Traveling with kids on extended trips can be a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. After spending 18 days in Europe with our two children (ages 8 and 6 at the time), we’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. Here are 12 valuable tips to help keep your family sane and make the most of your travels.
1. Fly Overnight
If you’re heading on a long flight, consider booking an overnight flight, especially when traveling to Europe or Asia. This can help your kids sleep during “normal” hours, making the transition to a new time zone smoother. We took advantage of this by calling it a night after dinner on the plane, allowing us to get some sleep before waking up to morning in Europe.
2. Stay Active Upon Arrival
When you land, resist the temptation to nap, even if you’re feeling groggy. Sleeping the day away can mess up your sleep schedule and waste valuable time. Instead, get out and explore right away, even if it’s just a short walk. A full day of activity will help you adjust to the local time zone and get you on track for a good night’s sleep.
3. Create a Home Base
When traveling for an extended period, it’s helpful to set up a “home base” in one or two locations. This gives your family a comfortable place to return to after excursions, while also offering structure. During our European trip, we spent several days in cities like Florence and Rome, and having a central place to stay made it feel more like home for the kids.
4. Stick to a Routine
Kids thrive on routine, so try to keep some familiar activities in place. For example, we kept a consistent breakfast routine, grabbing coffee and pastries every morning. At night, we followed the same bedtime routine, including baths and stories, which helped the kids feel comfortable and at ease.
5. Opt for Train Travel
Train travel in Europe is an excellent option, especially with kids. It’s comfortable, scenic, and much more relaxed than flying. With ample space to move around, train journeys are perfect for long distances. We all loved the experience and wish we had more options like this back home.
6. Pack Extra Power Banks
Devices like Kindles or iPads are lifesavers on long trips, but don’t forget the power banks! Outlets on planes and trains aren’t always reliable, so having a backup power source can save you from a tech meltdown. On one of our return flights, the outlets and entertainment system weren’t working, but thanks to our power banks, we had no problem keeping the kids entertained.
7. Keep Tours Short
Long tours can be exhausting, especially for younger kids. To keep things manageable, we limited guided tours to 2 hours at a time. If you’re planning a longer day trip, make sure to include breaks, and consider skipping museum tours in favor of audio guides or passes that allow you to explore at your own pace.
8. Get the Kids Involved
To keep the kids engaged during sightseeing, we had them take notes during our tours. This helped them stay interested and made the experience more interactive. At the end of each tour, we quizzed them on what they’d learned, rewarding them with a treat (like gelato). The notes became a great keepsake, and it was a fun way to keep them learning.
9. Pack Plenty of Snacks
Let’s face it—kids are always hungry! Keep snacks on hand to avoid meltdowns. Having a variety of treats, like fruit, crackers, or granola bars, can be a lifesaver. When we needed to keep the kids in good spirits, a promise of gelato or a snack was often all it took.
10. Plan Fun Activities for the Kids
Sightseeing can be intense, so be sure to incorporate kid-friendly activities into the itinerary. Whether it’s a visit to a children’s museum, a day at the beach, or a ride on a carousel, these breaks from sightseeing help everyone recharge and keep spirits high.
11. Schedule Free Days
While it’s tempting to fill every moment with sightseeing, don’t forget to schedule some downtime. We found that having a free day in the middle of the trip allowed us to explore a beautiful lake in Switzerland, an experience we wouldn’t have had if we hadn’t allowed for some flexibility. Let the kids have some unstructured time, too—sometimes the best memories come from spontaneous moments.
12. Let Your Kids Have a Say
While you’re in charge of the overall plans, letting your kids have a say in what they want to do can make a huge difference. If they see something that excites them, try to incorporate it into your itinerary. Giving them a voice in the trip helps keep them engaged and ensures they’re having fun, too.
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Europe was a huge success, and we were pleasantly surprised at how well our kids handled the extended travel. With a little preparation and flexibility, traveling with kids can be a memorable and enjoyable experience. These 12 tips helped us maintain our sanity, and I hope they’ll help you have an amazing trip as well! Happy travels!
Have you traveled with kids on an extended trip? What tips do you have for keeping things smooth? Let me know in the comments!
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