Family, travel

How I Prep for Long Travel with Young Kids: Real-Life Tips from a Traveling Mom

✈️ How I Prep For Traveling with Young Kids

As a Tampa-based family photographer and mom of two, I know how magical — and how chaotic — traveling with young kids can be. We’re getting ready to leave for a family trip to Guatemala, and every time we travel, I’m reminded that preparation is everything.

Our family actually travels often — sometimes flying, sometimes hopping in the car for a long drive. We’ve even done a cross-country road trip all the way to Yellowstone National Park, and that experience taught me so much about what actually works for kids (and what just sounds good on Pinterest). After years of figuring it out the hard way, we’ve landed on a rhythm that works well for our family — one that makes travel more peaceful, less stressful, and even fun.

Whether you’re heading out on a road trip, hopping on a plane, or exploring a new country with your littles, here are a few of my favorite ways I prepare for long travel with kids — including what’s in their backpacks, how I manage expectations (hello, meltdowns), and what helps us return to a more peaceful home.

🎒 1. Each child gets their own backpack

This keeps them both independent and entertained during travel days. Inside their bags, I always pack:

Their favorite snacks
A water bottle
Travel-friendly activities (sticker books, magnetic puzzles, crayons, etc.)
A small blanket or stuffy for comfort

It helps avoid digging through my bag every five minutes and gives them a sense of ownership over their adventure.

👉 A few of our favorite travel-friendly activities

🎧 2. Toniebox or Yoto Player = lifesavers

Both of my kids have a Toniebox or Yoto Player loaded with their favorite stories and music. These give them screen-free entertainment on the plane or while waiting at airports — and they can pop on headphones when they need some quiet time.
Highly recommend if you’re traveling with young kids — it buys you some sanity and gives them space to reset.

📓 3. Adventure notebooks: a new tradition we’re starting

This is something new we’re trying for this trip — and I’m so excited about it, I already know we’ll be doing it for every big adventure from here on out.

Before we leave, I give each child their own notebook — we’re calling them Adventure Books (yes, inspired by Up ☁️). Inside, they’ll be able to:

Draw what they see or experience
Write about their favorite moments
Add stickers, leaves, ticket stubs, or little treasures from the trip
Use it as a quiet activity during downtime or travel days

It’s a simple way to encourage reflection, creativity, and mindfulness — and by the end of the trip, they’ll each have their own little keepsake to look back on. link to buy!

🧹 4. We clean the house before we leave (yes, really)

It sounds small, but coming home to a clean house makes all the difference. I’ll spend a few extra hours before we leave doing laundry, changing the sheets, and tidying up so when we return, we’re not walking into chaos.

Home feels like a calm landing place again — and not just another thing to manage after travel.

🧠 5. I mentally prepare myself for chaos

Because let’s be real: it’s going to happen.

Traveling with kids comes with meltdowns, delays, missed naps, and snack shortages. I expect the unexpected, and I allow extra buffer time in our schedule for:

Bathroom breaks
Airport snack stops
“I can’t walk anymore” moments
Last-minute outfit changes (because: spills)

I’ve found that when I expect things to go wrong, I’m more patient and flexible when they do.

📱 6. I make a detailed to-do list (with errands too!)

This list is my lifeline while prepping to leave. I use the Notes app and check things off as I go — it helps me stay focused and not forget the little things when life gets hectic.

Here’s what’s usually on my list:

Pack outfits for each family member
Chargers, headphones, meds, passports
Notebooks + Tonie/Yoto devices
All the snacks
Clean the house
Pick up pet food + drop them off with their “babysitters” (aka the grandparents!)
Follow up with clients + schedule emails/social posts
Order anything last-minute for the trip (Target Drive-Up, Amazon, etc.)
Back up photos + clear memory cards

That “small stuff” can sneak up on you fast — having it all written down helps me breathe easier.

🌍 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re preparing for a cross-country road trip, flying to a dream destination, or exploring somewhere new with your kids, it helps to slow down, stay organized, and manage your expectations.

There will be unforgettable moments — and there will be meltdowns too. But the memories you make as a family are worth the effort ten times over.

And if you’re a fellow Tampa family planning your own travel adventure, I’d love to help you capture part of that journey — whether it’s before you leave or once you’re back and grounded again.

P.S. Want me to photograph your family while you’re on vacation? I’m now offering travel sessions for families in select destinations around the world.
✨ [Inquire here] or shoot me a DM on Instagram.

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