Helpful Tips for Traveling with a Large Family

Do you travel with your kids?  Chances are you do… some of us might go farther than others. Some of us might drive, while others fly – each and every family is different.

If it’s one thing that I have learned over the last few years, it’s that nothing is made for a family of 7… hotels are commonly set up for a family of 4. Once you introduce 5, the rates take a huge hike – or, perhaps the hotel won’t even allow 3 kids and 2 adults in the same room at all.

The option for adjoining rooms is not always available, and everything seems to be incredibly challenging when it involves more than 2 or 3 kids.  Although certainly more challenging, traveling with kids is not impossible. When it comes to going places, we have truly done it all – 30 hour drives, trips across the border and even long flights to see family.

Over the last few years there are many things we have learned to help make our trip more enjoyable and pleasant. 

1. Always remember the smallest child.  When it comes to planning activities on a trip or vacation, take your smallest into greatest consideration. If your smallest is 3, then remember.. they can’t walk around all day long and they will likely need a nap at some point to recharge their batteries. It’s better if you can keep activities simple and make frequent pit stops in the day, even if it means taking longer to do things.

2. Always carry wet wipes. No matter what ages your kids are, even if you don’t have a baby in the house, they can be instrumental in alleviating issues.  I find myself reaching for them to wipe tables in a restaurant, and using them as toilet paper if they are out in the bathroom. And if you’re driving and make spills in the car, or your 3-4 year old have a bad accident, they can truly save the day.

3. Invest in a baby carrier or sling. Strollers are amazing – and while we have a double stroller as well as a Graco single snap n go… not every place allows you to bring a stroller. If your kids are 3 or 4 years old, then they can walk (they may not want to but they can!) And your children that are 2 and smaller can be put in your sling.  

Baby carriers are amazing – you truly can be hands free, climb stairs, use the bathroom or even allow them to sleep when you use a carrier.  I would highly recommend an Ergobaby and a Moby Wrap. A Moby Wrap works great for the smallest of children while the Ergobaby is great for the older children.

4. ANY trip is an adventure!  So many people assume that you have to go to Disney, or LEGOLAND to make something a vacation. Or perhaps even a cruise, a trip to Hawaii or spend thousands of dollars.

Truth is, any trip is an adventure for kids – that means any city, any drive, and any hotel stay.  You don’t have to make the trip an extravagant one to make memories.

5. With 5 kids, someone always has to use the bathroom….so always make frequent bathroom stops.

Just as we get in the truck to drive another few hours, there is always that one that says “Mom. I have to go.”  Make a point of showing the kids every single restroom sign you pass by – and stopping at the restroom every time you fill up with fuel (road trip).

6. Plan for breakfast. Staying in a hotel that offers some type of a breakfast can be a huge money-saver – make sure you get up and get the kids dressed at a decent time so you can enjoy that breakfast without without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. I usually get ready and take my girls to enjoy breakfast while I leave Dad and the boys in the room. Then, we switch – that way it’s not overwhelming to have 5 little bodies in the small dining room with each person requesting 1,001 things.

If you aren’t staying at a hotel that has breakfast, then plan ahead and bring breakfast type items to the hotel to have for everyone who might wake up cranky and hungry.

7. Be flexible. You have kids, Things don’t always go as planned.  Be patient and be willing to realize that nothing is ever going to go as planned.

8. Always have Water. You should always have water – not just for drinking but for washing dirty hands, wiping sticky faces and cleaning up nasty messes that you might find yourself in.

9. Stop often:  Kids love to get out and stretch .. they also like to release some energy too along the way. Find large spaces that they can run and play.  They will be happier that you let them release some pent up energy – and want to know a secret? They’ll probably remember that park experience far more than they will the actual trip ;)

10. Only try to plan one major site a day. If you are heading up to Flagstaff to Bearizona, perhaps, don’t try to do Bearizona AND the Lowell Observatory – your kids will get tired.  Make it simple, and have one large goal – when that is done, celebrate and work on a different goal for the next day.

11. The gift shop can be a curse and a blessing – I agree.  It can be one of the best ways to captivate their attention before you start your adventure. Stop in at the gift shop first, and allow them to get something small – whether it be a postcard or a small toy. 

They’ll likely perk up and keep themselves busy with that item for the next hour or two and it really can make the trip that much more smooth.

I will never forget driving out to New Mexico to the Hatch Chile Festival – my kids were tired, hot and irritable – but Dad bought them Nacho Libre Masks and it made their ENTIRE day. They each wore that mask the rest of the day and never made a peep! 

12. Pack extra clothes for the kids: We’re not talking about the older kids, but the smaller people. Have a family bag that you carry with you that has a few extra pieces, or if you are driving, have an extra set of clothes and shoes in the back – for times that someone has an accident, spills or simply gets cold.

Having one bag that you can put everything in will save you from having to carry multiple totes around – don’t make it too incredibly heavy but DO make it functional. Carry snacks, water, some band-aids, matchbox cars, crayons and a few items of clothing for the smallest of kids.

13. If you are going to be eating out on your trip, whether that be a road trip or a regular vacation, try to visit restaurants when you know they’ll be less busy. Eat a late lunch or early dinner at 2:30 or 3 p.m. to avoid crowds.

When everyone is done, use the bathroom and then allow your spouse to pay while you take everyone out to get ready to leave.

14. National Parks can be such an amazing place!  Many of them have the Junior ranger program with a free book for each child – pick up a pair of binoculars for each child to make it a learning experience they will remember.

15. Always have prizes available – especially for the younger children. Being able to pull a special treat out of your bag can turn tears into smiles, especially for those who are grumpy from being out of their regular schedule. 

Make those prizes fun and inexpensive – a cheap pair of sunglasses, a sling pouch bag, a disposable camera, some new crayons or a color book – the list goes on.

Something I always like to remember is that it doesn’t have to cost bucketloads or involve fancy extravagant things to be a successful adventure for a large family. Kids are happy getting out and seeing NEW things – even if that means a city 2 hours away or staying in a hotel with an indoor pool.

Always pop into the gas station or store to pick up postcards on your trip and let the kids send them out to friends or family – talk about the trip as you return home to get a better feel for how much fun the kid had, and what they took away from the experience.