Planning a trip with young kids? Traveling with kids can be a great experience, but if you’re unprepared it can go south fast. For a great trip the time to prepare is before you even leave your own home. I’ve compiled a list of tips I’ve gathered over my 30 years traveling for some family members that are about to do their first trip abroad and I thought I’d share them with you. 

Pacing Yourself: The Key to Enjoying Your Trip

The most important part of enjoying a trip with kids is pacing yourself. The biggest mistake I see travelers making is packing their itinerary so full they don’t have time to make memories of what they’re doing. While you want to make the most of your time, an unexpected bad moment can ruin a whole day, or worse. When traveling it’s hard to plan ahead and know exactly how everyone will feel at any given time, let alone each day. Expect that someone—child or adult—will get hungry, tired, or overwhelmed at some point. Experiencing a new place for the first time together is exciting, but it can also be a lot to take in.

Some key tips to keep in mind:

• Build in extra time for getting to and from places.
• Schedule breaks throughout the day for snacks, rest, and play.
• Check in with each other often to see if someone needs a breather.
• Be flexible—it’s okay to adjust plans to match the group’s energy levels.

The One+ Approach: Planning Without Overloading

I recommend using a One+ approach when planning your itinerary. Each day, focus on just one must-do activity—something that’s a top priority for your family. Try to do it early in the day before crowds pick up.

Before you go on your trip, sit down and talk about everyone’s most important sights and experiences. Then, plot those spots on a Google Map (or whatever app you prefer). If you like using physical maps, take a backup photo of it in case it gets lost or damaged.

Creating a Smart Travel Map

Once you have your key locations mapped out, add nearby options that could be helpful throughout the day:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Parks and playgrounds
• Shops or interesting local streets
• Scenic walks or plazas to explore

Having a map of options near your must-see spots means that when hunger strikes or energy levels dip, you already know where to go. You can even download maps in advance, which is a lifesaver when navigating without Wi-Fi. Speaking of which, don’t forget to check mobile rates before you travel!

Familiar But New

While traveling is all about experiencing something new, bringing in familiar elements can make a big difference While you travel, especially for kids. There’s nothing kids hate more than hoping from site to site. Pick a few things you know they’ll enjoy. Familiar activities in new places can help everyone feel a little more comfortable and learn how other places do things. In Spain, we happened on an amazing park themed after Gulliver’s Travels—It was a great place for kids to get their energy and parents to rest and recharge. It was also where we got the best photos of the entire trip. Don’t take for granted what you do every day at home. Going to the grocery store for example may seem like a chore at home, but we found that **grocery stores made for great picnics in the park. All the stuff that’s expensive at home (think:baguette, brie, fruit, and sparkling water) was only a few Euros in Spain and France. Just be aware that the reverse is also true (peanut butter was 10 Euro and a small Coke was 5 Euro).

For those familiar comforts there’s no shame in visiting a place you’re familiar with at home. And yes, when you’re traveling with small children McDonald’s happens—sometimes, a Happy Meal toy can be the best (and cheapest) souvenir. Plus, familiar food, a place to sit and recharge, and a reliable bathroom can be worth their weight in gold when traveling with little ones.

Expect Things to Get Lost—And Plan Accordingly

Kids will lose things. It’s just a fact of life. My nephew adored his Happy Meal toy—until he lost it, leading to a meltdown and a second trip to McDonald’s.

What to do:

• Leave the irreplaceable items at home. Don’t bring the favorite toy or beloved blanket—losing them could be a disaster.
• Get a few new travel-friendly comfort items. Introduce them before the trip so they feel familiar but aren’t so sentimental that losing them is a big deal.
• Consider backups. Small surprises or extra toys can help ease a tough moment on the go.

Final Thoughts

I could go on (and on, and on!), but I’ll stop here for now. Planning a family trip with small children is a lot of work, but with the right approach, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. If you’d like more recommendations or details, don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you an unforgettable adventure!