Travelling with babies and young children

We've travelled as a family from the time Matt was 3 months old and then when Gwyn came into the scene it was a 3 year old and an infant. Those were hard days I must confess. If you are not going to read the rest of this post, just remember that understanding and meeting each child's needs is the key. 

We've been asked a lot about how we are able to go on adventures and travel extensively even though we have two children in tow. I don't claim that we know everything but we do have a system that we follow. It works very well for us and can work for others too. But we most definitely don't claim that it works for every child. Neither are we going to leave tonnes of Amazon links of products you can buy. This post is really a plain and simple guide to how we did it and perhaps it could be of help to you. 

It boils down to FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, PLANNING and EQUIPMENT. 

Whenever we travel, we almost always do two things: 

​PLAN AHEAD and PACK THE SNACK BAG. 

On road trips, we calculate the amount of driving needed and estimate where we'd be. Stops are intentional and the food places are decided before we even step out of the house. Search for restaurants on google maps and read the reviews. This is especially essential if you have dietary restrictions like we do. We search for restaurants that serve gluten-free food or naturally gluten-free dishes. We avoid places that aren't child friendly. Also, when meal times happen when it is supposed to, you eradicate the low-blood sugar, "hangry" tantrums that even adults are susceptible to. 

When flying airlines that don't serve food, skip the timings that cross into meal times (e.g. 3 hr flights from 1130am to 230pm or 530 to 830pm). It'll be too early for your next meal but you'll be at the check in, going through security and sitting in the plane with an empty tummy. Throw in a delay on the tarmac, you'll have disaster. 

We ALWAYS carry a snack bag when we are travelling. Protein bars, gummy bears, crisps and fruits. This is an emergency stash that we sometimes don't tell the kids we have (if not it'll be empty before we even get on the motorway). It is especially important because sometimes we are up a mountain and the day's activities are strenuous. We get hungry faster and we need a snack boost. They come in handy to stall time when we are stuck in traffic and facing a delay. 

There will always be parts of a journey that's boring. So we can't blame kids when they fuss. Just imagine being strapped into a carseat with a 5 point seatbelt for hours and not being able to properly look outside the window. I'd scream too. 

​MUSIC, TOYS, GAMES, DOODLING!

Our strategy is to download music on our music app that everyone enjoys. We also download songs that the kids love i.e (The Wiggles, Disney songs, Frozen soundtracks, Ed Sheeran). So we are all singing, the kids sometimes fall asleep after awhile and it works very well for us.

We also let the kids decide what goes into the "entertainment" bag. They carry this backpack of toys, games and books that they enjoy. When the kids were babies, we always brought 3 of their favourite toys in our bag. When we travelled across South East Asia for 7 months, the kids each had a small case of Lego that they can conveniently open, play, put back and carry wherever we went. When their minds are focused on a toy or distracted by a conversation, they are less likely to get upset or uncomfortably bored. 

Tablets and screens are always the LAST resort. They are used sparingly and really a treat in the most trying circumstances when we've exhausted all options. 

A trip to London for example takes 2 hours.

10 MINS: we'd be chatting about the plans for the day, how long it'll take, when are we stopping and the regular reminders about feeling carsick and needing the toilet.
20 MINS: we'd play their favourite music and sing along. Sometimes they fall asleep after that, sometimes they start playing with their toys.
30 MINS: Swapping between playing a card game, reading a book, playing with their little fiddle toy/other toys and annoying each other.
15 MINS: Then it is song request time again and sing along again.
20 MINS: Good chance they will take a short 15 minute to 30 minute nap at this point.

By this point we'd stop for a quick toilet break and maybe share some crisps or gummy bears before finishing up the last 15-25 minutes with a lot of reassurance (WE ARE REACHING SOON!), random conversations and spotting things out of the window. 

On plane rides, invest in kids headphones (with an airline adapter) please! Airlines these days don't always provide proper listening equipment that fit a kids head/ears. When we are on plane rides or waiting at a restaurant, we would always carry our own colouring sheets, pencils and play simple games like tic tac toe. Doodling is definitely way more fun than staring at the wall while waiting for food. 

Going on travels empty handed and unprepared is recipe for disaster. 

It is easy to squeeze as much into a day as possible to make your money's worth when planning a holiday. Dragging everyone along activity after activity is not going to be enjoyable. 

​PLAN TO MEET EVERYONE'S NEEDS

By the time the kids are 2 or 3, we got them involved in choosing what to do for the day. E.g. We are going to the Zoo! Show them the maps before hand and decide which animals they want to see. Giving them the agency and involving them in planning helps them look forward to it. It gives them an idea of what they can expect. It meets their needs. 

When you travel with babies and children, LESS IS MORE. 
We say that because babies and children have significantly higher needs. They need more sleep, they need to be fed and entertained more frequently than adults. These things take time and realistically, you can only cover so much without neglecting those needs. 

Our strategy is always doing ONE major thing a day. We travel slow.
The rest of the time can be spent relaxing at the hotel pool, running around the square or having a snack. ​

Last but not least, having the right equipment can make your life way easier on a trip. We cannot emphasise the importance of wearing appropriate shoes. Nobody is in a good mood when their feet are soaked and sore. If your holiday involves walking, wear comfy supportive shoes!

Apart from that, here are some things that we never go on a trip without. 

Travelling with babies equipment list:
1. A light foldable cabin approved pram
We hate checking it in, waiting for it and hoping it isn't lost)

2. Steriliser bags (Microwavable ones).
Put the dummies and bottles in the bags with a little water and pop it into the microwave. You have clean sterilised stuff in no time! 

3. Baby Carrier
Yes we bring BOTH the carrier and the pram. Sometimes the baby just wants skin contact so a carrier keeps your hands free! 

3. Baby bath soap, shampoo and toys
Bath time with some floating toys is always a really nice way to relax and reset the mood! 

4. Muslin squares
Get the larger ones. They can be used for so many purposes. You can use them to cover surfaces to lay your baby on (even as temporary cot bedsheet), shade the baby from the sun, keep the baby covered and warm, used as a swaddle and they are perfect for peekaboo too! 

5. Toys and snacks
 Something with buttons, something to chew on, something sensory, pick the child's favourites! 


Travelling with kids aged 4 to 10 equipment list:
1. The entertainment bag
A selection of their favourite books, games, toys, colouring sheets, soft toys and pencils

2. The snack bag
Crisps, protein bars, chocolate, gummies, fruits, biscuits and drinks.  

3. A torch light 
Seemingly useless but surprisingly useful to in keeping the kids occupied on walks in the evening. Very useful when things get lost in the car. 

4. A small camera
Another very useful tool to keep the kids entertained and on a mission when travelling. You'll be surprised at the perspective and things that turn up when going through their pictures at the end of the trip. 

Special mention: Pick up a stick/small tree branch on walks or hikes. Infinitely entertaining for the kids. I have no idea why 🤣. 

Have we missed anything out? What is your list of things that you'd never leave home without? Put them in the comments below and let's all share our experiences!