good to have them sleep comfortably in their car seat. Also, have a blindfold and earplugs for them, especially when traveling in the flight. These little things can ensure your kids sleep as well as they do in their bed at home.
In fact, even the cloths that the kids wear when traveling long distance helps in adding to their comfort. So, I always try to choose cotton cloths. Full sleeves and full trousers but breezy and light. So that when the kids sleep, they don’t feel cold. And at the same time, they don’t feel too hot as well when wrapped in their blanket or shawl.
Carry the kids favourite toy with you when traveling long distances with kids
Aashi’s little fur cat traveled all over Europe with her.
Many kids draw comfort cuddling their favourite dolls or soft toys. So, when traveling long distances with kids its a very good idea to carry one or two of their favourite toys that they can cuddle now and then. Or, play with. It keeps them happy and brings that homely sense even when in an unfamiliar environment. So, you can carry your kids favourite toy with them when you plan the next long trip with kids.
Pack some toys and crafts with the kids on the way
Apart from the favourite toy, its wise to carry some more toys and crafts with the kids. I carry a set of small cryons, sketch pens, a mini sketch book and a set of basic stationery – pencil, eraser, sharpener with my kid everywhere. Sometimes, they get in mood to draw and paint even in a moving car!!
Carrying the kids toys on trips helps not only with the long distance travel. But even at your destination. Often, when inside the hotel room, the kids get engaged playing with the toys.
Now a days, I give a small bag to my kids to pack their own toys and crafts, some board games – whatever they want to carry. And also add to it a couple of their favourite story books. All this together keeps them happy for most part of the trip.
Bribe your kids by buying a few things while traveling long distances with kids
Sometimes, a little shopping at the beginning of a long journey uplifts the kids mood. I often try to buy them something meaningful and useful that will help keep them engaged. Like a board game, a puzzle or activity etc. My elder one is now used to packing her story books with her everywhere she goes. And when flying, she buys a couple of story books from the airport to keep her company throughout the trip.
Engage in conversations with the kids – keep them entertained
Last, but not the least, when traveling long distances with kids, we are actually presented with an opportunity to bond and engage with them which we hardly get in our daily lives. So, use this opportunity to engage with them in conversations. Or, put some songs and do karaoke, play some verbal games. Kids are very good at even inventing games. So, let their creative minds take the lead and you follow suite. And you will soon see that the long journey passes so fast.
Other general tips on traveling long distances with kids
When going far with kids, you have to consider the destination, not just how to reach there. Here are some more general tips on traveling with kids to far off places –
- Carry all your kids general medication with you.
- Also carry their latest prescription and their doctor’s contact number, just in case.
- Always keep the first day light and let the kids rest as much as possible before jumping into the actual itinerary.
- Give light and frequent meals.
- Moreover, these are some travel friendly products that can make traveling with kids all the more easy.