Traveling with kids can be both an exciting and daunting experience. I’ve traveled with kids as a nanny; believe me when I tell you that was MUCH easier than traveling with kids as a parent! Even if the end goal of traveling is a fun vacation, the logistics of keeping your kids comfortable and happy on the road or in the air is so overwhelming. One of the biggest challenges parents face while traveling is maintaining a sense of routine.
We know how important routines are for our kids – they provide structure, security, and a sense of stability, even when everything else feels chaotic. But let’s be honest: keeping routines intact when you’re away from home is no easy task. You’ve got to juggle suitcases, snacks, travel plans, toys, naptime, screen time limits, meal times, and bedtime…the limit does not exist!!
However, with a little planning and flexibility, it’s totally possible to keep some semblance of a routine while away from home, making the trip more enjoyable for both you and your babies. In this post, I’m going to share some practical tips for maintaining routines while traveling, along with reasons why routines matter, and why it’s okay to be flexible and give yourself some grace during the process.
Why Maintaining Routines While Traveling is Important
Before we get to the how-to’s, let’s first talk about why maintaining routines matters, even when you're in a new environment. Geez, especially when you’re in a new environment. For children, routines are more than just a way to keep things predictable; they play an essential role in emotional regulation, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
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Emotional Security:
Children thrive on consistency; knowing what to expect provides them with a sense of security. This is especially crucial when they’re in an unfamiliar place like a hotel room, a relative’s house, or a rental. Traveling can sometimes bring up feelings of anxiety or uncertainty for children, and routines offer comfort in the midst of that. -
Better Sleep:
One of the first things to go off track when we’re traveling is sleep. Different time zones (the absolute WORST, amirite?), unfamiliar surroundings, and busy schedules can disrupt bedtime routines. However, when you do your best to stick to familiar sleep rituals, such as reading a book before bed or using the same comfort items, it can help your child adjust faster and maintain better sleep quality. -
Behavior Management:
Routines aren’t just about keeping things orderly – they also help children learn how to manage expectations and behave appropriately. When routines are disrupted too often, kids can become cranky, fussy, or difficult to manage. Keeping routines as close to normal as possible can help prevent these behavioral meltdowns.
Sticking to Routines While Traveling
Now that we’ve covered the importance of routines, let’s look at some practical tips to help you maintain that consistency while away from home.
- Keep Bedtimes and Wake Times Consistent
This is one of the hardest parts of traveling, especially when you’re dealing with time zone changes. That said, try to keep bedtime and wake times as close as possible to what they would be at home. If you’re crossing time zones, it may take a few days to adjust, but consistency is key.
Tip: Bring familiar items that signal bedtime, like a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or nightlight. These little things can help recreate the comfort of home and signal to your child that it’s time to wind down.
- Create a Flexible but Predictable Meal Schedule
Meal times might look different when you’re traveling because there’s lots of dining out or eating on the go. Kids do best when there’s some predictability around food, especially if you make sure to bring along some of their faves. Even if you’re not able to sit down for meals at the exact times you’d like, try to stick to regular snack times and keep portions similar to what they’re used to. This can help avoid the hangry tantrums that often arise when kids are hungry and exhausted from the travel day.
Tip: Pack snacks that are familiar and easy to hand out in a pinch. Granola bars, fruit, crackers, trail mix, and pouches—thank goodness for pouches—can go a long way in keeping everyone satisfied between meals.
- Incorporate Familiar Activities into Your Day
While travel may introduce new sights and experiences, it’s important to maintain activities that your child is familiar with. This could mean reading their favorite book at bedtime, taking a walk after dinner, or engaging in a favorite game or quiet activity during downtime.
Tip: If you have older kids, you might even want to consider creating a travel routine chart. It’s a great way to visually map out the day’s activities so kids know what to expect, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed.
- Get Outdoors When You Can
Routine doesn’t always mean staying inside – actually, getting outside is often an excellent way to maintain energy levels and ensure your child has time to run around. A visit to a new park, a short walk after meals, or a day spent hiking are all great ways to burn off some energy and give your child a sense of normalcy in their routine.
Tip: Plan activities around your child’s natural rhythms. If they tend to be more active in the mornings, try to do outdoor adventures earlier in the day. This can prevent over-tiredness and crankiness later.
- Keep Screen Time in Check (But Allow for Some Flexibility)
We all know how tempting it is to let kids watch a show or play a game when you need some peace and quiet, especially while traveling. That said, try to stick to a screen time routine that aligns with what you would allow at home. Keeping screen time limited helps kids stay engaged in other activities and avoid meltdowns that can arise from overstimulation.
Tip: If your child is used to a specific amount of screen time per day, try to keep it to the same time frame while traveling. A movie night as a special treat can also become a fun, predictable part of the routine!
Check out our Travel Toys Collection or our blog on Hacks for Traveling with Kids for inspiration on keeping your kids entertained during travel!
Extending Grace to Yourself: The Reality of Traveling with Kids
As much as we strive to maintain routines while traveling, we also need to acknowledge the reality: things won’t always go according to plan. Flights get delayed. Time zones mess with everyone’s internal clocks. Plans change, and sometimes the schedule goes out the window.
It’s okay.
Parents are often hard on themselves, feeling guilty for not sticking to routines perfectly, but here’s the thing: flexibility is just as important as consistency when it comes to routines. The key is balance. It’s about knowing when to let go of the “perfect” routine and embrace the situation for what it is. Travel is about making memories and having experiences that are unique to the situation, do your best to stay mindful of that.
The Bottom Line
Yes, routines are important for kids; but it’s equally important to be gentle with yourself as a parent and recognize that traveling with children is hard work, even in the best circumstances. You may not always get every meal at the same time, or every nap in the perfect setting, but with a little preparation and flexibility, you can ensure that both you and your child have a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
Remember, the goal isn’t to create a “perfect” trip. It’s about creating a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone – one where you can stick to routines when you can and roll with the punches when you can’t.
Safe travels!
Quick Read Version:
Getting ready to travel this holiday season? Maybe dreading the travel of the holiday season? Here are a few tips for keeping routines (and your sanity) intact while on the go:
- Keep Bedtimes Consistent: Try to stick to familiar sleep routines to help kids adjust to new places and time zones.
- Flexible Meal Schedule: Keep snack times regular to avoid the dreaded "hangry" moments.
- Bring Familiar Activities: Little routines like reading or a favorite game add comfort amidst the chaos.
- Get Outside: Parks, walks, or hikes help burn energy and feel more grounded.
- Limit Screen Time: Balance downtime with screen-free activities.
Traveling and maintaining routines can often feel impossible; check out our full post on maintaining routines during travel to find out how you can keep things smooth sailing!
About the Author:
Paige Whitley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. With over 3 years of dedicated experience, Paige has become a trusted ally for diverse populations, including the neurodivergent community, trauma survivors, substance abuse sufferers, and those navigating general mental health challenges. Since 2010, Paige has impacted young lives through her work as a lifeguard, swim teacher, behavior technician, nanny, and counselor. When not at work, she indulges in the magic of Disney Parks, enticing culinary adventures, and family time with her husband and fur babies (and Baby Whitley due in May 2024!) Passionate and empathetic, she's a catalyst for positive change, committed to making a difference in her community's mental health landscape.