Travelling with a toddler is one of those things that sounds like a great idea… right up until you’re halfway through it wondering why you didn’t just stay at home with snacks and CBeebies.
But here’s the thing, going on holiday with a toddler can actually be incredible.
Not in a peaceful, relaxing, “lie by the pool with a book” kind of way. More in a “that was chaos, but actually a really good memory” kind of way.
We’ve travelled a bit with Robbie now, and while I wouldn’t say we’ve mastered it, we’ve definitely learned what helps, as well as what goes horribly wrong!
So if you’re thinking about booking a family trip, here are my honest thoughts of travelling with a toddler.
Lower Your Expectations
This is the big one. If you go into a trip expecting it to feel like a pre-kids holiday, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Toddlers don’t relax. They don’t “switch off”. And they definitely don’t care that you paid for a nice view.
What does work is adjusting your expectations before you even leave. Realising that there is very little point in booking too many activities and just seeing where the day takes you is far less stressful.
I find that with Robbie, we actually end up doing far less in a day than we would have in those pre-child days when life was simple!
We rarely manage to spend more than an hour by the pool before having to go back to the room for snacks, a nap or because he is either too hot or too cold. Even that hour somehow involves seventeen toilet breaks.
Once you accept that, everything becomes a lot easier to enjoy. Just keep in mind that as long as your kids have fun, the holiday is a success.
Choose the Right Type of Holiday With Kids
Not all trips are equal when you’ve got a toddler in tow. From my experience with Robbie, these tend to work best:
Beach Holidays
Simple, contained, and surprisingly forgiving. Sand and water do most of the entertaining for you. Simply find yourself a nice hotel within walking distance of the beach and you will always have something to do.
Staycations
Less travel stress, more familiarity, and easier to manage if things go sideways.
Somewhere with Space
Whether it’s a cottage, hotel, or apartment, having room to spread out (and somewhere separate for naps) makes a huge difference.
City breaks can work… but they’re definitely more effort. Think less “wandering and exploring” and more “snack stops every 20 minutes.”
Those amazing sights that you want to see are not as impressive to a two year old.
Tips For Flying with a Toddler
It’s not as easy as you hope, but it’s manageable with a little luck.
A few things that genuinely help:
- Snacks. Lots of snacks. More than you think you’ll need. Then add more.
- New distractions. Small toys or books they haven’t seen before work better than familiar ones
- No pressure on routine. Travel days are survival mode
- A Tablet and headphones. Make sure to load games and apps that will work in airplane mode if you want to avoid a meltdown.
Also worth knowing: most people are more understanding than you expect. The fear of “what if they cry the whole flight?” is usually worse than the reality.
Don’t Overpack For Your Kids
It’s very easy to pack like you’re preparing for every possible scenario.
In reality, you’ll probably rotate through the same few outfits and rely on whatever works in the moment.
We seem to forget that other countries also have shops and your toddler will actually appreciate a few new items from their holiday if you end up running short.
Of course there are some holiday essentials that really are worth bringing:
- A couple of comfort items (favourite toy, blanket)
- Basic medical bits and medication
- Enough clothes to get through a few messy days
Things you probably don’t need:
- Endless outfit changes
- Too many toys
- Anything “just in case we might need it once”
Keep it simple. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re dragging the suitcases through the airport.
Your Kids Routine Will Go Out the Window
Naps will be different. Bedtimes will shift. Meals might happen at odd times.
Taking a break from these routines is exactly why adults take holidays, so why not mix it up for kids too. Realistically, after a long day travelling and then touching down in a different time-zone, all these routine times are already a goner.
Trying to stick rigidly to your usual routine while travelling usually causes more stress than it’s worth. Toddlers are more adaptable than we give them credit for, as long as they feel safe and have their parents nearby.
Build Your Day Around Your Toddler
This one makes a big difference. Instead of planning a full day and hoping your toddler fits into it, put their priorities first.
Plan in some potential nap times, food breaks and a little downtime. Keep any planned activities where the focus is not on the toddler short and flexible. Planning to be away from anything they love for several hours is not going to be as fun as you think!
You’ll still get to do things you enjoy, just in shorter bursts. You may even find yourself happiest whilst doing the things your kid loves, together.
Small Wins Are Still Wins
When you’re travelling with a toddler, success looks a bit different.
It might be as simple as a meal where everyone actually eats or an hour by the pool without a meltdown. If you get a full night’s sleep then it’s the best holiday ever!
It’s easy to focus on what didn’t go to plan, but the small moments are usually the ones you remember.
Is Travelling With A Toddler Worth It?
Honestly? Yes, without any doubt, it’s harder than travelling without kids. There’s no getting around that.
But it’s also different in a good way. You notice more. You slow down. And you get to see your toddler experience completely new things for the first time, which is something you don’t really get anywhere else.
It won’t be perfect in terms of what a normal adult may view a holiday to be. Some parts will be exhausting more than the relaxation others expect from getting away.
But it will be memorable both for you and your toddler which is really what holidays are all about.
FAQs: Travelling with a Toddler
What age is best to start travelling with a toddler?
There’s no perfect age, but once they’re walking and curious about the world, trips can become a lot more fun (even if they’re more tiring too).
Are holidays with toddlers relaxing?
Not in the traditional sense. Think “different environment, same parenting” just with better views and more snacks.
How do you keep a toddler entertained while travelling?
Snacks, new toys, and simple activities go a long way. Honestly though, a lot of it is just going with the flow and keeping things varied.
Is flying or driving easier with a toddler?
It depends on the child, but both have challenges. Flying is quicker but more intense. Driving gives you flexibility but can be longer overall.
What’s the most important thing to remember?
Lower expectations, stay flexible, and focus on enjoying the small moments.
