The family travel experts at SkySquad have compiled a few of their top tips for family travel to help streamline your trip. There are a couple to put you in the right mindset when planning your trip, then some highly practical tips to provide you with actionable advice that is sure to help the whole family enjoy the adventure. Let’s go!

1. Know your limits

No matter which way you look at it, traveling with kids is a lot different than traveling without kids. Everything needs to move a little more slowly, with a little more planning and a white towel that you’re ready to throw in at a moment's notice.

While we’re not ones to recommend giving up on fun and adventure, we do want to remind you that some days just may not go the way you planned, and that’s okay. If you’ve been out all day and your little one hasn’t gotten a proper nap, expecting them to behave at that cool restaurant you really want to try is probably an unreasonable request. Getting Uber eats to bring you something to the hotel is a completely acceptable backup plan.

2. Be bold!

In stark contrast to the opening tip, our second on the list is to get outside your comfort zone. As much as we encourage flexibility and setting realistic expectations based on what’s going on with the whole family, we want you to experience the wonders of the world too.

Too many families play it safe because they’re worried about the “what-ifs”. Yes, diapers can hit the fan but that’s not such a big deal if you plan for it. If you set bold goals with the understanding that you may need to cut things short or cancel a day trip altogether you can still do big things without sacrificing the wellbeing of your family.

3. Look for onsite washer/dryer or laundry service

What's the worst that could happen if you take your little one on a road trip? They get carsick, spill on themselves, or they blow out their diapers. Having access to laundry services is priceless when these things happen and ensures you won’t return home with a mountain of laundry to catch up with!

4. Plan some mellow moments/days

Let’s be honest: traveling with children can sometimes be overwhelming. They want to do everything and they want it all now! Our family has found a simple, yet effective, way of making our travels successful - we try not pack in too many activities each day (many things are better spaced out). We incorporate lazy days at the hotel pool or dinner onsite for an easy end to the day, but also plan busy days beforehand. It sounds like common sense advice, but trust us, everyone will be a lot happier (ie. less tantrums) when you balance the adventure with some downtime.

5. White noise combats unexpected noisy neighbors

It’s hard to say whether local construction, the prevalence of police sirens, or overhead air traffic might make it tough for the kids (or you) to sleep. The sound of a white noise machine in the background is key to helping your little one doze off at night. Even when you're on vacation, being able to bring your noise machine with you can be essential for restful nights' slumber! If there’s no way to bring yours along, get creative: simply download an app that does what your device would do and get some zzzzs.

6. Stock up at the grocery store early

One of the first things you should do when on vacation is to visit the local grocery store. Depending on what amenities your hotel has, easy snacks are a must-have at all times. Dining out every meal can get expensive so sometimes if there's no access to refrigeration in your room you may want to buy snacks like bananas, oranges, and apples as well as nuts or bars which will help keep hunger away until it’s time for another meal!

7. Proactive babyproofing of the new digs

After a long day of traveling, you've finally made it to your hotel room. But don’t get too comfortable just yet - there is still work to do! A quick sweep around the room for any potential hazards will prevent an unwanted injury when exhaustion sets in later tonight or tomorrow morning. With this checklist completed before bedtime, "staying safe" should be easy as pie:

Look at electrical outlets and ensure they are properly covered with plates if needed;
Cords can also pose dangers so make sure all extension cords have been tucked away and make sure there aren’t any cords hanging from blinds that are accessible to little hands;
Look around the room for any loose, sharp objects that your child might be able to get their hands on when you aren't looking.

Get out there and see the world!

Following these simple tips can make a world of difference when traveling with kids. If you’re planning a trip, be sure not to miss our Family Travel Planning Guide for 2021. It’ll help you lay out everything you need to do before you go, exactly when you need to do it, and even help you involve all the right people at all the right times to make sure it’s not all on you! You can download it for free here.

7 Family Travel Tips to Streamline Your Overdue Vacation