10 Essentials for Travelling with Kids

Disclosure: I have partnered with Netflix Canada to bring you this post on 10 Essentials for Travelling with Kids. I have received compensation in exchange for this post but I am a huge Netflix fan and all opinions, as always, are my own.

Are you heading out on the road or jetting away for the holidays? With a new baby in the house, we are staying close to home but there will still be some day trips here and there. And next year, with a wedding in Arkansas and then my (hopefully coming true) dream of heading to New York City for Christmas, we are going to need to be prepared with these 10 Essentials for Travelling with Kids.

1) Pack some snacks. When we first moved to Canada (wayyyyyyyyyy back when I was 5), we arrived on Thanksgiving weekend. We had no idea it was Thanksgiving in Canada though and everything was closed. We were completely unprepared for it. After hours and hours of driving, we finally found one tiny little greasy spoon that was open and we were able to eat dinner. A few extra snacks would have made a huge difference in keeping the hangries away. I like a balance of good healthy snacks with a few treats thrown in. I am not above bribery for better behaviour when desperate.

2) When road-tripping we make sure to include a couple of jugs of water. When we get thirsty and there is no place to get beverages in sight, we can drink it as is. Or throw in some of the flavour packets or bottles of flavour drops to perk it up a bit.

3) Wet wipes. More wet wipes. Even more wet wipes. Yes it is worth repeating. You never know what messes you may encounter (did I ever tell you about the time my daughter ordered a hotcakes and sausage breakfast to eat in the car and then spilled the syrup everywhere???) and these will be a lifesaver.

4) Trash bags and zippered storage bags. Sometimes I find it hard to believe just how much trash we accumulate while on a trip. Having a way to contain it is essential. The storage bags are so handy for dealing with messy clothes and leftover food.

5) Be prepared for any illness along the way. Pack the basics in your carry-on bag (or when road-tripping, in a bag that’s handy and easy to get to) – children’s fever and pain reliever (trust me, it’s like Murphy’s Law. Carry it with you and they will stay healthy. Or at least you’ll be prepared just in case) and medication to relieve an upset stomach are essential. Oh and don’t forget bandages for those little boo-boos that occur along the way too.

6) A favourite cuddle toy. Travelling is fun but it can be stressful. A special toy to snuggle when things get tough can really ease the way. You might want to add a GPS tracking tag to it. Believe me, been there, done that with losing the favourite toy while on a trip. Not fun. Not fun at all.

7) A change of clothing. This should be in the carry-on bag if flying or in that handy, easy to reach bag if driving. Accidents happen especially when bathrooms are hard to find and routines have been left by the wayside. PS – this is where those zippered storage bags can come in handy.

8) A pillow. Your child’s own pillow is perfect to bring along if you’re travelling by car, but if on a plane, inflatable pillows are practical and useful.

9) A sippy cup or travel cup. These can make the difference between your kids drinking their beverages and wearing their beverages.

10) Netflix. Between delayed flights, lost luggage, public tantrums and that one thing you forgot to pack, travelling with your family can get complicated, fast. In fact, 1 in 5 Canadian parents say one of their main concerns when travelling is keeping their kids entertained. With the holidays just around the corner, parents can look to offline viewing on Netflix to keep everything, and everyone, under control while on the go. From the tried-and-true shows you can rely on like Beat Bugs and Luna Petunia to calm any meltdown, to discovering new show obsessions like Stretch Armstrong & The Flex Fighters, Netflix downloads are a must-have travel essential for parents and their kids. Like seriously, you can download your favourite shows at home while you still have wifi available and then watch them en route – NO WIFI needed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLSwNwUaT2k&feature=youtu.be

No matter if it’s for your littlest one, pre-teen or anyone in between, there are Netflix shows for everyone in the family to pack in their carry-on. And it’s not just Netflix originals, check out the ‘Available for Download’ menu on the Netflix app on your mobile or tablet device and browse all of the titles available to take with you whenever and wherever you want. PS – Don’t forget headphones!