Family Travel Checklist
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Traveling with kids can be stressful and sweaty but the memories you create and enjoy with your family will last a lifetime. It’s not for everyone and many people often wonder why I bring my kids with us on trips and my response is always the same.. because I want to enjoy those moments together and no matter how hard it may be at times, it is always worth it to me in the end. To see their eyes light up with excitement, explore new places, go on adventures… they’re happiness is what fills my cup up and I know I will never regret bringing my children with me, I will only regret not. There is a time and a place to travel alone, or as a couple and I also think that’s important, but family trips are equally as important to me. I’ve gathered some advice I’ve learned along the way, from other resources, friends, or family and I’m sharing them here in hopes you find it super helpful/beneficial for your next family vacay. Maybe it will give you the jump you need to book that family vacation you’ve been wanting to take! What you will find below are tips and tricks, equipment/products that are helpful, and a complete checklist for your travels abroad.
Tips and Tricks
Try and check in online the night before or prior to getting to the airport and if available, use the airline app so that you can screenshot your tickets and have it for easy access. It’s not always easy wrangling your kiddos while trying to get checked in and the WiFi can be unpredictable when you least expect it.
Keep all electronics (including breast pumps) and liquids in your personal item (diaper bag/backpack) so that you don’t have to open up any suitcases while trying to get through security.
Breastmilk does not have to be opened for them to test it. You can opt out of that (and possible contamination to your breastmilk) by allowing them to do a full body pat down. You also do not have to put your breast milk through the x-ray machine, causing possible radiation to your breastmilk. As a pregnant woman, you do not need to walk through the full body x-ray machine. It isn’t clear how much radiation is emitted from those, but if it makes you feel better to avoid it all together you can opt for a full body pat down.
Dress your kids in easy to change, easy to layer, and quick to get on shoes making diaper changes, hot or cold flashes, and walking through security a breeze. One mom shared with me if you have kids that are potty training or still having blowouts pack an extra set of clothes for them in a baggy.. this way you have the outfit change if needed and an extra bag to put the dirty clothes in. Love this!
Most airlines allow all children items to be checked for free, which makes getting through security and the airport a whole heck of a lot easier. This means you can check your carseat, stroller, pack-n-play for FREE. I would double check with the airline you’re flying, but we have never had an issue with checking these types of items.
Get a carseat bag (off amazon) and to save extra space in your luggage, if you don’t plan to stop at a store when you get to your destination, shove a bunch of diapers in the empty spaces of the bag with your carseat!
Sometimes making it to the baggage drop off/getting checked in isn’t always easy with tons of luggage and kids in tow. When Jay and I traveled alone with all three kiddos last year we used these collapsable dolly’s that we attached to the carseats to wheel up to the baggage drop off! It was the greatest thing since we had a stroller, carseat and base, two convertible carseats, pack and play, 2 carry ons, and 2 checked bags as well as 3 personal items. It was A LOT but those dolly’s made it easier.
Most of the time we don’t check our stroller and use it get through the airport with the boys then check it at the gate, however this time we are bringing along our JetKids bed boxes that the older ones will ride on and they also act as their personal item/carry on and I will carry Sonny in a carrier. This saves us the fuss of breaking down the stroller before we get onto the plane, and the boys don’t have to carry any bags which usually ends up being us anyways!
We have the UPPA baby stroller which is our favorite stroller and we’ve used with all soon to be four kiddos. If you are great with registering your products, then I would highly recommend getting the stroller bag for travels because if anything happens to the stroller while traveling in the bag, UPPA will cover it and send you a new one. It has many great features and many of my friends have the same stroller as we do, the only con is that you have to completely dissemble it and take the wheels off before putting it in the travel bag, making it kinda hard to do by yourself while watching your other kids.
Despite what the airline people tell you by calling families up first to board the plane.. DO NOT DO IT! You will end up sitting there for sometimes up to 45 minutes while everyone else boards the plane and then your kids are already ready to get off. If you’re like us, wait til the end to board and then you are literally fresh in your seats and somewhat eager to take off! I was told by one mom, she has her husband board the plane with all their stuff to be sure they get luggage space, while she stays out and runs around with her kiddos until the last call! Brilliant.
My good friend suggested that if you’re traveling within the US where you can order groceries online and pick them up, it helps to order them prior to getting to your location so that once you land you can just do grocery pick up and be on your way or even better just have Shipt deliver them to your place!
The last few times we’ve traveled we brought our DIONO Radian carseat (one of the slimmest carseats there is) onto the plane and strapped the youngest into it during the duration of the flight. It was great because we didn’t have to wrestle with him on our laps wanting to get out or walk around. It was like he was in the car and knew to sit the whole time. Of course long flights will still get antsy but its a hell of a lot less stressful if you ask me.
Don’t forget the iPads or Kindle Fires! Not all planes have TVs on them so it’s nice to have this as an option if needed. If you have Disney +, you can download movies and shows from there that you will be able to watch on airplane mode!