Pack Light and Buy the Basics Abroad

When Kathryn Romeyn, a Bali-based travel journalist and podcaster, and her husband visited Palm Springs with their 10-week-old daughter, Indah, they packed “the entire house.” Although feeling silly with an SUV full of baby gear for a three-night stay, being overly prepared helped Romeyn simplify her packing list for future trips. Indah has now visited 18 countries, and her sister Mira has already been to seven. “We pack even less for two kids now than we did with just one infant,” she says, relying on toys made from everyday items and only bringing must-haves like Cerebelly pouches for the baby.

While DiGregorio used to rely on a standard stroller, he now brings the micro stroller from Pockit Air, which opens in “two seconds” and accommodates kids from 6 months to 5 years. Parents often recommend “game-changing” inflatable booster seats and compact bed bumpers for travel. For more adventurous trips, toddler-sized hiking packs offer great convenience.

Cinzia Reale-Castello, a photo editor and mother, advises keeping a “dupe stuffie” handy in case a child’s favorite toy is lost—a precaution she found useful when her daughter’s beloved Black Cat went missing in Rome.

Involve the Kids in Research and Planning

It’s essential to involve children in the travel process. Romeyn emphasizes explaining the upcoming trip to kids, regardless of their age. Discussing the journey helps them better understand and behave during travel. Marilyn Lobos engages her daughter Luna by looking at maps together and listing activities, asking, “What can we do, see, eat, and experience here that we can’t do at home?”

For teens and tweens, including them in planning is crucial. Chris Bergaust, a Foreign Service Officer, notes that allowing teenagers a voice in planning keeps them engaged and reduces potential complaints during the trip.

What It’s Really Like to Travel with Kids highlights that while showing kids the world is a noble endeavor, the challenges of parenting continue while traveling.

Consider the Combo Trip

Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel agency Black Tomato, recently took his daughters on their first multi-destination trip. Combining Iceland and Morocco might seem unusual, but Marchant found it rewarding, showcasing his daughters “two very different cultures, lifeways, environments, and topographies on one trip while balancing adventure and relaxation.”

By planning smartly and involving the kids, families can enjoy enriching travel experiences together.