Family Travel Tips That Actually Make Life Easier
Travelling with babies and children can feel a little bit like planning a military operation. There are bags to pack, snacks to organise, naps to navigate and approximately 47 things that could go wrong before you’ve even reached the airport.
The good news? Family travel doesn’t have to be stressful.
A little preparation goes a long way, and with a few clever tricks up your sleeve, you can spend less time worrying and more time making memories.
Here’s our guide to travelling with babies and children — the BeachSupplies.co.uk way.
Start With a Plan
The easiest way to reduce travel stress is to avoid forgetting something important.
Our Ultimate Packing Plan helps you create a personalised packing list based on your destination, weather and family needs, so you’re not trying to remember everything at midnight the night before you fly.
It’s particularly useful when travelling with children because the packing list can quickly grow from “a few essentials” to “why do we suddenly own three suitcases?”
A good rule of thumb:
Pack what you’ll actually use, not every possible scenario.
And remember — if you genuinely need something, there will almost always be a shop where you’re going.
Pack Smart (and Light)
When travelling with children, organisation beats overpacking every time. Try dividing your carry-on into categories:
- Snacks
- Entertainment
- Nappies and wipes
- Spare clothes
- Medicines and essentials
Packing cubes and zip pouches make finding things much easier when you’re juggling bags, passports and a toddler who urgently needs something right now.
One of the best travel tips you’ll ever receive:
Pack a complete spare outfit for your child and for yourself in your hand luggage.
Because accidents don’t just happen to little people.
Flying With Baby Milk and Formula
One of the most common worries for parents is airport security. The good news is that you’re allowed to take a reasonable amount of baby milk, formula, breast milk and sterilised water through security, provided it’s needed for your journey.
Always allow a little extra time at security, as liquids for babies may need additional screening.
If you’re bottle feeding while travelling, a Nuby RapidCool can be an absolute game-changer. Rather than waiting for boiled water to cool down, the RapidCool helps prepare bottles safely in minutes, whether you’re in the airport, on the plane or settling into your hotel room.
Less waiting. Less stress. More holiday.
Build Extra Time Into Everything
Everything takes longer with children. Everything.
Security queues. Toilet stops. Finding snacks. Getting shoes back on.
Adding extra time to your travel day instantly lowers stress levels for everyone.
If you’re flying, try finding a quiet, unused gate near your departure gate and let little ones stretch their legs before boarding. A final run-around before sitting still for several hours can make a huge difference.
Consider Boarding Last
It sounds backwards, but many experienced parents swear by this trick.
If you’re travelling with a partner, send them on board first with most of the hand luggage. Meanwhile, you stay in the terminal with the children until the final boarding call.
That gives kids extra time to move around, explore and burn off energy before they’re confined to a seat. The fewer minutes they spend sitting on a plane before take-off, the better.
Snacks Solve A Lot Of Problems
Hungry children quickly become unhappy children. Pack a variety of small snacks and bring more than you think you’ll need. Good travel options include:
- Fruit pouches
- Crackers
- Breadsticks
- Cheese portions
- Crisps
- Dried fruit
- Rice cakes
For particularly fussy eaters, try freezing a sandwich or croissant before you leave home. By the time you’re ready to eat, it will have naturally defrosted and still feel fresh.
Entertainment Is Everything
Children get bored. Fast. A little planning can buy you a surprising amount of peace and quiet. Some favourites include:
- Colouring books
- Window stickers
- Reusable sticker books
- Fidget toys
- Activity pads
- Magnetic games
- Post-it notes for sticking and peeling
A great trick is to buy a few inexpensive new toys before the trip. Wrap them individually and let your child open one every hour or so during the journey. The novelty factor works wonders.
We also love a simple family tradition: let each child choose a magazine at the airport to save for the flight. It’s inexpensive, exciting and becomes part of the holiday experience.
Load The Tablet
This isn’t the time to feel guilty about screen time.
Download favourite films, TV shows, games and audiobooks before you leave home. Airport Wi-Fi and in-flight connections aren’t always reliable, so having everything ready to go can save the day.
Think of it as a travel survival kit rather than everyday screen time.
Master The Nappy Change
For babies and toddlers, create a mini nappy-changing kit. Pop a few nappies, wipes and a clean outfit into a large zip-lock bag and keep it within easy reach.
When it’s time for a change, you can grab one small bag rather than carrying your entire changing bag down the aircraft aisle. The empty bag then becomes the perfect place for any soiled clothes afterwards.
Simple, tidy and surprisingly effective.
Sleep Is Your Friend
Early flight? A supportive neck pillow, eye mask or hooded travel pillow can help children get some much-needed rest. The more comfortable they are, the more likely they are to nap.
And a sleeping child on a flight is one of travel’s great joys.
Help Little Ears During Take-Off & Landing
Changes in cabin pressure can be uncomfortable for little ones. For babies, feeding during take-off and landing often helps. For older children, encourage:
- Drinking water
- Sucking sweets (if age appropriate)
- Using a dummy
- Chewing snacks
The swallowing motion helps equalise pressure naturally.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Flight attendants see travelling families every single day. Whether you need extra water, help warming a bottle or simply a spare pair of hands while folding a pushchair, don’t be afraid to ask.
Most cabin crew are incredibly helpful and understand that travelling with children can be challenging.
Pushchairs, Carriers & Airport Life
If your airline allows it, keep your pushchair with you until the gate. It’s far easier than carrying a tired child through the terminal. Once it’s checked in, switch to a baby carrier if needed.
Having both options available gives you flexibility throughout the journey.
Most Importantly: Be Kind To Yourself
Children cry. Toddlers have meltdowns. Plans change. Naps get missed. Travel days rarely go perfectly, and that’s completely normal.
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself or your children. The goal isn’t a flawless journey. The goal is getting to your holiday and enjoying it together.
A little preparation, a few snacks and a healthy sense of humour will take you surprisingly far.
The BeachSupplies.co.uk Way
Family travel isn’t about packing more. It’s about packing smarter.
Use our Ultimate Packing Plan to create personalised packing lists for your next family holiday, stay organised and avoid those last-minute “have we forgotten something?” moments.
Because the best family holidays start long before you reach the beach.
Pack smart. Beach better.
Sun. Sea. Sorted.™