A confined space, surrounded by strangers and an upset child — it’s a parent’s nightmare. But when you travel as a family, it’s often not a matter of if it happens but when. The best way to avoid traveling headaches is to plan ahead. Being prepared can help you handle any situation you may find yourself in. 

Before a Trip

Talk about it: Help kids understand what’s happening by talking to them about the trip. Explain where you’re going, who you’ll see and how long you’ll travel. Gather materials or visit websites that will help them understand more about the trip and the places you’ll be visiting.

Pack resources: Toys, music, books, games, movies — consider these tools in your traveling toolkit. You might have some of these resources already, but don’t forget the library (it’s free!).

Go shopping: Take your kids shopping to pick out some of the above items shortly before a trip. Adding a few new things to the mix will hold your kids’ attention longer than a movie they’ve watched dozens of times.

Embrace art: A travel art kit is a great way to keep kids occupied during travel. Fill a bag with art supplies like as crayons, stickers, paper and coloring books. Activity books with mazes and other games are also a great resource. 

Call ahead: Alert appropriate organizations like an airline about food allergies so they can prepare. Airlines, for example, will not serve peanuts on a flight if they’re aware of a severe peanut allergy onboard.

Visit the doctor: If international travel is on the agenda, check with your pediatrician on your child’s vaccines. They’ll need to be up to date and you may need to get new vaccinations based on the destination (e.g. Typhoid, yellow fever vaccine).

During a Trip

Bring snacks: This may be obvious, but it’s always a necessity to pack healthy snacks and a water bottle no matter what kind of trip you’re taking. If flying with a baby, breast milk, formula and baby food are considered “medically necessary liquids” and are allowed to be brought on planes in greater quantities.

Stick to a schedule: Try to keep your kid’s sleeping and eating schedules as normal as possible. The familiarity and comfort of a schedule can help ease any stress they’re feeling due to the travel.

Screens: While a tablet may be the best way to keep your child occupied during a trip, wait to use it as long as you can. If flying, maybe don’t bring it out until you’re in the air. On a car trip, wait an hour or two. And don’t forget the headphones!

Extra clothes: Having an easily accessible change of clothes for you and your kid can be a travel saver. Pack a change of clothes in a resealable bags in case a child experiences motion sickness. The quick change and ability to seal the mess away will save you and those around you from any ensuing unpleasantness.

Always be prepared: Have an emergency travel medical kit with you at all times while traveling that includes things like age-appropriate pain and fever relievers, insect repellent, sunscreen, hydrocortisone cream. And don’t forget any prescription medications your children need.

Disinfect. When you first get on the plane, it’s a good idea to wipe down the arm rests, tray tables, monitors, buttons and fan vents — anything your kid will likely touch — with a disinfectant wipe. It may seem like overkill but you don’t want your vacation to be ruined by a bug your kid catches on the flight.

Schedule breaks: When traveling with small children, allow extra time to reach your destination and make frequent stops to stretch or reset.

Carry photos: Carry current photos of your children in case they wander away from you and you need to enlist the help of others. Also, if traveling internationally, have photos on your phone of everyone’s passports in case they get stolen.

There’s no denying that having kids makes traveling more difficult, but that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t do it as much as you can. Experiencing different places — whether it’s just over the border or across the ocean — is important for both kids and adults. Be flexible, be patient and be prepared and you’ll make memories that’ll last a lifetime.