Issue #11: How We Keep Our Sanity (and Find the Magic!) While Traveling with Kids
The wonderful, the wary, and why it’s all worth it…plus tips from two inspiring, world-traveling moms
Before I (Liz) actually had any children, I envisioned all the amazing trips my husband and I would take with our wonderful kids in tow. We’d explore the world, we’d make memories, and it would be blissful and easy because we’d obviously teach our children to be perfectly well-behaved and cultured. (Amelia: Ha! Oh, how naive we all were as hypothetical parents!)
Then we had three kids. In the middle of a global pandemic.
But that doesn’t mean that those daydreams disappeared. It doesn’t mean that it’s all untrue either! It just means we met reality and we made some adjustments.
Because traveling with my family, children and all, is important to me.
I’ve seen it stated that most of our core memories as children come from family vacations. And I’d have to agree; my family spent many summers traveling to the southern coast of Maine and I still hold that time and that place deep in my heart. I remember the ice creams by Nubble Lighthouse, a town-wide scavenger hunt, searching and saving endless shells, scooping up new back to school clothes at the nearby outlets, freezing cold ocean waves and more. I remember family joy.
But with three little ones in four years plus the pandemic, we saw little travel in those early seasons of parenthood. We lived across the country from family so all trips we took were flying to the East Coast for family events and holidays; no extra excursions were doable or a priority.
But those days have faded and I find myself ready and eager to venture out as a family of five. It can be incredibly intimating but I believe it to be ultimately worth it. The travel bug has hit me and I’m excited to daydream again… but with more knowledge under my belt. And so, I look to amazing jet-setting moms like Natalie Kurtzman and Lauren Wells for inspiration and advice (below).
And so, in the realm of all things travel and adventure… let’s dive in and explore, our thoughts, our tips and our dream locations.
The Ultimate Tip: Roll With It
Liz: We can share all our personal tips and tricks we know (and we have some below!) but ultimately, I think the best piece of advice is lower expectations and roll with it. The ups, the downs, the who knows what. Traveling isn’t for the faint of heart so instead of panicking if everything doesn’t go as planned (which it won’t), instead of worrying about your toddler throwing down an epic tantrum (been there), roll with it and adjust. Sometimes that means letting go of a “healthy dinner”, maybe that means switching up plans so that a quiet day replaces a busy one. Knowing when to give in, and what to hold firm to, will differ with each family, with each season, with each trip, but I really try to remind myself to give our family flexibility and grace, and remember, that regular routines will return at home, even if they go out the window during vacations.
Amelia: I couldn’t agree more! Rolling with the punches really is the name of the game.
When my daughter was nearly one, my husband took part of his work sabbatical, and we brought her to Italy for a month. It sounded like a wonderful idea when we planned it the spring before she was born.
She barely slept… cutting four teeth (!) and nursing around the clock. As a new mom, I poured so much energy into worrying about her sleep and feeding schedule, trying to keep everything on track. Then, on the final leg of our journey, I was pushing our travel stroller when one of the wheels got stuck in the cobblestones. I tripped, and suddenly the stroller, my baby, and I were all in the street. Thankfully, my daughter was completely fine (and we can laugh about it now!), but I broke a bone in my foot.
Suddenly, all that lost sleep felt like the easy part! (Liz: OMG. Props to you guys!)
Finding Your Family’s Travel Style
Liz: One trip doesn’t fit all. I have found it easy to be influenced by where everyone else is traveling to, and while it may be wonderful inspiration, not every location or type of trip is for every family. It’s been really interesting to start to tap into what trips feel most like “us”, where do we want to go, what do we want to do. In the past, we’ve loved a good beach trip (hello Maine, when I was younger, and now with my own kids!), and I can foresee tropical beach locales in our future (crystal clear ocean, gorgeous pool, snorkeling, margaritas, yes please). But we are also an active family (well, my husband and the boys… I’m getting there) and we definitely look forward to ski trips in the future, especially as our boys get older.
Which leads to another point: our travel style will evolve as our family does. As our boys get older, the adventures and our personal comfort level will expand. But keeping a tab on our feelings and our family’s passions and interests will help to guide us down the right paths for us.
Amelia: Our first big family trip was to the Bahamas. With the pandemic behind us and all of us finally vaccinated, our son had just turned four, our daughter was six, and we were ready to celebrate. That trip felt like pure magic. We had a full week of unbelievable weather, and more than that, it just felt so good to be together (mask free) discovering a new-to-us hotel and making memories as a family.
One of our favorite parts of traveling now is trying something new together, whether it’s the hotel, a destination, or even just a restaurant or activity. There’s something about sharing a first time experience together that means so much to us as parents.
That said, it’s taken time to feel more at ease traveling as a family. For us, I think age has been the biggest factor. As our kids have gotten older, they simply need less: less gear, fewer distractions on the plane, and less *hands on* managing. And they’ve become more adaptable, more curious, more engaged. They understand where we’re going, ask questions, and are eager to explore. These days, traveling with them feels less like surviving the journey and more like sharing the adventure!
(Liz: Amelia, this gives me so much hope! I’ve felt guilty about being stressed about travel in the past but it’s so nice to know, with Gus almost 4 years old, there is a light at the end of the tunnel - no more cribs, diapers, strollers, more ease, dare I say!?)
Low Expectations = Pleasant Surprises
Liz: I’ve flown solo with all three boys and entered each airport reminding myself that it doesn’t matter what other people think. It’s not MY problem if my child cries and bothers them on the flight; it’s a public place and I’m doing the best I can. I refuse to overly apologize or feel guilty if my kids are…kids. We strive for respect and common courtesy of course, but my priority is our safety and my sanity.
That being said, more often than not, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the kindness of strangers when traveling. The gentlemen who encouraged his teenage son to help me with my luggage, the grandmothers who’ve helped me literally handle my kids in the bathroom line, the sweet and genuine smiles of those people who get it, who bestow kindness and good luck instead of judgement.
My personal favorite story: as my middle child had an epic temper tantrum at a ski resort and threw his mittens over the edge of our room’s balcony, a parent below yelled up “It’s all OK! You are doing an amazing job! I promise, we’ve all been there.” They didn’t know it, but they threw me a lifeline and I will forever be grateful. I always try to show that same love and reassurance to any and all parents I see who are battling it out too. (Amelia : I love this story, it’s so true. A little kindness goes along way.)
Amelia: You’re 100% right! Especially when traveling with kids, I try to remind myself: we’re all just doing the best we can.
Do you know what this reminds me of? Our first flight with my daughter, she had just turned four months, and we were flying last minute to Savannah for my grandmother’s funeral. I remember asking our pediatrician if I should bring earplugs and a drink voucher for the people seated near us, just in case she cried (crazy, right…?!).
I’ll never forget her response. In her characteristically direct tone, she said, “Absolutely not. She’s a baby! Every adult on that plane was a baby once!”
I just want to reach back and hug that version of myself. Thank goodness for the growth that’s happened in the eight years since!
Our Own Tips, Tricks and Reminders
Liz:
I’m a big packing cubes fan. They were really helpful when my boys were little; I could fit all of their clothes completely in an individual cube each. But even as they’ve gotten bigger and thus, so has their clothes, I still use the cubes for underwear and socks, miscellaneous items, toiletries, swimsuits, dirty clothes, etc. It helps me feel more organized and somewhat in control… in a situation where that isn’t really a common occurrence ha! (Amelia: I go back and forth on packing cubes, but I’m going to try them on our next trip for the kids’ dirty clothes and see how it goes. Such a great idea!)
Ziplock bags for the win! While packing cubes may manage the bigger items, ziplock baggies help with all the teeny tiny: individual toiletries to prevent leaks, snacks, meds, knick knacks galore. And just trust me on this: bring a couple gallon size bags in case you have bodily fluid soaked clothes that need to be contained.
When traveling, any and all screen time rules we have disappear. I prep the iPad before we head out with lots of downloaded shows and freely use it however needed, no judgement, no worries.
Maybe I have it bit easier with all boys, but I simplify clothes as much as possible: five shirts, five pants, five pajamas, a handful of socks and underwear. Mix and matching is the name of the game and perfectly coordinated styles are a battle I bow down to anyways.
I can’t say enough about a great stroller when you have little ones: one you really love, can handle easily, opens and closes in seconds, that stores extra bags, etc. We loved our Uppababy Cruz and it’s been back and forth across the country numerous times. We used our double stroller a few times (one of the *joys* of two under two), and it served it’s purpose but just didn’t compared; I still preferred the Cruz for the overall ease anytime possible.
In the same realm, when you have an infant, a great baby carrier is lifesaving. I loved the Bjorn Mini when traveling with my boys. (Amelia: I have sooo many great memories with the Bjorn Mini!)
Carry On Must-Haves: wipes always (for hands, spills, and everything in between), band-aids, a couple fidget toys, ziplock baggies, snacks, snacks and more snacks. While we embrace screens when traveling, I also pack non-screen activities as well; we’re especially loving Paint By Sticker books and as the boys have gotten older, a pack of playing cards or Uno is great.
Amelia:
I still use the original packing list I made for my daughter’s very first trip! It’s lived in my Notes app ever since, evolving as we have, but I still swear by it. I also try to plan out the kids’ outfits (and mine!) ahead of time to avoid overpacking (ideally). Would anyone be interested in the list? I’m happy to share! (Liz: YES YES YES)
Another tip I picked up from my mom: I always bring a small medicine kit. Ours includes Children’s Tylenol, Benadryl, a thermometer, Neosporin, plenty of Band-Aids, and bug spray (which has come in handy more often than I’d expect).
A little plane prep ahead of time helps me stay calm and roll with the unexpected. A few things that make a big difference: I always pack some whole foods (think clementines, apples, bananas, PB&J sandwiches). Don’t get me wrong, my kids love their packaged snacks, but it feels good to check the “real food” box when traveling. I also toss in a few favorite magazines (Highlights, National Geographic Kids, and Who Would Win? are hits with my 6 and 8 year olds). And no matter where we’re headed, sweatshirts always come along. They’re perfect for chilly planes and double as makeshift pillows. Oh, and full water bottles always. We’ve had long delays on planes with no access to water for hours, and trust me, that’s not a situation you want with little kids.
I’ll often schedule a grocery delivery to wherever we’re staying. There’s something comforting about having a few favorite staples from home in a new place. And if that’s not an option, I tuck a few nutrient-dense snacks into our suitcase (New Primal Snack Mates Sticks, GoMacro Kids Macrobars, Mamma Chia pouches!).
If we’re traveling somewhere that requires a rental car, we’ve found a little system that works well for us. One of us heads to the rental car counter with a kid in tow, while the other grabs the bags with the other child. By the time the luggage is collected, the car is ready and waiting. It makes that transition from plane to road feel a little smoother (and a lot more efficient).
If we’re staying in a hotel, our family loves a yummy room service breakfast, especially when we’re heading west and up especially early due to the time change. The kids get such a kick out of “taking our order” and calling it in themselves.
Carry On Must-Haves: Even though we’re long past diaper changes, I still travel with two kinds of wipes: Aloh hand sanitizing wipes and Yipes! wipes—for quick cleanups, messy faces, and surprise spills. I never forget my iPad and phone chargers (lesson learned after a 4+ hour ground delay!). I always pack snacks for myself (something salty, something sweet, and something with protein). And a small notebook per child with markers + cute erasable pens is a go-to for keeping the kids entertained anywhere. We’ve played countless rounds of tic-tac-toe and hangman during delays and long rental car lines.
Family Dream Bucket List
Liz: The world is literally our oyster but if I had to pick a few places I’d love to travel to as a family, I’d say:
the Caribbean
Costa Rica (after hearing about what an amazing time a good friend of mine had there with her family of 5!)
California (especially our old stomping grounds of Northern Cali, Monterey and Carmel)
London and the English countryside (Wales/Cotswolds)
Italy
Hawaii
Hilton Head Island, Savannah and Charleston
Explore more closer to home locales such as Vermont (skiing! fab food!), the northern coast of Maine, and Nantucket
Amelia: I could daydream forever about all the places I’d love to visit as a family, but here are some at the top of my dreamy destination list:
US National Parks! Yosemite, Acadia, Zion to name a few
Reykjavik
South Africa
Big Sur!
Alaska
Croatia
Paris
Copenhagen
We love sharing our family travel stories and our favorite tips and tricks but now we’re excited to hand things over to the real experts!
Natalie and I (Amelia) first met 12 years ago during our blogging days, and our friendship deepened when we were pregnant with our firsts at the same time (they even ended up sharing a birthday!). Natalie has always had the travel bug, and it’s been such a joy to catch up over the years and hear about her latest adventures. She’s long been an inspiration when it comes to traveling with kids, reminding me that you’ll never regret taking the trip!
Once her second son was in school, she turned that lifelong passion into a business and launched Natalie Kurtzman Travel. These days, she’s helping Mike and me plan our own family adventures. We feel so lucky to have her warmth and thoughtful guidance every step of the way!
Before I became a travel advisor, I was simply a traveler—wide-eyed, curious, in love with the way a place could shift your spirit. One of the most defining trips I’ve ever taken was when my husband Matt and I brought our 9-month-old son, Milo, to Japan. While I wouldn’t have described us as brave at the time, I look back now and think—maybe we were.
It wasn’t our first time traveling internationally with Milo—we had taken him to Portugal and France when he was just three months old—but this felt different. It was our first time to Japan, and the furthest we’d ever been from home as a family. I had always dreamed of visiting, but doing so with a baby in tow gave it a depth I never expected.
We began in Tokyo, where the rhythm of the city hummed beneath our feet. The scale of it, the beauty in both chaos and calm. We wandered the streets with no agenda other than to be present. And there was something magical about the way people engaged with Milo—gracious, warm, and genuinely delighted by his presence. Japan is deeply family-forward in ways that are quiet but impactful—nursing corners in department stores, family lines at attractions, high chairs offered without asking. It made all the difference.
From there, we traveled to Hakone for a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, rising like a watercolor above the horizon. Then Koyasan, where we stayed in a Buddhist temple, surrounded by stillness and the soft sound of monks at morning prayer. Our final stop was Kyoto, where we stayed in a traditional ryokan. Tatami mats beneath our feet, soft robes, delicate breakfasts served in silence. It felt sacred.
But what stays with me most isn’t a specific moment or place. It’s the feeling. At the time, I was navigating postpartum anxiety—the kind that’s invisible to most but deeply loud on the inside. Traveling again, especially to a place as gentle and grounding as Japan, helped me feel like me. It reminded me that the anxiety was part of my story, but not the whole of it. I could still find joy. I could still feel awe. I could still be curious, even as I was learning to mother.
Japan taught me that traveling with children doesn’t diminish the experience—it deepens it. You notice different things. You slow down. And sometimes, the sweetest surprises are the quietest ones: a stranger’s smile, a temple bell, your baby laughing on a bullet train.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to travel when your children are small—my answer is yes. The logistics aren’t always easy, but the memories are gold. Sometimes, it’s the very act of going that reminds you who you are.
Lauren and I (Amelia) first met 12 years ago during our blogging days as well and quickly bonded over our shared love of style, design, and art. Since then, she’s turned her passion for travel, photography, and design into a meaningful career. Her work blends storytelling and content creation, often highlighting lifestyle and destination experiences that are as thoughtful as they are inspiring.
What I love most is how Lauren captures the beauty of the everyday, those sweet, ordinary moments with her daughter and son, while also sharing their family travel adventures. Her content feels like flipping through someone’s well-loved family scrapbook: personal and full of smiles!
It’s a treat to follow along and even more special that I now get to make art with her son at Minni!
There is nothing I love more than traveling with my family, but as with all things, this is entirely subjective. I have never been a homebody, and find comfort, peace, and joy in exploring new places. My husband has always shared the same passion, and we have traveled with both of our children (we have a daughter, now 7, and a son, now 2) since they were newborns.
For our family, travel is the ultimate calibrator. Twenty-four hours feels like a week, a week like a month… When we are just us four (removed from the daily routine, the logistics, the various little stressors and pressures) it’s as though we can all take a big, collective deep breath and sigh it out.
Nothing is as soul filling or energizing as time together, away from it all.
I do not consider myself an expert on anything but my own family, but I’m always happy to share solicited advice… so here goes: in no particular order, some tips / advice / ramblings based on personal experience.
Begin when they are babies! You can travel during the best times (no school schedule, no busy school vacation weeks), you can bring them at no significant added cost (no need for an extra plane ticket, no need for a larger hotel room), and if you’re breastfeeding or using formula, no need to worry about food borne illnesses.
Set some ground rules for your first flight and hold the boundaries. Some will feel hard and require effort, but flying gets exponentially easier from age two on. For example, we’ve always had a firm “you never get up on an airplane unless you need the bathroom” rule. When traveling to Europe, it’s “screens off and sleep on the way there, screens on and stay up on the way back.” Some rules can even feel exciting, like screen time. We only use iPads when flying, so they’ve retained a strong sense of novelty. Both kids turn into zombies, which is amazing now… and sometimes I find myself bored, wishing they’d talk to me—hah! (Amelia: We’re heading abroad this summer for the first time as a family of four, and I’m definitely keeping this screen time rule in mind. Thanks for the tip!)
We used to want to go everywhere and see everything, but over the past few years, we’ve found ourselves drawn back to the same favorite little corners of the world. Our family loves being outside, hiking to wild beaches, eating at classic seaside tavernas, strolling piazzas past midnight with gelatos in hand… simple things in special places that resonate with us. Find what brings your family joy, and plan trips around those things. Family travel doesn’t have to mean “family-friendly” travel. We travel much like we did before kids—just with less sleep, less relaxation, and definitely no more nights out at places like Music on the Rocks….for now. :) If a local theme park or children’s museum isn’t your idea of a vacation at home, it likely won’t feel like one when you’re away—so skip it. Plan a trip that feels good, not just one that sounds good.
Kids will eat when they’re hungry and sleep when they’re tired. Keep snacks on hand and go with the flow. The biggest meltdowns we’ve had were when we tried to force a meal or a nap. The moment we let go, it all got easier.
Less is more. Less is so much more. Choose one or two things to do each day, plus a great lunch or dinner, and slow it down. It leaves time for the unplanned and keeps the day from feeling rushed.
Less is also more when it comes to packing (at least for us). For baby gear, we bring our own stroller, diapers/wipes, and sunscreen. Everything else (from car seats and pack ’n plays to snacks) we rent or buy once we’re there. For “toys,” we pack books, notebooks, colored pencils/crayons, and a favorite stuffy or a few small cars. And on the last night of the trip, the kids get to use any leftover currency to shop for their own souvenir. It’s become one of our favorite little traditions.
Unplug! For you, for your kids… for you. These days, most of our travel is personal (not business—thank you, pandemic + peak school schedules), but even when it is for work, I include a clause in every contract: I won’t be sharing content until at least a week after we return home. I promise, there’s nothing you want to post that can’t wait. If you’re lucky enough to get away… get away! My husband and I started traveling together before smartphones (or maybe we just didn’t have them yet?). Either way, it’s possible and wonderful. Despite my job and my love of sharing our memories (mostly for myself, if I’m being honest), I’m a modern-day Luddite: vacation mode = airplane mode. I don’t even look at my camera roll until the plane home. It’s like opening a thousand tiny presents, each one a sweet, delicate candy to unwrap, taste and savor.
Thank you both for sharing your beautiful travel stories and heartfelt wisdom. We’re so grateful for your thoughtful reflections and for letting us peek into your adventures!
If you’re new here, welcome! We’ve gathered a few recent favorite posts to help you dive right in:
Amelia’s shedding old beliefs and making space for who she’s becoming
Spring is finally here (yay!). Check out what we’re savoring this season!
Liz is accepting that her son’s behavior isn’t a reflection of her as a mom
Rose:
Amelia - A bouquet of roses this week: picking up parrot tulips on the walk home from the bus stop, our first al fresco family dinner of the season, and a sweet one-on-one ice cream date with my son, just to name a few!
Liz - While we had to make some tweaks due to sickness (see below, my “Thorn”), we were still able to make our main spring break surprise happen… we took the boys to Legoland NY! It was a whirlwind 36 hours but worth it; they are huge Lego fans. The older two loved the rollercoaster and all things Ninjago, and all three boys were of course enthralled with the themed hotel and souvenir swords. It was a perfect one day amusement park, we had gorgeous weather, and we left with lots of really happy, funny memories.
Thorn:
Amelia - Our trip to Savannah was dreamy. The only thing that made it a little tough was not getting to see as many friends as we’d hoped; it was a quick trip (roughly 48 hours) and my daughter was still recovering from the flu. We still managed to soak up the sunshine and made the most of the time we had!
Liz - The infamous stomach bug in our house claimed victim #3 in the early hours Easter Sunday, derailing our plans a bit :(
Bud:
Amelia - I’m looking forward to a weekend in Boston and some much needed time at home, ideally with a little spring sunshine and the new Emily Henry book.
It’s my son’s first year at my daughter’s school, and it’s been such a joy to see him dive right in, especially bonding with classmates over their shared love of Gaga ball. He’s so excited for a Gaga ball playdate at school this weekend!
Liz - My oldest turns 8 this weekend! I’m so incredibly excited to celebrate HIM with his favorite things: cake, bowling, the arcade, games, family :) (Amelia: Happy early birthday, big guy!)
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So many amazing travel memories already! I love having this post to refer back to @Liz, starting around age 5 really feels like the Golden Age for travel!
Tips, Tricks & Travel Traditions…love all the reflections on travel with kids. Love reading each week! This issue was full of great information and insights!