Tips for Traveling with a Tiny Human (Toddler)

My husband and I agreed before we had kid(s) that we would continue to travel. While we have slowed down due to my second pregnancy, I still have lofty goals for getting us out of our house regularly to explore the world (or at least North America and the Caribbean).

We’ve now been to 19 states, 7 National Parks, I don’t know how many flights, and a good number of road trips with my almost 2 year old, and below are my tips so far. Sound off in the comments if you have your own tips and tricks!

Realize that traveling with a toddler is not for the faint of heart. Travel days are not easy. If someone tells you it is they are either a toddler savant, rich and travel on private jets, or they are lying.
More like a 1A – If traveling with your partner…remember you love them. Travel days are stressful and can bring out the worst in anyone. Take a breath. Apologize for the things you said in the heat of the moment.
In most instances I’d rather over pack than under pack (this may be more dependent on your destination).
Pack. All. The. Snacks. And always have some accessible.
Pack new toys. Spread out giving them to the kids either at the airport, on the plane, or if driving, throughout the drive.
Be ok with screen time. If all else fails….have a tablet or phone ready with preloaded videos you are ok with your kid watching. We pre-load movies via Disney+. Personally, my child has only experienced a tablet on an airplane, and we try to hold off on it as long as possible, but screen time limits do not exist on travel days.
Pick the flights that work best for your overall trip schedule – do not over plan to coordinate with nap time. Schedules go out the door on travel days. Flights get delayed. Kids get overstimulated and over tired. We are surviving, not thriving. Just go with the flow.
If you can afford to buy an airline seat for your toddler, do it. And if they are reasonably ok in their car seat, take the car seat on the plane with you (as long as it is FAA approved). Taking the car seat seems to be a controversial topic – and it is totally a pain in the rear to carry through the airport if your child is not in a booster yet – but we swear by it. It brings a sense of normalcy to the plane, keeps your child contained, and if you’re lucky, they will take a nap in it.
If someone offers help – take it.
Ignore what other people think. Your tiny humans deserve to travel and have just as much right to be on your flight or at your destination as Chad. Sorry if your name is Chad.
YOU CAN DO IT! Parenting is hard. May as well parent somewhere fun/warm/pretty.