When we first booked our trip to Texas, I was like, “ok, here we go, our first trip ever with two kids”. (smile) But as time went on, panic began to set in…“what are we thinking traveling with two kids under two”?!?!
I had a couple months to plan ahead so I began looking online and talking to a few of my friends who had already traveled with kids. Before we left, I felt a little more prepared??, but knew I would have to go into this trip with an open mind and just “going with the flow”.
Surprisingly, our trip went better than I could have ever imagined. The girls did great and I even said to my husband when we got home, “ok, so Hawaii next”? There were however, a few tips and tricks I used while traveling that made the trip go as well as it did. I hope a few of these items can help you on your next trip with kids!
Wrap Your Baby – I love this Solly Baby wrap as it is lightweight and convenient to pack in a suitcase, and also very breathable which was so perfect with the Texas heat. I wrapped Emery the entire trip because we only took a small stroller for Adelyn to get through the airport. I loved having her close to me at all times. I was able to nurse with her in the wrap and with the constant movement of walking, she would easily fall asleep in the wrap. I cannot express how thankful I was to be able to wrap Emery while traveling. I will keep the memory of wrapping her on our first trip with me forever.
Take a Small Stroller – At the last minute, we decided there was no reason for us to take our double stroller if I was going to wrap Emery. So we ran out to Target and bought this stroller. We absolutely loved how light and well made it was. I even loved that for how small it was, it still had a compartment on the bottom to place your purse, etc. I would highly recommend this stroller for traveling.
Headphones – We made sure to buy headphones about a month before the trip so that Adelyn could get use to wearing them. With headphones, she was able to listen to the laptop or iPad on the airplane and already be comfortable with wearing them.
Madeline Lily Jade Bag – I love this diaper bag as it has so many great things about it including: many pockets, the inside of it comes out, and the size is absolutely perfect – not too large and not too small. But what I love most about it while traveling is that it can convert into a backpack. It was the only carry on bag I took, and so with wrapping Emery, I had my hands free the entire time while traveling.
No-Spill Cup – Honestly any no-spill sippy cup will work while traveling but my sister-in-law showed me these sippy cups while we were in Texas and it was great for the trip back home. Adelyn loves that it feels like she is drinking from a real cup, and the best part is that it doesn’t spill.
Pacifier Clips – If you have a child who takes a pacifier, you will want to make sure that you are able to clip it to them for safe keeping. There is nothing worse than, A.) losing a pacifier while traveling and/or B.) dropping it on the airport bathroom floor. (Yup, both happened)
Washi Tape – Last, when all things seem to fail for keeping your little one occupied while traveling or on the airplane, washi tape works. Right before we were about to land, we had already pulled out every toy we brought, and Adelyn was about to lose it. She didn’t want to sit still, she didn’t want a snack, she didn’t want any toy we offered her. #toddlerproblems I then remembered the roll of washi tape we brought and began to tear off little pieces of it. I stuck it on her, on each of us, on the seat, around her finger, etc. She loved finding the little pieces and pulling them off and re-sticking them elsewhere. That little roll of washi tape helped keep her entertained longer than anything else we brought. Best $1.99 spent.
I hope that a few of these tips can help ease your mind with the idea of traveling with kids. Just remember that you are not alone when traveling with kids. It is not unusual to travel on a plane and have multiple families also traveling with their kids. Try to stay relaxed, and live in the moment with your family as you create lifetime memories.
A last little funny tidbit I have for you is, puppy pads. I was so thankful for this tip I found to take a few puppy pads in your diaper bag for diaper changes in disgusting bathrooms. This way you can just dispose of the pad instead of using your diaper changing pad and sticking it back into your diaper bag – Yuck.
Hope these all help! Any other traveling tips? Please share below!
