3 Tricks for Traveling with Kids and Traveling Without Added Stress

February 17, 2020

Travel can be a great way to relax and unwind. When you are traveling with your kids, especially if it’s the first time, planning a trip can seem more stressful than exciting. You may be worried about keeping costs low, keeping your kids from getting bored, or just keeping yourself from feeling frazzled. Whatever you’re worried about when it comes to traveling with children, these simple travel tips may just save you stress and headache along the way.

Try a Low-Stress, Low-Cost Staycation

Budgeting for airfare, hotels, and even gas can get expensive quickly, especially when you are traveling as a family. So, if worries about expenses are going to keep you from enjoying your family vacation, why not just plan some fun closer to home? With a local vacation rental, you can get all of the conveniences of your own home, but you can also feel like you are taking a little break, without ever leaving your hometown!

Many vacation rentals in Austin come with a kitchen, so you can keep meals healthy for your family. Plus, as Turnkey points out, you can find homes in just about any Austin neighborhood, from Zilker Park to world-famous lakes. Aside from exploring outdoor attractions like Lake Travis or catching a football game at the University of Texas, you can also keep you and your kids having fun with other staycation activities. Find a local trail and take your kids on a fun-filled hike or act like a tourist and check out local festivals. You can even plan a camping trip in your own backyard if you want to keep your family “trip” seriously low-cost.

Consider Camping or Exploring Nature

If your kids seem to love camping in the backyard, why not plan your next family vacation around the great outdoors? You can plan a trip to one of the top national parks, for an adventure that kids of all ages won’t soon forget. In addition to being family-friendly, national parks like Rocky Mountain National Park and the Grand Canyon also offer tons of exciting activities that should interest both children and adults. However, if you’re looking for something closer to home, you can also check out one of the many national parks in New Mexico, which also boast some equally stunning views and are a much shorter drive for folks who live in Texas. Aside from views and adventure, opting to take your family vacation outside can also come with some serious savings, especially if you arm yourself with a few budget-friendly camping tips to plan your trip. Finally, before you set out to explore the wilderness together, be sure to go over some essential hiking safety tips with your kids.

Bring Snacks and Entertainment for Road Trips

When your travel plans include several hours or even days on the road, you are going to need to plan ahead in order to keep your little ones from getting bored and cranky. That means looking for convenient entertainment options that will keep those little minds occupied. Tablets and smartphones can be a lifesaver on big road trips, so consider relaxing screen rules and letting your children kill that travel time watching their favorite TV shows and movies, Hunger can also lead to meltdowns and stress for both parents and kids, so also pack a bag or cooler full of snacks and beverages for your road trip survival kit. Non-perishable food may work best for longer trips, but you can also keep veggies and fruit chilled by picking up ice along the way. Another essential tip for keeping family road trips low-stress? Be sure to plan your fuel stops! If you’ve never driven across Texas, this can be an especially important tip but planning fuel stops will also give you an opportunity to refill snacks and plan bathroom breaks.

Traveling with your children doesn’t have to be stressful! With some tweaks to your family travel plans, you can prevent some of the most stressful situations from putting a damper on your vacation. So use these tips to keep your next family travel adventure fun for everyone!

Author: Daniel Sherwin

Photo Credit: Rawpixel