Before my husband and I had our two children, a coworker told me this little nugget of wisdom:

A vacation with kids is NOT a vacation—it is a TRIP.


And now that I have had seven years of "vacationing" with kids, I can attest that no truer words have been spoken. Ha!


If you're anything like me, though, I still love the idea of going and discovering a new place. In fact, that’s one of my husband and my favorite things to do. We were adamant that we’d keep traveling after kids came along—because we want our kids to love it, too.


Over the years, we’ve learned a few things (some the hard way 😅), and I hope sharing them here helps you head into your next trip with a little more confidence—and a lot more snacks.

Child walking on brick path in front of grand historic Greenbrier Resort with white columns and arches.
A young child lies on a hardwood floor writing on paper while someone rests on a bed in the background.
Toddler climbing stone steps in the garden wearing light colored clothing and blue sneakers.

1. Lower your expectations.


Like, really lower them. If you're used to reading a book by the pool or sleeping in on vacation... it's time to recalibrate. 😄


Instead, shift your goal to making memories, not relaxing. Let go of the picture-perfect moments and embrace the messy, hilarious, and unexpected ones.


Our oldest is an early riser—and I mean SUPER early! So we’ve had to get creative with our morning routine while our youngest is still sleeping. We always try to get a hotel room with a balcony so we can sneak outside without waking anyone up. Even better, we’ll book an Airbnb where the kids can have their own rooms. But when that’s not possible, we cross our fingers for a bathroom with enough floor space and pack a stash of “quiet time” activities to help those early hours go a little more smoothly.


Some of our go-to quiet activities:


The key here? Flexibility. And maybe a second cup of coffee. 😉

A small child with curly hair sits at an outdoor table with a muffin, overlooking a waterfront view.
A child sleeps peacefully in a stroller while traveling outdoors on a sunny day.

2. Pack strategically, not excessively.


Yes, kids need a lot of things—but it’s easy to overpack and still forget something important. Over the years, we’ve learned to focus on the essentials that really make a difference, especially in keeping everyone happy, rested, and entertained.


Sleep Setup

This is the big one for me—probably because I’m a bit of a sleep nazi. 😅 My theory is: if we can keep sleep as normal as possible, everyone is more likely to be in a good mood and have fun during the day. So we always pack the essentials: blankies, favorite stuffed animals, our sound machine, and when our kids were babies, we never traveled without our Slumberpod (truly a game changer).


Versatile Outfits

Kids can go through multiple outfits a day, so I try to stick with a similar color palette. That way, if something gets spilled on, I can easily swap in a backup piece. One thing that works great for us is packing outfits by the day in Ziploc bags (nothing fancy—it’s just what I had on hand!). I’ve heard packing cubes are amazing too. And of course, I always throw in a few extra outfits just in case. Bonus points if you're staying at an Airbnb with a washer and dryer—huge help with little kids!


Easy Entertainment

We always bring a stash of simple toys and activities that travel well and can be pulled out at restaurants, on the go, or during downtime. Think stickers, mess-free coloring kits, or small toys like these magnet tiles—anything that keeps little hands busy without creating a huge mess. I usually keep a few things in my day bag so we’re never caught unprepared when boredom strikes.

Two children sit together on white wooden stairs at a sunny beach while smiling and wearing casual summer attire.
A toddler with curly hair sits at an outdoor table with a muffin while looking toward the ocean view.
Small child wearing light colored shirt and gray shorts walking on asphalt driveway in front of white pillared building.

3. Snacks solve (almost) everything.


Tired? Hungry.

Bored? Hungry.

Just screamed at their sibling for barely brushing against them? Definitely hungry.


Snacks are basically the glue holding the whole operation together. I stash them everywhere—my bag, the car, the carry-on, even coat pockets—because you never know when hunger will strike. And I always include a few “fun” snacks they don’t usually get at home to make it feel a little extra special.


Here are some of our favorite travel-friendly snacks:

  • MadeGood Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
  • Applesauce pouches
  • Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies
  • Simple Mills Banana Muffins (I bake these ahead of time)
  • Wheat Thins


I try to prep most of the snacks before we even leave home so I’m not scrambling mid-trip. And if you're flying, here’s a tip that’s saved us more than once: pack all the snacks in a large plastic Tupperware container inside your checked bag. It will be ready for you when you arrive to your destination!

Mirror reflection shows floral wallpaper and a cozy bedroom with colorful bedding and vintage decor elements.
Adult and child observe information posted on a wooden bulletin board at a trail's information kiosk.

4. Build in downtime.


Travel days can be a whirlwind—and when you’re out of routine, it’s easy for kids (and honestly, adults too) to get overstimulated and overwhelmed. One of the best ways we’ve found to prevent total meltdowns is by intentionally building in downtime.


Whether that means a slow morning after a busy outing or quiet time in the afternoon with a show or book, those built-in breaks make a huge difference in everyone’s mood.


Some of our favorite travel memories are actually the simplest ones:

  • A spontaneous visit to a local playground
  • Movie night in a cozy hotel bed
  • Letting the kids dig in the sand or splash in a creek for way longer than we “planned”


We’ve also learned that our kids are happiest when water is involved. So we tend to stick to destinations that include the beach, a pool, or even a family-friendly hike to a waterfall. When the kids are happily exploring and burning energy in a way they love—we’re all better for it.

A bright orange camping hammock hangs between trees near a lakeside, creating a peaceful outdoor relaxation spot.
Adult and toddler walk along beach shoreline while playing with red bucket in summer weather.

5. You’re doing a great job.


No matter how prepared you are, there will be meltdowns. You’ll forget something. Someone will miss a nap. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it just means you’re doing it.


I know the pressure of wanting your kids to be “perfect” on vacation—especially on an airplane or in a restaurant—so you don’t get those looks or overhear those whispers. Yes, it’s important to teach our kids to be respectful of others, but also… they’re kids. And they deserve to have these experiences, too.


(Not saying you should take them to an opera or a five-course tasting menu—but you get the picture.)


Traveling with little ones isn’t always easy, but it is so worth it. At the end of the day, you’re giving your children new experiences, helping them see the world, and making memories they’ll carry with them forever.


And that? That matters more than anything else.

Person wearing bright coral shorts sorts through fresh shellfish at a rustic outdoor table setup.

Whether your summer adventures are close to home or somewhere new, I hope you soak it all in. And if you ever want help capturing the beauty in your everyday chaos—traveling or not—you know where to find me!