How to Make Family Travel Feel More Like the Adventure (and Less Like Something to Survive)
Flying with little kids doesn't have to be the part of the trip you just "get through." Here are three simple ways to make the journey feel like part of the fun.
Traveling with two small kids isn't exactly relaxing.
It mostly means doing all the usual parenting in a different location with significantly more snacks.
On a recent trip to visit my parents (known to my kids as Lolli and Pop), we flew across the country, rode the carousel in Fall River, and spent plenty of time splashing in the pool. Somewhere between airport security, chasing carry-on bags, and hearing "Can we ride it one more time?" for the fifth time, I realized something.
Making life less boring doesn't usually require a big plan.
More often, it's the tiny choices that turn an ordinary day into one you'll remember.
Whether you're heading across the country or just planning a weekend away, here are three ways we've found to make travel feel a little more joyful.
1. Treat the Travel Day Like Part of the Vacation
It's easy to think the fun starts once you arrive.
But kids don't separate "travel" from "vacation." The airport train, the funny luggage carts, the tiny bag of pretzels on the plane—those are all part of the adventure.
A few things that make the journey more fun:
- Let each kid choose one special travel snack.
- Give them their own tiny backpack to pack.
- Bring a small surprise (stickers are always a win).
- Look for something to "collect" along the way, like funny airport art or different state license plates.
The destination is wonderful, but the stories usually begin before you get there.
2. Say Yes to the Wonderfully Unnecessary Stop
One of the highlights of our trip wasn't a big attraction.
It was a carousel.
We didn't need to stop. It wasn't on a checklist. It lasted maybe ten minutes.
And somehow it's one of the moments I know my kids will remember.
Sometimes the best memories come from saying yes to the detour that doesn't make perfect sense on paper.
The roadside ice cream stand.
The little bookstore.
The weird roadside attraction.
The painted carousel horse.
Those are often the moments that become family traditions.
3. Pack One Thing That Makes It Feel Like You
When you're living out of a suitcase, everything starts to feel a little...generic.
Bringing one colorful, personality-filled item can make even a pool day feel more fun.
A bright bandana tied around your pool bag.
A favorite mug for your morning coffee.
A notebook you actually enjoy writing in.
A tiny piece of home that reminds you vacations don't have to be perfectly curated to feel special.
Sometimes joy is surprisingly portable.
The Little Moments End Up Being the Big Ones
When I think back on this trip, I don't remember rushing through the airport.
I remember watching my parents become grandparents.
I remember the quiet after a long afternoon at the pool—sun-warmed kids, damp hair, and that rare kind of peace that only comes after hours outside.
Those are the moments that filled my cup.
And they're also a good reminder that making life a little less boring isn't about spending more money or planning the perfect itinerary.
It's about paying attention.
Looking for color.
Saying yes a little more often.
Because the little moments have a funny way of becoming the ones you remember forever.
A Little Acorn
Need one colorful thing to toss in your travel bag? A cotton bandana pulls double (or triple) duty—as a hair scarf, picnic napkin, bag accessory, or even a quick cover-up for wet goggles after a pool day. It's one of my favorite tiny ways to add a little personality wherever we're headed.