Kids Mindful Travelling Tips & Packing Essentials.
I’m one for making travel as light, easy and efficient as possible. Less stuff, more of what you need.
As a family we often take long distant trips, which include hours of car journeys and overnight long haul flights.
Traveling with kids can be an adventure in itself! Staying organised is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip for everyone involved. Here are some intentional ways to travel with kids while staying organised.
“Less chaos and more calm.”
Traveling with kids can be an adventure in itself! Staying organised is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip for everyone involved. Here are some intentional ways to travel with kids while staying organised… and calm.
Plan Ahead: Create a detailed itinerary including transportation, accommodations, activities, and meals. Consider the interests and needs of your children when planning activities.
Pack Wisely: Make a packing list for each family member, including essentials like clothing, toiletries, medications, and entertainment items such as books, toys, or electronics. Use packing cubes or separate bags for each person to keep belongings organised.
Utilise Technology: Use travel apps to book flights, accommodations, and activities.
Stay Flexible: While it's important to have a plan, be prepared to adapt and change plans as needed, especially when traveling with kids. A gentle reminder, you can only do, what you can do!
Keep Important Documents Handy: Organise passports, tickets, reservations, and other important documents in a secure, easily accessible location such as a travel wallet, pouch or binder. Make copies of important documents and store them electronically as a backup! We love to do both!
Establish Routines: Maintain some semblance of routine, especially when it comes to meal times and bedtime. We have found this very helpful. Whilst in transit, schedule screen time, active playtime, storybook and quiet time give or take with time zone differences. Consistency and familiarity with their regular routine can help children feel more secure and settled in unfamiliar environments. When changing timezones, allow a few days to adjust, but be consistent with your bedtime routine, bedtime cues and not allowing a late afternoon nap too often, but encourage an earlier bedtime to get on track. Use diffusers with sleep support essential oils to aid in sleep and a good nights rest. Use a sleep sun/moon clock so the kids can begin or understand the visual aid of sleep.
Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep hunger and thirst at bay by packing a variety of snacks and drinks for the journey. Especially water and electrolytes for travel. We always keep ningxia red on hand. Portable, non-messy options like granola bars, slices, nuts, seeds, seaweed, popcorn and fruit.
Involve Kids in Planning: Engaging children in the trip planning process allows them to choose activities they're interested in. This not only nurtures excitement but also encourages their cooperation during the trip. I have found this to work very well. Though each to their own. Maintain clear communication with your children throughout every step of the journey depending on your children’s individual needs. This will encourage ease, understanding and more calm. For example, ‘When we get onto the plane, we will have dinner. Then after dinner, we will get into our pajamas and can read some books.’ After that step is complete, don’t forget to celebrate the progress!
Create a Travel Kit: Assemble a travel kit containing essentials like first-aid supplies, wet wipes, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, and any medications your children may need. Having everything in one place makes it easier to access when needed. Keep this in your hand held luggage for easy access,
Stay Organised on the Go: Use backpacks or tote bags to keep essential items close at hand while exploring or in transit. Designate a specific bag for each child (age dependent) to carry their own belongings, such as snacks, water bottles, fidget toys, colouring books and toys.
Pack Entertainment: Keep kids entertained during travel with books, tablets or LDC drawing tablets (our choice) , colouring books, puzzles, or travel-friendly games. Consider investing in noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions during long journeys and fidget toys for those with sensory support. Insider tip: keep extra activities separate and distribute throughout the journey or holiday to keep the excitement going. We love to give a new activity with every big milestone of a journey, e.g Slept 6 hours on the flight.
Prepare for Safety: Prioritise safety by ensuring that car seats, booster seats, and other safety equipment are properly installed and used according to manufacturer guidelines. Discuss safety rules with your children, such as staying together in crowded places and knowing what to do in case of emergencies.
Creating an intentional packing list for kids can help ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here's a comprehensive packing list to consider:
Clothing:
Tip: Pre plan and Pack in versatile outfits.
Underwear and socks: Pack enough for each day of the week, plus extras!
Formal outfit: If attending a special event or dinner, pack an appropriate outfit for each child.
T-shirts and tops: Depending on the length of the trip, pack 1-2 shirts per day.
Pants/shorts/skirts: Include a variety of bottoms suitable for different activities and weather conditions that can match with
Dresses (for girls): If applicable, pack dresses for special occasions or preferences.
Sweaters/jackets: Bring layers for cooler weather or air-conditioned spaces. One hoody, one jumper.
Pajamas: Comfortable sleepwear for each night of the trip. x2 sets per child.
Swimwear: If you'll be near water, pack swimsuits x2 sets to allow enough for one set to dry, rash guards x 2, and swim diapers if needed.
Outerwear: Depending on the destination and season, bring raincoats, snow gear, hats, and gloves.
Footwear:
Comfortable walking shoes: Sneakers or closed-toe shoes suitable for walking and exploring.
Sandals/flip-flops: For warmer weather or beach destinations.
Water shoes: If you'll be in and around water to protect feet from sharp rocks or hot sand.
Toiletries:
Toothbrush and toothpaste: One per child or one to share.
Shampoo and conditioner: Travel-sized bottles or solid bars. We love young living kidscents shampoo for kids!
Body wash or soap: Pack in a spill-proof container.
Hairbrush/comb/hair ties: Keep hair accessories in a travel pack, and don’t forget to make this DIY mermaid hairspray for tangles and shine!
Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF for face and body. We love mineral sunscreen from young living, free of nasties and safe the for the family and the reef!
Insect repellent: Especially important for outdoor activities. We use Bug o
Diapers/pull-ups and wipes: If applicable.
Diaper rash cream: For diaper changes.
Diy kids owie ointment: See how to make yours here.
First-aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and any specific medications for allergies or illnesses. We love to use essential oils, herbs, and natural remedies made from the naturopath or diyed using our oils. You can see the full Oily travelling tool list, here.
Travel potty (if applicable): For young children who are potty training.
Entertainment and Comfort:
Books: Age-appropriate books for reading or bedtime stories.
Colouring books and crayons/markers: Keep kids entertained during travel time, and downtime.
Travel games: Compact games or puzzles for on-the-go entertainment. See below for examples.
Tablet or LCD tablet: Preload with education games, movies, or story books. We use LCD drawing tablet or story book podcasts through an adult phone.
Favourite stuffed animal or toy: Provide comfort and familiarity from home.
Blanket or lovey: For comfort during naps or bedtime. We take the kids weighted small blanket for sensory comfort.
Miscellaneous:
Travel documents: Passports, IDs, travel insurance information, and itinerary.
Snacks: Pack a variety of healthy snacks and drinks to keep hunger at bay. Keep Ningxia red on hand for nutrients, hydration and vitamins.
Travel laundry bag: Keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones.
Sustainable water bottle: Stay hydrated on the go. We love our yetis!
Travel pillow and blanket: For comfortable naps during travel.
Reusable shopping bag: Useful for carrying souvenirs or groceries.
Ziplock silicone bags: For storing snacks, wet clothes, or organising small items.
Portable charger: Keep devices charged during long journeys in a bag
By tailoring this packing list to your child's age, destination, and specific needs, you are well on your way to a well-prepared and stress-free travel experience for the whole family!
Travelling Essentials
If you’re looking for building independence & inspiring imagination without the use of screens, the yoto player is perfect! With easy yoto cards to play the kids favourite stories on the go!
Shop this post
Mindful kids travelling essentials
1. Sensory fidget toys- linked here
2. Rainbow scratch notepad- linked here
3. fidget toys- linked here
4. Girls drawing LCD tablet- Linked here
5. Boys daring LDC tablet- linked here
6. pencils- Linked here
7. Small travel magnetic chess- Linked here
8. Small pack of colouring books, handbag size- linked here
9. Purple travel school back pack- Linked here
10. Green travel school back pack- Linked here
11. pencil cases-Linked here
12. sensory fidget toy set to relieve stress and anxiety- linked here
13. Pens- Linked here
14. Word search activity book - Linked here
15. Boys activity workbook- linked here
16. Girls activity workbook- Linked here
17. Notebook/ sketchbook for documenting the trip- Linked here
18. Uno -Linked here
19. Noughts and crosses travel size - Linked here
20. House of marble Jacob ladder wooden fidget toy- Linked here
21. Small weighted blanket for grounding, sitting still and sleeping, 7 pounds- linked here
22. Kids headphones-linked here You can get wireless, our kids prefer them not to be.
23. Travel size girls loom bands- Linked here
24. Sun and moon clock- Linked here
25. Essential oil rollers, diffuser blends and sleep support, read this post!
Packing Cubes are essential for organised packing and ease. We delegate a pack for a child for convenience. They simply take their pack to their bedrooms and that’s it! Get the packing cubes here.
Mumma’s essential oil travelling tool box. Read more on this post about our favourites for dreamy sleeps, wellness, on-the-go bumps and grazes and calm the nerves essentials and more natural and healthy alternatives.
Enjoy your trip!
Recent Posts
Follow Maddy Evennett
