Tips for Traveling With Preschoolers

Now that summer is here, I can’t help but dream about upcoming family trips. Without preschool, our summer routine looks different — and my own adventurous spirit takes over as I pencil in day trips and extended stays. With long-distance relatives and a bit of wanderlust myself, I always envisioned lots of travel with my family. But over the past two years, travel just wasn’t a priority as we stayed home. For young children who haven’t traveled much in the past (or don’t remember their experiences), taking a trip might feel new or intimidating.

Approaching travel with intention and preparation can make all the difference.

In the new “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” special, “Daniel Visits a New Neighborhood,” Daniel and his mom go on a trip far away — somewhere Daniel has never been before. He gets to ride a train for the first time, learn about a new culture, and make a new friend, Juan Carlos. Traveling brings opportunity to learn, grow, and gain some independence for kids (and grown-ups, too).

“One benefit is helping kids discover the world, beyond their small day-to-day experiences. Maybe they’ll meet new people — definitely have new experiences — but the biggest benefit is communicating family values,” said Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist, author of “Moody Moody Cars,” and a mom of four.

Kennedy-Moore recommends that before embarking on a new adventure, families state their values with something like, “We as a family value exploring the world. We as a family value meeting new people and having new experiences.”

Another big benefit of travel is the opportunity to bond through a shared experience. Throughout the special, Daniel and his mom sing, “Wherever we are, whatever we do, I’m so glad to be with you.” Sometimes things go wrong or the best laid plans fall apart, but focusing on being together as a family can help as you navigate travel mishaps or disappointments.

“Preschoolers are concrete thinkers and will want to know what they will experience: we’re going to do this and then we’ll do that. Sequential information is good,” said Kennedy-Moore.

Explain to your child that there will also be times of waiting and times you will need to be flexible when something doesn’t go as planned.

If you’re going to visit friends or family you haven’t seen in a while or someone your child hasn’t met, show your child photos or do a video call beforehand to help give them a sense of familiarity. Before the trip, Daniel had pictures of his new friend, Juan Carlos, which made him feel more confident and at ease when they finally met in person.

When getting ready for a trip, whether it’s an overnight stay at Grandma’s house or a week-long road trip, I encourage my kids to pack their own small backpack with whatever toys, books, and comfort items they value most. They like having the autonomy to make their own decisions, and it’s a way they can help get ready. “Kids like feeling like they are contributing to the family,” Kennedy-Moore said.

Here are six ideas to keep in mind during your travels with young children:

• Pack the essentials. Having snacks throughout the journey keeps kids (and adults!) happy, occupied, and fed. It helps to have snacks when mealtimes don’t follow the typical schedule or when reliable kid-friendly food isn’t available. Other key necessities you may want easily accessible for the trip include a change of clothes, wipes, a plastic bag (for sudden sickness or messes), first aid kit, and necessary medication. If you’re on a road trip, you might even want to pack a toddler potty in case of bathroom emergencies.
• Play while you wait. Since travel often involves waiting, plan out what activities you’ll do to pass the time. This could mean bringing along a new book or toy that keeps your child’s attention longer or playing a game together. When Mom Tiger plays “Tiger Says” with Daniel while waiting for the train to arrive, they are also preparing for what they will do next. They practice by pretending to walk onto the train with a big step, eat a snack, have calm feet, and use quiet voices.
• Find a focal point. “Everything is new and overwhelming, so giving them something to focus on is helpful,” said Kennedy-Moore. In the train station, Mom Tiger asks Daniel to look for a red arrow to help them find their train. When my family goes on a road trip, we play travel bingo and look for things like road construction signs, cows, or semi-trucks.
• Introduce opportunities for independence. Seek out ways your child can do something on their own. Maybe it means scanning their boarding pass at the gate before boarding the plane or letting them decide which souvenir to buy within a certain budget. After getting acclimated at Juan Carlos’ home, Daniel gets to play with his new friend on their own.
• Communicate together. Mom Tiger starts and ends their trip by telling Daniel how glad she is to go on an adventure with him. During our family trips, we like to ask everyone at dinner, “What was your favorite thing today? What was hard?” As a parent, this is an opportunity to relate with your child and discuss what’s happened. It’s OK to express your feelings about the difficulties of travel, like when plans fall through. Communicating about your experiences, good and bad, helps you bond.
• Expect challenges. It can be hard to travel with kids, so give yourself grace and understanding. It’s an adjustment and growth period for them and you! You might encounter new schedules, new food, new culture, or new traditions.

Travel can require a lot of flexibility or may feel overwhelming, but it can also be a fun and exciting experience for everyone as you face these challenges together.

Get ready to embark on fun summer adventures with your family! Watch the new “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” special, “Daniel Visits a New Neighborhood,” premiering June 20 on PBS KIDS.