10 Ways To Holiday Travel With Toddlers

While many (myself included) eagerly anticipate the months ending in “ber,” holidays can be chaotic, especially when they involve travel. If congested roadways and weather delays aren’t enough to make you rethink your plans, the notion of toting along little ones might. Don’t axe your itinerary just yet. While nothing guarantees perfect travel conditions with young children, the tips below have proven successful for my family and may restore your family’s comfort and joy as well.

Everything done with a toddler in tow requires a bit of self-grace, and travel is no exception. Some flights with my kiddo are a breeze; others leave me swearing off travel for the next decade. Here are some lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Keep calm and ride on. Our son loves his hardshell ride-on suitcase! We still bring a stroller for when he’s tired or when we’re not at the airport.

Avoid sugar. On one memorable flight, my toddler was crying loudly before takeoff when a lovely, wellmeaning flight attendant appeared with snack-sized servings of OREOs. Against my better judgement, I let him chow down. While the treat stopped his tears, the rest of the flight was spent trying to quell a sugared-up, overly tired 2-yearold. Never again.

Bring healthy snacks. Pack an array of (non-sugary) snacks your toddler enjoys and put them in a container that allows him to see the entire assortment. Providing toddlers with choices is a great way to give them a sense of autonomy and control, and it reduces power struggles. Chewing helps with ear discomfort during airplane ascent and decent. Gummy snacks work well.

Keep shoes on. As of July 2025, TSA no longer requires shoes to be removed in security lanes.

Pack surprises. I like to have a few new toys or activities handy, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Some of our favorites include Water WOW! and Sticker WOW! on-the-go activity books, suction cup spinners, playdough, mini magnetic tiles and toy airplanes. When we’re not using it, we share our bag of travel toys with friends. They always add a few new items, which is fun to discover on our next trip.

Expect a mess. Wherever there’s a toddler, a mess is sure to follow. Always have hand wipes with you, and use the airsick bags from the seatback pocket in front of you as a small trash bag.

Skip the gadgets (mostly). I’m a sucker for gadgets and I’ve tried a lot of TikTok “must haves.” Most have been a waste of money and space, but I do highly recommend a car seat tray for road trips. It provides little ones with a desktop for the car, which is great for snacking, activities and playing with toys. Ours doubles as a dry-erase board, which our little guy loves.

Travel compact. An umbrella stroller is lightweight, quick and easy to use, and saves space in vehicles and hotel rooms. Many car rental companies offer car seat rental options, so be sure to inquire.

Depart at night. We like to travel at night, even opting for red-eye flights when available. On the day of travel, we stay very active to wear our kiddo down. Then we give him a bath, put cozy pajamas on, and take a blanket on board. Flying at night means your toddler is more likely to sleep while traveling. This holds true for road trips. Wait to hit the road until after dinner and bath time (there’s also usually less traffic at night).

Find a balance. I try to leave the tablet as my last resort, but I also believe in picking my battles. Most airlines have options for free games, movies and TV, but if your kid has a favorite, be sure to download it beforehand. Don’t forget headphones! We’ve tried them all; the only pair my son will wear are wired Paw Patrol headphones, complete with puppy ears.

Holidays are a special time to make memories with people we love, and travel can be a wonderful way to do that. Enjoy the journey, go with the flow and make the most of each moment. After all, today becomes tomorrow all too fast. v

Jennifer Garcia is a photographer and freelance writer in East San Diego County. When she’s not traveling with her husband and toddler, she’s often thrifting, crafting or baking.

Traveling with an infant? Read triedand-true tips for traveling with babies in the extended version of this article in the new issue of San Diego Babies & Toddlers at www.sandiegofamily.com/ parenting/baby/san-diego-babies-andtoddlers.