Traveling with kids is like traveling, but with more logistics, snacks, emotions, and someone asking "are we there yet?" while you're still in the security line. It's different. It's slower. It's messier (figuratively and literally).
But it's also so worth it. The good news: You don't have to navigate it alone.
We've tapped Going travel experts (who happen to be parents), along with parents in the Going Travel Community on Facebook who've been through the long-haul flights, the jetlag days, the museum meltdowns-all of it.
Consider this your parent-to-parent cheat sheet for making family travel feel a little easier, and a lot more fun.
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If you only remember 5 things
These are the tried-and-trues that Going parents always come back to:
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Snacks aren't optional. Pack more than you think you'll need. Then add more.
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The best trips aren't the busiest ones. One big activity + downtime beats a packed itinerary.
- A little flexibility goes further than perfect planning.
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Always have a bail plan. Know where the nearest café, quiet bench, or exit is so you have a place to reset.
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You don't have to parent in "hard mode" on vacation. Screens and "vacation snacks" can definitely be allowed.
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Tips for flying with kids |
The plane part makes a lot of parents nervous. But the parents in our community swear it gets easier with a few small shifts.
First, timing matters more than almost anything. If you can book around natural sleep windows-nap time, overnight flights, anything that encourages rest-you've won half the battle.
Also, don't be afraid of a longer layover. One Going travel expert lives by the belief that layovers can actually help kids adjust to jetlag, eat something familiar, and get energy out before the next flight.
One of our favorite strategies comes from parents traveling with two adults: One parent boards early with all the gear-car seats installed, snacks out, headphones ready. The other stays back with the kids, letting them run around the terminal until the very last second. Less time stuck in a seat means a smoother start to the journey for everyone.
Finally, bring all the snacks. Bring the backup snacks. Bring the snacks you said you wouldn't bring. Just do it.
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Navigating a destination with kids |
If it's your first time traveling with kids, get used to this simple mindset shift: You're not traveling the way you did before kids. And that's okay.
Parents in the Going community rally around one rule: slow down. Fewer cities. Longer stays. More moments that aren't scheduled down to the minute.
One of the easiest ways to make travel feel smoother and more enjoyable is to let your kids be part of the planning. If they're old enough, involve them early:
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- Let them choose a few of the snacks for the trip
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Have them help pack their backpack
- Ask what they're excited to see
- Give them one sight, one food, or one activity to "own"
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Even something small, like picking the gelato flavor or choosing the museum stop, helps them feel like this isn't just your trip that they're tagging along on. The goal isn't to plan every second. It's to plan enough so everyone has something to look forward to, without turning the whole vacation into a high-pressure checklist.
The trips that work best are the ones where you get enough sleep, follow the energy levels, and leave room for the little unscripted moments-the playground stop, the long lunch, the random scenic overlook you didn't expect.
And if you need a simple way to make anywhere feel kid-friendly? Consider a "splat mat" (courtesy of another Going parent)-basically an instant picnic blanket/play zone that you can throw down in a park, on the beach, in a piazza, etc. It's not fancy, but it definitely does the trick.
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Straight from the mouths of Going travel experts who also happen to be parents.
Seoul: Kids cafés are a lifesaver
In South Korea, Google 키즈카페. These are indoor play spaces with snacks, toddler zones, and seating for parents (some even have massage chairs). They're perfect for rainy afternoons or jetlag days when everyone needs a reset.
Tokyo: Skytree is surprisingly kid-perfect
Tokyo Skytree isn't just a view. It has an aquarium inside, stroller-friendly cafés nearby, and elevators everywhere. A sensory win for little ones.
Edinburgh: Cobblestones are no joke
Edinburgh is beautiful, but stairs and uneven streets are everywhere. If your child is under ~3, a carrier will save the day.
Ireland: The picky eater translation you need
If you don't see chicken nuggets, look for "chicken goujons." Same thing. Crisis avoided.
Italy: Skip the kids menu. Order like a local
Italy rarely does kids menus, but restaurants love welcoming children. Order 'pasta in bianco' (butter/oil + cheese), 'pasta al pomodoro' (pasta with red sauce), or choose practically any other 'primo piatto' on the menu and ask for a 'mezza porzione' (half portion).
Bonus: Italy's historic libraries are often free, gorgeous, and perfect for a calm break, sometimes with cafés attached. Two favorites are the Biblioteca delle Oblate in Florence and the Biblioteca Salaborsa in Bologna.
Barcelona: Parc Güell is magical for kids
Gaudí's colors, textures, and open-air paths are basically a kid's sensory dream, not to mention stunning for adults.
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Creativity break
Bring a small notebook and colored pencils to meals. Instead of fighting for perfect restaurant behavior, ask kids if they want to draw what they saw that day. Later, those little drawings-labeled with dates and place names-become the best souvenirs you never planned for.
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Want more tips and destination inspo? Check out our guides! |
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