Traveling anywhere with young children can be a harrowing experience, but add in the stress and chaos of the holidays, and keeping your sanity may feel like an impossible task. We can’t promise to have all the answers, but here are a few tips to help get you to your holiday destination in one piece.

Give Them A Heads Up

Once your plans are in order, be sure to let your children know all the details. Kids tend to feel more secure (meaning less tantrums) if they know what to expect. Knowing your children best, give them a heads up of any “scary” or new experiences they may face, like going through the security line at the airport.

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Keep The Sugar To A Minimum

The holidays are an especially challenging time to keep everyone on a healthy eating schedule. But avoiding sweet treats and sugary drinks during your travels will cut down on meltdowns, tantrums, and energy-overload. Whether you are embarking on a full day on airplanes or a long road trip, pack healthy snacks to stave off complaints of hunger and to avoid having to buy unhealthy options on the go.

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Give Yourself Plenty Of Time

From packing to getting to the airport, give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to get it all done. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack, and plan on getting out the door early. Be sure to pack lots of snacks and games to keep the kids busy during any extra downtime.

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Pack A Surprise Or Two

It’s a no brainer that games and activities are a must for plane and car rides with the kids, but packing a few surprise items that you can pull out in a pinch (like just before a meltdown), will be a lifesaver. A trip to the dollar store is a great way to make sure you have some surprises on hand that could save the day.  

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Time Your Travel Just Right

Factoring in nap times and bedtimes, as well as rush hour for long car rides, is a smart way to plan your travels. For kids that sleep well, red-eye flights may be ideal to ensure a quiet, uneventful trip. For kids that don’t sleep well on planes, you may be better off booking an early morning flight, this way everyone is well-rested while traveling.