solo trip with toddler

Tips for Traveling Solo with Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children

While I love to travel with my own family, I often find myself in the position of traveling solo with young children.

My husband works as a school principal, which means he doesn’t have a lot of flexibility during the school year. Unfortunately, some of the best and cheapest times to travel are during shoulder seasons like September and October or April and May.

Since I work as a travel blogger, I try to fit in as much travel as I reasonably can. If I waited for my husband to be available, we would only travel during summer or spring break - when the rest of the world is traveling! We still do take trips during these times, but I found myself craving more (and needing more for my work).

So I got brave and decided to try traveling alone with our babies, toddlers, and little kids.

I’ll be honest - at first it was really intimidating and I would feel anxious before solo trips. But my anxiety in these situations was simply a lack of confidence in my ability to handle tough situations or manage our kids by myself when I was exhausted from travel.

Once I pinpointed that, I worked on my mindset. I acknowledged to myself that yes, it would be hard, and crazy, and chaotic. But I also made up my mind that I could handle any situation that came up.

Since then, I’ve traveled more and more often by myself with the kids. I’ve done both road trips and cross country flights. I’ve traveled with family, I’ve visited friends, and I’ve done it completely on my own. We’ve visited beaches, resorts, deserts, and National Parks. I’ve traveled with any and all combinations of our 4 kids at different ages.

I’m here to tell you that if you’re in a similar situation - you want to travel more but your partner’s schedule is not as flexible as yours - that you can do it! And the more you do it the more confident you will become.

I hope these tips help you give solo travel with kids a try!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

STRATEGY TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVEL WITH BABIES, TODDLERS, AND LITTLE KIDS

Start small.

If you want to start traveling solo with your kids but you’re a bit nervous about how it will go, start small. Take easy day trips nearby or stay with family overnight to practice traveling on your own with the kids.

As you gain confidence in your ability to handle tough situations you can try more ambitious trips like longer road trips, solo flights, and international trips.

CONSIDER VISITING A FRIEND

One of my favorite ways to travel solo with my kids is to visit friends with kids my age that live in or near places I want to visit. The bonus here is that you get to parent alongside someone else so you don’t really feel alone, and they often have all the child-friendly extras that make your stay more comfortable: diapers & wipes, toys, cribs or pack & plays, laundry, high chairs, etc.

Not only will you save money, but you’ll likely be somewhere that’s baby proofed and where you can grocery shop and prepare your own food.

I’ve done this type of trips several times and it’s been such a relaxing way to venture out with your little ones especially if you’re feeling anxious about it.

PREP YOUR CHILD FOR THE TRIP

One thing that’s really helped me have successful trips with my kids is to talk to them about what to expect, especially if they’re 2 and older.

Start by explaining what you’ll be doing on the trip. Talk them through what the airport and airplane will be like, and what you’ll do at your destination when you arrive.

When we went to Idaho, I started by talking to my 3-year-old about wearing a mask in the airport and on the plane. I made it sound like a great adventure. Then I told him what to look for in Idaho - potatoes and mountains! (Obviously an oversimplification, but he’s 3). We repeated it over and over as we looked forward to the trip.

You can also grab some books from the library or Amazon about air travel that’s appropriate for their age. The more they know what to expect, the calmer they will be.

Finally, talk to them about your expectations for their behavior ahead of time. Prepare them for things like:

holding onto the stroller while you walk through the airport

not kicking the seat in front of them on the airplane

staying calm when they feel frustrated and asking for help

They will be much more likely to behave if they know what to expect!

DEVELOP A DETAILED ITINERARY

I’m not a natural planner. I usually have a list of things I’d like to do and a vague outline of how the trip will go, but then I like to see how I feel when I get there.

Unfortunately, when you’re alone with young children you have to have a plan. When the baby is crying and the toddler is whining, it’s hard to think straight much less formulate a plan. You need to know when to go where, how you’re going to get there, what the parking situation will be like, and when and where you’ll eat.

>> GRAB MY FAMILY TRAVEL PLANNER TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR ITINERARY<<

As the kids get older or you get more confident and experienced you can probably relax the itinerary a little bit. Alternatively, you could try an easy resort vacation so all you have to figure out is getting to and from the airport, then just relax once you arrive.

Anyway, no matter your travel style or personality type, I’d say you’ll probably be much more relaxed if you know what’s coming next.

>> How to Plan Your Best Possible Family Vacation Itinerary

LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE

For safety reasons, it’s important that someone knows where you are at all times. Make sure someone back home has your itinerary and copies of your important paperwork like ids, passports, kids’ birth certificates, etc.

You can drop a pin on your maps app on your phone and share it with a contact back home whenever you’re out and about.

As a general rule, keep in close contact with someone back home so they’re aware of any changes in plans.

NOW IS THE TIME TO SPLURGE ON CONVENIENCE

I’m usually pretty stubborn about doing things the hard way in order to save money. Why would I pay someone else money to do something I could do myself?

However, traveling alone with young children is the perfect time to break your own rules and splurge a little bit on services that make life more convenient.

Some examples might be making use of valet parking, paying to check a bag, getting TSA PreCheck before you go, or renting a car seat when you arrive at your destination so you don’t have to drag yours through the airport.

Taking care of a baby and/or toddler away from home by yourself is hard enough. If you have an opportunity to make it easier on yourself and you can afford it, I say now is the time!

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOURSELF!

I’m so guilty of focusing on packing for my kids and making sure we have all the baby gear that I forget to pack important things for myself!

If you’re not comfortable and happy, you’re going to have a hard time keeping a good attitude for the kids while you’re away from home.

Make sure you have comfortable clothes that fit well so you’re not worried about adjusting your clothes all day.

Do not forget to bring multiple pairs of headphones. You will likely be stuck in a dark hotel room or on an airplane with a sleeping child and you WILL want to watch a show or scroll TikTok. Make sure you have both the plug in kind and bluetooth.

Pack plenty of your favorite healthy snacks. Schlepping kids through the airport is like a marathon and you need to fuel up with granola bars, bananas, apples, trail mix, anything with protein in it. Also, don’t forget a secret stash of your favorite candy.

Bring a book or download some ebooks to a tablet .

Buy a Sky Clip to you can set up your phone to watch a movie or show on the plane while holding a sleeping baby.

Grab a portable phone charger so you don't run out of battery when you’re alone and away from the hotel.

Obviously this won’t be the most relaxing trip of all time for you, but you do want to make it somewhat special and different from your day to day life so you can enjoy the time with your kids.

SCHEDULE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES EARLIEST IN THE DAY

As the day goes on the kids will likely get less cooperative, more tired, and more whiny.

If there’s something important I want to do that day, I schedule it for the morning time so everyone is fresh and still has a good attitude.

The other activities I schedule for that day will always be ones that I’m ok canceling if the kids are having meltdowns. All I know is I don’t want to ruin an experience I was really looking forward to because I over scheduled our day and the kids are tired and crabby by the time we get there.

Remember your patiences will be tested, too. You will be tired, too. It’s harder to deal with kids in a calm manner when you’re away from home, by yourself, tired, and hungry. Set yourself up for a win.

BRING A TRIPOD AND REMOTE

Get in that picture, mama!

Ok, I know. Easier said than done. It’s hard enough to get pictures of your kids when you’re traveling solo because there’s a baby strapped to you or a toddler running away.

However, I know from experience that it’s disappointing to walk away from a trip with no photographic evidence that you were even there.

Here are my best tips for getting yourself in a few of the shots:

Ask a stranger to take a picture of you and the kids. I always look for someone with a big DSLR camera around their neck (they' know how cameras work, they’ll line up your shot nicely, and they likely won’t try to steal your camera). If that’s not an option, look for a fellow mom. Moms get the job done.

Try setting up a tripod and using a remote shutter to take your own photos. There are some really lightweight tripods these days, and ones for all types of cameras, including phones. (I’ve linked everything I use below). Remote shutters are very affordable, too. Just search on Amazon “remote shutter for ___” and then insert whatever type of camera or phone you have. The bonus here is that you can take as many photos as you want to make sure you’re satisfied with the end result!

Set up your phone or camera on a rock or ledge or chair, set the self timer, and run! These likely won’t be the best photos, but they’ll be fun especially for toddlers.

Gear I use:

Lightweight Tripod

Remote iPhone shutter

Remote shutter release for Nikon

DON’T POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN REAL TIME

This is simply for safety. I don’t post in real time on Instagram Stories when I’m traveling solo with my kids because I don’t want people to know exactly where I am at any given time. I also turn the geotag off on my iPhone so people can’t discover my location using the photo’s geotag if I do happen to share something.

HAVE A MANTRA

Having a mantra is a trick I use for my own mindset. I know I need to stay positive for my kids. They’re in a strange place, too, and will need their grown-up’s emotions to be stable so they can feel comfortable and confident.

I repeat the mantra to myself in tough situations to keep my mental stay strong. A few examples of mantras I have used:

Today is going to be a great adventure!

I can do hard things.

This will make a great story later.

Everything is “figureoutable”

GO WITH THE FLOW

Ok so things are definitely going to go wrong. And you’ll have no other adult to lean on when they do.

Have the intention before you go on your trip that you’re not going to sweat the small stuff. Or the big stuff. You’ll figure it out. There’s always a solution.

For example, one time I was traveling solo with a 1, 3, and 5 year old. I was moving quickly through the Atlanta airport to make a connecting flight.

In the process, my 1-year-old who was sitting in the stroller kicked off one of his shoes. I didn’t notice until we were about to board the plane.

I could have gotten upset. But I decided that having a good mindset for the flight was more important than a shoe. I decided that kid shoes are not that expensive and I could easily replace it at Walmart if I needed to. They have Walmarts almost everywhere, you know.

More recently, I went on a trip with just my oldest (she’s 7), and we flew Frontier so we packed light - just our backpacks.

When we arrived, I realized she forgot to pack 2 of the outfits I had helped her pick out. At first I felt really frustrated. She had 1 casual outfit to wear and 1 cute outfit to wear for the whole trip (5 days).

I decided, though, that it wasn’t worth getting upset or ruining my trip over. If she truly needed another outfit we could stop at a store.

That’s not to say I handled it all with perfect grace and didn’t feel frustrated at all. It’s that after a few minutes I came to the conclusion that enjoying my time with the kids was more important that a small setback.

Let it go. Go with the flow.

HAVE A BACK-UP BRIBE OR SPECIAL TREAT

When things to go awry or kids have meltdowns at the worst possible moment, be sure to have a secret stash of bribes or special treats. Lollipops work great. Stickers work great. For my 3-year-old son it was the promise of a new toy car if he behaved well.

I’m not above bribery, especially when I’m alone with small children away from home. Just a thought!

HOW TO FLY ALONE AS A MOM WITH SMALL CHILDREN

Book an earlier flight.

Although I typically like flights during kids’ nap times or bed time so they might sleep, I do think it’s worth considering to find a flight earlier in the day when you’re traveling alone with little kids.

That way if something goes wrong (you miss a flight, the flight is delayed or cancelled, etc), there’s still plenty of time in the day to get where you need to go.

It’s also nice to arrive during daylight if you’re going somewhere you’re unfamiliar with.

Now, when I’m going to visit friends while traveling solo I don’t worry about this as much. But checking into a hotel or vacation rental by myself is another story. Arrive before dark if you can.

PAY FOR SEAT SELECTION

Many airlines require you to buy a more expensive ticket or pay extra if you want to select your seats. As a general rule I don’t like paying a penny more than I have to, and I often “risk it” and just try to check in as early as possible on the app to get the seats I want.

However, if you’re traveling alone with a toddler, you may feel more comfortable just paying a little extra to make sure you sit together.

This is one of the toughest tips when you’re traveling with a baby and a toddler. You just need a lot of gear for them.

However, there is only one person to carry the gear. It’s you. You’re the person.

Do your best to make sure you can manage everything easily. Bring a stroller so you can pile bags on it then gate check the stroller.

Get a small suitcase your toddler can pull themselves and a small backpack with only a few lightweight things your toddler can wear on their back.

Bring the baby carrier.

>> Related : How to Use Packing Cubes: Packing Tips for Traveling with Kids

>> Related : Minimalist Packing with Kids - How to Avoid Overpacking

FIGURE OUT A CAR SEAT PLAN

Will you bring your car seats with your from home or rent them when you arrive?

This is a personal choice and you’ll hear great arguments for both options. I usually bring mine from home because I know how to install them correctly and I know they are safe and a good fit for my kids.

You can check car seats for free either at the ticket counter or at your boarding gate. I usually check them at the ticket counter unless it’s an infant car seat that clicks into my stroller. In that case I use it as I go through the airport then gate check it at the same time as the stroller.

Another perk to doing this is if you didn’t purchase a seat for your baby and the plane is not full, sometimes the agent at the gate will let you take your car seat on the plane and use one of the extra seats for them.

Make sure to purchase a protective bag to put your car seats in if you’re checking them. We have this one and it’s HUGE, so we’ve been able to fit both a car seat and booster seat in one bag. If you want one that’s more fitted and snug to your car seat, here’s a good option .

I recently used the Mifold Travel Booster Seat for my trip to Florida with my oldest (she’s 7). I loved how lightweight it was and easy to bring with us. It fit easily in my backpack. It was fairly simple and quick to set up. My daughter didn’t LOVE it, though, because it wasn’t the most comfortable and she had trouble buckling and unbuckling herself with the lap belt threaded through the red clips. We will likely use it again if we take a trip with all the kids. I might also try the Bubble Bum car seat to see if that works a little better.

GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY

Leave yourself plenty of time to get through security with little kids without feeing rushed or stressed. You’ll also want time to change diapers, get a snack, go to the bathroom, and fill water bottles before you board the flight.

I understand you want to limit the amount of time you’re in the airport, but nothing is worse than running through the airport with little kids to catch a flight. Trust me.

CHECK TO SEE IF YOU NEED A PARENTAL CONSENT FORM

I’ve never had to use a parental consent form when traveling alone with my kids within the US, but check the guidelines for the country you’re flying abroad to. I’ve heard of people needing this for international flights.

PERFECT YOUR AIRPORT SETUP

Ok. You have a lot of gear to juggle and only one adult to do it. What’s the setup? How to you make it through the airport?

I always bring a stroller, especially if I’m traveling with more than one young child. (If I’m just traveling with an older kid - like age 4 and up, I won’t bother with the stroller).

In the basket of the stroller I place a baby carrier, and anything I know security will ask me to pull out of my backpack - laptop, liquids, tablets, etc.

I use a carry-on size suitcase with 4 spinner wheels so I can easily maneuver it with one hand. My personal item is my backpack, which contains my camera gear, snacks, and an extra set of clothes.

Any kids not in the stroller are responsible for their own suitcase and backpack. Obviously I make sure they are light enough that the children can manage them.

>> Related : Best Carry-On Suitcases for Families

If I am bringing a car seat along, which I usually am, I check it right away before going through security. I use a car seat protector bag to make sure it doesn’t get damaged. Most airlines will allow you to check car seats and strollers for free.

Meanwhile, the infant car seat that attaches to the stroller I will take through security and either gate check it or bring it on the plane with me. I rarely purchase a seat for my kids under 2, but sometimes if the flight is really empty they flight attendants have allowed me to bring it on and use an empty seat. (I would not count on this for a while since most flights these days are pretty full due to reduced flight schedules).

When I’m ready to go through security, I pull off to the side and put the baby in the baby carrier, and make sure everything that needs to be pulled out of the bags for security is out or easily accessible.

Finally, I always have a crossbody purse or waist bag where documents and my phone are within easy reach.

FIND FAMILY RESTROOMS

After going through security, our first stop is always a family restroom. It’s a good opportunity to get situated after the chaos of security, and a chance for everyone to use the bathroom before getting on the flight.

Family restrooms are usually really spacious so they can fit your stroller, bags, and kids with ease. There are also changing tables so you can change the baby’ diaper before getting on the plane.

Once I’m on the plane, I try not to go to the bathroom because it’s too tough to fit the kids and myself in those tiny bathrooms, and I can’t really leave them by themselves, unless there is a kind stranger who offers to help.

ASK FOR AND ACCEPT HELP

One of my greatest weaknesses in life is asking for help. I am very independent and don’t like to rely on other people.

However, as I’ve gotten older and had more kids, I realize that people who are willing to help are a gift, and I should happily accept their help.

If someone offers to hold a fussy baby while I get the toddler set up - YES! Thank you!

If someone helps my toddler with their tablet while I’m breastfeeding the baby - AMAZING. Thank you!

If someone lifts my carry-on into the overhead compartment since I’m baby wearing and holding 3 other bags - LIFESAVER. Thank you.

Don’t try to be a hero if people are offering to help. It will go much more smoothly for everyone if you accept help when you need it.

Also, I now look for opportunities to be the helper and pay it forward whenever I can.

BRING A TABLET WITH PRE-DOWNLOADED ENTERTAINMENT

Many planes these days (at least the ones I’ve been on recently) no longer have the setback screen. Airlines seem to be encouraging passengers to download their app to watch movies and shows for free on their own devices.

So make sure before you leave your house and your wifi you take the time to download the airline’s app on all your devices and also download movies and shows from Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video.

I also have to say that one of the best investments we have made are the kids Fire Tablets from Amazon along with the Amazon Kids+ (formerly Freetime Unlimited) app. Once kids are in the app they can’t leave, so you don’t have to worry about what content they are consuming. You set the age parameters for each kid’s profile, and you can download games, books, and videos to the app if you know you won’t have wifi later.

BRING ORGANIZED SNACK BAGS

The one task I hate almost as much as laundry before a trip is putting together snack bags. But I still do it every time because it has the greatest ROI.

I always put together snack bags for each person for both the flight there and the return flight. It takes some preplanning but it’s so worth it to not have to worry about plane snacks while you’re on your trip.

Each snack bag gets labeled and put into each child’s carry-on. They also get a larger bag with a pb&j sandwich, apple slices, a granola bar, and an applesauce pouch in addition to fun snacks and maybe even a candy bag.

Usually I use ziplock bags and label them with sharpie, but I’m planning on transitioning into reusable bags for future trips.

TRAVELING SOLO WITH KIDS IS SO WORTH IT.

I’m so glad I took the plunge and decided not to wait for backup to be able to travel. You can do it, too! Whether you spend a weekend at a beautiful resort, stay with friends or family, or opt for something crazy and adventurous, there are so many ways to dip your toes into the world of solo travel with kids.

Suddenly the world is your oyster with very little to hold you back. You’ll gain confidence in your skills as a parent, you’ll make wonderful memories with your kids, and you’ll finally be able to make a dent in that interminable bucket list.

You got this! Now get out there and explore!

DON’T FORGET IT! PIN IT!

Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.

Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.

What it's like travelling with kids as a solo parent

Feb 17, 2020 • 6 min read

Travelling solo, with kids. It sounds like an oxymoron – how can you be alone when you have little people with you? – but as any parent who has hit the road without a co-pilot knows, it’s very much a one-person show. Being a single-parent traveller will bring a host of unexpected challenges, all of which can be overcome. Believe it or not, travelling solo with kids is even better than travelling solo. 

Hitting the road alone

Some parents have to travel solo with kids because their partner is working, not interested in travelling, or are otherwise incapacitated. Others travel with their kids because they’re single parents. If that’s the case, you’re probably used to some of the logistics required, but you might not be prepared for the experiences you’re to have.

Early nights

When you’re operating on a child’s timeline, dinner is usually eaten early, which means restaurants are empty, with no need to book. Many countries have a  dining-out culture  that means kids are well catered for with smaller portions of healthy delicious meals (not just chicken nuggets and chips). Waitstaff in many countries are exceptionally kind and friendly to children; you may see them sneak a secret caramel or lollipop at the end of the evening. 

Read more:  Unlikely destinations for an unforgettable family holiday

Going out at night is nearly impossible, unless you can find a reliable, trustworthy sitter. But who has the energy to stay up all night after a full day of travelling experiences? Children in bed early wake up early too – so get your rest when you can. If you’re craving some socialising you can also check into accommodation with common spaces, like larger guesthouses and hostels. Striking up a conversation and finding out about other people’s travels is obviously  easier in social accommodations  than at a hotel or AirBnB. 

Managing sickness

Getting ill is never pleasant, but it’s something you need to be prepared for. Before you depart make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit with all the essential medicine you’ll need if you get struck down by a tummy bug, someone gets a cut or a bruise, or worse.

Old-school as it may sound, a  phrasebook is your best friend  in a medical emergency when you don’t speak the host country’s language. If all else fails, you can point to the descriptions you need to describe symptoms or request medicine at a pharmacy or a clinic. Unlike phones, books never run out of battery charge or get their screen smashed if you drop them. Also make sure you’re  properly insured before you leave , so you can seek professional help without worrying about the cost.

Have some rainy-day activities in your travel kit – not just for rainy days, but for any days you’re on the road and not well enough to go out. Staying at accommodation that also serves food, especially breakfast, is also a good idea, so you don’t need to go out if you’re feeling under the weather.

“Where’s your mother/father?”

Ask any parent who’s travelled alone, and they’ll report being asked this with great regularity. Having a short backstory at the ready will help satisfy nosy parkers. Be prepared for more  serious questions when you cross borders , though. You may need to take your children’s birth certificates with you (especially if you do not share a family name with them), as well as a letter from their co-parent saying you have permission to travel with them.

Curiosity may be behind some of the questioning, but child protection is paramount. If someone wants to know why you’re on a bus from Liverpool to London without your children’s mum, try to remain courteous, rather than outraged – there are some kids out there not as fortunate as yours.

Be mindful what you  share on social media  too. The current thinking for child safety is to hold back any holiday snaps until you’re back home, even if you do have all your accounts locked down to private settings. If you do want to share, be very aware of what information you put out there. A hilarious near-miss tale might be amusing in retrospect, but your co-parent back home may be having heart palpitations. 

Will I be lonely?

This is the perennial question for anyone setting off on a solo trip. The answer is always yes and no. There will be moments in life when you will feel lonely. Sometimes these moments arise even in the company of others; while on the road, the company will include your children. Making new memories, enjoying new experiences, and developing new perspectives together is a beautiful way to continue to deepen your lifetime bonds – but you will also meet new people.

Much to my surprise when I’ve travelled with my kids, strangers are usually open and friendly, not hostile and suspicious as I feared – just as they are with solo travellers. Children will play with other children, even without a shared language. They can easily strike up a game of tag or hide-and-seek, or kick a ball around, without needing to understand what the other is saying. 

Read more:  Strangest places in the US to take your kids

Adults, both locals and other travellers, are often more than willing to help you out in any way they can, even if you’re coping just fine. In cultures where the care of children is a shared enterprise don’t be surprised if your guesthouse hosts insist on minding your kids while you have a nap or eat a meal in peace.

Be warned, though: in more patriarchal societies, both male and female solo parents will raise some eyebrows – women are not expected to do this work alone, and men don’t often show their parental side in public spaces. You may be a curiosity, and not always a welcome one. 

New perspectives

In different places you may also be exposed to parenting philosophies that are at odds with your own. In  Hong Kong  I was amazed at how well-behaved other children were, and tried to achieve the same with my own kids (‘You will stand in this queue in the cold for an hour without complaint: see how the other kids are doing fine’) but one does not become a strict parent overnight.

In  Morocco  I was told by a well-meaning but old-fashioned parent that physical punishment was the appropriate response to a fussy eater. I am not sure my high-school French was enough to explain why this was not what I had read in my ‘new age’ parenting handbooks. 

Read more:  5 destinations to see wildlife with your kids

What surprised me the most travelling solo with my kids was the interactions I had with younger adults who were more willing to embrace kids and a solo parent than I expected. After playing my kids at table tennis at a hostel in  Australia , a bunch of carefree backpackers reminded me that I once thought family life meant sliding into a suburban dystopia. But in fact, people all over the world keep working, travelling and living life just as they did before they started a family.

If you want to get a feel for travelling with your kids but you’re not ready to go on a fully independent adventure,  there are now tours available  that will let you having life-changing experiences along with other like-minded families. 

If making new friends while getting outside your routine and comfort zone is the only reason you want to do it, it’s the only reason you need. Bon voyage!   

Subscribe to our  Lonely Planet Kids newsletter  and get 30% off your first Lonely Planet Kids book purchase.

This article was first published Feb 7, 2020 and updated Feb 17, 2020.

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Tips for travelling solo with kids

Travelling solo with kids can feel daunting – especially the first time you set off on a trip together, or face a first flight. But after a string of trips with my daughter, including the Eurostar to Paris and a long-haul flight to Florida as a toddler plus long-haul holidays exploring Cambodia and Oman when she was five (and a whole lot more), I can vouch for the fact it’s definitely possible.

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As with any other family travel, a lot of it comes down to planning and practice – as well as choosing a holiday that’s right for you. While some people are ready to start travelling as a solo parent from almost day one, most of us prefer to take it slower – a day out locally first, before building up to a long-haul flight and packed itinerary. I certainly did!

So whether you’re considering travelling alone with kids for the first time or considering a new solo travel challenge, here are my solo parent travel tips before you book.

Contents - click to jump to a section

Choosing a single parent holiday

There are around two million single parents with dependent children in the UK alone these days – not to mention plenty more who may be married or in relationships but are also travelling solo.

Although I’m married, my husband can take time off less easily than I can, so it’s usually just me and my daughter heading off together.

And more travel companies are starting to realise the demand. Just because you’re travelling alone with kids, you aren’t restricted to holidays designed for single parents only – depending on the age of your kids, a twin room or one with a bed and a sofa bed can work just as well with a single adult, while self-catering options tend to give even more space.

Which holiday is right for you?

Start by considering what you want from the trip? Is it a holiday with plenty of facilities, such as a kids’ club where they can make friends? Is it a hotel with babysitting or baby listening so you can have some time to yourself while they’re sleeping? Is it simply a relaxed escape by the beach so you can have some time together as a family?

If you’ve got a holiday in mind, it’s worth researching who it’s aimed at – you can even call the company to find out details of families who usually sign up (or are already signed up on a group tour, for example).

If you’re hoping your kids are going to enjoy a trip with new friends for company, there’s nothing worse than discovering the only other children are five years older or younger once you arrive.

Plan in some space

Travelling solo with kids can be intense – so whatever holiday you choose, it’s a good plan to add in some extra flexibility and down-time.

Having that time together makes for some amazing memories and helps build a fantastic bond, but it doesn’t mean all the stresses of parenthood vanish (alas) – and with no other adult on hand to help, a bit of space to recover your patience is always good.

The occasional session at a kids’ club can be a welcome break, or it could be as simple as booking accommodation with some extra space so you get to relax properly in the evening after their bedtime. That goes double if you have a baby or are travelling alone with a toddler, when sleep isn’t guaranteed!

You’re not just limited to the UK either – the Sani resort in Greece, on the Halkidiki peninsula has activities galore with older kids, but also Babe Watch nannies to watch babies and toddlers on the beach as you swim, and an Ofsted-standard creche from age four months.

If your kids are a little older, there’s no reason you can’t explore and sightsee if you want more than a beach break, but it’s still worth considering ways to wind down at the end of the day. Even booking a hotel with a pool after a day out and about is great.

Sometimes a hotel isn’t the best option – when my daughter was younger, self-catering was definitely our preferred way to stay, whether it’s a villa for a beach break or an apartment for a city break.

I’m a big fan of i-escape which has a special kids collection with options in European cities, which you can tailor to suit your kids (and the child-friendly essentials you might need for your stay).

Or Jet2Villas has collections of child-friendly villas for different age groups, with options for babies and toddlers up, and properties which sleep four for smaller families. The destinations vary from Spain and Portugal to Croatia, Greece and Turkey too.

What’s your budget?

You can find UK camping that’s perfect with kids or five-star hotels that welcome families, so there’s no need to be restricted by budget. But it does pay to doublecheck if free child places apply when there’s only one parent travelling – some will always consider the second person on the booking as an adult.

The same goes for single supplements: some places won’t charge outside school holidays, but you can find the discounts vanish if it isn’t term time.

Self-catering can be a great way to get away without splashing out, and guarantees you the extra space too.

All-inclusives can work unexpectedly well too. Although they’re not the cheapest choice, knowing that you won’t have to put your hand in your pocket for ice creams, childcare, a holiday cocktail or two, makes it easier to plan.

If you’re travelling with fussy eaters, the sheer variety and choice (plus the ability to pick and choose at buffets) can often make all-inclusives a good bet as well. And there are options in Europe if you don’t fancy long-haul.

Check out our review of Ikos Dassia in Corfu – the all-inclusive resort in Greece is part of a small group with sister resorts on the mainland and another in Kos.

For a proper escape, Beachcomber Hotels in Mauritius has free kids’ clubs for age three to 12 – one hotel on the island has a family village within the resort, including spacious apartments, another includes champagne by the glass in its price as well as family-friendly facilities.

Or in the Caribbean, Beaches resorts have one-bed family suites, kids clubs and a whopping 20 restaurants at Beaches Turks & Caicos where we stayed – not to mention Sesame Street.

When to book with a single parent specialist?

Although it’s certainly not your only choice, picking a trip with a tour operator that specialises in holidays for solo parents is a great option if you’re new to travelling alone with kids. Some even have an online forum to chat before you go, to get tips and reassurance (not to mention staying in touch afterwards).

If you’re newly divorced or bereaved, it can also be helpful to know you won’t be surrounded by happy nuclear families – at least for the first holiday solo – and for adults with younger kids, there’s always the option of adults to talk to after littler ones are in bed.

Others will also organise activities and excursions, such as Single Parents on Holiday , but you’ve got the flexibility of your own time together as well.

When to book with a group?

Joining a group holiday can be a great solution when you’re travelling as a solo parent – with escorted tours aimed at families, it’s easy to remove one stress by handing over the planning to someone else, finding a more active or adventurous option with teens in particular, and ensuring that there’ll be other kids for company.

And while little ones might be happy spending every day at the beach, tweens and teens want more from their trips: with the added bonus that there should be no cries of ‘I’m bored’ or stubborn refusals to venture away from the WiFi (hopefully).

Tour companies like Intrepid Travel run group tours suitable for kids aged 5+ (some for 10+, with the majority aged 8 or above). And Explore has its own small group family tours as well, suitable for 7+. I am seriously tempted by this trip to Belize .

On The Go Tours also have departures aimed at teens – Pharaoh’s Adventure for teens in Egypt, for example, is for 12 plus. There are also group tours to suit younger kids, such as the Egyptian Family Adventure for age five plus which has a triple-share option.

Surviving a solo parent holiday with kids

Get your kids involved.

While you’re not going to involve babies in planning out an itinerary, it’s worth talking to your kids about the trip before you go. With older children, they’ll want to be involved in the planning and choosing – and picking a trip that suits everyone (or at least compromises on what everyone wants) is always going to be more fun.

But even with younger kids, talk through everything from the journey – what will happen at the airport, explanations that there are times they will simply need to do certain things (whether it’s X-ray machines or showing their face at immigration) – to what you’re planning once you arrive. If they feel less stressed by the unknown, you’re also likely to.

Kids tend to be very adaptable but knowing that if they endure the security queue quietly, there’s airport soft play goes a long way to avoiding meltdown.

Make life easy on yourself

Work out how to reduce any potentially stressful situations along the way – there’s enough to consider without making life any harder. It could be meet and greet parking at airports so you’re not hanging around with tired children waiting for a shuttle bus, or splashing out on private transfers to get to your accommodation faster.

Consider what time you’re flying too. Very early or late flights might well be cheaper, but if everyone’s exhausted and tetchy from lack of sleep, it’s not going to get things off to a good start.

Equally, a night flight can be ideal if your kids tend to sleep on planes, versus than a long stretch trying to entertain them, or picking flights that arrive in time for bedtime.

Some airports and airlines will have special assistance for families with parents travelling solo too – I’ve always found cabin crew keep an extra eye out when they know you’re flying alone, and have always been more than happy to help hold or watch my daughter if I needed to go to the toilet during the flight, for example. Or Eurostar has family-friendly carriages, and can help solo parents travelling with young kids.

Having your own car means you don’t have to rely on public transport, especially if you’re planning a solo family holiday away from a city. But equally, if you’re a nervous driver, deciding to set off on a complicated road trip solo with kids doesn’t make for a relaxing getaway.

Packing light is always a good plan. It’s reassuring too to know that you can manage everything without a helping hand, whether that’s using a baby carrier to keep your hands free or being able to manoeuvre a case and a buggy.

In my experience, people are always ready to help though – everyone from a besuited businessman watching me approach an escalator with suitcase and stroller, to a woman at airport security who held Minnie as I tried to collapse the buggy, have stepped in when they suspected I might struggle.

There’s usually more than enough to tote around when you’re travelling with kids, so avoid carrying too much beyond the essentials when you don’t have to as well – secure bag storage like Luggage Hero and Radical Storage have locations around the world, so it’s easy to drop baggage off and squeeze in a little more exploring.

Don’t forget the paperwork

When you’re travelling solo with kids, it’s not just the passport, tickets, money that you’d normally have to remember – depending on the destination you’re visiting, you may well need specific paperwork to show you are the parent (especially if your last name is different from your child’s) and permission to take them overseas.

That’s as true whether their other parent is at home or out of the picture, so it’s worth looking at whether you might need a birth certificate and any other authorised documents if you’re travelling alone with a child.

PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR TRAVELLING ALONE WITH KIDS

Disclosure:This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Caribbean image copyright MummyTravels, all others Depositphotos

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

Great Post! I feel like we’re seasoned solo parent family travellers now and I can also say that solo travel with children is definitely possible I think confidence comes with trying new experiences. I like to include my son in the planning of a trip, visiting a new place as a solo parent is so much easier when my son is on board with decisions about where to go and what activities to take part in. Looking forward to checking out some of the links you’ve included

Thank you! And I totally agree – the more you do, the easier it seems to get. And having your kids on board makes a big difference (although I admit sometimes I overrule my daughter because I know she’ll enjoy something when we get there, whatever she says before we go 😉 )

A travel agent just talked me out of taking my two kids internationally on my own. She said that there is no insurance that would help if something were to happen to me while we’re abroad. If I got really sick or injured or whatever — she asked me, what would happen with my little kids if we’re in Belize and I’m hospitalized or something?? That stopped me in my tracks and now I’m afraid to take them anywhere on my own internationally. Until they’re teenagers I guess??

I completely understand why you’d worry but I think that’s such a shame she talked you out of it. It’s always a good thing to think about risks and plan accordingly, but also balancing that risk with what’s likely – after all, what would happen if you got sick or injured at home? In my experience, there’s always someone to tell you it’s impossible – even when it’s not.

Insurance can and will certainly help cover a lot of eventualities as well, and while they’re little, you’re likely to be choosing trips which are less risky anyway. We’ve had some great adventures, but our earliest trips were much easier and closer to home as I built up confidence.

I’ve also found while travelling solo with my daughter that people are more helpful than not too. Thankfully neither of us has been injured/hospitalised but we’ve both been ill while travelling, and we’ve found help and solutions. It would be a shame to miss out on the wonderful experiences you could have because of the fear of something which might well never happen, or wait for years until they’re older.

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• Travel Destinations
• Travel Tips

Solo Traveling With Kids: A Survival Guide For Parents

• by theyflysolo
• May 8, 2023 August 27, 2023

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Of the many things I wanted to experience in my life, solo traveling with kids somehow didn’t make the list. I bet it didn’t make yours either. After all, who ever really plans to be parenting alone in the world?

While I have always loved traveling alone, for some reason, traveling solo with my children seemed like this impossible task, and as I sought advice from many of my other solo parenting friends, I learned that it also felt impossible to pretty much everyone else I knew.

I started this blog to share what I’ve learned along the way and hopefully help other nervous first-time parents traveling solo with children overcome their fears and achieve their dreams with a little help from a friend.

Traveling Solo With Your Kids 101

How to prepare for your first solo trip with kids.

Do you remember the carefree days of dreaming about visiting some exciting new locale and having tickets in hand for that trip the following day? Yeah, so do I. It was magical. Traveling solo with children doesn’t work that way.

If you plan to travel solo with your kids, you need to start the process months in advance. The exact time can and will vary based on many factors, including their ages and their level of experience in travel, but don’t think you’re just going to go out and snag the quickest plane ticket you can find like you did when you were 20.

What does work? Having a game plan. When traveling solo with your kids for the first time, you absolutely need to have a game plan for 4 things:

• Make sure that you’re prepared for the trip to the fullest extent.
• Make sure that they’re prepared for the trip to the fullest extent.
• Make sure everyone has the right gear for the trip.
• Make sure everyone has a safety plan for the trip.

Easy peasy, right? If you organize your focus to nailing these 4 things, it will be. You’d be surprised how easy it is to travel with your children when everyone’s on the same detailed page.

How to prepare for traveling solo with your kids

The best way to make traveling solo with your kids a successful and happy memory is to prepare yourself. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the safer they will feel.

Once you have a destination in mind, you must ensure you have the proper children’s travel documents for that trip. If your child doesn’t yet have a passport, we put together a simple guide to children’s travel documentation to get you through the process.

Documentation can take several months to a year, depending on your family’s circumstances, so we recommend you get started on this before you book anything. Traveling solo with your kids or traveling solo with children at all, really, comes with some additional scrutiny along the way, so be prepared.

Once you have your documentation in place, you’ll want to review and submit any necessary visa information and review the vaccination requirements that are required or suggested for your destination. Some vaccinations are long-term series and may take several months to finish.

Finally, you need to review your medical insurance policy. Many insurers provide minimal healthcare coverage overseas, and in a true emergency requiring you to be flown back to the U.S. for treatment, it can be extremely costly and leave your child or children abandoned in a strange country with no means to get home.

Do some due diligence here and opt for travel insurance if you’re even the slightest bit unsure. If you’re traveling solo with your kids, you absolutely have a responsibility to ensure there’s a proper emergency protocol and that they know it front to back, GOD forbid.

How to prepare your children for traveling solo with you

Once you’ve done all of the steps above to prepare yourself for traveling solo with children, it’s time to help them prepare for traveling with you.

Older children can handle and retain much more information than younger children. For children 13 and up, you’ll want to ensure that they know your emergency plans inside and out and have a copy of their emergency contact information in their gear. You’ll also want to give them a brief airport and security etiquette primer.

When traveling solo with children younger than 13 you need to do a bit more to help them prepare, especially if they’ve never traveled before. Airports and foreign destinations can be overwhelming and downright scary for younger ones.

Consider it briefly: a million people are milling about with security personnel barking orders to keep things moving. There are many rules about what goes in a bin and what doesn’t, which type of x-ray you go through, and what to do once you come out the other end.

What your silly, cheeky little one might find funny to say to a family member at home is grounds for a pull-aside in a customs line, and let’s not forget just how draining travel is in general. Helping them understand what to expect, especially if you can show them using YouTube videos or video content, will go a long way for everyone as you solo travel with kids.

Solo Traveling With Kids: Selecting The Right Gear

The above sections covered 3 of the quarters of your game plan for solo traveling with kids, and now we’re going to move on to the 4th, having the right gear when traveling solo with your kids. If you’re used to traveling with you kids alongside another adult, it can be easy to miss this key detail.

When traveling solo with your kids, you are the only adult set of hands; you will need those hands to be free for any number of things along the way. Say it aloud now: you can not be the only one carrying gear ! If your children are not old enough to carry a backpack, traveling solo with your kids should wait until they’re capable of doing so.

If you traveling solo with your kids, you will want to invest in a high-quality travel backpack for children . This is where they can store their change of clothes, keep busy supplies for the flight, snacks, drinks, and travel pillows/stuffies.

While parents always want to support and care for our children’s needs, when traveling solo with children, certain things have to be attended to that younger children can’t be responsible for, like holding on to their boarding passes, identification, and comfort bits and bobs.

Letting them take some responsibility here will greatly help you and give them a greater sense of responsibility, autonomy, and awareness of their surroundings. After all, no one wants to leave Blue Bunny on the plane.

Traveling solo with your kids is a shared adventure you will all remember forever.

While it may seem overwhelming and impossible the first time around, traveling solo with your kids can ultimately be an extremely rewarding experience for all of you and a great life-long bonding memory. As solo parents, we already do the impossible every day, and our approach to travel shouldn’t be any different.

Create your game plan. Prepare to execute that game plan. Share the game plan in an appropriate context for the child’s age. Ensure you have the necessary training, practice, and gear to perform and have fun along the way.

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a travel blog by renata green

Solo Travel With Kids: Baby, Toddler, School Kid, Teenager – How to Survive Travels With a Child

Posted on 2021-11-12 2022-12-06 Author Renata 101 Comments

Yes, I’ve been travelling solo for decades, however, I also know what travel with kids in tow is about. So let me share my experience and my best tips on how to travel smoothly as a single parent.

Yes, when travelling with kids, you do take the drama with you: The baby’s crying, the toddler’s tantrums, and the teen’s moods. On the other hand, you also have a suitcase full of bonding and fun – and tons of wonderful shared memories. Hence, let nothing hold you back, just organize and prepare in a thoughtful and prudent fashion.

What to Take

Preventive health care and health insurance, pinnable pictures, welcome to the my world.

The moment I learned that I was with child, I acknowledged I would be a single mother. Yet, I was determined to get through with this wonderful exciting project. I would show my child love and affection – and the world.

While theoretically, I’m convinced that apart from climbing the Kilimanjaro and diving the Barrier Reef, there is hardly an activity that cannot be enjoyed with a kid in tow, it took me a while to put my conviction into practice.

Having a baby was not the easy sledding I’d expected it to be. While pregnant, I didn’t understand the fuss people make with babies. After all, you just have to put it in a maxi-cozy, smile, and wink at her from time to time and that little bundle of joy would squeak in glee.

Man, did I stand corrected!

My daughter was not only the most beautiful baby but also the loudest. Fortunately, she slept a lot. But as she woke up, her big, beautiful sky-blue eyes looked right, then left – and then she opened her tiny rosebud mouth as wide as even possible and she screamed at the top of her lungs as loud as she could. For hours. Until she fell asleep again.

It was definitely not possible to just place this little bundle of joy noise in a maxi-cozy next to you while working or holding a conversation. Going on a trip was henceforth impossible. I’m not driving, and spending hours in a public place with this unpredictably screaming travel companion….nope, no way.

Sadly, my life as a globetrotter seemed to be over.

Solo Travel With Kids: The Baby Years

After ten months of listening to her screaming, I decided to face the world again and take my faith into my own hands. I had to get out.

Over the past months, I had buried those plans of travelling to Thailand for months and months, holding a quietly smiling baby in my arms. Those globetrotter plans were on hold.

I decided on spending three weeks on the island of Mallorca . This Balearic island is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. This and the fact that it belongs to Spain were a guarantor for smooth logistics and supply. I rented a studio with a kitchenette and a separate bedroom. However, it was part of a regular hotel where I ate breakfast and dinner. Yet, the kitchen gave me more freedom and I was able to prepare the bottles and fruit and veggie purees I used to feed my daughter at that age.

What the Baby Years Taught Me to Do And to Pack

Since I was not brave – or should I say ruthless? – enough to go on an adventure trip while my daughter was still a baby, I can only write about our adventure light at an apartment in a European tourist region. Also, she was already ten months old and able to sit. Another aspect I should mention is that I’m not driving. I took cabs and buses where I was holding her in my arms.

How to Travel

Especially if you’re not by yourself with your child, the baby years – as well as the toddler years, but those are covered in the next chapter – are actually the easiest and most flexible time to travel. But even as a single parent, this stage is quite smooth.

Yes, you have to take far more precautions than with a school kid let alone a teenager. Some facilities are simply indispensable. The good news is, that you find them basically everywhere in the world. Maybe not in the fashion you are used to, but you do find everything you need for a baby – simply because people have babies practically everywhere. I’m not saying it’s easy to schlepp a foldable stroller and a huge pack of disposable diapers around the globe. But it’s doable.

The upside is that all your baby needs is you. As long as you’re around keeping your child happy and healthy, it doesn’t matter where you go and how you get there. Since at that age, your child doesn’t have friends to miss or favorite places. You can spend months and months on a beach – as I did. Also, you can push the stroller through New York, Rio , Tokyo – your passenger won’t really care.

Obviously, you don’t want to pick some malaria-infested jungle as your temporary home base or camp on Antarctica’s eternal ice. But other than that: Pack your baby and go.

However, note that doctors recommend waiting until your child’s immune system is fully developed and therefore less sensitive to infections. This is mostly the case when the baby is approximately one month old. Still, it is recommended that you don’t fly before the baby is three to six months old.

As your baby is not entitled to a seat, I would always book a bassinet for long-haul flights and an aisle seat on short-haul flights as you have to hold your baby in your lap.

Stroller – Carrier – Car Seat

Obviously, I wasn’t too keen on carrying a ten-month-old around. Therefore I took a light, foldable stroller with me. It’s helpful if it has a small hood or parasol against the sun and some kind of rain skin. I would say that even if you are carrying your baby a lot or if you have a rental car, a stroller is indispensable. You can place it anywhere at any time so that the child has a cozy bed wherever you go.

Even if you have a high-quality stroller with larger wheels, you might take walks on natural trails where pushing’n’pulling a stroller is uncomfortable and exhausting for you as well as for the child. In this case, it’s easier to carry the child in one of those baby slings or carriers. You should opt for one with padded shoulder straps and a waistband to ensure a safe and comfortable walk for you and your baby.

I’m not driving, hence, I never had to worry about car seats. However, at least in Europe and the Americas, you can borrow a seat with your rental car. The prices for these seats may vary depending on the country and the company. Also, in some cases, the prices at airport stations are higher than in the city.

Formula and Puree Powder

Obviously, the least complicated way of nurturing your baby while on the road is when you are breastfeeding. You have your baby’s vending machine practically on you.

If that’s not an option, you have to plan a bit ahead. Normally, you should be able to either purchase fresh fruits and veggies at the local farmers’ markets and blend or mash them into some yummy and healthy pap. Plan B would be to get pockets and jars at the supermarket.

However, there probably will be moments when your little one is hungry and you cannot go to the market. For these moments, you should pack some formula and puree powder in individual sachets that you just stir into warm water.

The baby stage is the only age where you can easily travel without toys. This way, you save space and weight. Babies usually find hours of joy in everyday things, such as an empty water bottle or a rustling paper bag. The bottle makes a noise when pressed. This is exciting and entertaining enough. Free yourself from the idea that your child will need tons of toys to keep them busy. Children can be very happy with simple things.

Of course, you shouldn’t leave a favorite toy or stuffed animal behind if that’s what your baby absolutely needs to fall asleep.

Which clothes you pack for your baby strongly depends on where you’re travelling, obviously. Clearly, your baby’s clothes are pretty tiny and can be easily washed by hand in a sink. Don’t make the mistake to buy this liquid travel detergent. Either take a bit of washing powder with you – or simply wash the baby’s clothes with mild soap.

Don’t forget to pack not only some disposable diapers but also at least one – better two – changes of clothes in your hand luggage for the baby. Also, pack one or two tops for yourself, too, in case the baby spills something on you.

By the way, if you are travelling to a sunny region, the most important accessory you should pack is a sunhat with a wide brim or a cap with a large shield. Better take at least two with you.

Don’t make the mistake of traveling with a month’s supply of diapers. Pack a sufficient number for the trip to your destination and for the first two to three days. Actually, you can buy diapers anywhere in the world.

However, for your own comfort and for the sake of our environment, I would always recommend taking some reusable diapers with you. They are not only sustainable but come in really cute designs so that your baby doesn’t even need to wear additional pants in hot weather.

Also, keep in mind that when you travel, you have to get creative when changing your baby. Your baby won’t care as you change his diaper on the beach or on the floor. Nonetheless, you should always have a light scarf or a small towel in your backpack as a changing surface. This way, your baby does not have to lie on the cold or dirty ground.

Care Products

You know best which care products to use on your baby. And since baby skin is much more sensitive, you actually might want to take those essentials like mild soap, baby shampoo, cream, and lotion with you – especially if you trust only certain organic brands.

The most important cosmetic is sunscreen with a very high SPF. Another indispensable thing to pack is a zink ointment. Especially in a hot and humid climate, it will protect the tender baby’s skin against heat rashes.

Solo Travel With Kids: The Toddler Years

Shortly before my daughter turned two, it was finally time for the adventure I had dreamt of during my pregnancy.

A couple of months earlier, I had been to Belize by myself. At that time, I was working as a freelancing designer and author and had arranged an exhibition at the Bliss Institute in Belize City. Also, I spent a week on the peninsula of Placencia which I then chose for our long-term stay. We would be wintering on the shores of the Caribbean – my dream came true.

The biggest obstacle, by the way, was my mother. Understandably, she was not happy that I took her only grandchild for six months out of reach. However, she fought with harsh and unfair methods, blaming me for – and I’m quoting – sentencing the child to death; oh, the drama. There is a reason for my mother and I not being close. I just had to remember the flocks of kids I had seen all over Belize to determine that there was a good chance the child would survive; yes, sarcasm detected.

What the Toddler Years Taught Me to Do And to Pack

As we were leaving for Belize, I had picked a date a couple of weeks before my daughter turned two for economic reasons. When it comes to plane tickets, two is the threshold between paying a small percentage for your toddler and up to the full price for a child.

The downside was that with this toddler ticket, she was not entitled to her own seat. You can always ask for one of those bassinets. But they are rather for tiny babies than for tall almost two-year-olds. As the flight attendant denied me the stupid bassinet, I had to hold my daughter either on my lap or lay her down on the floor – at least there was enough space in front of the first row. However, under these circumstances, the flight from Europe to Central America can get pretty long. Nevertheless, I would always book a bassinet on long-haul flights and give it a try.

Adventure Begins at the End of the Journey

But once we made it to Belize City, things got really smoothly. We took a horrifying domestic flight with one of those small planes designed for a handful of passengers. What’s terrible about these things is that they fly really low so that you can see everything below. That’s beautiful until the moment it makes you really, really motion-sick. Anyway, I was the only one affected.

Once we made it to the airstrip in Placencia, some guy offered to take us to the village. Unexpectedly, he didn’t have a cab, he had a boat so that we were silently gliding through the mangroves to our interim home.

We spent almost six months in our makeshift ‘house’ next to the world’s narrowest sidewalk – yap, with this walkway, Placencia made it even into the Guinness Book of World Records. Obviously, it took me a couple of days to settle in and get organized, but I worked it out. There were minor issues but nothing too serious. As a matter of fact, it turned out that you don’t need to fear scorpions and tarantulas. With a small child, the biggest health issue is sore knees that won’t heal in the tropical climate. I finally cured Mimi’s knees with a thick, sticky baby balm containing lots of zink. Oh, and she also had a rash – I wrote about the adventure of consulting a doctor in Dangriga in a former post .

All in all, it was an educational and enriching experience. Mimi turned from speaking exclusively German to everyone regardless of their mother tongue to mercilessly addressing everyone in the broadest Belizian Patois – even as we returned home together with the migratory birds the following spring.

As I explained above, the first months and years are the least complicated when it comes to where to go. Yet, there are differences between travelling with a baby and a toddler. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The fact that a toddler can sit, stand, and walk makes roaming easier. On the other hand, the ability to walk makes travelling more challenging. While a baby sits or lies cozily wherever you put it, a toddler takes off as soon as there is something interesting. And those objects can sometimes be quite dangerous to grab.

So yes, you don’t have to carry the child around, you can order her to stand or sit, but you have to be constantly on the alert. Which makes travelling with a toddler quite exhausting.

To make your trip smoother, try to pre-book everything you can: If your child is small enough, book a bassinet. Also, order a kid’s meal before boarding. If your toddler gets her or his own seat, make sure it’s away from the aisle. As other passengers pass by, they might bump into a small fidget. Also, as the food and beverage cart passes by, little hands and arms are in danger.

Depending on how far your child is developed, it might make things a bit more relaxed if you can explain what’s going on. That you are packing for an exciting trip that will take you to a place that’s possibly very different from home. That you have to get on that big plane to get there. Finally, there is no reason to be scared. It’s fun – and helpful – to do so with the help of picture books.

I was a single mother and very far from being wealthy. In Europe, hiring a babysitter was basically unthinkable. In Central America, however, women charged way less. This allowed me to leave my daughter in the morning with her babysitter for a couple of hours. After we enjoyed lunch together, she had her after-lunch nap. Then, we hit the beach and spend the afternoon together.

As you are travelling solo with a toddler or even with a bigger child, you should pack one large piece of luggage for both to keep things simple. This way, you won’t have to lug several bags on your own while traveling.

As long as your child can sit in a stroller, a backpack is the better choice so that you have both hands free. As soon as your child is walking at a travel-friendly pace, you’ll need only one hand free to lead tiny travelers through airports’n’stations.

Stroller – Car Seat

In my opinion, a stroller is the most important piece of luggage when travelling with a toddler. Yes, even if she is already an avid walker and runner, you’ll need a stroller to transport your child from A to B at your own pace. And you’ll also urgently need a stroller to tie your child down when needed in a civilized fashion. Since toddlers are curious and pretty mobile, you’ll need the option to stop the child from doing dangerous things without constantly running after her and wrestling her down. A stroller is a means of transportation – and at the same time a handy jail. Last not least, the child can comfortably nap wherever you go.

I had a light, foldable stroller with me. If yours has a small hood or an attachable parasol, even better. Otherwise, a large scarf spread over the handles will do. Also, rain skin and a mosquito net come in handy – especially in tropical areas.

Since I’m not driving, I cannot tell you much about car seats. I assume that in many countries, you can get one at a car rental company. However, I’ve witnessed the most ruthless ways of entire families travelling on one motorcycle. Will say, there are countries where the definition of safety is very different from what we wusses from industrialized countries are used to. Hence, you should bring everything that’s crucial for your and your child’s physical well-being with you.

Feeding your child is so much easier during the toddler years than with a baby. If your toddler is hungry, you can stuff her with basically any food that’s available. You can. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t.

Although I must admit that I felt a sensation of freedom when I simply bought Mimi her very first kid’s meal on our layover in London, I recommend packing some healthy snacks like pieces of apples, baby carrots, cucumbers, rice cakes, and cheese. Not only to avoid too much junk food at airports, but also to have something on hand when the service onboard takes longer than expected.

Also, make sure to have a bottle on you. Every airport restaurant should be willing to fill it with drinking water for your child.

Hygiene Essentials

Even if your toddler is already potty-trained, I would always have a couple of diapers on hand. You know that the waiting, as well as the check-in process, can be a challenge even for our adult blatters, so you better be prepared. While I urge you to use reusable diapers at your final destination – simply for environmental reasons – I don’t recommend using them while travelling. Seriously – do you want to carry one or even various used diapers between continents?

Since you won’t be able to hold your toddler back from touching everything within reach, wet wipes provide a basic level of hygiene for all ages.

This being said, you should always carry one or two changes of clothes for your toddler – and at least one change of tops for yourself for the very likely event of spills. Also, plastic zip-close bags can store items ranging from toys and snacks to soiled clothes.

Talking ’bout liquid-proof containers: For years, Mimi got motion-sick. While it never was a problem on planes, there were quite some moments in cars and on buses where I panic-stricken rummaged in my hand luggage in search of a suitable container. Hence, I started to collect the vomit bags you find on planes. They serve their purpose perfectly: Until you need them, you can store them neatly folded in your bag. Once demanded, their sturdy paper keeps them in shape, their plastic lining makes them waterproof. Somehow this structure also makes them less embarrassing and gross for everyone. Also, until you have to use them, they make a nice souvenir with the air company logo on them…

Obviously, a toddler’s skin is usually more sensitive and prone to rashes than the skin of an adult. Hence, I assume you have your favorite brands of mild soaps, baby shampoos, kinds of toothpaste, and creams. And although I’m usually the don’t worry, you can replace it everywhere -type, I’m very picky when it comes to cosmetics for kids. Simply because in many countries, they are not that aware of the whole organic thing, hence, the products are loaded with chemicals and fragrances and stuff that’s simply not good for you – and therefore, even less for your child.

For instance, I found out the hard way that Mimi is allergic to some kind of bandaids. The adhesive stuff literally burns her skin. Therefore, although you can buy regular bandaids everywhere in the world, I always packed a small stash of hyperallergic bandaids just in case.

Also, I was extremely picky when it came to sunscreen. Of course, I took a couple of bottles of sunscreen with a very high SPF. But I also made sure it was specifically for babies or at least an organic adult product.

By the way, it was neither the bite of a tarantula nor a malaria spasm Mimi had to fight in the tropics. No, it was her sore knees. She was a toddler, of course, she….toddled. And fell and broke the skin on her knees. Beware that even minor scratches or cuts can be tricky in the hot and humid climate.

I tried everything – from iodine that made it even worse to those bandaids that burned her skin. Finally, I simply smeared some of the zink cream * I had with me to cure diaper rashes on her knees. They dried and healed the wounds in the blink of an eye.

Ever since I haven’t travelled anywhere without a small jar of zink cream. Nothing fancy, just the stuff they sell at the drugstore.

While you don’t need to schlepp toys for your baby, a toddler actually does play with certain toys. However, you shouldn’t get overboard. I would take two or three pieces – and maybe not the favorites. On a trip, there is always a chance you break or lose something, and I presume you don’t want to deal with the drama.

Actually, I liked to buy something special for the trip – which adds to the excitement. Also, normally, kids do get some stuff to play with on the plane, so this can be used during the entire trip, too.

I rather bought a cheap thing or two at the destination than carry much of her stuff from home. Then, she also found all kinds of shells and twigs on the beach – the Belizian peninsula as such was really entertaining enough.

Since we spent a couple of months in Belize, I printed out a couple of pictures of family and friends and pinned them on the wall of our shack house. This way, her life back home was always present, however, in an unimposing way.

Before Mimi had to start school in Germany, we stayed in Central America three times: Five months in Belize when she was two, six months in Honduras when she was four, and eleven months in Honduras and Costa Rica as she turned six. Obviously, I couldn’t pack changes of clothes for months and months. I had to do laundry – either at some laundry place or by hand. According to my experience after decades of travel, you find a laundry place everywhere in the world. Sometimes it’s kind of a humble laundromat, sometimes it’s a lovely lady doing your laundry by hand.

Until today, regardless of the length of a trip, I’m packing clothes for eight to ten days. Then, every other week, I do laundry.

In one of my most featured posts, you can learn more about how to pack light and yet travel in style .

Solo Travel With Kids: The School Kid Years

When it comes to travelling solo with kids, I’d say that the school kid years are the easiest stage.

From the age of five, kids really grasp what’s going on. That they are leaving home, that they hear foreign languages, eat unusual foods – in brief: That the world is an exciting place.

This age group is soaking up what they’re seeing, hearing, and doing. If you play your cards smart and achieve to sell culture and history as the big adventure it actually is, you’ll have curious travel companions asking you a million questions while exploring historic sites and grand art museums.

When Mimi was in elementary school, we did a lot of shorter trips of up to three weeks and even stayed in all inclusive-hotels. Something I would never do again, however, at that time, it was really comfortable. Nevertheless, since I’ve always had those itchy feet, I made sure to escape and explore as much of the surroundings as I possibly could. I visited historic sites, I saw exhibitions, and I did go on day trips. Since I was a single mother, Mimi had to come along no matter what. However, during those activities, I did reward her: She got some extra-ice cream in Cairo, we went to see Shrek at a cinema in Cádiz , and we were swimming below the ruins of Tulum.

However, being a designated culture vulture, I’ve seen far fewer landmarks and museums than I would have wanted to. On the other hand, Mimi saw far more of them than she ever wanted. Hence, it was a compromise – the basis of every well-functioning relationship.

What the School Kid Years Taught Me to Do And to Pack

There is no such thing as homeschooling in Germany – at least there wasn’t before the pandemic. Therefore, as Mimi started school at the age of six, our ex-pat years were over. We had to stick to the school holidays. Also, there were moments during our long-term stays when I envied those families vacationing in the convenience and snugness of posh hotels. I wanted some serious pampering, too. So for these two reasons, I booked some quite touristy trips for a couple of years. Therefore, I cannot tell you how to do some survival training in the rainforest in the company of a seven-year-old.

Nevertheless, if you book some conventional vacays, often tickets and packages are cheaper for kids under a certain age – mostly it’s ten or twelve. So that’s a big plus and something you should take advantage of as long as you can.

Happiness starts already on the outbound flight when your child is finally willing to entertain herself by watching movies and checking out the toys she gets from the flight attendant. Not only are schoolkids interested and curious, but they also make friends easily. They have fun on the beach and join heartily the entertainment program at your hotel – the cheesier, the better.

If things go well, you won’t have to ask your child to give you a break – you’ll have to beg and extort her or him to spend at least the meals with you.

As having a sleepover is exciting for most kids, having weeks of sleepovers in a foreign country in a hotel room takes the cake. You can actually increase the emotion by explaining in a storytelling fashion where you are going, a bit of the history, local traditions, and customs, foods, and more. We also took children’s books set in specific countries with us. Obviously, movies are great for this kind of preparation, too.

Once you’re there, take everything nice and slow. During our first trips, I didn’t do that much sightseeing. And when we did, we took breaks instead of racing from one sight to another – something I passionately do when travelling on my own.

To avoid frustration on both sides, you have to free yourself from any kind of FOMO. We altered long days on the beach and short sightseeing tours or day trips.

It’s a great time to install rituals such as going for a last swim before or playing cards or board games after dinner. Then, cuddling up while reading before bedtime.

However, it’s also a great opportunity to apply some different rules than at home. If there is some hotel entertainment, bedtime can be easily postponed a bit. More dessert doesn’t really hurt, and drinking sweet sodas now and then makes a vacation special.

Last – and by no means least: Make always sure your little travel companion has your contact information at all times. If your child has a mobile phone, you should put your own number and preferably the contact details of your hotel on speed dial. Mind you that not only a child but also a phone can get lost. I always made sure that Mimi knew the hotel’s name by heart. Also, when visiting sites like a museum or a theme park, we agreed to meet at a certain spot in case we lost each other. Worked like a charm as we lost each other for a moment at Universal Studios in Orlando.

When travelling solo with a bigger child, you can still stuff everything in one big family suitcase. Nevertheless, it can be more convenient to pack two smaller suitcases if your little travel companion is allowed her own checked luggage. In this case, the child should be able to pull that suitcase if absolutely needed.

At school age, the child’s own carry-on becomes very important. The child should pick what she absolutely wants to take with her – which will be mostly toys and other nonsense, but that’s okay. You should only step in if the whole thing gets overboard or if she packs things that are not allowed in hand luggage, obviously.

Also, there should be room for some snacks and a change of clothes or at least tops in case of unexpected spills.

And yes, we also carried one or two vomit bags against motion sickness with us.

Feeding your school kid during the trip shouldn’t be too difficult. You can either carry some favorite snacks. Or, in case you forgot, buy some overpriced stuff at the airport. Life gets so much easier the older your child gets.

By the way, people tend to be a bit too cautious about what to bring on a plane. While since 2006, only small amounts of liquids are allowed in your carry-on, you can bring snacks with you which are neither fluid nor creamy, hence, no yogurt and even some kind of cheese can be a problem – unless it’s spread on a slice of bread. Why I’m even mentioning this? Well, you obviously haven’t read my story on how I got in trouble for carrying an artisan goat cheese from Toulouse to Hamburg : A truly cheesy flight .

So yes, you can make sandwiches and bring apple slices. You might not be allowed to take them with you after landing due to pest control. But I assume that you intend to finish your fresh snacks like sandwiches and fruits on board, anyway.

Care Products and Hygiene Essentials

I presume you have your favorite brands of organic soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, creams, and lotions. Normally, I’m the don’t worry, you can replace it everywhere -type. I’m getting quite picky when it comes to cosmetics for kids. Especially in a tropically hot and humid climate or in the icy cold of high mountains, your child’s sensitive skin will be stressed. To avoid skin conditions or allergies, you should at least pamper it with cosmetics that are organic and free of chemicals and fragrances.

Also, I’m always carrying loads of good, fragrance-free sun protection with a high SPF from home since I don’t trust just any stuff there is in store.

Am I the only one who loves to buy a new piece or two for an upcoming trip? Obviously, my closet is exploding and I certainly do not need another blouse. But I simply enjoy having some new travel companions in my suitcase.

Talking ’bout travel companion: Evidently, I also bought some cute new pieces for my daughter – before the trip to add to the anticipation and during the trip as a useful souvenir.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. Actually, only on my very first road trip – by Greyhound through the Deep South of the USA – did I take something borrowed with me, namely a backpack. Eventually, I discovered that you can have the spirit of a backpacker without actually ruining your back. Howsoever, let’s skip the blue and silver part and get right to the old and the new.

Probably, your child will insist on taking some of his favorite toys on the trip. As long as Mimi didn’t get overboard, I just accepted some dolls and a stuffed animal – although I learned on the first two or three trips that she would ignore those toys, anyway. Instead of minding her babydoll, she rather took windsurfing lessons. Instead of dressing Barbie, she played pinball with some boys. Hence, if your suitcase is already quite full, you should try some careful negotiating – because chances are that those toys will be used far less than expected.

However, I often purchased a new game – for obvious reasons rather cards than board games – and books that were set in or connected with our destination. For us, playing games and reading books has been a wonderful bonding experience.

Solo Travel With Kids: The Teenage Years

Well, well, well, now we are entering the danger zone. While babies are happily napping in a stroller as you are sailing the seven seas and a schoolchild excitedly helps you set the sails, a teenager will be prone to complain and criticize.

It’s a shame since, during the teenage years, you finally don’t need to care’n’control all the time. You are finally in the position to let your hair down.

It could be so much fun. Yet, often it isn’t and the earlier you don’t bother about the long face, the faster you’ll relax and thusly avoid many conflicts.

What the Teenage Years Taught Me to Do And to Pack

But let’s also look at the bright side: Having a self-reliant and mostly self-sufficient travel companion has many advantages. You can tell a teenager to stand in line at the counter while you are checking something on the board. As you go to the bathroom, you can leave all your luggage with a teenager. At that age, the child that’s travelling with you is actually of help and no longer rather a burden. Combined, you have two brains and four hands – don’t underestimate this luxury.

Also, a teenager is definitely responsible for her or his own entertainment. Reading some cheap-ass magazine, listening to their iPod, or checking social media on their phone. As we spent 8 hours onboard a plane that due to a blizzard never took off, Mimi watched the movie Step Up four times in a row – without complaining the teeniest bit.

From my post How To Plan a Trip From Scratch , you know that I’m a manic travel planner. Come to think of it, I enjoy putting together meticulous itineraries almost as much as the trip as such. Nevertheless, travelling with a teenager with no sign of FOMO whatsoever forced me to make time for some unplanned activity and actually introduced me to some pretty cool spots’n’neighborhoods. Will say, being a bit more open is good for both of you.

So yes, some things are definitely easier with a teenager. On the other hand, you probably won’t be able to drag a teenager to all the landmarks and through all the museums you’d like to see.

The best way to avoid frustration and conflicts is if you liberate yourself from the greed’n’need to visit all the attractions and sights. In return, you’ll get to see other things. Therefore, planning your trip collectively and agreeing on mutual activities beforehand might build a smooth ground you later walk upon in harmony.

And just like you should prepare a schoolchild for the trip by telling about the destination and adding some cool’n’quirky background stories, you might trigger your teen’s interest with books and movies.

Nevertheless, you shouldn’t count on being the first at the ticket counter when travelling with a teenager. Most teens will stay up late and then sleep in until noon. I hate that. But I also despise spending the day with someone who’s constantly yawning and making a long face. Hence, I pass on any activities starting at 9 a. m.

If you start the day with a leisurely breakfast and take it slow, chances are you’ll be rewarded with a fresh, rosy, and energetic travel companion.

I honestly hope that you will happily skip this chapter. If by now you are still packing your child’s bags, you did something very, very wrong. Your spoilt brat has to pack her own luggage. However, if you find certain items indispensable, you might wanna ask and possibly check if they actually were packed. Although, apart from certain medications or gadgets, you can probably purchase everything your teenager forgot at home at your destination. Usually, teens are very shopping-friendly beings so it will be a joy to replace the T-shirts she left at home at some local boutique.

This section has fewer chapters since depending on the exact age of your teenager, you probably won’t have much say when it comes to clothing’n’cosmetics, anyway. And while you probably have to oversee the packing skills of a 13-year-old, from the age of 16, you can possibly just take a quick check.

Obviously, you are neither packing nor carrying the luggage of a teenager – your days of servitude should definitely be gone. Get your teenager a suitcase or backpack she or he likes and then you’re basically out.

During her early teenage years, Mimi still asked how many t-shirts or shorts I thought would be good to pack, which sandals she should take, and so on. This was totally fine as she was still learning. Over the years, she perfected her packing skills and I didn’t meddle anymore.

Just like you don’t tell a teenager what to wear you don’t have to tell him or her what to eat – I hope. Having been a single mom all of Mimi’s life, I cannot even describe what a wonderful sensation it is once you don’t have to be cautious and provident all the time. You’re hungry? Well, eat. You’re thirsty? Then drink.

So while the simple act of ingestion isn’t an issue, it’s actually a chance to tickle your child’s taste buds with some new and exciting flavors and develop your child’s palate.

While you maybe don’t want to force some fried crickets on your teenager as soon as you set foot on foreign ground, you shouldn’t miss the chance to introduce him or her to some exotic fruits, exciting spices, and exclusive dishes.

When it comes to packing care and hygiene products for adults and teenagers alike, you don’t have to be very cautious unless one of you has a skin condition or suffers from allergies. If you can use basically any product without getting a rash, you’re good to either take everything with you or buy anything on the spot.

As we travelled to the US or to England, we bought basically all our care products at our destination. Mainly because I love drugstores. You literally have to drag me out of Walgreens, Duane Reade’s, and Boots, otherwise, I’d spend my entire trip there. I love drugstores almost as much as art museums.

However, we are based in Hamburg . And while Germany is famous for stupid things like cars and soccer, the fact that the country has by far the best drugstores got somehow lost on the rest of the world. Not only do German drugstores sell all those global brands at extremely competitive prices. They also have some home brands of fantastic quality at incredibly cheap prices. Hence, shopping for care products on our travels wasn’t really smart. But I must say, that I also loved to take them home with me as lasting souvenirs. I very much enjoyed washing my hair with a shampoo I had bought weeks ago somewhere in Miami.

Although I presume that most of the packing’n’preparation for a teenager is not different from an adult, I’d like to point out the family tradition of playing games when travelling together. Obviously, we are not schlepping the jubilee version of Monopoly with us. But there are some really cool card games based on the board version – by the way, Monopoly *, too. However, our favorites are San Juan * and Richelieu *. Also, there is a pocket version of the clever game Master Mind * – pun intended. It’s small and light and can be easily taken everywhere.

I’m stretching this point because we do play literally everywhere. Even when we go out to dinner, we are taking a game with us and play while waiting for our food. Obviously, we don’t do that at some fancy restaurants; but we rarely go to fancy restaurants, anyway.

We got into this habit during the school kid era and kept it up ever since. Over the years, this family tradition brought us wonderful bonding moments – and lots of fun.

Last But Not Least

Clearly, you don’t need only the favorite teddy bear and some good sun protection when travelling with a child. You also need some documents. Normally, children need their own travel documents like an identity card or passport from birth.

Depending on from where to where you are travelling, you need not only a valid travel document, but possibly also

• vaccination certificate
• proof of foreign health insurance

If children travel by themselves or with adults who are not their legal guardians, they should always carry an additional document signed by their parents. This can apply also if they are travelling with only one parent, so you always should have written proof from the other parent allowing you to take the child abroad.

Generally, each country decides whether it requires official travel authorization from the legal guardian or parent. Find out which rules have to be obeyed when entering or leaving the country. Also remember that even if a country does not require minors to have a permit to enter or leave the country, you may still need to show one in one of the countries you are crossing.

When traveling by air, it is strongly recommended to check with the airline in advance. Many airlines require official permits and have their own forms for this purpose.

There are countries whose requirements are stricter for parents travelling alone and which require further notarized documents. It is therefore advisable to obtain information from the respective embassy or consulate in advance. Also, every country can change these regulations at any time, so better safe than sorry.

We didn’t have shared custody of Mimi so I was fine. And while I have never been questioned at any border, I would not count on being lucky.

Therefore, you should have the following documents ready on top of the above listed:

• International birth certificate, especially when the child has a different surname
• Copy of the other custodian’s passport, so that the signature can be verified
• Travel authorization for single parents. There is a great template for mothers and fathers in six languages supplied by the ADAC – which is the Germany AAA.

Besides those official documents, you should have

• all urgent contact details of your embassy, ​​insurance company, bank or credit card company
• an emergency form stating your and your child’s name, nationality, contact details, and emergency contact

Finally, I strongly recommend leaving a hard copy of all those documents with some trustworthy friend or family member and also having one set on you. In addition, you should store readable scans of all those papers preferably in a cloud but at least on your phone.

Today, after many trips where either one of us ended up in a foreign hospital, it gives me shivers that for more than a decade, I was travelling without travel insurance – in the company of a child. Only as we flew to Hawaii a couple of years ago, a travel agent urged me to get health insurance – at a ridiculously low price. Guess what: That was the first trip when Mimi got seriously dehydrated and had to be on a drip for two hours and about 600 bucks. Since then, good health insurance is one of my top priorities when preparing for my trips. I’ve explained in a former post how fast this pays off.

Although I idiotically did not get health insurance when going to Belize, I at least consulted Mimi’s pediatrician before we left. Also, asking a specialist in travel and tropical medicine might be a good idea. This doctor will be able to tell you whether prophylaxis for instance against malaria and special vaccinations such as yellow fever, hepatitis, or rabies are necessary or at least recommended.

For the sake of your child, go see a doctor and refrain from research on the internet or on facebook-groups.

Note : You’ll have noted that the pictures in this post are of questionable quality, to say the least. While I do apologize for this on the one hand, on the other, it only proves their historic value and authenticity. The pix of my daughter were all taken with a standard reflex camera and digitalized only years later.

If you choose to pin this post, please use one of these pictures:

Important disclaimer : I did lots of research for this post and put only links here that look trustworthy. However, information is being provided as a convenience. It does not constitute an endorsement or approval of any of the laws, regulations, services, or products. I bear no responsibility for the accuracy and legality of information or any content of external sites or links. This post is being regularly completed, edited, and updated.

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*These aren’t affiliate links but just a service to the reader.

101 Replies to “Solo Travel With Kids: Baby, Toddler, School Kid, Teenager – How to Survive Travels With a Child”

Thank you for the very nice article. It’s not easy to travel with kids especially when they become sick when they are traveling

Glad you like it! Yap, I definitely had my fair share of assisting a motion sick child 😉

Saved my day with this information! thank you

You’re welcome – travelling with kids can be a challenge 😉

It is good to have a strategy for traveling solo. Important to be as prepared and as safe as possible!

Definitely true, however, one shouldn’t let fear intervene with travel plans 😉

Your recommendations are noted! Thanks!

Hahaha – you’re welcome! Happy travels with your little one 😉

Bring along a first aid kit and any necessary medications. Also, make sure you have copies of important documents such as your child’s birth certificate, passport, and insurance information.

Thank you, Jennifer, the first aid kit is a good idea. Especially if someone has allergies or sensitive skin and cannot tolerate just any kind of band aid

Great post – very encouraging 😉

That’s exactly what I intended 😉

I will right away grab your rss feed as I cannot find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

There is a pop-up form as well as a form in the sidebar. Looking forward to your subscription 🙂

Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better!

Thanx for your feedback – glad my experience was helpful 😉

Aww I didn’t know you had a daughter. I had an old roommate of mine who has traveled all around north and south America with her son since he was a baby too. She told me stories, and I am amazed how she managed. It opens so many possibilities, I don’t have kids yet but at least now I know it doesn’t mean the end of travel if I do.

You can do almost everything – it’s just a bit different 😉

A great article, really important information for those planning to travel with little ones. Thanks for sharing!

Wow, this is such a great informative post! Since I just had a baby I will need to prepare a lot for my next trips. Thanks for sharing!

Aaah- all the best – and many happy travels 🙂

Great tips for travelers with children of all ages. Especially helpful for young parents and for sure for single parents. Traveling with a child has an entirely different dimension, so it is worth preparing for it well. It’s excellent as you share so many experiences and what to pack for each age!

My main goal was to encourage (single) parents to go out there 😉

This is an amazing resource! Thank you for putting this comprehensive list together!

My – motherly – pleasure, glad I can help 🙂

We are planning to have a trip before the end of this year with my two kids, and these are great tips that I need to remember.

The most important part is the quality time spent together. Enjoy your trip to the max 🙂

Amazing advice and a wonderful read. Bless you, I can’t even imagine! We have enough trouble packing and traveling as two grown men with big personalities! LOL

Haha, it might be easier to travel with a small child than with a grown man 😉

Doing anything with babies is hard but it gets so much easier as they get older. I actually enjoy traveling and taking road trips now that my kids are a little older but man, those baby years are rough.

It’s really comforting that you also remember them being hard 🙂

This is such an interesting post, loved reading this. Thanks for sharing!

I could just imagine traveling with a months supply of diapers. That is a whole lot of diapers.

I honestly hope nobody does that 😀

This is such an important and helpful post for single parents traveling with young kids

Hahah I love this. So funny to hear about your experiences with your daughter – I also had the same sentiment… you just take them with you on your travels. But boy oh boy are kids exhausting!!

Yes, but do you remember this paradisiac silence once they fall asleep? Listen: No sound at all 🙂

I applaud you taking your baby to all these places as a single mamma. I’m sure it wasn’t easy but Mimi has had the best education! It’s nice to see how she has grown up too. Great tips for other parents in the same situation.

Aaah, thank you so much for your kind word! Yap, after all these wanderings, she’s definitely ready to face the world 😀

Completely agree with what you said about solo travel with a school aged child – I recently did this with my daughter and we had the best time. Most importantly, it was SO easy. I am not looking forward to the teen years though!

You might have to be a bit more oblivious to moods – other than that…this phase, too, shall pass 😉

This is such a great post. Traveling with kids can be so hard. You are so brave to do it and through it, all teaching us how to love the world around us.

Haha, it was a rough ride – but totally worth it 🙂

My days of travelling with kids is well behind us. With some distance, I remember the great times and not all it took to travel with them. One day I am sure that I will travel with grandkids and have to re-learn everything. I agree that things changed as our children got older – what to take, where to go and how to pack. I would have to add several pages to my packing spreadsheet these days. Each stage got easier and harder in some ways.

That’s true on so many levels – some things get easier, others more complicated.

I never traveled out of the country with small kids, but I have done many road trips over the years. I still know every word to every kid song by heart, and can sing some in foreign languages!

Hahaha – this sound sooo cute – I bet you guys share wonderful memories 🙂

These are very useful tips for new moms like me. Thanks for sharing.,

I hope I can encourage many new moms to go out there 😉

I know from experience traveling with little ones can be quite stressful between planning and making sure everyone is happy! This article has so many great tips and tricks I wish I had known sooner to make my travels with kids go just a bit smoother!!

Especially travelling is based on learning by doing. You’ll always find yourself in unexpected situations, no matter how much you prepare 😉

This is so beneficial for parents. I know a lot of people who would love to travel, but they aren’t sure about how to do it with their kids. This will be so helpful for them for sure.

It would make me very happy if some parents find the courage to go after they read this post 🙂

These tips are really helpful. I feel it will be so helpful to one of more cousin with a baby who is a trave lover. I will definitely share it with her

Yap, I hope many people can profit from my experience 🙂

It was really insightful to see how you traveled with your child throughout the years. It is so inspirational for other moms!

I sure hope so 🙂

thanks for the tips.. Me I love to join my kids in my travel I want to explore them different places and know more new things

This was my plan, too, exactly. 🙂

I love solo travel too & love your detailed sharing with kids along, learnt your tips & I’m prepared to travel solo with kid too.

I know how it feels if yo will travel for kids so many restrictions so many things to remember but as the end of the day if the kids enjoyed you feel the same too.

There are ups and downs – but in the end, it’s so enriching 🙂

I can’t imagine the hard work and patience that many parent travellers have to experience when travelling with their babies. Thanks for your guide, now I will be more mindful! I’m just glad that I wouldn’t be travelling with little kids of my own.

I loved reading this! So many truths in this post! I am in the school aged group right now and unfortunately due to circumstances out of my control as a single mom as well can’t travel full time. But like you mentioned I go any chance I get, whether it is for a day trip or shorter 1–2-week trip. It was really interesting reading about the teen years because I have not yet gotten there….so much to look forward to LOL

At the end of the day, it’s all about experiencing things and spending quality time together – no matter where. 🙂

This was so comprehensive. I have never traveled with young people so this is a useful resource.

It is surely challenging traveling with kids and do require a bit of planning. My friends have little kids and they find it really hard. This surely gives a lot of tips and tricks for traveling with kids. I will send this to my friends so it can help them.

Obviously, it’s more complicated – yet totally doable.

I have been travelling with my two boys for years and I will agree with you. This article is so helpful especially to new travel parents.

I wish you many more inspiring trips with your boys 😀

Travelling with kids is a whole new level to some of the stresses and worries of planning and preparing for a trip. But your guide will be a good resource for those that dare take this on. The rewards are endless, and those trips provide such memorable adventures.

Yes, at the end of the day it’s a very rewarding experience 🙂

Traveling with children in different ages is definitely a game-changer and we have to be prepared and well-plans, thanks a lot for the insights and guides. They are useful and I think for some who are overwhelmed by the idea, will be convinced.

Thank you – glad you like it 🙂

this post is very beneficial to me. I plan on having kids but travelling with them seems very complex to me. such guides make me feel a lot calmer about it

You got this, girl 😀

Puh – I never travelled with kids. Not as the responsible person anyway. But yes, I can imagine that solo-travel with kids is a challenge. You mastered it very well!

Thank you 🙂

Great tips. I always hear people say that they don’t travel with kids but it’s totally possible to do so! Making a plan works.

It definitely is – my daughter and I are living proof 😉

Currently I’m at a stage of traveling with a teenager. Hah! I found it the hardest as sometimes I couldn’t hold my cool. At this stage we let him pick the restaurants to make our trips less drama. Haha..

Hahaha, I totally get you – but this, too, will pass 😀

This is very helpful and timely since we’re planning to go on a roadtrip next month. I think it’s a good idea to bring some toys. Will keep in mind to just bring a few pieces.

Yes, bring them – although they probably won’t be used too often 😉

These are great tips for parents who always travel with their kids. Thank you for sharing it!

These are all really great tips! Such a really great resource, I really enjoy reading this!

Thank you, I’m glad you did 🙂

So many great tips here for parents who would take their kids on a long trip. Thanks for sharing this valuable resource Renata.

Happy to help 🙂

When you travel with kids, you really think about their safety. Insurance is essential

Totally – I wouldn’t travel without insurance anymore – even not by myself 🙂

I always take toys and snacks when traveling with kids. they’re real important

Yap, you need some bribe 😀

Right. Also, kids can be really naughty and they get hungry easily

….just like many grownups 😀

Some great tips for mothers and fathers! I wonder how I would cope travelling with a little one. You have to be super organised!

You’re absolutely right – improvising can get very stressful! 🙂

My kids are all adults now. What this means is that I have been through all of these travel ages. Some are definitely easier than others.

Same here – soon, my daughter can write about how it is to travel with an elderly parent 😀

This is an incredible resource! I love that you included tips for every age group!

Well, I had to go through all these stages 😉 Glad you like it 😀

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How To Travel Alone With a Toddler on a Plane

d3sign / Getty Images

How To Pack and Prepare

• Things I Needed

Things I Bought But Didn’t Use

Other helpful tips.

The thought of traveling alone with my 26-month-old toddler for her first flight this summer was overwhelming, to say the least. But, I was determined to be prepared. After reading what seemed like hundreds of articles to ready myself, I started to feel a little more at ease There were all types of suggestions like "book the flight during nap time," "pack snacks," "bring these exact coloring books."

I also spoke to other moms, crowdsourced on Instagram, and spent hours meticulously and methodically packing. Honestly, I was probably over-prepared but I didn't want to risk a meltdown—from me or from my toddler. I was ready...or at least physically. All those preparations still didn't negate the fact that I was still a little terrified to travel with my "terrible 2s toddler" for the first time.

If you're a parent of a toddler, then you know that you can't really plan for everything. Toddlers are wonderfully unpredictable. Naturally, I came up with all sorts of "what-ifs" like what if she had a tantrum or a blowout as we boarded? Would there be a fussy refusal to wear a mask on the plane? We had a long journey ahead of us—6 hours total—and I feared the worst but hoped for the best.

All in all, my daughter did great on her first long trip. But after taking two planes, two trains, and countless car rides, I learned a thing or two about what to bring, and what I definitely should have left at home.

If you have a trip coming up with your toddler, I may not be able to completely erase your fears or those nagging "what-ifs," but I certainly can let you in on how to prepare, what to pack, how to deal with fussiness, and more.

Depending on your destination (a hotel, an Airbnb, staying with family), it's incredibly helpful to send as many necessities as possible ahead of time. After all, packing these things or loading them onto a plane with you, is just not feasible.

However, if shipping things is just not economical or feasible for you, you can also rent gear if you're traveling to a larger town.

I was staying with family, so I shipped a car seat to my mom before I arrived. This way, I knew exactly what would be waiting for me once I got there. If you choose to ship instead of rent, just be sure to send it with enough time for your family or friends to properly install the seat before you get there.

My choice was the new-to-market Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Car Seat , but it was a little confusing for them to install. So, my step-dad went to a certified car seat installation location for help.

If you have family that will be installing the car seat for you as I did, you may want to contact the local police stations and fire departments to see if they offer this service. You also can search for a location or a specialist near your destination . After all, you don't want to try to install a car seat after you just spent hours flying.

Think Through Sleeping Arrangements

When it comes to toddlers, you probably already know how active—and curious—they are. That's why it's so important to think through the sleeping arrangements and try to determine what will work best for your family.

Even though my daughter probably could have slept in a twin bed or on a cot, I still sent a pack and play to my parents' home—especially because she is still in a crib at home. For me, I just felt more comfortable having her "contained," especially in an unfamiliar room. Plus, because she still sleeps in a crib at home, I didn't want her first taste of freedom to be while we were on the road in someone else's home.

My daughter is used to a pack and play, so it made sense to use one on the road. My pick was the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light . It's super easy to set up, was larger than some other models, and is recommended for children up to 3 years old.

Of course, if you're not staying with family or friends, you may not have the option to ship a pack and play. But, you can call your hotel to reserve a crib or a pack and play for your stay if you want.

Overall, my suggestion is to try to replicate your toddler's sleeping environment at home as much as you can. After all, your toddler will be adjusting to so many new things, that having some familiarity—especially at bedtime—will help things go more smoothly for both of you.

Be Strategic About Packing

Rather than try to pack all the extras that go with having a toddler—like diapers, wipes, and bubble bath—I placed an order for curbside pickup at the local Target. There, I was able to find all of my daughter’s favorite snacks and drinks, diapers, wipes, and even a fun bathtub mat. My family picked it up the day before I arrived, leaving enough time for them to shop for anything that was unavailable or missing.

Then, when it came time to pack for our trip, I packed one large suitcase that I checked and didn't have to include all those bulky items. If you're using one suitcase, like me, be sure to save room for those all-important gadgets that are a necessity when you have a toddler.

In my suitcase, I included important things like her white noise sound machine and my video monitor, the Nanit monitor —things that are absolutely necessary but could ultimately be replaced if my luggage was lost.

Meanwhile, in my carry-on, I made sure to pack things that could not be easily or immediately replaced like her sleep sack, her lovey, and her blanket. Plus, I knew I would need these items soon after arriving at my destination since my arrival coincided with her nap time.

Take time to think through what things you can buy once you get there, what can be replaced if it is lost, and what you need to keep on your person at all times.

For me, life without my daughter's lovey and blanket would have been a real challenge, so I made sure to keep those things with us in our carry-on. Plus, if I needed to whip them out on the plane, they were always within reach.

There is nothing worse than for a 2-year-old to ask for their blankie only to be told that it is in the underbelly of the plane. That was not something I wanted to try to explain to my toddler at 30,000 feet surrounded by complete strangers!

Necessities for the Airport and on the Plane

When you are traveling through the airport and flying on a plane with a toddler, there are a few items that are an absolute must. Aside from the things you traditionally have handy in your purse or diaper bag—snacks, diapers, wipes, and toys—you'll also want to think about how your child will be sitting on the plane. Here's my list of must-haves for the plane.

Snacks were the number one item that moms told me to pack, and that advice really paid off. I carefully packed all different types of shelf-stable snacks in her bento box lunchbox, and that kept her occupied before boarding and while in the sky.

If you don’t have a large bento-box style lunchbox , using a crafting box—or even a large weekly pill container—with many small compartments is a great way to separate snacks. Not only are you separating the snacks in an interesting way, but the novelty of having so many things to explore can keep your child occupied for a good bit of time.

I included mostly familiar snacks, as well as some new, yummy foods to spark her interest. We flew during her normal morning snack time, so she was hungry. Plus, it was fun for her to try new things. Get creative when packing snacks for your flight. You will be glad you did.

Wipes and Diapers

When you have a toddler, you can never have too many wipes. After all, there are diapers to change as well as messy fingers and faces to deal with. In my bag, I included travel packs of both gentle wipes for diaper changes and wiping her face as well as anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning the tray table, seat, and armrests.

You also want to be sure you have plenty of diapers during your travel time. Count out how many diaper changes you would normally need during that timeframe and then add a few more. You never know when your toddler will have a diaper malfunction.

To make things easier on me, I changed her diaper in the airport bathroom before each flight. I wanted to avoid changing her on the plane if I could. There's nothing worse than trying to navigate a tiny airplane bathroom with a fidgety toddler.

Changing Pads and Extra Clothes

Instead of using the travel changing pads that come in most diaper bags, I opted for disposable dog training pads. As weird as that might sound at first, they are great for bathroom changing tables.

By using these large pads, I didn't have to worry about transferring germs back into my bag. I just tossed them when I was done. Plus, they are great for mopping up water in a pinch in case of a spill.

Another thing to pack in your carry-on just in case? A change of clothes for both you and your child. Accidents happen and there is nothing worse than traveling 6 hours with food or other stains on your clothing.

Coloring or Drawing Tablet

Many people suggest bringing a coloring book and crayons on your trip. While this is a great idea, in theory, I don't know many toddlers that can be trusted with regular markers or crayons, including my 2-year-old.

For instance, on the first leg, we used a Melissa & Doug on-the-go coloring book. It came with regular markers, and even sitting right next to her, my daughter managed to color the tray table. On the way home, I spotted crayon marks on the window shade from a previous passenger, so I know all parents of young ones deal with this.

Similarly, the popular “Water Wow” coloring books claim to be mess-free, but my daughter quickly figured out how to unscrew the cap and promptly dumped water over her entire outfit. The best option, I learned on the way home, is to stick with something electronic while on the plane. You won’t lose any marker caps or risk the ink drying up. I opted for an electronic LCD tablet and it worked out great.

A Safety Device

For children flying on an airplane, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends a Child Restraint System (CRS). If you chose to use a car seat, you’ll need to double-check the dimensions of the car seat and the airplane seat. I also strongly encourage you to you install the car seat in a window seat location.

If you choose to bring a car seat, you can have your child sit in the seat while traveling through the airport. Buy a travel cart specifically made to wheel a car seat or a special travel strap that attaches to your rolling luggage. Remember, children over 2 and children sitting in a car seat must have their own seat on the plane.

For me personally, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to handle my carry-on, our stroller, my toddler, and a car seat, so I opted for the CARES Child Safety Device . This is a seatbelt-like harness that is FAA-approved for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. It folds up and weighs less than 1 pound, so it’s not a burden to put in your carry-on. What's more, I was able to quickly install it on my own in under 2 minutes.

Stroller and Bag Cover

A travel stroller is a must in case your gate is the very last one in the terminal like mine was. Toddlers don’t tend to walk fast, so having a stroller is key to being on time. Before boarding, I folded the stroller and put it in a gate check bag . There was plenty of room left in the bag for coats or anything else I didn’t physically need with me in the cabin. I bought my gate check bag on Amazon for under $20.

I heard from other moms that gate check bags get quite dirty and sometimes rip due to rough handling, so I didn't want to spend too much. As you get to the jet bridge, fold your stroller and put it in the gate check bag (mine is bright red and says " gate check" in large letters ). The attendant will tag the bag.

Then, you just leave it at the bottom of the bridge, just before entering the plane. Most of the time, you can retrieve it after the flight in the same spot you left it, just after exiting the plane on the jet bridge. In certain instances, it may be sent to baggage claim, so be sure to listen for announcements. Gate checking strollers or car seats is a free service, so make sure you take advantage of it.

Backpack for Your Child

Although there are super cute rolling luggage options for kids, I knew I would get stuck wheeling my daughter’s suitcase while also trying to push her stroller. Instead, I opted for a “ busy backpack ,” which doubled as a toy as well as a backpack to hold sticker books , snacks, and her iPad.

Her busy backpack has snaps, buttons, a zipper, a faux shoelace, buckles, and colorful numbers printed on the straps. She LOVED carrying the backpack around because it gave her a sense of independence, and also really helped me out to have some extra packing space.

There are certain items I thought would be a must for traveling that I didn't end up needing. I definitely leaned on my daughter's iPad for a few moments of quiet time.

Meanwhile, some people swear by headphones, but I never used hers. In addition, placemats were something I thought would keep us safe from germs, but simply wiping her tray table down with a wipe was faster and easier. Here's what I could have left at home.

I bought special placemats with sticky edges for the tray table. When it comes down to it, you have just a couple of minutes to get situated and get your child occupied when you first get on the plane.

So, I didn’t bother using these placements—it was much quicker for me to just wipe down the table with an anti-bacterial wipe. These placemats might be helpful if you’re eating a full meal on the plane, but on my short trip, we only had snacks, so I would advise leaving them off your shopping list.

Though her iPad was a lifesaver, we did not use the headphones I brought along especially for this trip. First, she didn’t want to keep them on her head.

Second, the plane was so loud it provided built-in white noise and drowned out the sound of her iPad unless you were within a foot of the device. Furthermore, all the other passengers were wearing headphones, so I knew she wasn’t bothering anyone by having her iPad volume on low.

Preparing for a trip with your toddler can feel overwhelming. You never know if your child might get overwhelmed by a large population of people or feel claustrophobic on the small aircraft. Although you can't plan for everything, here are some additional tips that can help you survive traveling with your little one.

Have a Back-up Plan

I live in New York City, so I don’t own a car or a car seat. But, when we were leaving we were able to quickly and easily call an Uber with a car seat to go to the airport. However, when we landed at home, there were no cars with car seats available, and every car service was at least 2 hours away.

Eventually, I took the Air Train home (an option from both Newark and JFK in the New York area) but it was a long, unexpected, and difficult leg of my journey. Transferring to multiple trains with a 50-pound suitcase and a baby in a stroller was not easy.

That's why you need a backup plan in case things don’t go as scheduled. Rather than rely on Uber and public transportation, you may want to schedule a car service in advance for airport transfers or have someone meet you at the airport. Just make sure they have a car seat already installed if you're not traveling with yours.

Beware of Packaging

I bought some quiet, mess-free, sensory toys called Wikki Stix for the plane ride that were great. You can create an endless array of different shapes and the Stix have a textured feel that's not sticky.

However, I was surprised that the packaging was so loud and obnoxious. I would encourage you to open any new toys at home (away from your child) and repackage them in a less disruptive bag or box. There's nothing worse than crinkling plastic and packaging that disturbs those around you.

Wrap "Presents"

One thing that worked well for me was buying some small, new toys and trinkets and wrapping them in tissue paper. When my little one started getting fidgety, I would tell her I had a "present" for her. Not only was this a new and exciting toy, but the extra step of taking off the tissue paper added a few minutes to the experience.

I bought some small Blippi toy vehicles, Melissa & Doug's Lace and Trace pet set, and even wrapped a couple of sticker packs. Toys don't have to be expensive to be exciting. In fact, my mom famously tells me that I used to be most excited to individually unwrap an entire box of Band-Aids on long car rides.

It's normal to feel rushed when you have a little one. But, try not to stress over taking an extra minute to put your bag in the overhead or find your boarding pass in your giant purse. People are remarkably kind when they recognize that you are traveling alone with a little one.

Plus, take advantage of the early boarding with small children. This will give you extra time to get situated and you will feel less like you are holding people up. And, don't be afraid to ask for help—multiple people along my journey helped me with my luggage. Most likely, someone has been in your shoes before, and they will be eager to assist.

A Word From Verywell

Traveling alone is stressful to begin with, and can be especially worrisome if you have a tot in tow. We hope these tips help you plan for a less stressful trip so you can enjoy your vacation or trip with your little one.

Federal Aviation Administration. Flying with children .

The Car Seat Lady. Before you fly, know your rights !

By Dory Zayas Dory Zayas is a freelance beauty, fashion, and parenting writer. She spent over a decade writing for celebrity publications and since having her daughter in 2019, has been published on sites including INSIDER and Well+Good.

6 Tips to Flying Solo With Just Your Kids

Flying with little kids is rarely easy, although once you do it a few times there are definitely tips and tricks you'll pick up to make it more manageable. Generally speaking, the more hands you have to help with the kids, the easier the flight experience. But for a wide variety of reasons, you may find yourself flying solo without another spouse, parent, or adult there to assist you and the littles.

My family's travels typically include my husband and two kids (currently 2 and 5 years old), but there have been a handful of times where I found myself flying solo with the kids. Several of my friends told me I was crazy and that they would just cancel the vacation instead of taking their kids by themselves. But I ignored their stance and told myself I could do it. My take is that if there is somewhere you want to go, then flying solo with the kids is worth it. And meeting my parents down in sunny Florida with my two kids to escape the cold of the Northeast was well worth it on multiple occasions.

Spoiler alert: Flying solo with kids is really not bad at all.

1. Ship Items to Your Destination in Advance.

Sometimes I feel like when I am traveling with kids, I am packing up my entire house and trying to fit everything in my suitcase. My first solo flight with my two kids included needing to travel with an endless supply of diapers, formula, burp clothes, baby food and bottles. Instead of bringing it all down with me (which would have taken up a suitcase by itself), I was able to order everything I needed in advance from Amazon and had it waiting for me at my destination. While I had everything shipped to the condo we were renting, many hotels are willing to accept packages on your behalf. Just let them know in advance. I suggest having your items arrive the day before your schedule to land so the hotel doesn't have to hold onto it for too many days (increasing the chances that it may be misplaced), but giving yourself a one day buffer in case of a shipping delay.

Another idea is to use a bag VIP delivery service . You would still check-in your bags at the airport, but they could be delivered to your final destination.

There are also many companies who will deliver baby items straight to your hotel or vacation rental. This includes cribs, high chairs, strollers, etc. This could definitely help lighten your load which is very important when flying without an extra set of hands.

2. Curbside Check-in is Your Friend.

There is rarely a reason to ever enter the airport with your luggage. Get rid of it as quickly as possible with curbside check-in. Yes, it might cost you a few extra dollars (at the very least, a tip), but it is well worth it! Do not try to lug everyone's carry-ons through the airport if you are the solo adult with kids (other than a backpack of essential items you need for the plane). There are many airline co-branded credit cards that help you avoid the cost of checked bag fees .

3. Bring the Right Gear.

Think about the most efficient way to get your kids through the airport while keeping your hands as free as possible. For example, if you have a baby and a toddler, put the baby in the baby carrier and the toddler in the stroller. Of course, you know your child best, but do not expect the toddler to walk the entire way through the airport and dedicate the stroller only for the baby. You may decide this is the time to invest in a double stroller.

Bring carabiners. You can use them on your stroller to hold a handbag, your backpack, or even connect it to your luggage! This is also a way to carry more and still be hands-free.

4. Be Strategic With Your Flight Times.

Pick a time that you know will work well — considering your kids normal morning wake up time, nap times and bed times. Do not book a flight during the "witching" hour or at a time when you are cutting their nap short. While these are suggestions for flying with kids in general, they are even more important when flying solo as you do not have the extra hands to wrangle multiple tired and cranky kids. I personally like picking times that coincide right with nap time. A 1pm flight, for example, has always worked really well with my son's afternoon nap. We get on the plane, he plays a little bit, and next thing you know he is out cold. This allowed me to attend to my daughter, if needed.

If you are flying with kids who are out of the nap stage, evening flights may work well. A 7pm - 8pm departure may ensure that they pass out shortly after the flight takes off, but just make sure that you are able to handle a few sleeping children when the flight lands.

5. Pack Entertainment.

I always have a backpack that I bring on the flight that contains only items my kids will need at 36k feet — snacks, water, coloring items, small toys and a Kindle Fire. Having items that will keep your kids entertained will go a long way on the flight. You'll also want to bring an extra set of clothes. There is nothing worse then a child complaining their pants are wet because they spilled the apple juice and all your backups are stored underneath the plane. Don't go overboard since you do not want to travel with extra luggage, but be mindful of your kids' interests and needs.

Pro packing tips:

• Bring a backpack, not an over the shoulder bag.
• Use ziplock baggies to organize items — all extra clothes in one baggie, snacks in another, keep color items together, etc. This way you can just easily pull out the baggie to find what you are looking for and have some options to contain messes.
• Keep the items you'll most likely use first on top.
• For children 4 - 5 years or older , have them wear their own backpack with items they will need.

This is also a good time to throw most ( but not all ) rules out of the window. Make the flight that one-time exception where they are allowed an extra lollipop or an extra show on the iPad, just don't disturb others in the process. Breaking your normal house rules might give you that extra peace and quiet needed for a smooth flight. I always load a new movie onto my kids Kindle Fire prior to the flight so there is a surprise waiting for them.

6. Sit in the Back of the Plane.

I find the back of the plane the "family friendly" area anyways, but when flying solo being close to both the restrooms and flight attendants is important. Being in the back allows you to take a child to the bathroom, while leaving the other far away in their seat. You are also closer to the galley (depending on the plane type) where it is easier to ask a flight attendant for more water or snacks. You also have easier access to ask the flight attendant for assistance, if needed.

Being in the back of the plane also increases the chances of being near other friendly families who are willing to help. Or at the bare minimum, they'll give you an extra pass if your kids aren't perfect. The front of the plane usually includes passengers who pay for better seats or have elite status.

Bottom Line

Flying solo with your kids is 100% doable. Do not let your fear get in the way and allow you to miss some really fun opportunities with your kids. You can do it and before you know it you'll probably be planning additional solo adventures with your kids!

Traveling with kids as a solo parent taught me how to plan better vacations. In a blended family, everyone can do what they want.

• When I was married to my kids' dad, his work was not flexible, but mine was, so I took them on trips solo. 
• Now I have remarried and have four kids between the ages of 7 and 17. 
• Everyone wants to do something different, so traveling solo with my kids works for the best. 

My daughters were 3 and 7 the first time I traveled alone with them . As I loaded our bags into the back of the car and headed for the airport, I wondered if I was making a big mistake. Their dad was very hands-on and helped a lot in those early parenting days, and here I was, heading off on a weeklong trip with two small children without him. What was I thinking? 

We live in a small town of around 10,000 people, and although it's a great place to raise kids, it's a stark contrast from my own upbringing in the city, where we regularly visited museums and art galleries, went to plays, and spent weekends ice-skating or picnicking in wildlife parks and zoos.   

Related stories

I didn't want my kids to miss out on those experiences only cities can offer. I started to get the travel bug. My work is flexible, but my now ex-husband's wasn't. If I wanted to take the girls traveling , I was going to have to do it alone.  

I did a lot of planning

Planning is the key to making travel with young kids enjoyable. My first step was figuring out how to board a plane with three people's luggage. The best decision I made was to buy the girls their own carry-on bags.

I found inexpensive, wheeled suitcases with handles: big enough to fit all their clothes but small enough for my 3-year-old to pull behind her. I also packed a small day bag with snacks, drink bottles, baby wipes, bandages, sun hats, sunscreen, and a soft toy for each child.

I talked about what we were doing

Kids like to know what's happening — especially when they're out of their usual routine — so before the trip, I created a schedule for each day. Vacations with their dad were often busy and spontaneous. He liked to pack the day full of activities and had a ton of energy to deal with any mishaps. But I knew that wouldn't work for me alone with the girls.

Our schedule involved just one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon. There's only so far a 3-year-old can walk without tantrums, so I also planned exactly which bus, train, tram, and taxi we'd be catching each day to and from our accommodation. 

For our first trip, I'd picked Wellington, a city I was familiar with. We visited a space observatory and museum, then picnicked and played at the park in the beautiful gardens nearby. The best thing about planning your trip well, other than less grumpy, tired kids, is you can research and book events and shows in advance. After the park, we took a tram ride down into the city to see a kid's show I'd booked weeks earlier — something we probably would have missed out on with our more spontaneous vacations. 

With just the three of us, I could travel at the girl's speed. If they loved something, we could stay longer. If they were tired, we could head back to our accommodation and have a rest. We spent an entire day in a huge six-floor interactive museum called Te Papa, and after six hours, the girls still didn't want to leave. The whole trip went smoothly, and we loved it.  

Even with a blended family, traveling solo with my kids is better

It's been 10 years since our first solo trip, and we've had plenty since then. Now that I'm remarried, and we have a blended family with four kids aged 7 to 17, traveling separately works even better. It's impossible to please everyone.

The youngest wants to go to the zoo; the 11-year-old wants to see a vintage car museum; the teens want to shop and visit art galleries. Vacations with various combinations of parents and children means we can all do what we want.

In a few weeks, my teen girls and I are heading off on our own again for a couple of nights. We've booked a show and plan to go ice skating . We love our girl's weekends and look forward to many, many more. 

Watch: Millennials are willing to spend $5000 or more on vacation, making them the age group that spends the most on travel — but Gen Z isn't far behind

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Solo travel with kids: You can do it!

Family travel can be intimidating enough when there are two parents heading on vacation; solo travel with kids is a whole next level. But traveling alone with kids is far from impossible!

I’ve done plenty of solo travel with kids when Hubs isn’t able to join us. His work schedule isn’t quite as flexible as mine, and I’m not content to stay at home just because traveling with kids without my husband is a little more challenging.

You can solo travel with kids, too. Whether you’re a single parent or want to explore when your partner isn’t able to, these tips are a must-read. Below, you’ll read how to fly alone with kids, keep kids entertained en route, avoid meltdowns and take care of yourself when you travel solo with kids.

I’ve used all these recommendations with my own family. My girls and I take day trips (“Girls road trip!” we all shout in my mommy minivan), flown cross-country and even traveled internationally. You can master solo travel with kids, too.

Become a master of solo travel with kids

Before you leave on a solo trip with kids.

Planning a family trip soon? With a little advance thought, you can make your solo travel with kids much smoother. Here’s how.

Mail your luggage

You know that sweaty, overwhelmed feeling of trying to pull several suitcases through the airport while keeping track of your children? Yeah, me too, which is why I now mail clothes, diapers, snacks and everything I’ll need on a family vacation directly to my destination.

The postage fees are about the same as a checked bag, and you’ll save TONS of hassle.

With a little advance planning and a trip to the post office, you can avoid checking a bag and hauling luggage through the airport. Just let the hotel know you’re sending a package their way, or if you’re staying with family, give your loved ones a heads-up.

Pack for yourself, too

If you’re like me, you consider every possible need your children might have while traveling. But you totally neglect yourself!

Case in point: When I flew to Detroit alone with my older daughter when she was 1, I brought snacks galore for her but nothing for myself. Then when the snack cart came by, they were all out of vegetarian food. I ended up eating one of her squeezie pouches—which I don’t recommend, btw.

Now I make sure to pack for myself, too. I include healthy snacks, lip balm and something to keep me entertained for the off-chance my kids nap and leave me with free time. Do yourself a huge solid and keep your own needs in mind, too.

How to fly alone with kids

Avoid short layovers.

I’m a budget traveler, so I totally get searching for the cheapest flight. After all, buying less expensive flights is even more important when you have kids who are over the 2-year lap infant cutoff!

Before you click confirm, though, double-check your layovers. You will not have time to deplane then hustle your kids across the airport in 40 minutes. So make sure your itinerary has long enough layovers to safely get from one gate to another.

Book aisle seats

If you have kids in the squirmy wormy age range, sit in the aisle. You’ll be up and down with them, and it’s easier to get up if you don’t constantly have to bug your seat neighbors.

Splurge on extra leg room

Yeah, it’s totally obnoxious how much airlines charge for the luxury of a few extra inches of legroom. But that cost is totally worth it if you have a toddler. You won’t worry about your kids kicking the seat in front of you, and they’ll be able to stand/wiggle/do the hokey pokey in the extra legroom.

Check bags at curbside

If you do have checked luggage, paying a few extra bucks for curbside check-in is worth it when you travel solo with kids. You can just get dropped off right there, get rid of your suitcases and then focus on your littles—not your luggage—as you maneuver through the airport.

Find a family restroom

Ever tried to cram a roll-aboard suitcase, a diaper bag and 3 humans inside a bathroom stall? I have. It’s not fun.

Luckily, airports have family bathrooms (though they can be hard to find). Keep an eye out for signs for a family bathroom. It’s a big room that includes a diaper changing station, a toilet, a sink and lots of room for kids to wait while you finally empty your bladder. Plus, the family bathroom is big enough that they can stand in the middle of it and not. touch. anything. (I know I’m not the only parent who repeats that a million times in a public bathroom!)

Use the pre-boarding option

You know the announcement when it’s time for passengers who “require a little extra time” to get on the plane? When you have kids, that’s you.

Take advantage of pre-boarding if your airline offers it. You can use the time to board the plane at your kids’ pace, get your carry-ons in the overhead compartment and get settled without a huge audience.

Introduce yourself to your seatmates

Sitting next to strangers can be awkward, but break the ice by introducing yourself and your kids. Seatmates are much more likely to be friendly if they know your name. You’ll also stress less about your kids bothering them if they’ve already gushed about their own grandkids.

Ask your seatmate to watch your kids while you pee

If your partner isn’t there to hold your baby or watch your kids while you use the restroom on the plane, ask your seatmate. Even if you’re nervous about leaving your littles with a stranger, know they can’t get far. They’re just as trapped on the plane as you are!

Also, there is literally no room in those teeny tiny lavatories for you both. So trust in humanity and pee solo.

Find the lavatory with the changing table

I learned—the hard way, aka with a child and a poopy diaper—that not all plane lavatories have changing tables. So ID it before you sit down (or ask a flight attendant which one has the changing table). That way you won’t be unpleasantly surprised when you have to change your child mid-flight!

How to rock a family road trip by yourself

Create a passenger seat staging area.

When you don’t have another parent with you on a road trip, it’s up to you to manage your tiny (and demanding!) passengers. If you’ve magically trained your kids to be self-sufficient on road trips, congratulations. For the rest of us, turn the passenger seat into a staging area to entertain your kids on a road trip.

When I set out on a road trip by myself, I set up everything I’ll need on the passenger seat: snacks, toys and books. That way I can grab whatever I need without taking my eyes off the road and pass it back to my children in the back seat.

Plan your route first

When you have another parent in the passenger seat, you can rely on him or her to give you directions. But if you don’t have a navigator, make sure you know where you’re going before you even turn on the car.

Enter the addresses of all your destinations, and look at the overview so you have an idea of where you’re headed.

Tips for all solo travel with kids

No matter how you’re getting from Point A to Point B, these ideas for solo travel with kids will help make it a smooth trip.

Ask for help

It’s easy to forget that sometimes humans need a hand. Jostle yourself out of your self-reliance zone when you travel solo with kids—chances are, you’ll need some help, and that’s ok .

Whether it’s figuring out how to pump your own gas if you’re used to full-service gas stations or finding a water fountain in an endless airport terminal, ask for help. Strangers are almost always happy to assist.

Pull the mom card

Yeah yeah, you don’t always want or need special treatment. But if you’re traveling alone with kids, you deserve it.

So if you’re in a desperate situation—your kid’s about to wet himself or you’re pregnant and about to faint from hunger—ask to skip to the front of the line. Other people are usually decent human beings and are more than willing to make exceptions, especially for supermoms like you.

Pack surprise goodies

I always get a few special toys and treats when I travel solo with kids. A brand-new activity or usually off-limits snack can keep kids entertained on the plane or head off a back seat revolt.

I wrote about DIY travel activity kit ideas on my other blog—take a look for ideas to keep entertained on the go!

Prioritize self-care

If you’re traveling alone with kids, you’re focused on them—are they too hot or too cold? hungry? bored? about to pee their pants? It’s easy to forget yourself.

So make sure to take care of yourself. Go to bed early before you leave on your solo trip with kids. Drink tons of water. Eat well. Text your best friend about how you will never travel with kids again. Whatever it is you need to stay sane, do it. That way you’ll be there for your kids.

Even if your kid is 35 pounds, baby wearing can be a life-saver when you travel alone with kids. (I still wear my 3.5-year-old, especially on solo travel trips!) Babywearing leaves your hands free to pull luggage, hold the hand of another child, give boarding passes to flight attendants or the million other things you’ll need to do when you’re traveling with kids.

Stretch it out

If you’re carrying all the bags and all the kids, you will get sore. Avoid a tweaked muscle by stretching before and during your solo travel with kids.

Edit your bags so you’re not lugging around 47 pounds of just-in-case gear.

Do I need a parental consent form?

Maybe. When you travel solo with kids, a parental consent form documents that you have your partner’s approval to travel with your children. You do not need this document while traveling within the US or to most countries. (Double-check if you need one if you’re traveling internationally; rules vary by country.)

That said, having a parental consent form isn’t a bad idea, just in case. There isn’t an official form here within the US, so you can just write one yourself. It should include:

• your and your partner’s name and contact information
• your children’s names and birth dates
• your destinations
• a statement saying that your at-home partner is aware and approves of the travel

For good measure, you can have the form notarized.

How about you? Do you have any tips to make solo travel with kids easier? Don’t forget to pin this for later and share with a friend who’s traveling alone with kids!

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What a great list to share with some of my friends with kids – especially the tip about not forgetting to pack and do things for yourself too and not just the kids!

That’s actually the mistake I’ve made the most, and it’s ROUGH! I hope the post helps your friends – thank you for sharing, Pech!

Mail your bag in advance! That is GENIUS! I never thought of that before, and you’re right that it wouldn’t require much more money than checking. PLUS it would force you to plan ahead (pack wise) and that way you’re not scrambling to pack the night before the trip which goes hand and hand with self care (so you’re not so exhausted before the trip even begins!).

You’re absolutely right! When I visited my family in Chicago, I mailed nearly everything there in advance, and it made traveling with kids on my own SO MUCH EASIER.

I travel with just the kids a lot since my husband is in the military. These are all great tips. Peeing on the plane is always a pain though lol.

Haha, glad it’s not just me — who would have thought the simple act of using the bathroom would be so complicated?!

so brave! ive only traveled with one at a time. i cant imagine going somewhere with both of them. how awesome!

One at a time is TOTALLY easier (I’ve traveled with just one or the other a few times as well as with both) but solo travel with kids plural is doable, too. Thanks for reading Karen!

These are amazing tips! Thanks so much for sharing them. I’m still too scared to travel with my two – my youngest is only 8 weeks. Perhaps I’ll pluck up the courage soon!

Aw, 8 weeks – still a little peanut! Take all the time you need before you travel. I hope you’re getting some rest in the meantime!!

As one who has been in the trenches, I can attest to the validity and value of your advice. I once flew cross country with three kids (ages 1, 2 & 7 at the time) – in the days before iPhones & iPads and such. It was a challenge to be sure, and definitely one of those times when I had no issue with bribery/positive reinforcement or pulling out the Mom Card. (Not something I did often.) And I agree with Mary: mailing your bag is genius!

Yup: bribery and the Mom Card are 100% valid when traveling, especially without backup support!

What a great tip to mail your bags in advance! That would be such a game changer when traveling solo with kids for sure!

It’s a great idea for anyone, regardless if you have kids. Less hassle = a better trip.

Mailing your luggage is a genius idea! Would save so much frustration and hassle! And yes to long enough layovers….running through an airport with kids in tow is no fun!

Truth. And chances are your kids will have to pee/have a meltdown/lose a lovey when you’re trying to make your connection.

Loving all your tips! I have been nervous to travel alone with my kids, but these tips would make it much better!

I’m so glad they’re helpful, Clair! You can totally travel with your kids on your own – I know it!

What a great list! I’ll be sharing this with my friends with kids. I find it difficult enough to use airport bathrooms when I have my suitcase and a large totebag/backpack. Can’t imagine how complicated going to the bathroom must be with two kids!

I know! The bathroom situation is such an issue. Thanks for sharing it with your friends with kids, Waz!

LOVE this article! Though I don’t have kids (yet!), it is so nice knowing there are resources like this one for all the moms and dads out there who want to adventure with their kids!

Thanks for reading Katie! Though truth be told, most of these tips are great for adults too. 😉

I would have never thought about mailing the luggage before! I will recommend this list to all my friends with kids – and save to when I have mine, too. Thanks for sharing such precious tips!

Thanks for reading July, and double thanks for sharing with your friends w/ kids! The mailing luggage tip is totally my favorite.

I’ve trveled solo with young kids before – seems like ages ago – and I still remember how stressful it was when I had to deal with a short layover. It happened because one plane was late, but still, that’s a great tip to check for enough time between flights – running with two young kids in tow through an airport is no fun – and when you’re stressed, it makes them cranky, too…

Oh yea- stressed mom = cranky kids for sure

Fantastic list of ideas to make solo travel with kids easier! Never thought about mailing luggage in advance! I don’t know that I am organized enough to do that 😀 I like your idea about setting up a staging area in the passenger seat for road trips, that’s a really good idea.

Haha, I hear you on the advance planning and organization. It’s not always easy but it’s much smoother than lugging your bags through the airport!

Adorable! As someone who does solo travel without kids – I couldn’t imagine travelling with little ones. But You have some really good tips for parents that things travelling with kids is impossible!

Traveling with kids is definitely a transition, but it absolutely can be done. And it gets easier the more you do it!

To mail your bag in advance is a smart idea! I found it important to be friendly to your neighbor in the plane, because you will need him/her to watch your kid when you have to use the lavatory. I did it several times when I traveled with my son from the U.S. to Indonesia. Great list!

Thanks, Umiko! Yeah, some people cringe when I suggest leaving kids with your airplane neighbor, but especially on long flights it’s the only practical option.

These are some amazing tips. My husband and I are getting closer to wanting kids, and we’ve discussed how that’s going to change our travels – I travel solo a decent amount – and this is so reassuring to know that that doesn’t necessarily have to change!

Totally! Travel with kids will change things, but it doesn’t have to keep you at home 100% of the time. Also, I still travel on my own even though I have 2 kids. So it’s possible to design your life the way you want and need it.

This is a great list! I can imagine that it is double the effort when traveling solo with kids, but your list and experiences make it seem like something that is doable!

That makes me so glad to hear, Samantha! Yes, travel with kids IS DOABLE, even if you’re doing it on your own!

Um, can I just say I’m officially in awe of all parents traveling with kids? I’m always nervous to ask someone to get up so I can go to the bathroom– it sounds crazy how much you have to juggle!

Haha, I feel the same way about getting up to use the lavatory! I suppose it’s a bit easier when you have to advocate for your kids. Plus no one wants to sit next to a child who has peed her pants! 😉

What a fantastic post! Thank you so much for sharing so many insights. As I plan for travel for future young ones, I try to remain empathetic of traveling moms and one thing I always do is introduce myself as an ally to moms sitting nearby. The face of relief when I say hello is so sweet. Also great idea about packing food for one’s self too, I’m sure moms forget that all the time!

Oh my gosh YOU ARE A SAINT. It’s practically a mom’s dream to have kind strangers sitting nearby on a plane, especially when they offer to help or just make goofy faces at your kids.

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This family travel blog is written for you—a mom who wants quality time and memorable vacations with her kids. I’m one of those moms, so I get that you want to leave your stress at home. I crafted (and tested!) these travel hacks and destination ideas to help the whole crew make the most of your time together. xo, Catherine

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A Solo Parent’s Guide To International Travel With Kids

• Published on August 28, 2018
• by The Mom Trotter
• in Tips & Tricks , Travel , Travel With Kids

This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a commission if you make a purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. This helps offset the costs of running this blog & I appreciate your support. Please see my  privacy & disclosure policy  for more.

Table of Contents

Travel is always an adventure, especially with kids. But if you are a parent travelling solo with a baby or young child, things can get even more challenging. Whether you’re taking a weekend road trip or flying cross country alone with your little ones, there are some simple things that you can do to make your travels a little easier for everyone. See more below a solo parent’s guide to international travel with kids.

My husband and I travel with our son as well as nieces and nephews on a regular basis, and sometimes I travel with the kids on my own. My first flight alone with my son was easy peasy, however traveling with two, three and even four kids alone was daunting for me the very first time, but following these solo parent trips below helped me tremendously and made our trip very smooth. I recently traveled with all four kids to Puerto Vallarta and we all had such an amazing time there!

Pro Tip : Looking for affordable flight tickets? Make sure to download the Skyscanner App . It is the best and my favorite website to find flights. It will show you the cheapest time to travel to any country in the world. If you prefer to use the Skyscanner Website , then you always can, however I prefer the Skycanner App because you can track flight prices and much more.

Plan Carefully

Planning is the name of the game when it comes to traveling solo with kids. Though spontaneity on vacation can be fun, when you’re on your own with the kids, it’s better to have a handle on your itinerary and travel plans before you head out. Be a little more detailed ahead of time, so that you can relax a bit and just enjoy the ride once your trip begins. When in a new country or place, planning will save you lots of time. If you forget to plan ahead and find yourself in a place with no internet, then you can rely on “ Best Travel Apps You Can Use Without The Internet ” to help you. Can you imagine waiting till the last minute to find a restaurant to take the kids to eat when they are really hungry?

Don’t  Over Pack

It can be tempting to over pack to make sure that you have everything you could possibly need when you’re traveling alone with kids. However, when you’re juggling little ones and multiple bags as you try to check in with your flight and get through security, you might start to have regrets. Certainly, pack the must-haves, but be sure that things are manageable for one adult as you move from destination to destination. Also, make sure that your carry-ons are well stocked with snacks, activities, and a change of clothes in case of accidents or lost luggage. Packing has been a challenge for me, but I have definitely gotten so much better at making sure that we only pack necessary items.

[ Kids Osprey Jet Backpack | Kids Osprey Pogo Backpack ]

Set the Ground Rules

When traveling solo with older kids, be sure to set the ground rules of your trip before ever leaving home. If you’ll need the help of older children in carrying luggage or managing younger siblings, make sure they understand their expected contributions. As with any travel, remind kids of rules about bickering, manners, souvenir purchases, and anything else that might cause conflict then you’re on the road. I make sure to explain to the kids what I expect from them and it makes everything run smoothly. I tell them they have a special job to do for me me and they get excited about it, just like pulling this Jet Kids Bed Box below.

Take A Carrier Or Stroller

Car seats and stroller don’t count as baggage when traveling, so it can be checked it at the ticket counter or at the gate. If you have a long layover, or a long walk from one terminal to another, a stroller is great because you can push your child around the airport without worrying about them getting tired from walking. If you are traveling with 2 kids alone, then having a carrier will allow you to be hands free so that you can push your other child in a stroller making your life much easier when navigating the airport and boarding the plane.

This is how you solo travel with two 4 year olds. When we got to the airport, I asked myself – “Karen, what were you thinking?” But Oops, it was too late now lol ? You know what though, I was able to get through TSA (even with the exrtra pat down ?) and the kids slept most of the flight. ? Special thanks to @GBGlobalOfficial, @ospreypacks and to @BecoBaby for making that possible. Sounds like a WIN to me ?? However, I did spent all night unpacking from 4 trips ago & packing for this trip so I’m in desperate need of a nap ??? #GBPockit #BecoCarrier #SoloMomTravel #TravelWithTwins ——————– . . . . . . . . . My must haves: [aff] 1. A good ergonomic carrier —> http://amzn.to/2xdRjqK 2. A super lightweight stroller –> http://amzn.to/2vS3VV1 3. Passport covers for the kids (make sure you forget to get yours also, #momlife lol) –> http://amzn.to/2fTP3Sa 4. Kids Backpacks –> http://amzn.to/2xe2NLc 5. Your backpack –> http://amzn.to/2fUoIna And the most important ? 6. Money for some liquor on the plane ? #TravelWithKids #ShowThemTheWorld A post shared by TheMOMTrotter| Family Travel (@themomtrotter) on Aug 19, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT

Get To The Airport Early

Getting through airport security (TSA) isn’t always the easiest and/or fastest thing to do when you are traveling by yourself with kids. If you plan to pack food and snacks for kids, such as formula, breast milk, yogurt, water or juice, expect extra security screening for these food items. Getting to the airport early is important so that you don’t miss your flight. This will also allow you to get to the boarding gate on time which is great because certain airlines allow families with young children to board early. Boarding early is a great perk because you have time to settle in and put your luggage away before everyone else boards the plane.

Ask A Flight Attendant For Help

Flight attendants love children, and are willing to lend a helping hand as needed. If you need to get up and take a stretch, or even take a restroom break, you can always ring the call button. As long as the flight attendants aren’t busy, they won’t mind stopping by your seat to give you a break. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask for help when you need it.

[ Aiden’s Pilot Hat | Ethan’s Pilot Hat ]

Stay Flexible

Be as flexible as you can when it comes to your daily itinerary. When traveling solo with kids, it can sometimes be tough to keep everyone moving fast enough to stick to a rigid schedule. If a morning meltdown makes it impossible to start the day’s activities on time, stay calm and readjust the plans. Though pre-planning is important for you, avoid giving the kids too much detail about activities on the trip so that you can maintain this kind of flexibility without disappointment. It’s okay if your day doesn’t go as planned, I consider that a reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.

Check-In For Your Flight 24 Hours In Advance

Checking in for your flight online will save you lots of hassle when at the airport. Checking in online allows you to enter all necessary information as well as passport information for international flights. This will save you time when you get to the airport, and most especially it will help you avoid the long airport check in lines which can be difficult to navigate when traveling alone with kids.

[ Kids Osprey Jet Backpack | Kids Osprey Pogo Backpack  | Pilot Costume | Scooters | Camo Pants | Shoes ]

Have a Backup Plan

Expecting the best but preparing for the worst is always important. Flights get delayed, vehicles break down, and weather can change on a dime. If any of these things could affect your travel, think ahead and have ideas for a backup plan on hand so that you aren’t scrambling should a worst-case scenario occur. I always have Plan A, B and C; especially when traveling with the kids by myself.

Consider a Red-Eye

Traveling overnight with little ones can be a huge help when they are younger and have a hard time sitting still for longer periods. Put them in their jammies, bring along their favorite stuffed animal or blanket, and let them sleep through the drive or the flight. Just make sure to plan a solid naptime into the next day so that you can catch up on any missed sleep. A red eye flight is the way to go for me, the kids sleep all night and then wake up refreshed to explore the day.

[ Airplane Tray Cover | Kids Travel Pillow ]

Arrange For Transportation

As soon as you arrive your destination, make sure that you have someone ready to pick you up. It is better to have this scheduled in advance so that when you get there you don’t waste any time trying to figure out how to take a taxi or where to go. You can get out of the airplane, grab your luggage and head out straight to be picked up. If you have a late flight, it’ll avoid you standing outside the airport late at night especially in a foreign country.

Minor International Travel Consent Letter

When traveling internationally with kids as a solo parent, traveling with a child whom you are not the parent or legal guardian off, or even if your children has a different last name than yours, it is important to note the documents required by immigration at the country you are traveling to. According to the US Customs and Border Protection (BBP), children under 18 years old age traveling international with only one parent are not required to have written permission from the other parent, however every country is different and requirements will vary, so it is better to be prepared with a notarized parental child travel consent form. Click here for the Minor International Travel Consent Letter that I use when I travel with my nieces and nephews.

My husband was stopped by immigration officers in Canada when he traveled with our 2-year-old and no parental authorization from me in hand. Luckily, I was on another flight and landed shortly which took care of the issue. If you plan to travel with a family members child or a friend’s child, then written and notarized parental consent for travel is needed as well.

[ Girls Coat | Girls Boots | Boys Boots ]

Other things needed in addition to a notarized parental authorization , is a copy of each child’s birth certificate and a copy of each child’s medical insurance. If you have full custody of your child, then a parental consent for travel isn’t required, so make to take a copy of any such paperwork with you as well. Make sure to have emergency contacts handy also. It is a good idea to have all these documents as a digital copy on your phone as well.

Take Time To Research Hotels / Accommodation

The accommodation you choose when you travel can make or break your vacation when traveling alone with kids. Using TripAdvisor to search for hotels and read reviews on kid friendly hotels. You’d want to check if they have a kid’s club, complimentary crib or cot, children’s menu or free breakfast for kids, kids pool, a kid’s program and more. This will give you a much-needed break so that you don’t feel burned out. Make sure to ask other parents for kid friendly hotel recommendations as well. HomeAway , VRBO and Airbnb are also great options because you can rent out and entire home allowing your kids lots of space to play and get their energy out, while you relax in another part of the home. When I took all 4 kids by myself to Mexico , I made sure to find a hotel that had a restaurant on site, was located on the beach and that had a kid’s club as well so that everything I needed to keep the kids entertained was within arm’s reach.

[ Boy Sandals | Boys Swim Trunks  | Boys Fedora —  Girls Sandals  | Girls Swim Suit  | Girls Straw Hat  ]

Manage Your Own Expectations

Finally, and probably most important, be sure to manage your own expectations about traveling solo with kids. You might envision this whirlwind trip, filled with happy memories, and grateful children, when in reality what you get is overwhelmed and exhausted children who have a few meltdowns along the way. Celebrate the fun moments and successes of the trip and let any problems or drama roll off your back! Don’t beat yourself up over a crazy day, it is bound to happen.

Traveling with kids alone can be challenging but also very rewarding. Following these tips for traveling as a solo parent internationally with kids should make your trip, whether local or international a more enjoyable one. I have had the pleasure of traveling alone with 1, 2, 3 and even 4 kids and even though exhausting, we always had such a great time when we get to our destination.

Booking Your Trip – Tips & Tricks

How To Book Cheap Flights When You Travel

If you are looking to book the cheapest flights you can possibly find on the internet, then make sure to use  Skyscanner when searching for flights. Don’t forget to download the  Free Skyscanner App  also which is very handy. This is how I was able to get $12.40 airfare from Los Angeles to London, as well as $9.40 airfare from London to Italy.

How To Book Affordable Accommodation When You Travel

When booking accommodation,  TripAdvisor  is the way to go because you can read reviews and see photos from other travelers to get a feel of where you will be staying. Other great sites to book hotels are HotelsCombined , Booking .com and Hotels.com . Don’t forget to check HomeAway and VRBO for house and villa rentals too. Perfect for when you travel with a large family, and also to save money when hotels are expensive. Another favorite of mine is BookVIP – they offer huge resort savings.

How To Book Activities When You Travel

My favorite website to search for activities, tours and especially skip the line tickets is  Viator and Get Your Guide . This makes trip planning so much easier because you don’t have to search several sites as both websites have several options to choose from. Same also goes with TripAdvisor Attractions – you can search and book activities as well as read reviews.

How To Book Rental Cars When You Travel

Instead of checking every single website, I use RentalCars.com , Car Rental 8 and Skyscanner Car Rentals to find car rentals all over the world with just one click. If you plan to park at the airport, visit Airport Parking and make a reservation.

Why Travel Insurance Is a Must When You Travel

People book trips and forget the most important part, purchasing  travel insurance . Because we travel often, I  purchase our travel insurance through Allianz  for a year at a time which means that we are covered for all trips within that year. Travel insurance will protect you and your family against theft, injury illness, flight cancellations and so much more. It is a MUST!

Looking to save even more money when you travel?

Visit my Travel Resources page to see all the reliable and trustworthy brands that I use to book my travel with. I only recommend brands that I’ve used and can vouch for, so you’re in good hands! ? Also check out these posts below:

• How To Save Money On Flights
• Best Websites To Find Cheap Flights & Error Fares
• Tips On How To Make Travel Affordable For Families

Top Travel With Kids Tips

Traveling with kids and have a few questions you need answers too, these posts below will help your trip run smooth.

• Best Travel Gear For Kids
• How To Travel With Kids Internationally Alone
• Top Must Have Items When Traveling With Kids
• Everything You Need To Know About Traveling With A Car Seat

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Hey Fam, I’m so glad you’re here! I am an entrepreneur and travel enthusiast who is passionate about sharing an alternate way of living surrounding travel, homeschooling, parenting and financial independence, with a mission to inspire other families.

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Solo Travel with Kids

Solo travel with my children tops my list of best experiences in my life. Traveling solo pushes your comfort zone and leads to incredible self-discovery. Traveling solo with kids simply adds to the experience!

“NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST” ~ J.R.R. TOLKIEN

Want to Solo Travel with Your Kids in Tow? Start Here —->>>>

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Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Why choose Intrepid

Just for families

The clue’s in the title. These trips are for single parent families only (including any aunts, uncles or cousins who’d like to come along, of course). As long as you’re travelling with a child under the age of 18, you’re a family in our eyes. Plus, unlike other travel companies, children aged 17 years and younger receive a 10% discount off the price of their trip.

Travel with other families

Travelling the Intrepid way is a bit like travelling with a group of friends. Made up of 3-5 like-minded families, the kids tend to hit it off on these trips straight away, allowing you to enjoy some well-earned R&R. We often find the whole family ends up making friendships with people from all over the world, staying in touch long after the adventure ends.

Small group sizes

Intrepid’s family group sizes are small enough to avoid the crowds and reach some out-of-the-way places, but big enough for a good social mix. Our average group size of 10 allows us to hop aboard local boats, buses or trains, eat at friendly, family-run restaurants and kick back in traditional accommodation and homestays.

Action packed

We know the biggest challenge on a family trip is keeping the kids entertained. So we’ve planned in advance. Nearly all of our hotels feature pools, and each day has a great mix of action-packed adventure and flexible free time. Your local leader can also suggest activities based on your kid’s hobbies or school curriculum.

Safety first

Our leaders are specially trained to run family adventures, so you’re well taken care of. You can also rest easy knowing we conduct safety assessments on all our activities to meet local standards as well as our own comprehensive safety policy. 

Responsible travel

The world’s an amazing place and we want to do our bit to keep it that way. That’s why we choose to travel responsibly, giving back to the communities we visit and helping to create a sustainable world for our children. For us, it’s also about educating the next generation of responsible travellers. 

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Discover the joys of the High Atlas on a trek through scenic Berber villages, spending a night in a traditional Berber homestay. It’s a chance to discover the culture and tradition of an indigenous population who have stood the test of time. And to go downhill mountain biking, naturally.

Nubian village, Aswan, Egypt

Jump on a felucca and sail across the Nile to a Nubian village, where you'll share dinner with a local family. This is a great way to immerse your family in a different culture and learn about another way of life

Ranthambhore National Park, India

It’s one of the premier national parks of India, a place where nature reigns supreme. A game drive in Ranthambhore just might reveal a Bengal tiger stalking among the ruined forts and temples; in this jungle they can be spotted even during the day.

Where we stay

We put a lot of care in choosing the accommodation we stay in, avoiding the big chain hotels in favor of locally-run establishments offering a unique experience. Whether it's a rustic homestay in Thailand or an extravagant riad in Morocco , we choose good quality operators where most rooms will feature ensuites and air conditioning is standard. Wherever possible we pick hotels that provide triple or quad rooms and always try and offer conjoining rooms when they are available. 

Learn more about our accommodation

17th Century Palace - India

Spend a night at one of Rajasthan's breathtaking 17th Century palaces. With its grand courtyards, colourful dining arcades and heritage rooms, the accommodation alone stands out as one of the highlights of the trip. Get to know the other parents over a game of billiards or kick back in the opulent surrounds while the kids take to the pool.

Mountain gite - Morocco

Spend the night in a family-run mountain home in Aroumd, perched on a rocky outcrop with stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains. Surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, this is a unique opportunity to experience traditional Berber culture.

Read our Family FAQs

Read more about family travel.

May 17, 2024

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6 Tips for Parents Traveling Solo With Kids

Even without other adults, a family vacation can go off without a hitch.

From navigating the double-occupancy requirements as a lone adult to booking tickets on airlines that don’t guarantee seats next to one another to untangling the visas and permissions needed for international travel — the logistics can be dizzying. “The travel industry should have more options geared toward single-parent family travel,” says Hargrove, whose own experience led to her business. “We’re a growing consumer segment looking for options that work for our families.”

Whether your crew is looking to see the sights of a big city like New York or Los Angeles, relax on the beach at a resort in the Caribbean or enjoy an everything-in-one-place destination like Great Wolf Lodge , the advice below can help you get there.

Plan in advance — and involve the kids as much as possible.

Schedule just enough while leaving room for spontaneity. Tomika Anderson, founder of Single Parents Who Travel , says she’s found huge value in front-loading the research and booking of activities before heading out on the trip. “The more parents are able to plan things out, the more they’re able to actually relax and enjoy their time with the kids,” she says.

This includes making travel arrangements like flights and train tickets, booking accommodations and handling any necessary paperwork beforehand. “You can fill out customs forms in advance,” Anderson says. “I didn’t know you could do that until recently.” Researching the paperwork you’ll need to travel with is a good idea in any case, as there might be some stipulations when traveling alone with kids. In order for a child in the United States to obtain a passport, for example, both parents have to be present when the child applies, and some countries, like Canada and Mexico, require a written letter of authorization from the parent who is not traveling with the child before they allow kids into the country with just one parent.

In addition to forms and paperwork, if there are any “must-dos” on your list — such as restaurants you’re dying to try — make reservations before your arrival. If your priorities are confirmed in advance, you’ll be able to enjoy the trip from the start.

Get kids involved, Anderson adds, even though you’re the default planner . “I usually present my son with different location options,” she says. “And if, say, we’re going to an amusement park we’ll say, ‘Okay, our priorities for this trip are going on these three rides,’ and then I’ll try to purchase express passes for those rides if I can.” Entrusting kids with a part in the decision-making gives them a sense of empowerment.

Be realistic about your destination.

What vibe do you want for your family getaway? A multi-day, multi-city sightseeing tour, or the type of vacation where you sit by the pool and relax? There’s no wrong answer. “I think all travel is good travel,” Hargrove says. “I feel the messaging around travel makes moms feel it has to be elaborate or extravagant, but that’s not true. It’s about creating experiences with your family, and getting outside the day-to-day to explore the world around you.”

Anderson likes going on cruises and visiting resorts that have kids’ clubs, where young ones can take part in activities tailored to their ages while the parents can have an adult moment to themselves. “The kids are not shortchanged,” she says. “They’re with other kids their age. They’re making friends. It’s just the best win-win scenario.”

Destinations like Great Wolf Lodge make it easy by having all the activities and amenities on-site, so you don’t have to research, book and find your way to each one individually. At their engaging water parks, your pack can float along the lazy river, master the wave pool, climb up the interactive four-story treehouse fort, fly down tons of thrilling slides and play basketball. There are dedicated pools for even the tiniest tots — and hot springs for parents. On dry land, you can bowl, challenge each other to air hockey at the arcade or a round at the mini-golf course, and get a new perspective while traversing the ropes course. Shopping, shows and dance parties can all be all part of your stay — while available dining options ensure chicken nuggets, pancakes, ice cream and pizza (plus coffee and cocktails for you) are always at the ready.

Anticipate the journey.

One of the biggest pain points for traveling with kids — whether solo or with other adults — is physically reaching the destination. Keeping the pros and cons in mind will help you plan accordingly.

For example, road trips are convenient for single parents of young kids because you don’t have to schlep all your gear through an airport or worry about baggage weight limitations or fees. You can also set your departure down to the minute, which makes it easier to plan around naps and mealtimes. Of course, going solo means doing all the driving yourself, so bake time into your itinerary for rests and pit stops.

For plane travelers, “getting to the airport early is super-important when traveling solo with kids,” Hargrove advises. “Buy a cheap compact stroller if you’re traveling with small children; it’s more practical than bringing a fancy one and you don’t have to worry about your nice things getting ruined.”

Once you’re past security, you can check on your seats. “I always go to the counter to request that we’re seated together or select our seats in advance,” Hargrove adds. “I avoid airlines with unassigned seating as much as possible.”

Link up with another family or families.

Vacationing with another solo parent means you’ll each have someone to share the load (and possibly expenses) with, and your kids will have at least one companion for activities.

Anderson experienced the benefits firsthand on a trip to the Middle East. “We split the cost of the hotel and the cost of the car. We both took turns driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. One parent would stay with the kids while the other went to get food or a massage. We were able to enjoy ourselves more because we had that trusted friend.”

Hargrove agrees: “When I’m traveling solo with my kids, there’s no substitute for an extra set of hands. There’s ease in knowing you have someone there with you.” At Great Wolf Lodge you can split the cost of a premium suite or villa — so you have multiple beds and bathrooms, depending on the option you choose. Just make sure your families are compatible travel companions. “You’ll want to consider kids’ age, activity level and interests,” Hargrove adds.

Look for packages and deals.

Great Wolf Lodge offers discounts to families who book in advance. You can save up to 40% on single-night stays and up to 50% on stays of two nights or more when you book more than 90 days in advance . To see deals specific to your area, sort by resort. Great Wolf Lodge also offers discounts for first responders and veterans, among others.

Don’t forget the other options available to you, Hargrove says. “Credit-card points are king — if you’re not using points for travel, you’re missing out on a ton of savings. In my case, I use them predominately for flights.”

Adjust on the go.

No matter how well you thought things out or how much you prepared, remember that sometimes things veer off course. “The reality is, there will be moments when things don’t go as planned, like the time my son’s ears popped and he had a meltdown on a flight, or when we were hiking and faced off with wild coyotes,” Hargrove says. “The more you travel together, the more you’ll value your experiences together, and the easier it will become. Travel has brought us closer as a family and every experience teaches us something new.”

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The Joys and Challenges of Raising an Only Child

Teens and Phones: What Parents Need to Know

Embarking on a solo journey with a toddler can be an exhilarating experience. Questions like, “Will my baby behave?” or “How will I manage all the luggage with just two hands?” might pop up. I recently undertook a solo trip to Genoa, Italy , with my daughter, Lotte. It was our first “girls only” city trip, and it was fantastic!

Preparing for a Solo Trip with a Toddler: What’s the Strategy?

Preparation largely depends on your child’s travel experience. Lotte, for instance, is quite the globetrotter. The only significant change this time was the absence of her father and brother. So, not much preparation was needed in that regard. However, whether your child is a seasoned traveller or a first-timer, it’s crucial to walk them through the upcoming journey. For example, I told Lotte, “We will have a transfer. It’s very important you walk by yourself, as mum has to carry all suitcases and doesn’t have any hands free to carry you as well.” If your toddler is a first-time traveller or flyer, there are numerous children’s books available that can help prepare them for the trip.

Mastering Luggage Management

The key to successful travel, especially when alone with a toddler, is to travel light. Remember, you’ll be carrying everything yourself. If you’re planning a weekend trip, try to limit your luggage to hand-carry items only. For longer trips, while you can check-in your suitcases, don’t forget that there will be times when you’ll have to handle all your luggage by yourself. So, ensure you can manage it. Juggling two suitcases and a stroller might be challenging.

Pro tip: If you carry your toddler in a child carrier, you can manage a shoulder bag and two trolley suitcases all by yourself.

Essential Items for Solo Travel with a Toddler

Beyond the usual necessities, there are a few items I highly recommend for solo travel with a toddler:

• Stroller : Only bring one if it’s useful at your destination. Many Asian cities, for example, aren’t very stroller-friendly. However, a stroller is perfect for airports, with their long walks and waits. It also provides a convenient spot for a nap at your destination. If you bring a stroller, a backpack is a more ideal companion than a trolley.
• Kids Carrier for Toddlers : This is my favorite! It’s perfect for “stroller unfriendly destinations” or if you simply prefer carrying your toddler. They come in various shapes and sizes. For a toddler, I highly recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort and Tula Toddler . The former is ideal for long hikes, while the latter is more suitable for short strolls. The biggest benefit of a kids carrier when travelling alone is that it leaves both your hands free, for example, to carry your suitcases.

Trunki Kids Suitcase: A Travel Essential

Our children absolutely adore their Trunki suitcases . These suitcases, specifically designed for kids, come in the most adorable designs. They feature wheels and a pull cord, allowing kids to either use them as a walker or take a seat and be pulled along. When you’re managing your own trolley in one hand, you can easily pull the Trunki with your child on it in the other.

Entertainment for Kids on Flights

If you’re aiming for a relaxing flight, providing entertainment for your kids is essential. For long-haul flights, I pack a backpack with small presents for every hour, ranging from a rice cracker to stickers. I wrap them all to add an element of surprise, as my kids love unwrapping gifts. And yes, we always bring the iPad loaded with a variety of apps for educational entertainment. The iPad, with its capacity for hundreds of games and films, takes up minimal space. Don’t forget to pack a headphone as well. Your fellow passengers will certainly appreciate it.

Essential Travel Tips for Parents

Traveling with children can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. Here are some tips to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Always Carry Snacks

A hungry child can quickly become grumpy. To avoid this, always carry snacks like apples, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a little cookie. It’s also handy to have water with you. I recommend carrying an empty Dopper bottle and filling it up after the security check.

2. Pack Peanut Butter and Vitamin Pills

If you have picky eaters, consider packing a jar of peanut butter and vitamin pills. The peanut butter can fill empty stomachs, and the vitamin pills can help ensure your children are getting their necessary nutrients.

3. Don’t Forget Your Tripod and Bluetooth Remote Control

To capture all the beautiful moments of your trip, consider bringing a tripod and a bluetooth remote control . These gadgets allow you to take photos from a distance and at any moment, without needing to ask a passerby for help.

Mastering Solo Travel with a Toddler

Traveling solo with a toddler can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to maintain a relaxed attitude. Children are highly sensitive and can easily pick up on your stress levels. To ensure a smooth journey, avoid packing your itinerary from dawn till dusk. Instead, maintain a travel pace that your toddler can comfortably keep up with. Incorporate activities that they enjoy alongside your own interests. For instance, you could schedule “grown-up” activities in the morning and reserve the afternoon for “kid-friendly” fun.

If your child is a bit older, involve them in the planning process by asking what they would like to see and do. This inclusion can make them more excited about the trip. Traveling alone with your child can be a beautiful experience, offering ample time to bond and create lasting memories. If you have the opportunity to take your child on a one-on-one trip, don’t hesitate – you won’t regret it!

Note: This article “Mastering Solo Travel with a Toddler” contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Flying Solo–Traveling Alone with Kids to Disney

Traveling to Disney World is both exciting and daunting, since you must possess the fortitude of an intrepid explorer, the cunning of a master spy, and the fun-loving nature of a game-show host.

Traveling as a single parent requires all this, and more. Whether you’re flying solo by choice or necessity, going alone with your kids to the World can be exhilarating, memorable, and, ultimately, thoroughly enjoyable–with a little planning.

Ask Your Kids for Help

You kids probably know this already, but you’re not infallible. Sit down with them before the trip. Explain that you’re going to have to work together as a team, that certain rules are non-negotiable, and that you’re not out to ruin their good time, but that your job is to take care of them, and everything you do, you do for a reason.

Explain to Your kids What Non-negotiable Means

No ice cream before 11 am: possibly flexible. Not wandering off by yourself: not flexible.

Make Disney Work for You

The hotel staff and park employees in Disney World are enormously helpful to parents traveling alone with their kids, but only if you ask them for help. Call your hotel before you go and explain your situation. Ask for anything that will make your life easier in terms of location, special needs, etc. Will you need help carrying luggage? The number of an all-night drugstore? Extra packets of coffee in your room? They won’t know you need it unless you tell them.

At the parks, find park staff and express any concerns or difficulties. If they can’t solve every dilemma, they can certainly help in some way. Disney staff often excel at dealing with special issues like this. Disney World is a great place to be alone with your kids, because they’re so welcoming to so many different kinds of families and travelers in general.

Figure Out What Your Biggest Issues Will Be

When you’re the sole parent, it’s all you, all the time. Figure out ahead of time what issues this will pose. One child is a night owl and the other conks out at 7 pm? One child is tall enough for certain rides and the other isn’t? Older sister likes to ride Kali River Rapids five times in a row, while little brother would rather go see It’s Tough To be a Bug ? You probably won’t be able to solve all the issues, but knowing what they are before you go can let you approach them and talk to your kids about them. If some issues can’t be solved, come up with alternatives.

You also need to figure out what works for you, and realize that you just won’t be able to do everything, but that enjoying what you are able to do is what’s important. Are you more comfortable staying close to your hotel for meals, or are you game for exploring? Is venturing outside of Disney World too much, or a nice diversion?

Don’t Panic

Arrange ahead of time rules for what you do if you get separated, if one child has a meltdown, etc. Think about giving kids temporary cell phones or other ways to communicate with you. Whatever you need to do to ensure peace of mind is worth it. Make sure to carry small activities for kids to do while waiting in line, have emergency numbers with you, and so forth.

Be Flexible

Once you have a rhythm going, many parents find that it’s not as difficult as they feared to be alone with kids in Disney world. But that realization requires knowing when to stop: When to stop touring, when to stop planning activities, when to stop trying to give your kids The Best Time Ever and just chill out. It’s not admitting defeat; it’s being smart.

Ask Kids for Feedback

You’re a team, and everyone on the team plays. Have a nightly meeting to figure out what’s working and what isn’t. Be frank with them (without making them feel guilty). It’s perfectly okay to say, “I want this to be fun for all of us, so let’s figure out what we can do to make this trip more fun with less yelling on my part.”

Make Time for Yourself

Parent downtime is not frivolous. Whether it’s sitting on your patio for half an hour by yourself while the kids color nearby, or choosing an activity or ride that you really want to do (and doing it three or four times in a row, if you like, you need the time to recharge.

Do you have suggestions about traveling alone with your kids to Disney World? Let us know!

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Evan Levy likes baking cupcakes, hanging out with her family, and all things Disney.

37 thoughts on “ Flying Solo–Traveling Alone with Kids to Disney ”

Mike, when you do the marshmallow challenge, how do you bring it all together in the end? It sounds like a totally fun activity, I’m just unsure how you make it a meaningful activity that will impact the students.

I’m a single father, who has been taking his daughter there a couple times a year since she was two. Now I not only take her but my daughter’s sister. You don’t want to lose your ex-wife’s new kid. She’s only three but I think they may be a bit attached to her. One tip that I didn’t see was make sure the kids have YOUR PHONE NUMBER. For years I’ve laminated one of my business cards and made sure each child has it in her pocket upon leaving the resort.

I saw one single mother of three that wrote her cell number on each child’s arm. If a CM finds your kid they need to be able to call you. My daughter and I found a little girl near Splash Mountain one day. She was 5, didn’t speak English and we couldn’t find her parents. Cast Members swung into action and had the little girl talking to a CM that spoke her language on the phone but it still took a long time to reunite her with her sister.

Good thought. Parents–kids should always know how to reach you!

I did DLR solo with my son when he was 3 1/2. I decided that solo trips with other children could wait until they were out of the car seat years. That and a melt-down at Denny’s were the only really tricky bits. It was kind of liberating to just do things my way. One night we ate pineapple spears, bagels, and Cheeto’s for dinner. He still talks about that.

A big high-five on the pineapple, bagels and cheetos for dinner! Obviously a great memory, but also demonstrates “It’s only a couple of days. We’re supposed to be having fun. This is fun!”.

I’m usually quite attentive to what my kids eat, and I relax the food rules while away. And I find that I’m relaxed as a result.

Love that! And you’re right–it’s that kind of thing that they’ll remember!

Three cheers for Cheetos and bagels!

I took my daughter (now 8) on her first Disney trip last year and we are headed back this year again (same time- end of August/first of Sept). Here are a couple things I did last year that I will be repeating that seem to have worked well for the two of us…

Most important to me… immediately when we get to the hotel and the parks (before we do ANYTHING), I always take my daughter up to a cast member and show her the nametags they wear and talk about all the different outfits she will see them wearing. I then explain that if we ever get separated, she only needs to go find ANY Disney employee… on the sidewalks, a shop, a restaurant, etc and tell them what is going on. I always tell her that Disney is the safest place on earth if kids get separated and not to panic and find someone. I also explain that it happens literally every day there, and they know what to do!

Along with this, I did purchase one of those velcro wrist straps that she wears each day. Inside has information, including my cell phone number so I can be reached right away.

Also, about 4-6 weeks before going, we start a nightly ritual (at least during the weeks I have her) of going out and walking a couple miles… gets her used to not only a lot of walking, but making sure her shoes are broken in properly, etc.

We do a lot of planning together (dining reservations, the early rides we want to hit during either EMH or before the crowds get busy, etc). It makes her truly feel that she is contributing.

The other fun thing we do, is once I plan a trip, I set up a “vacation checking” account on my computer just for her. Whenever she does extra jobs around the house or help “dad” out, I will put an entry in for $X. Then, before the trip, I’ll load a gift card with the total. I have been so impressed how much she will specifically state she wants to add money to her “Disney Account” and save up for the entire year!

And, as many others do, we make a point on many of the days to return to the resort to take an afternoon nap! I am thankful that we are able to go for a bit longer than many, because that helps make it easier to leave the park mid-day and know we will still see most of what we want during the trip. And, either after our nap or in the evening, I take along some of those Johnson foot soaks and mix it with water in the tub and we soak our feet for about 5-10 minutes… nice and refreshing after walking all day!

We love Disney, and I am sure after this trip whe will want to return yet again! Unfortunately, I keep trying to remind her to not think this is going to turn into an annual thing!!

The walking is a great idea, not to mention making sure that shoes are well broken-in. Reminds me to check with my ex-wife about the state of the kids’ shoes before we head back in August.

And the Disney Account – great idea. They don’t need to know that Dad or Mom will cover ‘some’ slack, but it definitely motivates them (and has them checking their change instead of spending it in 5 minutes).

Pointing out the cast members to your kids is a great tip–thanks!

The timing of this article is very fortuitous! I will be at the parks in two weeks with my sons (9 and 7). The big issue is that the youngest is finally tall enough to ride RnR and is very excited about it, but his brother doesn’t want to do it. Any ideas?

I wish they had a reverse buddy-swap!

I was dreading this as well since I wasn’t sure that my son would be of sufficient height in time. My daughter was 11 at the time, but I didn’t like the idea of doing the ‘parent’ swap with her. And in your case, it’s the older one that’s a little nervous.

The entry and exit points for RnR differ so you can’t just queue up and ‘push through’ the non-rider as with most rollercoasters. However, my sister and family (we’re a family of Disney nuts) ran into a problem on ToT that might have a similar solution. She and her husband have two children – son who’s now 8 (call him CJ1), and another son, 5, who has severe physical and mental challenges. They have to split up on rides like this anyhow for the time being. Now CJ1 had learned that his cousin (my son – CJ2) had LOVED ToT and RnR when he was 6, but CJ1 is still nervous.

They queued up, and went to do the babyswap. CJ1 balked at the last second, but he was also upset since he didn’t want to ‘ruin things’ (he is that sensitive). What the CMs did was a modified babyswap for CJ1. They dressed him up as a bellhop, and he got to greet his mom when she arrived (I kid you not). They encouraged him to stay in character for his dad, which he did.

Speak with a CM at entry about what happens if the 9 year old balks at the last second. It’s going to still be busy in 2 weeks so you don’t want to wait in queue and find out at the last second.

Just don’t stress about it as children ‘smell’ stress and they may mis-read it as stress about the ride. Or chalk it up (and this is a tough one for me) to a ‘next time’ event.

Thanks, Jay!

We talked about this at dinner last night and surprise! the oldest now wants to ride RnR. We’ll see if it lasts!

Yes,parents-remember that you’re there to have a good time too!

Thanks for this post. While neither my wife or I are ready for solo trips with our daughter just yet, there will be times on our next trip when it’s just one of us with her for a few hours. Some good tips here are we wade into this.

A good point-many of these tips also work if you are alone with your kids for a few hours as well as for a whole trip.

I agree with Evan on this one. These are great tips for even being alone with the kid(s) for a period of time (not an entire trip).

I took my daughter for our first mother daughter trip to the world when she was 13. It has since become a great tradition and it is our special place. We both travel at the same rhythm and have our must dos. She is 22 now and still asks when we are going again. She will always be my princess and always one at Disney!

Mother-daughter trips are a great tradition, and one to be cherished!

Im a single mom and took my 12 year old to DW for both our first time in April. I let him pick out must do’s for every park and if we have time to do’s We both had a great time, there was no melt downs and I wouldnt trade that experience for the world.

Definitely one of the best parts of traveling alone with your kids is the bonding–you can really become a team.

I often go alone with my pre-schooler. I use the parade as a time for us to recharge/rest. To get a great spot you want to stake out your spot about 45 minutes before. I put down a blanket, give my daughter snacks-buy her an ice cream, let her watch a show on the iphone while I read a magazine. We have our spot, and our rested for the parade.

Nice idea-works for both of you!

I’m a divorced dad who pulled off the “Taking my two kids to WDW” trip in Jan 2011. Daughter was just shy of 12 (3rd time), son was 6 (1st time). This was my 25th trip to WDW so I know the place pretty well. Stayed at the Poly. The trip went off as well as I could expect, and I have high expectations. Here’s what I noted:

– clear rules as was stated. Teach your kids a word to call out if they get separated. “DAD!” or “MOM!” doesn’t work well. We used “Marco” and “Polo” as if they were still playing a pool game (and may not appear as though they have lost parents).

– had two-way radios already so we used call-signs and codes. Cell phones are better but watch out for roaming charges.

– my daughter could do ‘jaunts’ in the parks if she had a radio. By that, she could go run Space while my son and I rode did the Indy. She also did runs to Captain Cooks at the Poly to ‘fill up the mugs’. Again, with the radio, and would check in.

– Downtime is a MUST for the parent, but it’s likely going to come at the end of the day. I soaked my feet in a hot tub for a half-hour with the door closed while they watched TV. Normally, I wouldn’t need the tub but…

– if you think that a sick child is a problem, a sick parent is even worse. I didn’t get sick, but I did develop a severe pain in my right ankle. I’m in shape, but an old injury aggravated after all of that stop-start walking. By the last day, every step was severe pain and everything slowed down. Luckily, it was a repeat day of MK and we focused on enjoying things as we could, how we could. The foot soaking helped a bit…but I think that was more on the mental side.

– I didn’t have to worry about the difference in ages or heights. My kids are both tall and absolutely fearless. There was no splitting to enjoy attractions, other than we had to sit in separate rows on the coasters. Yes, for the first couple of rides on RnR, I sat with my son to make sure that he really was enjoying it. The only ride that did not hit the “Wanna do that again” list was Mission:Space, mostly because the prolonged G-forces were unsettling.

– Stroller + Epcot. ABSOLUTELY! Even my daughter wanted to ride at times. My son had no issues, even at 6, with hopping in and out since the WDW strollers are more like carts than strollers.

– Morning Dashes – we did the dash to Soarin’ and to TSMM. I pulled a Luke Skywalker with Yoda on my back. Being ‘in the pack’ will still score a decent fastpass (our goal was to get a FP, ride right away, and then use the FP). From now on, my (now) 13 year old daughter (plays boys rep hockey) will be doing the dash with all 3 passes while we catch up. Field test in August 2012!

– Food – I’m a bit uptight about what the kids eat…normally. Threw the rules out the window for 1 week. Turns out that they varied it up themselves. Snacks – to each their own, but I gave them a daily snack allowance. Their choice but once it was gone, that was it. That really saved me from the “Can I have a…’s”

Can’t wait to do it again!

Your suggestion about not callng “Mom” or Dad” is really smart, as is the idea of having code words. Parents, take note.

Roaming charges? Who has roaming charges any more?

If your kids have a smart phone (obviously not this poster), but some would google latitude (and there’s a similar iOS app) or the fee based app on feature phones that locate the phone work somewhat well as a way to locate the other person.

Although in reality they’re not actually that reliable. (But when it’s working it does avoid having to make phone calls to find out where the other person is.)

This works well for teens and adults in the party with smart phones (so it’s a tip for everyone not just single parents).

Yeah Ron, WDW tends to attract patrons that might be from ‘other countries’. While my family is from North America, paying for a North American-wide plan for a teen or pre-teen is not logical. Thus, we have to worry about such charges.

Having used professional GPS systems for supply chain management, I DO NOT recommend using a smart phone app to provide Lat/Long coordinates. There is a degree of error built into every one of them. In a confined area, such as a theme park, this could turn into a nightmare. The error calculation used is usually varied (sometimes at power-up, sometimes at initialization, etc) – plus it takes time and training to navigate using only Lat/Long and not having road networks.

The two-way radio is one option for within a park. Phones are also good, and have more range. We tend to use text since background noise is often an issue.

Sorry about coming off in a way I probably didn’t intend. That surely does explain roaming charges comments.

I haven’t tried google latitudes in the parks. I think it’s kind of buggy generally for true pinpointing. (Not really for a 6 year old either.) Sometimes it is right on the money though. But I would say that for a teen who has an american smart phone anyway, putting the latitude or other app on there can help re-assure you that they haven’t caught the monorail to EPCOT or wandered off to DTD or whatever.

It won’t really allow you to totally sneak up on them or track very well. But it is nice to know (without constantly asking) okay latitudes indicates that Johnny is somewhere in tomorrowland where I expected.

Taking advantage of smart phones is a good tip!

You rented a stroller for a 6 year old who also rides rock n roller coaster?

I wonder if that was an every day thing….

The stroller has its conveniences, but I think having a stroller is probably more inconvenient than convenient.

As a parent of a 2 and 6 yr old, I know that the older one (6yr old) loves riding in the stroller when possible (I mean who wouldn’t.) But I was hoping to try to not have a stroller when they’re 10 and 6.

Maybe it’s a more necessary travel for the lone adult / single parent than it would be if there was a 1:1 adult child ratio. That way whining from a 6 year old being unable to keep up doesn’t hamper park touring.

Sounds like the original poster could have used a stroller 😉

Yep Ron. I sure did. If you read the line, I stated it was at Epcot only. We did try doing the park without it, but I decided at 2pm to get one. Since your kids are still young, you haven’t had to experience it yet. My daughter’s stride is nearly the same length as mine, but my son’s was around half. That’s more work to cover the same distance.

You might recall that Epcot is something of a large park. And the purpose of the day (and this was day one of touring) isn’t to ‘push through’. We all had to recuperate for day 2, which was Magic Kingdom.

It really depends on one’s children. Mine are actually very active – daughter plays boy’s rep hockey, and son is a golfer. Still, I’m there to enjoy my time – I’m okay with a stroller for the day if it eliminates whining. We had some fun with it too – he was filming videos while we were moving. Very funny, and I think the Disney marketing people could do the same to see what it’s like from ‘down there’.

We were more than fine in the other three parks. It’s the size of accessible space in Epcot that makes the difference. It also allows a parent to control the schedule a bit. Epcot was fascinating for a science and transportation minded kid like my son. However, there are only so many times that one can listen to the TT roar, or time to memorize the plaques outside M:S.

To each their own – I’m not a rookie when it comes to WDW, but that trip was the first time I’d taken my kids by myself. Probably my favourite trip to date. Next one is in August 2012. My now 8 year old won’t be needing a stroller this time – but I’m careful to watch for fatigue.

Thanks for the reply; I was genuinely curious. (It gives insight into tips and realities of situations that are a few years off for me.) That explains the rental. Good thing it was available at 2 pm.

My older one definitely gets tired. We tried no stroller about a year ago for a few hours at EPCOT with the baby in a “sling” and the older one walking. We split up, and I took the older one to Soarin, while mom and baby waited near Via Napoli in the standby line.

In order to make it back to Via Napoli after putting our name on the standby list, I carried him all the way from Soarin to Italy, hustling and making it in 10 minutes. I really paid for it that time (with no stroller).

So, I guess the conclusion is that for a 6 year old, you might want to rent a stroller at EPCOT (and not MK) or just in situations where fatigue will be a problem.

It’s quite a dilemma. Because with a 3 or 4 yrold, some parents could just carry the child in a pinch if they find that they made a bad stroller decision.

But once they’re too big to be carried but still little enough that they just don’t cover a lot of ground, you really need a stroller if they get too tired because carrying isn’t an option at that point.

I’ve seen plenty of evenings at Disney where the 8 year old looking kid is being carried out of the park totally sleeping with Dad. The adult doing the carrying in those situations is usually somewhat muscular.

An adult by themselves with more than 1 kid, would be a situation where it would be pretty hard to carry 40ish pounds of child while still managing the whole group.

Sounds like weening off the stroller is the right way to go.

I would also add that it is MUCH easier to take your kids when the crowds are lowest. I didn’t need them to be within arm’s reach for fear of losing them in a crowd and I could always spot them at the hotel pool. It made for a much more relaxing vacation for all of us. I also made sure to have an ADR for a table service dinner so that I had someone waiting on me at least once per day. 🙂

Definitely make ADRs–parents need to get waited on too!

I’m a dad who in 8 days is going to take my sons aged 7 and 4 to the World for a week. We are Disney fanatics and go several times a year, so having that extensive knowledge of the area and the parks does give an advantage. That said, it is still a 2-on-1 trip. Here’s a few things I’m doing.

1) A schedule – I normally like to wing it a bit, using the crowd level guides here, but for this trip we know which parks we are going to on which days, which shows we want to see, and have all our dining reservations well in place.

2) Rest times – We are always a family that comes back to our condo for the middle of the day, but for this trip, keeping everyone rested and not letting anyone get too tired or hungry will be critical.

3) Double stroller – Yeah, my kids are a little bigger, but renting a double stroller to move everyone across parks or through parking lots at “dad” speed is critical.

4) Agree with everything in your list above. All things we’ve done or have plans to do.

5) If your kids are like mine, when with just one parent they tend to conform to your parenting style, so take advantage of that and know that it’s OK to have “mom rules” or “dad rules” for a trip like this that might not coincide 100% with normal home or even vacation rules!

Can’t wait to have some “guy” time at Disney World!!

All good ideas, especially the one of viewing it as special time with your kids! And yes, it’s always good to remind kids that dfferent people–and different situations–sometimes call for different rules!

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Tips for Traveling with Kids and Family Friendly City Guides

Big Brave Nomad

5 Nomads Traveling the World & sharing Tips

Traveled with Kids: 31 Countries/48 States  

6 Tips for Road Trips with Kids as a Solo Mom

Arches NAtional Park on a 4 month solo roadtrip across the usa

Preparing for your first road trip alone with kids can be anxiety inducing, but I am here to tell all the solo parent travelers, you got this! Road trips as a single parent are not as bad as they may seem. I promise. This guide will give you 6 tips on road tripping alone with kids to make your journey easier and more enjoyable.

starting our 10K mile solo road trip!

I have been traveling alone with young children since my first born was only 6 weeks old! For a few years, I didn’t only road trip alone with a toddler, but I road tripped solo with two toddlers. Now I have 3 kids!

We have done everything from a day trip to a 4 month road trip across the United States camping in our minivan ! Over the years I have mastered long road trips with kids and put together the best tips for Traveling as a solo parent . All of this to say, I have done all the trial and error for you! So, now, let me share my best tips to successfully plan a road trip with kids.

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Table of Contents

Whether you’re driving long distances with kids alone or planning to travel as a single mom for the first time, these tips will help you stay safe and keep you entertained.

Click below to skip to that part of the blog.

Exploring White Sands national park solo with the kids

Safety First

Entertainment Ideas

Snacks Ideas

Relax, you got this!

If you’d like more tips for traveling as single parent, check out my Facebook group Solo Mom Travel where we have a community of 22K(+) moms!

Here are 6 tips for road tripping alone with kids as a single parent:

Big Bend National Park on a solo road trip from california to florida

When I am embarking on a road trip alone with kids, I am meticulous in my planning. I like to have a detailed itinerary planned, my route planned, and ideas for our pit stops. Can you take a road trip solo with kids without a plan? Of course, but it could end in heartache if anything goes wrong.

When I took a 10,000 mile road trip with my kids for 4 months in 2021, I would route our drive prior to leaving. I would know how far I wanted to go before stopping and try to plan in advance. I had an excel sheet with our itinerary I could share with family and friends to give them an idea of where we would be. Did I change plans on the way? Of course! If we wanted an extra night somewhere or if we needed a pit stop unexpectedly, we would take it. However, having this shell of a plan helped me know what was coming and how to prepare the children.

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we’ve solo tripped to saint louis 3 times — we love it here!

teddy roosevelt national park - we’ve roadtripped solo to north dakota twice

Safety is paramount when traveling alone with children. Here are some things I do to protect myself and protect my children while traveling alone:

Check your tires, brakes, and fluids before you start your journey. Also, have a plan for if you get a flat! I got a flat on the first day of our solo four month journey and it was a scramble to get it fixed and get on our way!

Pack an emergency kit with first aid supplies, water, and snacks . When traveling with children, I always keep a small first aid kit in the car. I also use THIS ELECTRIC CAR JUMPER so I can jump my own car if I need to! It is worth it’s weight in gold.

these guys changed my tired in under 10 minutes — such good samaritans

Plan & Share Your Itinerary: I always email my entire itinerary to a trusted family member or friend. Usually I send it to at least 2 people to be sure that someone knows where we are supposed to be. On a road trip I also share my GPS so that they can see my arrival time.

one of our many solo trips to washington dc! We drove up from florida.

Keep Valuable Safe: I keep a small safe in my car that I store our valuables in when we are out exploring. I like this safe because I can leash it to my car seat (under the seat) to prevent someone from taking it if they break in to my car. I can also bring it into hotels with us.

Have a back up plan: I lost my wallet on a road trip alone with my kids. I had no credit cards, no cash, nothing. Luckily, I had stored our passports in my safe and I was able to have my husband wire us money and I could use my passport as an ID to collect it. Now, I keep a spare credit card in my safe alone with a full set of extra Identification.

Avoid Over-Sharing: One thing to avoid is announcing that you are traveling alone with kids to anyone. Always pretend there is a second adult with you.

our second trip to north dakota

Entertainment is Key!

we spent 6 weeks roadtripping solo from texas to south dakota when the kids were 2 and 4

Entertainment for the driver: While the kids play or sleep, it’s time to keep yourself entertained while driving. Here are things I do to pass the time. Be sure to pre-download everything so you don’t get some where without service and can’t access the content.

Download Podcasts

Download Audiobooks - I like to keep two audiobooks in the queue. I use Audible and I get free audiobooks from the Libby app.

Create an upbeat playlist to keep you awake

Eat or Drink!

Entertainment for the kids on a road trip:

Keeping kids entertained as you drive is key to a successful trip. Here are a few suggestions to entertain your child on a road trip:

Both kids listening to the same movie with their connecting headphones

Pre download Movies and Games on a device. Here are the best Travel Apps for toddlers and preschoolers to entertain them on the road

Download Kid friendly podcasts

Create a soothing playlist for nap time or a playlist of your child’s favorite music

Keep the snacks flowing. Here is my complete list for road trip snack ideas — something I worked on after my 4 month road trip!

Keep a bucket of toys in the car and cycle through them as you drive. Here are my screen free entertainment suggestions for toddlers and preschoolers

Play a game as a family - some ideas for road trip games:

20 Questions

Storytelling

Car Karaoke

Alphabet Game

The kids and I have driven to rocky mountain national park solo two times!

Find a Good Pit Stop

cadillac ranch is a really fun pit stop!

Every long road trip is going to require stops for the restrooms and fuel. If you are on a road trip in the United States, you have so many cool options for a fun road trip stop.

You can find fun stops on pages like Roadtrippers and RoadTripUSA . I realized we would be driving past Cadillac Ranch on a trip, so I added to my pit stops. It was a lot of fun for everyone!

For me, I like to keep my own potti in the car. I know that sounds funny, but I haven’t taken my children into a gas station to use the restroom in years. I like the Thetford Porta Potti because it can flush and does not take up much space. The kids have the privacy they need in the minivan. Having a porta potti also gives us so much more freedom in the National Parks and means we don’t need public restroom to make a stop!

I do love a stop for state signs or cool roadside attractions!

I planned our route so we could stop and see the famous monument valley — forrest gump hill!

Snacks on Snacks on Snacks

Pack as Many Snacks as You Can

On any checklist for solo parenting while traveling, snacks need to be at the top . I don't need to harp this, so I'll just ask you: Does eating make you happy?  Probably.  It also makes kids happy.  My go-to snacks for road trips?  Gummy bears, yogurt melts, goldfish, food pouches (easy + mess-free), Nilla Wafers, Apples, lunchables, beef jerkey, chips, Clementines, dried fruit, etc. 

I keep plastic containers full of food in the back where the kids can easily reach. I also keep a small cooler on the front seat where I can pass back cold drinks. You can find my favorite travel cups for kids here.

snacks are life on road trips

ALSO - to prevent your little ones from squeezing out food pouches all over your car, try using a pouch cap ! We have traveled with them for years and they are a must when traveling alone with young children.

i like to prepare before a long drive - this day we had a 3-4 hour drive so the kids got slushies

age appropriate carseats are a must

rear facing until at least 2 (or the correct weight/age) and some entertainment!

No matter how long or how short these car rides are, it's going to end at some point. I have done everything from traveling with two toddlers alone to road tripping with 2 kids for 4 months. Trust me when I say, the destination is where the memories are made — not the car journey. My kids barely remember the actual time in the car.

my fave iced coffee always makes a solo road trip easier

There are so many ways to make road trips alone with kids easier and I hope these tips make you a little less anxious. When in doubt - refer to Tip #6. Everything that happens on your travel day is a temporary moment on the longer journey on your family trip.  So whether you’re headed out on a solo road trip with kids, traveling alone with young kids for the first time, or just looking for tips for travelling as a single parent— you’re in the right place and you’re going to rock this trip! Don’t forget to join one of the largest single mom travel groups (22K+ moms): Solo Mom Travel

me and the kids at mesa arch at sunrise — something that was clearly on my itinerary! No service in the park meant other people needed to know where we were in advance

Get Ready for your trip with the things that make it easier:

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We are an adventure Family of 5 traveling the world one approved leave at a time. We want to inspire other families to Brave the World with their kids!

Hello! We’re the Carlsons! An adventure family of 5 traveling the world anytime our leave gets approved. We’ve trekked 31 countries, 48 U.S. States & 50 U.S. National Parks with kids in tow!

I am here to help you whether you’re traveling for the first time or the hundredth time; with 1 baby or 10 kids. Whoever you are, you’re welcome here! If you ever have questions, reach out and we can help!

16 Toddler Travel Essentials to Make Any Trip Easier

Let's be honest, traveling with toddlers is tedious. Their nap and feeding times are off schedule, they are tethered to a seat with the inability to roam, airports and busy gas stations can trigger sensory issues — and who actually likes the journey part of getting to your vacation destination or holiday visit? 

As a parent who has traveled alone with young kids in tow many times, I can tell you that while that while these expeditions can be exhausting, there are ways to make them much easier. No matter if you are jet setting with your spouse or flying solo, having these toddler travel essentials can help you have a great getaway!

16 Key Travel Items to Pack for Toddlers

Traveling with a toddler is no picnic, but if you remember to pack these toddler travel must-haves, they can prevent a bumpy flight or drive. They will also help you to hack your way through your hotel stay.

Inflatable footrest

Cheap umbrella stroller

Toddler carrier

Car window shade

Toddler tablet

Toddler headphones

Toddler busy board

Portable high chair

Inflatable bathtub

Pack and Play

Inflatable bumpers 

Portable white noise machine

Diaper changing supplies

Potty training items

Painter's tape

First aid kit

Emergency supplies (change of clothes, trash bags, Clorox wipes, etc.)

Inflatable Footrest

For those traveling by air, a handy inflatable footrest (we love this Maliton version ) can be a lifesaver! First and foremost, the last thing you want is your toddler crawling all over the airplane floor. By having a footrest to block off this unwanted play space, you can save yourself a big headache.

Second, when your flight lines up with your toddler's ever-important nap time, the footrest helps to create a mini bed for them to get some shut-eye! Just pack a small blanket and pillow and they will be all set to slumber.

Finally, an inflatable footrest is extremely easy to slide into your carry-on! Make sure to purchase a simple hand-held air pump for easy set-up and you have the perfect way to upgrade your child's seat.

Cheap Umbrella Stroller

No matter if you are flying or driving on your next family trip, having a cheap umbrella stroller, like this cute flamingo stroller , is a lifesaver. This can allow for quick and easy potty breaks when you are on the open road and it can make short layovers a much more manageable task. I have used one in both scenarios and I will never travel without it. 

Fast Fact Why do I recommend a cheap stroller and not the one you use every day? After hours of flying and being forced to sit in a confined space, toddler meltdowns are inevitable. If you are finally at your destination and your toddler has reached their breaking point, it is easier to sacrifice the $30 stroller than the more expensive one you probably use on a regular basis. 

Toddler Carrier

Another great option for quick layovers is a toddler carrier, like this versatile Beco option . This keeps your hands free to cart the many other things you need for your trip and ensures that you know where your little one is at all times! This toddler travel must-have is also a fantastic accessory to have for hiking trips and exciting days at the amusement park. When your toddler tires, carting them back to the car suddenly becomes an easy task.

Car Window Shade

For those making long car trips with their tots, nap time is literally the best part of your journey. However, it can be hard to get some shut-eye with the sun shining directly in your face.

Car window shades are an easy solution. When shopping for this toddler travel essential, look for options that are not completely opaque. While complete darkness seems ideal, you still need to be able to see those blind spots to ensure safe travel.

Toddler Tablet

After making a handful of trips with just toys, I realized that there was nothing wrong with saving my sanity for a few hours. Amazon's toddler tablets are downright fantastic. We bought one for my son on sale for $75 and it has saved us when it comes to long car trips and plane rides.

Not only does it come with a seemingly indestructible case —  my son has been doing some unsolicited market research on this  — but there is also a two-year warranty if your child does manage to do some damage. 

Helpful Hack If you have a Netflix account, download your toddler's favorite shows before you hit the open road or take off to the skies. This ensures that internet service is never an issue. 

Toddler Headphones

As someone who has heard "baby shark" a few too many times, I can tell you that spending that extra twenty bucks is worth its weight in gold. My son is obsessed with his bluetooth headphones . They have a solid battery life, they are free of wires (which prevents any choking hazards), and they are adjustable so they will grow with your toddler!

Most importantly, if you have more than one child, this can allow the baby to nap and your toddler to stay entertained and quiet at the same time.

Toddler Busy Board

Since all electronic devices have to be off during take-offs and landings, you need something to keep your little one busy. Cue the toddler busy board . This was a lifesaver on our last plane trip. With so many different hands-on activities, you can keep your toddler entertained and even build their fine motor skills at the same time!

Portable High Chair

If you are off to visit family and friends who don't have kids, this is one of the best travel items for toddlers! We all know that giving your toddler the freedom to wander with food always ends up a disaster, which makes a portable high chair another fine choice. This product is compact, attaches directly to the table, and even comes with a tray for the table to limit the mess. 

Inflatable Bathtub

Speaking of messes, there is nothing worse than wanting to bathe your baby and realizing that you have to do it in a questionable hotel bathtub. As the resident germaphobe in my family, I always like to think of ways to circumvent these types of issues, and packing an inflatable bathtub (we love the Mommy's Helper tub ) is a simple solution!

Just like the footrest for the plane, this takes up limited space but allows you the peace of mind that your toddler has a clean place to scrub-a-dub-dub.

Quick Tip If you have a baby and a toddler in tow, this is definitely a travel must-have. This tub can provide much better support for bathing your baby than the giant bathtub because it has a built-in saddle horn in the center.  

This can be a lot to lug on an airplane, but if you have space in your car, bringing the Pack and Play is a simple alternative to a crib for younger toddlers. Best of all, it can keep your toddler confined in a safe space for when you need to shower or get ready for the day.

Inflatable Bumpers 

If space is limited or your toddler is a bit older, another option is to pack inflatable bumpers to put on the bed where your toddler will sleep. You just blow them up and slide them under the fitted sheet and it can help them from rolling off the pillow top.

Portable White Noise Machine

Every parent knows that naps are essential for your sanity. However, when visiting family who don't have kids of their own, it can be hard to convince them to stay quiet. Portable noise machines can provide the silence they need in these scenarios. 

Diaper Changing Supplies

We all know that diapers and wipes are a must, but really think about your travel plans before you think you are good to go. Will the gas station have a changing table? Will you even want to use it? Sometimes the back seat is the best option.

When this is the case, having a puppy pad on hand is an excellent decision. I swear by these when I travel! You can buy a stockpile from Costco and use one over and over until a blowout or stinky mess spreads farther than you intended. Then, just toss it and grab a new one.

Additionally, as someone who essentially drives through the middle of a tumbleweed-filled desert to get to civilization, I will tell you that there is not always a spot to stop. This makes the side of the road the only option. When those stinky messes occur, I promise you that you will want a secure place to store that dirty diaper.

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Disposal Bags are a toddler travel essential that not only stores away those messes but also limits the smell that accompanies them thanks to the lavender-scented and baking soda-infused plastic. Finally, don't forget to pack the wet wipes and hand sanitizer when the diaper change is done.

Items for Potty-Trained Toddlers

If your little one is potty trained, it's still a good idea to pack extra underwear and bottoms (and maybe even some extra socks and a spare of shoes) in case of accidents. Wipes and hand sanitizer can also come in handy in case of those accidents. 

If they are still using a training potty and you are traveling by car, you can bring it in the car and use a garbage bag to line the bottom to make cleanup easier. Also, remember their nighttime diapers or pull-ups. You may want a washable or disposable waterproof pad or puppy pad to lay under where they are sleeping at night for extra protection. 

Painter's Tape

Are you staying in a hotel? Then, make sure to pack a roll of painter's tape ! This toddler travel must-have is a simple way to babyproof your room without causing any damage to the surfaces. Tape down the electrical wires, phone cords, and blind strings, and cover up electrical outlets. This can also be an easy way to keep drawers shut to limit the climbing attempts that toddlers love to make. 

First Aid Kit

Accidents happen with toddlers, so having first aid supplies at the ready is always a good idea. Keep a stockpile of bandaids, alcohol swabs, hand sanitizer, tweezers, gloves, and gauze, as well as medications like Tylenol, antihistamines, asthma medications, and EpiPens. These can cover small accidents, unexpected fevers, and allergic reactions.

Need to Know If you buy a pre-assembled first aid kit and you are traveling by air, make sure to take out any scissors, safety pins, and other sharp objects. You are not allowed to carry these on the plane.

Emergency Supplies

Finally, for those headed on a road trip, it is always better to prepare for the worst and not need it, than to be caught off guard. Keeping a small collection of trash bags, a roll of paper towels, a container of Clorox wipes, disposable gloves, and an easily accessible change of clothes for each child is important. These items may seem unnecessary until someone pukes or has a blowout. 

Toddler Travel Must-Haves Will Highly Depend on Your Child

Every child is different and their needs seem to change month by month. When planning for your next trip, don't just think about right now, but also about the day you plan to leave. For instance, if you are planning to potty train in between now and your Christmas vacation, you will need to pack a portable potty seat and pull-ups on top of all your other toddler travel essentials. You will also need to plan a few extra stops along the way.

By thinking ahead and planning for possible problems, you can make your journey a success!

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

• If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
• If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
• Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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