Thinking About Travelling With Kids?

If you’ve ever thought about travelling with kids and immediately followed it with: “That sounds amazing… but also slightly chaotic” You’re not wrong. Travelling with kids isn’t effortless. It’s not perfectly aesthetic. And it definitely doesn’t go according to plan all the time. But it is doable.

And more than that, it can become one of the most meaningful ways you experience life together as a family. You don’t need to do it perfectly. You just need to do it intentionally.

Start Smaller Than You Think When You Start Travelling With Kids

Most families don’t get overwhelmed because travel is too hard.They get overwhelmed because they try to do too much, too fast.

You do not need:

• six countries
• a packed itinerary
• a “once in a lifetime” trip right out of the gate

Start simple.

Think:

• one destination
• slower travel
• fewer transitions

A great starting point is: 2–4 weeks in one family-friendly location

This gives you time to:

• settle in
• figure out routines
• adjust to time zones
• not feel like you’re constantly packing and unpacking your entire life

Slow travel is what makes travelling with kids actually enjoyable.

Gear + Logistics (a.k.a. What Will Make or Break You)

Let’s be honest. You don’t need a lot of stuff. But the wrong stuff? That will haunt you across multiple time zones.

Stroller vs Carrier

You will question this decision at least once per trip.

• Carrier: amazing for airports, stairs, busy streets
• Stroller: helpful for naps, longer days, holding bags you no longer want to carry

If you can: bring both or choose based on your destination (cities vs nature)

Luggage Setup

You want:

• less stuff
• better organization

Think:

• backpacks or lightweight suitcases
• packing cubes (these save your sanity)
• one designated bag for essentials

Everyone ideally carries something, depending on age.

The “Don’t Skip This” Kit

This is your survival kit.

Include:

• basic meds (fever, pain, stomach)
• bandaids
• electrolytes
• wipes (always wipes)
• snacks (a lot of snacks)

Snacks are not optional. Snacks are currency, peace offerings, and emotional support.

Homeschool / Learning Supplies

Keep this minimal.

You do not need: an entire classroom in your backpack

Bring:

• a notebook or journal
• a few core books, ONLY IF NEEDED
• A tablet or laptop

The rest? The world will provide.

Accommodations That Actually Work for Families

Where you stay matters more than people think. A beautiful place that doesn’t function for your family will make everything harder. Look for:

Kitchen Access

Because eating out for every meal sounds fun… until it’s not. Kids need familiar food sometimes. You need easy options. No one will judge you for making your kids noodles.

Washing Machine

This is not luxury. This is survival. Less packing. Less stress. Less “we have no clean clothes and a meltdown is brewing.” However with less packing obviously comes more washing so that you don’t end up being the stinky tourist family exploring all the local spots.

Space

One hotel room for everyone can work… but having:

• a separate sleeping area
• a place to decompress
• room for naps

makes a huge difference.

Safe + Walkable Location

Being able to:

• get food quickly
• go for a walk
• explore without needing transport every time

= game changer.

Set Realistic Expectations (This Is the Most Important Part)

This is where most people either fall in love with travel… or decide never to do it again. Travelling with kids is not about eliminating hard moments. It’s about understanding that they are part of it.

Some days will feel like:

✨ “This is the best decision we’ve ever made”

Other days will feel like:

😅 “Why is someone crying and why is it also me?”

You might:

• miss a train
• deal with overtired kids
• navigate emotions in unfamiliar places
• question your life choices briefly

All of that is normal. None of that means you made the wrong decision.

What Actually Makes It Work

Not perfection. Not the right gear. Not even the perfect destination.

What makes it work is: your mindset

If you expect:

• perfection → you’ll be disappointed
• real life → you’ll be okay

When you allow:

• flexibility
• slower days
• changed plans

Travel becomes something you experience with your kids, not something you try to control around them.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t need to be a “travel family” to start. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to do it the way anyone else does. You just need to take one step:

• one trip
• one destination
• one decision

Because once you see that it’s possible… everything starts to shift.

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