How to use play to prepare toddlers for your next trip

When thinking about what makes a successful trip, most of us gravitate towards planning. If only you could do enough research…book the best hotel…find the best places to eat…then everything would be perfect, right?

I think those guidelines work when you’re traveling with adults, but not with kids. Take a Disney trip, for example. If you take guidance from someone who is an annual pass holder or content creator—who always goes to the park alone—you’ll get great up-to-date information, but not necessarily what’s best for your toddler. For example, it doesn’t matter if these snacks are the *best* at Magic Kingdom if they pose a choking hazard to children under 5. And you shouldn’t ride the rides if your toddler doesn’t meet the height requirements.

My point is, planning will only get you so far when it comes to toddlers. What Really What makes a difference in whether your trip goes smoothly is how well you prepare for it. That’s one reason I don’t recommend surprising kids with a big trip—they need time to process the disruption to their routine, and the way they process it is through play.

That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Christin to Travel with Toddlers this week. She is a speech language pathologist, military spouse, and mother of two as well as the co-founder of one of my favorite substacks, Elevate Toddler Play.

Christin from Elevate Toddler Play on Travel with Toddlers

If you haven’t watched Elevate Toddler Play, it’s all about how to facilitate play with your little one—including how to leave them alone. I found myself nodding along to a recent article about this game of overthinking.

Playing used to be simple. A dot on the carpet, some blocks, maybe a cardboard box that turns into a rocket ship. Just that. That’s everything. It happens wherever we are, with whatever we have, and most importantly, with whoever is next to us.

If the game feels more complicated than usual, you’re not imagining it. I still wonder when something so natural started to feel like a chore or a checklist. Why do we think so much about this?

…The best parts of childhood (and parenthood) are ahead of us. They were in for messy moments, giggling, make-believe games, slow afternoons.

Amen! Honestly, if the millennial generation has one unifying trait, it is overthinking. And this really reflects in our parenting style… overthinking is the only way to feel in control, and we’re so used to all the noise in our heads that dropping to the floor and being present can feel incredibly difficult. Christin has some great tips for making gaming fun again, especially in preparation for an upcoming trip:

Here’s how she travels with her girls (ages 6 and 2):

Tell us how your travel “style” has changed since having children.

“Travel now comes with more planning, more snacks and of course more flexibility. I’m always looking for destinations that are toddler-friendly, with room to move and opportunities to explore at their own pace.”

What was the first trip you took after giving birth? How is the result?

“Our first trip was flying coast to coast for a friend’s wedding when my oldest was just 3 months old. Let’s just say it was very humbling! I quickly learned that the spare clothes in the diaper bag should also include one for an adult. One diaper blowout taught me that the hard way.” (Editor’s Note: Yup, same! 🫠)

What is your biggest travel advice for families with young children once they arrive at their destination?

“Keep your expectations low and your flexibility high. Toddlers don’t care how long the flight is or how much the museum ticket costs. They’re just trying to figure out why their bed looks different and where the nearest snack is. What we think is fun doesn’t always work out the same for them, and that’s okay.

One thing that helps us is preparation before each activity. I’ll talk to my toddler about what’s coming next, and sometimes I’ll take pictures of where we’re going so it’s not too much of a surprise. This little bit of predictability can help keep things running smoothly, or at least smoother.”

How can you prepare children for travel by playing? Tell me more about it!

“Playing is a powerful way to help toddlers understand travel. Before going on a trip, we read books about travel and do a lot of pretend play around common travel scenarios.

We will “pack a bag” full of toys, go through fake security lines, or set up a mini airport with the Little People. It sounds simple, but it helps toddlers feel more in control because they have the opportunity to practice what they are going to do in a less stressful way. Even role-playing like waiting in line, sitting on a plane, or walking around a new place can help the real-life version feel less overwhelming.”

What happens developmentally when kids travel? I always feel like my toddler has a jump start after we go somewhere.

“Yes! Traveling is a huge learning opportunity. New experiences naturally lead to exposure to new vocabulary. It’s not unusual to see a slight jump in language after a trip. They look for ways to adapt, solve problems, and communicate in a new environment, even if it’s just a weekend trip to visit family.”

Do you have any pro tips for dealing with travel-related toddler crises, especially in public places?

“First, let’s normalize it: crisis in the middle of an aquarium? Been there.

Yelling in the airport security line? Oh yes.

Travel can push all of a toddler’s buttons. There’s exhaustion, hunger, overstimulation, lack of routine… meltdowns are sometimes just part of the package. I’ve found that keeping some calming items—a stuffed animal or fidget toy, for example—in the backpack, taking a break from the noise if possible by finding a quiet place to reset, and telling them what’s happening to help them feel grounded can help.

And what if destruction still occurs? Deep breath. Offer connection and remember that you’re not the only parent whose toddler melted down in public today!”

Christin’s gear doesn’t leave the house without…

“We always take our sound machine with us. It’s part of our nighttime routine and useful for masking extraneous noises in the hotel.

One thing I Don’t what is recommended is to overpack the toys. Some small and open ones are perfect. The new environment has provided so many new things for the toddler.”

The best places to travel with toddlers are…

“In 2022, we visited Florida Keys and stay inside Marathon. That’s the perfect speed for traveling with a toddler. Mornings at the beach, afternoons at the pool, and plenty of time to reset in between. This natural rhythm makes it easier for us to work during naps and slows down when we need to.

If you’re planning a trip to the Keys, make sure you check it out Turtle Hospital And Crane Point Nature Center. My daughter really enjoyed both.”

What is your favorite travel memory with your little one?

“One of my favorite memories is looking for shells on the beach with my daughter. We took the shells home and used them to fill clear ornaments for our Christmas tree. Now every year, we take them out and have fond memories of that trip together.” 🐚

Don’t forget to play time after a walk

Thank you, Christine! I LOVE the idea of ​​seashell decorations. We did something similar after a trip to St. Maarten. Each of us arranged the sea shells on a piece of construction paper, and I taped them into a shadow box to hang on the wall. I’m creative but not crafty, which makes my hands itch to do something but then it’s very difficult to complete what I envision. It’s quite simple and the results are amazing!

Thank you for being here.

Vacations are inherently chaotic. And that’s part of their magic, I think. Our Thanksgiving this year is very low-key, but we’re planning on taking some trips leading up to Christmas—check out my updated guide to visiting relatives here—and I’m starting to get excited about all the seasons have in store.

We had our first snowstorm in Boston this week. I thought it would never be better than the giggles of a baby, but the giggles of a toddler riding in a sled for the first time DEFINITELY tops my list of favorite things.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Kayla

If you liked this post, please consider supporting my work. I’m just a mom in the toddler years trying to create core memories for our entire family while minimizing the meltdowns—I really hope this helps you do the same.

This post was originally published on Traveling with Toddlers. Subscribe for more real-life travel advice, toddler-friendly itineraries, and tried-and-true gear recommendations.

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