Tips for Summer Travel with Kids and Grandkids

Traveling with kids. Does the thought make you excited or anxious? Whether you’re heading out with your children or grandchildren, summer trips offer incredible opportunities for discovery and bonding. The memories that you make together can last a lifetime.

But let’s also be honest: traveling with young kids can be stressful, tiring, and expensive. Long car rides or flights test everyone’s patience. Fortunately, a little planning can go a long way. These summer travel tips will help your trip go more smoothly, keep the kids happy, and maybe even save money.

You’ve likely already spent a lot of time planning your big trip. A great way to get kids excited about the upcoming trip is to include them in the pre-trip planning.

Regularly discuss the upcoming vacation and even ask them their opinions on the activities you plan. If you’re going to the beach, you could buy a coloring book of ocean scenes. You can also include children in itinerary planning by giving them a say in the activities. Perhaps you have the choice between a hike and a horseback riding adventure.

When kids are involved in the planning, you get their support, reduce uncertainty, and you may even prevent meltdowns down the road. It’s a win-win! You can even use the time leading up to the trip to talk about safety on a road trip or in an airport.

Building excitement by discussing the trip and setting expectations will bring the whole family together and create anticipation that can help make your travel with kids less stressful for all.

Surprising children is almost as fun as receiving a surprise yourself, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to be a crowd pleaser. Pack surprise bags for your kids to open to and from your trip destination.

Giving the kids a small “treat bag” to open every so often can become a fun, inexpensive activity that gives them something to look forward to in shorter intervals so they’re not so focused on the long travel that’s underway.

Things like suckers, temporary tattoos, stickers and mini game books are good for on-the-go entertainment. You can even throw in some goodies related to your vacation. If you are going to a place where there is swimming, for instance, pack your goggles in a bag.

Snacks are a must for any complete summer travel checklist, as hungry kids (and adults!) become cranky quickly. Save effort, money, and grumpiness by packing healthy snacks for the trip. Store goodies like snack packs, crackers, trail mix, and nuts in your travel bag for easy access during your trip.

If you’re traveling by car, you can pack a small cooler filled with water bottles and fresh snacks like small apples, tangerines, and baby carrots. Even if you’re flying, save money in the airports by bringing packaged, TSA-approved snacks¹.

Always be ready to pull out a bite to eat when a child is hungry and tired while traveling or during your trip. Being prepared with snacks for your travel with kids makes for happy tummies, which will make for a better trip for everyone.