What Are the Best Tips for Traveling With Children Or Pets?
Embarking on a journey with your little ones or furry friends can be a delightful yet daunting experience. To ease the stress and enhance the joy, we’ve gathered eight invaluable tips from pet lovers and experienced parents. From packing ‘Snack Packs’ for kids to preparing for rest stops, these experts share their best advice for a seamless travel experience with children or pets.
- Pack ‘Snack Packs’ for Kids
- Prevent Sickness with Probiotics
- Engage Kids with Travel Toys
- Pack a Bag of Travel Essentials
- Surprise with Snacks and Toys
- Set Clear Travel Rules and Guidelines
- Balance Structure with Flexibility
- Prepare and Take Rest Stops
Pack ‘Snack Packs’ for Kids
Our secrets to successful travel with our two kids are ‘snack packs’—a series of multi-sectioned containers with food for them to graze on. They love the surprise when we reveal what’s in the next snack pack, and it keeps them occupied and satiated.
Justin Barker, Founder of The Most, The Most
Prevent Sickness with Probiotics
My grandfather said to me, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ Traveling with both kids and pets is challenging. It is tiring for both young and old adults. How do you avoid sickness? Dogs aren’t known for eating fermented food, and these days, children can have allergy attacks if a bag of almonds is opened in the same room. Have a probiotic for daily prevention. This applies to pets and children. There are so many diseases that seek to make our lives miserable. (I wrote a book on this; it just isn’t published yet.)
Dr.Ben Gibson, Pharmacist podcaster food health facts
Engage Kids with Travel Toys
Besides willing yourself to have a ton of patience, travel toys keep children engaged. Waffle blocks, puffy stickers, travel crayon wallets, or child-appropriate headphones are great for those long flights. I also always carry snacks, wet wipes, and a change of clothes!
Avanti Paul, Founder, Presently
Pack a Bag of Travel Essentials
Traveling with children or pets requires extra planning and patience, but it can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Here’s a tip to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip:
Pack a Dedicated Bag of Essentials: Whether you’re traveling with children or pets, having a bag packed with all the essentials can make the journey much smoother. For children, include snacks, water, a change of clothes, travel-sized games, books, and any favorite toys. Don’t forget any necessary medications and a first-aid kit. For pets, pack enough food for the journey, water, a portable bowl, a leash, waste bags, and any medications they might need. If your pet has a favorite toy or blanket, bring that along too to help them feel more comfortable and secure. This dedicated bag should be easily accessible throughout the trip so you can quickly grab what you need without having to rummage through other luggage.
This approach helps in managing hunger, boredom, or minor emergencies in a timely manner, making the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
Kenny Duff, Owner, Anyexpat
Surprise with Snacks and Toys
I call it the thirty-minute surprise tactic when I travel with my two young daughters. This has helped me on multiple hour-long road trips and even 10+ hour flights to Europe. I pack small toys or activity books to surprise my daughters with every hour, and I also bring along snacks to offer them every hour as well. Every 30 minutes, they get a new activity or a small snack, alternating throughout the travel. The toys aren’t big, expensive things; my girls love small delights like a new sticker book, pen & notebook to play tic-tac-toe and other games, a magnetic toy, travel-friendly board games like Connect 4, tiny dolls, squishy toys, pop-its, and other items I find at the dollar store. This keeps them engaged, prevents them from becoming tablet zombies, and they don’t have time to get super cranky (even though it still does happen after long days, but it’s less than if I didn’t prepare).
Jenny Budwig, Head of Marketing, AlphaCord
Set Clear Travel Rules and Guidelines
As the operator of a company that rents out equipment for children’s parties and family gatherings, I’ve found that a key tip for traveling with children or pets is to have a clear set of rules and guidelines in place beforehand. Just as we provide families with instructions on how to use our equipment safely and maintain cleanliness, it’s essential to establish rules and expectations for traveling to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip for all. This includes planning ahead, packing necessary supplies, and setting boundaries to maintain order and safety during the journey. By having a comprehensive plan in place and communicating expectations effectively, families can minimize stress and maximize enjoyment while traveling with children or pets.
Joe Horan, Owner & CEO, Jumper Bee
Balance Structure with Flexibility
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip with children or pets, a balance between structure and flexibility is crucial. Planning your itinerary with children in mind means incorporating plenty of breaks and selecting destinations that offer activities they will enjoy, such as Portugal’s beautiful parks and interactive museums. Always have snacks and entertainment options readily available to keep their energy and mood balanced.
For those traveling with pets, research in advance to find pet-friendly accommodations and establishments. Make frequent stops for them to exercise and take comfort breaks, and carry a supply of water and food. Consider attractions and places that welcome pets, often found in Portugal’s outdoor spaces and restaurants with terraces.
By maintaining a flexible schedule that accommodates the needs and interests of both children and pets, and being prepared with essentials, you can create a travel experience that is enjoyable and stress-free for the whole family.
Michael Alves, Founder Owner, MyPortugalGuide
Prepare and Take Rest Stops
I regularly travel from Chicago to South Carolina to visit my parents and always travel with my two dogs, a 110-pound bulldog and a 10-pound Chihuahua. My biggest tip is to be prepared and to take plenty of rest stops. I always make sure we have food, water, and food bowls, as well as bones for the dogs to keep them happy and occupied. I cover my seats with sheets, so I have extra blankets and such in case they spill food or water or make a mess. Also, taking plenty of breaks for everyone to stretch their legs seems to keep everyone happy on the ride.
