“As a mom of three boys, traveling is both exciting and, let’s be honest, a little overwhelming. Between packing, managing kids’ energy levels, and keeping everyone entertained, it can feel like an Olympic sport. Over the years, I’ve picked up some tried-and-true hacks that make family travel much easier—and a lot more fun! Whether you’re gearing up for a road trip or flying across the country, these travel hacks will help you stay organized, save money, and, most importantly, keep your sanity intact.”
1. Pack Like a Pro with Individual Packing Cubes for Each Kid
Packing for a family of five can be chaotic, but I’ve discovered a game-changer: packing cubes. These handy organizers allow me to pack each child’s clothes separately, so there’s no more rummaging through one giant suitcase looking for socks. Each of my boys gets his own cube, color-coded for easy identification.
- How It Works: Pack complete outfits (shirt, shorts, socks, underwear) in each cube. This way, when we’re in the hotel or vacation rental, I can just hand each boy his cube and they’re ready to go. No more digging through piles of clothes to find their pajamas!
- Pro Tip: Label each cube with the day of the week or occasion (e.g., “pool day,” “dinner out”) to make getting dressed super easy. You can find affordable packing cubes on Amazon: Shop packing cubes on Amazon.
2. Pre-Book Attractions to Skip Lines and Save Time
Nothing tests a mom’s patience like standing in long lines with tired, hungry kids. That’s why I always pre-book tickets for major attractions like theme parks, museums, and zoos. Pre-booking not only saves time but also often saves you money, as online prices are sometimes lower than what you’d pay at the gate.
- How It Works: Before we even leave for vacation, I log onto Expedia and book tickets to all the attractions we plan to visit. Many attractions also offer “skip-the-line” options for an additional fee, which is worth it when you’ve got restless kids.
- Pro Tip: Make sure to download or print your tickets before heading out to avoid any last-minute Wi-Fi issues. You can pre-book your family-friendly attractions on Expedia: Book attractions on Expedia.
3. Download Offline Maps and Entertainment for the Kids
One of my biggest fears when traveling is getting lost in an unfamiliar place—especially with three kids in tow! To avoid this, I always download offline maps from Google Maps for our destination. This way, even if we don’t have cell service, I can navigate without a hitch.
Another lifesaver is downloading entertainment for the kids. Whether it’s movies, audiobooks, or games, having offline content ready to go on their tablets means I don’t have to worry about slow Wi-Fi or data overages.
- How It Works: Before we leave, I download maps for the areas we’ll be visiting. I also load up the boys’ tablets with their favorite movies and games (you can download content from Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video for offline use).
- Pro Tip: Bring headphones for each child, and download some family-friendly audiobooks. Listening to a story together during long drives can be a great way to keep everyone entertained. You can find great travel-friendly headphones on Amazon: Shop headphones on Amazon.
4. Pack a Dedicated Snack Bag
If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll be hungry approximately five minutes into your trip. To avoid constant snack stops (and overpriced airport food), I always pack a dedicated snack bag for our travels. This keeps the boys satisfied, and it’s much cheaper than buying snacks on the go.
- How It Works: I pack a variety of healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit, nuts) in reusable snack bags, and each boy gets his own stash. For road trips, I bring a small cooler with sandwiches, cheese sticks, and drinks to avoid overpriced and unhealthy fast food stops.
- Pro Tip: Use collapsible containers to save space in your bag, and pack a mix of sweet and savory snacks to keep everyone happy. Find reusable snack bags and travel coolers on Amazon: Shop snack bags on Amazon.
5. Use Travel Apps to Keep Your Family Organized
Staying organized while traveling is no small task, but I rely on travel apps to make it easier. Apps like TripIt help me keep track of all our reservations (flights, hotels, car rentals), while Google Keep is perfect for creating packing lists and to-do lists.
- How It Works: I enter all of our travel details into TripIt, which consolidates everything into a neat, easy-to-read itinerary. No more digging through emails to find confirmation numbers! For packing, I create separate lists for each family member to make sure nothing gets left behind.
- Pro Tip: Share your TripIt itinerary with family members or friends so they know your travel plans. This is especially useful for grandparents or babysitters keeping an eye on the house while you’re away. Download these apps from your app store, or check out travel planners on Amazon: Shop travel planners on Amazon.
6. Bring a Portable Charger
With all the devices we rely on while traveling—phones, tablets, GPS systems—keeping them charged is a top priority. That’s why I never leave home without a portable charger. Having one ensures that our devices are always ready to go, whether we’re on a long flight or a road trip.
- How It Works: I keep a portable charger in my bag and make sure it’s fully charged before we leave. It’s come in handy more times than I can count, especially when we’re out sightseeing all day and my phone’s GPS is draining the battery.
- Pro Tip: Get a multi-port charger so you can charge multiple devices at once. You can find reliable, affordable portable chargers on Amazon: Shop portable chargers on Amazon.
7. Use a Travel Journal to Keep Kids Busy
One of my favorite travel hacks is giving each of my boys a travel journal. It not only keeps them busy but also helps them document their experiences and reflect on the trip. It’s a great way to keep them engaged, and it becomes a special keepsake they can look back on.
- How It Works: I give each child a blank journal and encourage them to draw, write, or even collect stickers from places we visit. This keeps them occupied during downtime (like on planes or in the car), and it helps them stay present during the trip.
- Pro Tip: Get journals with prompts or questions to guide them. For example, “What was your favorite part of today?” or “What new things did you learn?” Check out travel journals for kids on Amazon: Shop travel journals on Amazon.
8. Book Family-Friendly Accommodations with Kitchens
Staying in a place with a kitchen is one of my top tips for saving money on family vacations. Whether you’re in a vacation rental or a hotel with a kitchenette, being able to prepare your own meals can save hundreds of dollars. Plus, it’s often easier to feed picky eaters when you’re cooking at home!
- How It Works: When booking through Expedia, I always look for family-friendly accommodations that include a kitchen. This gives me the flexibility to prepare breakfast or lunch before heading out for the day, leaving us more room in the budget for special dinners or activities.
- Pro Tip: Plan easy meals like pasta or sandwiches that don’t require too many ingredients. You can also shop for groceries at local markets to experience the local food culture. Book your family-friendly accommodations with kitchens here: Find family accommodations on Expedia.
9. Use Ziplock Bags for EVERYTHING
This might sound simple, but ziplock bags are a travel lifesaver. I use them for everything—organizing toiletries, storing wet swimsuits, keeping snacks fresh, and even separating dirty clothes from clean ones. They take up hardly any space, and they’re great for keeping things organized on the go.
- How It Works: Before leaving, I pack a variety of ziplock bags in different sizes. I use them to store everything from sunscreen to travel-sized toiletries, and they’re perfect for keeping liquids separate from clothes in case something spills.
- Pro Tip: Use a gallon-sized bag to store each child’s change of clothes for easy access during travel. You can find ziplock bags in different sizes on Amazon: Shop ziplock bags on Amazon.
10. Create a Family Travel Budget
Before we leave for any trip, I always create a family travel budget. This helps me plan how much we’ll spend on meals, activities, and souvenirs, and it prevents us from overspending. It also helps my boys understand the value of money—if they want extra souvenirs, they know they have to make choices within our budget.
- How It Works: I break down our budget into categories (transportation, accommodations, food, activities, souvenirs) and give myself a little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. I track everything using a simple budgeting app or a spreadsheet to makeHere’s the continued section for Hack 10: Create a Family Travel Budget:
10. Create a Family Travel Budget
Before we leave for any trip, I always create a family travel budget. This helps me plan how much we’ll spend on meals, activities, and souvenirs, and it prevents us from overspending. It also helps my boys understand the value of money—if they want extra souvenirs, they know they have to make choices within our budget.
- How It Works: I break down our budget into categories (transportation, accommodations, food, activities, souvenirs) and give myself a little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. I track everything using a simple budgeting app or a spreadsheet to make sure we stay on track.
- Pro Tip: Involve your kids in the budgeting process. Give them a set amount to spend on souvenirs or activities, and let them decide how to use it. This not only teaches them about money management but also gives them some ownership over the trip. You can find budget-friendly family travel planners and budget templates on Amazon: Shop family travel planners on Amazon.
“Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With these ten family travel hacks—like packing with cubes, pre-booking attractions, staying in places with kitchens, and sticking to a budget—you can streamline your trip and focus on what matters most: making memories with your family. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or a theme park, these tips will help make your next family vacation a breeze.”
“Ready to try out these hacks on your next trip? Check out Expedia for the best travel deals, and stock up on your family travel essentials on Amazon to be fully prepared!”
