Summer Survival Series: Parent-Approved Tips For Stress Free Road Trips & Flights With Kids
Traveling with kids this summer? These parent-approved tips will help you avoid meltdowns and keep everyone entertained, fed, and calm on planes and road trips.
Welcome Back To The Summer Survival Series
This is blog number seven in the ten-part series for parents looking to take the stress out of summer. If you’ve ever broken into a sweat just thinking about traveling with kids, you’re not alone. This guide is full of tested, real-world tips to help you feel prepared, calm, and even—dare I say it—excited for your next family adventure.
Why Preparation Makes All The Difference
Whether it’s a flight, a road trip, or just the car ride to Grandma’s, travel with kids requires more than just snacks and an iPad. The key to a smoother experience is building in rhythm, surprise, and realistic expectations.
When you prep for what could go wrong and plan for what could go right, you’ll walk into that airport or pack that car with more confidence and way fewer surprises.
1. Create A Travel Rhythm That Works for Everyone
Kids thrive with structure, especially in unfamiliar settings. Instead of winging it, divide the trip into 30-minute blocks.
Try this flow:
Quiet time → Activity → Snack → Movement (or stretching) → Repeat
Let your child know the plan:
“First we’ll read, then it’s your activity book, then we’ll have a snack.”
It turns the trip into a predictable routine, not an endless stretch of “Are we there yet?”
2. Build The Ultimate Busy Bag
A well-packed activity kit is worth its weight in gold. It keeps hands moving and brains busy without requiring screens.
Here’s what to include:
Sticker books
Puzzle or flashcards
Magnetic games
Mess-free play dough sets
Drawing pads or dry-erase boards
Water Wow books
Surprise toys (wrap them for extra entertainment)
Include new items or rotate old favorites. The novelty keeps kids engaged.
3. Try Podcasts And Audiobooks To Keep The Peace
You don’t always need a screen. Audio stories can keep kids entertained and calm without visual stimulation.
Kid-loved picks include:
Brains On! – Curious science topics
But Why – Kids ask, experts answer
Circle Round – Folktales and life lessons
Wow in the World – High-energy stories packed with learning
Download a few in advance. Bonus: they’re great for road trips, airport lines, or bedtime in a hotel.
4. Pack Smart Snacks To Avoid Hangry Moments
Food can make or break a travel day. Choose snacks that are low-mess and high-satisfaction.
Snack ideas:
Cheese sticks, turkey rolls, or hard-boiled eggs
Cut fruit in spill-proof containers
Dry snacks like pretzels, trail mix, or crackers
One surprise treat for backup motivation
Let your child help pack their own mini snack kit. Ownership leads to fewer battles and fewer wasted bites.
5. Pack A Peace Kit Just For You
When you’re prepared, you lead with calm, and that sets the tone for your kids.
Parent essentials:
Baby wipes
First aid basics
Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
Your own snack stash
Phone charger or power bank
A note to yourself: “You’ve done harder things than this. You’ve got this.”
Sometimes just knowing you have what you need is the biggest relief of all.
Recommended Resource:
Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids isn’t always easy, but with a plan, some fun distractions, and the right expectations, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’re building memories, not just miles.
Keep it flexible. Focus on connection. And remember, a little prep goes a long way.
You’ve got this.
Coming Next
Managing Sibling Squabbles: How to Keep the Peace During Summer Break
Because nothing tests your patience like backseat bickering or fighting over the last granola bar. We’ll get through it, together.