Whether you’re flying, driving or even taking the train, traveling with children in tow is rarely an easy task.
Add the Thanksgiving season into the mix – when lines are longer, traffic is heavier and weather inevitably causes unexpected challenges and delays – and the parental stress level increases exponentially.
In fact, according to a holiday travel survey conducted by the digital booking service HotelTonight, most Americans are worried about travel disasters that they can’t even control. Flight delays rank as the biggest travel concern (44%), followed by severe weather disruptions (17%).
Translation: Having a holiday travel game plan is essential for families with little ones.
As a parent who’s traveled the world with my son (including making annual trips back to New England for the holidays) it’s something I’ve learned first-hand.
Packing the right toys and snacks for your trip is critical. But if we’re being truly honest, bringing the right granola bars is only part of the equation. Want to ensure your family’s Thanksgiving travel is as easy as possible for everyone? Here are some tips from travel pros to help achieve that goal.
Embrace the power of preparation
As most parents can attest, organization is key to our success. And creating a list of everything that must be packed and accomplished prior to heading out the door is one of the tried-and-true organizational hacks.
“Make a packing list before you fly, divided into categories like diapering, feeding, sleeping, clothing, and entertainment, and actually follow it, because otherwise you’re bound to forget something,” advises Shir Ibgui, founder and CEO of the travel planning app Globe Thrivers.
Pack strategically
This one might seem fairly obvious, but it cannot be stressed enough: If you’re Thanksgiving travel includes flying, your carry-on bag is your survival kit.
“Fill [your carryon bag] with extra snacks, a change of clothes for everyone, toddler-friendly headphones, and a few small toys,” says Ibgui. “As a travel-tech founder and mom of a toddler, I’ve learned that surviving holiday travel isn’t about overpacking, it’s about smart packing.”
Your carry-on bag takes on even more importance (as a parent) in the event that your primary luggage gets lost during the Thanksgiving journey–which we all know is not an unusual occurence.
“It’s always a good idea to pack a change of clothes for kids in your personal item or carry-on bag. It can be a lifesaver if your luggage goes missing, or, from personal experience, if a baby has an accident during the flight,” Eric Napoli, chief legal officer for the passenger rights platform AirHelp.
Select a few key travel toys
Strategic packing should also apply to the toys that you bring along on your trip. Therese Bauman, a travel agent and creator of the site Theresa B. Travelin’ suggests parents often overpack when it comes to toys.
“In my experience, kids are distracted by the travel day and everything around them that they could care less about all the toys they have,” says Bauman. “I stick to one or two small toys such as a small coloring book with three to five crayons, an activity book, or a hot wheels.”
And here’s one more clever tip from Bauman: When it comes to toys and travel, Bauman also brings one new toy along, which she saves for those moments when her toddler is on the brink of a tantrum.
“Our current favorite for this is Melissa and Doug puffy sticker books with removable stickers,” says Bauman.
Bringing a tablet for each of your children with pre-downloaded movies
and parent-approved games is another parent-tested travel hack.
Download an audiobook for road trips
Of course, not everyone is flying of the Thanksgiving holiday. Scores of Americans take to the road and drive to see family and friends. If that’s the case, consider downloading a family-friendly e-book that can be played in the car, says Melanie Musson, a mother of six and an expert with the insurance education and comparison platform Clearsurance.
“Audiobooks are an excellent way to make long road trips feel faster,” says Musson. “Each person can listen to their own story, but when the whole family listens to the same audiobook, it’s an experience to enjoy together. You can talk about it, make comments along the way, and laugh or cry together.”
Downloading family-friendly podcasts is another option for entertaining young travelers. “My husband I don’t love just putting the kids in front of a screen, and we favor audio-books and podcasts,” says Lynn Campbell, mother of three boys and the co-founder of the travel company 10Adventures. “They are a great way to pass time, and our kids love them. They allow the boys to listen to what’s happening and engage with us and the world, as they aren’t watching the screen.”
Family at the airport. (Photo Credit: Vasyl / Adobe Stock)
Don’t book the cheapest flight, book the easiest journey
Sure, it may be tempting to book a red-eye flight to cut your travel costs (and with the skyrocketing cost of everything from groceries to health insurance, nobody would blame you.) But when you’re traveling with kids, Ibgui says convenience trumps saving money.
“I always advise families to travel during their child’s happiest hours, usually mid-morning, and avoid flights that require waking them up early or traveling late at night,” Ibgui explains.
When it comes to traveling with toddlers, Ibgui suggests the best strategy is to work with their natural rhythm, not against it. That means booking flights that align with nap times. And don’t forget to build buffer time into your travel for feelings and diaper changes.
Use expedited security lines
Lines at the airport, lines at the gas station, lines at the train station. Crowds have become as much a part of the Thanksgiving tradition as the actual meal itself. But waiting in long lines can be less than fun with young children.
Family travelers who are flying to their Thanksgiving destination can minimize this pain point by enrolling in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, suggests Jennifer Yellin, managing editor for the awards travel platform Points Path
“These lanes are usually much faster, which means your kids spend less time standing around,” said Yellin.
If you don’t yet have TSA PreCheck, you may still be able to get approved in time. It’s not unusual for applicants to receive their membership within three to five days.
Added perk alert: Children 12 and under can automatically accompany a parent through the TSA PreCheck line without their own enrollment.
The CLEAR screening program (which recently unveiled a concierge program to make travel even easier) often enrolls right at the airport. Translation: No advance effort required.
Leave a few days before Thanksgiving
Navigating Thanksgiving crowds at the airport can be challenging, especially with children who might be overwhelmed by the holiday crowds and heightened noise levels. If you’re schedule is flexible, it can be a wise choice to travel somewhat before the Thanksgiving rush truly begins.
“In the U.S., airports are typically the busiest on the days right before and after Thanksgiving,” says Napoli. “If possible, try to travel a few days earlier or even a week ahead to avoid the rush.”
Burn energy before boarding
And one more tip that could really be applied to parents and children alike: Before stepping onto the plane or train or loading everyone into the car, take time to move around and get the wiggles out. (Or in the case of parents, do a little stretching.) Travel can often involve very long days and a lot of sitting in cramped spaces, which is no fun for anyone.
If you’re traveling through an airport, you might even look for a quiet, safe corner or open space for kids run and play, suggests Yellin.
“Many airports also offer children’s play areas, and some lounges now include kid zones with TVs, coloring supplies and games” Yellin continued.” “A little pre-flight activity can make a big difference in how well they settle once seated.”
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