Tips for Traveling with Young Children

The holidays will soon be here and that means traveling to see the family. As any mom knows, traveling with young children can be challenging at times.

Not to worry. Today I’m sharing with you five tips to help your traveling adventures go more smoothly and avoid any added stress. Cooking that Thanksgiving turkey can be stressful enough! 😉

Tip #1: Lots of Activities. Be prepared with lots of different activities you can pack that will keep your child entertained for five to ten minutes. The Dollar Store and Target’s dollar bins are great places to stock up on inexpensive reading books, games, toys, stickers and more.

Tip #2: Snacks Are Your Best Friends. Hungry = grumpy. Stock up on plenty of portable snacks and juice. For younger children, sippy cups are great for avoiding spills. Oh, and don’t forget about the power of food as a motivator, special snacks can reward good behavior. 😉

Tip #3: Extra Clothes Are A Must. Accidents are bound to happen, so plan ahead with an extra change of clothes. It only takes a minute to pack, but can saves lots of tears later. Moms don’t forget about an extra set for you as well!

Tip #4: Remember the Favorites. If your child has a favorite item, like a toy or blanket, bring it. Sometime having an item of familiarity will help your child feel safe and calm in moments of traveling transitions.

Tip #5: Relax. If you follow the above steps, you are prepared. Don’t give off stressful energy by worrying. Relax and breath, your children just may surprise and become some amazing travel mates. 🙂

If you would like to see some additional tips on how to keep your children happy and healthy this holiday season, the Children’s Hospital Colorado has a great program called Just Ask Children’s. Explore answers from pediatric experts to frequently asked parent questions. A great resource when you don’t know who to ask! And be sure to check out their live Online Q&A next Tuesday, November 25th, from 9 am – 4 pm MST, where their experts will be answering your and other parents’ questions about how to keep the family happy and healthy during the Holidays.You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Here’s wishing you a very safe and happy holiday traveling season! And if you have any tips on traveling with your little ones, I’d love to hear them. Leave a tip in the comments below! 🙂

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Children’s Hospital Colorado. The opinions and text are all mine.