Spring Break Travel Tips for Families

13 Tips for Planning Your Spring Break Getaway

Whether you’re embarking on a road trip in a minivan or jetting off into the skies this Spring Break, planning is key to ensure a successful and enjoyable holiday. (Can you tell we watch Bluey in this house?!) Here are some essential tips to help you make the most of your vacation!

Early Booking: I understand Spring Break is right around the corner, so this might fall on deaf years, but by securing your travel arrangements and accommodations in advance you avoid any last-minute hassles and higher prices. This also goes for booking hotel accommodations on a long road trip. Plan out your rest stops.
Budgeting: Set a realistic budget for your trip, including expenses for transportation, lodging, meals, activities and anything else that might pop up unexpectedly.
Be Flexible: Plan a rough itinerary, but you must leave room for spontaneity and unexpected discoveries. Not to mention those pesky meltdowns with kids.
Pack Early and Pack the Essentials: With 5 kids I like to start the packing process a week before our trip. There will be several last minute things to toss in a bag but opening the suitcases early never hurts. I make our upstairs landing area the battleground for all the packing. Be sure to pack according to the activities and weather of your destination. Don’t forget essential items like travel documents, medications, and chargers. It’s always smart to have a list prepared beforehand.
Safety and Sickness: Having a first-aid kit in your car at all times is really smart, but having one for a trip is critical. If you’re flying, include one in your carryon bag. Some items in mine: band-aids, any necessary medicines…(I even pack inhalers), wet wipes. Another thing we always have is a “get sick kit”. One of our kids is bound to throw up in the car (ugh) so we have plastic bags, gloves, Klorox wipes, paper towels and a change of clothes ready for them. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen, but it’s nice to be prepared.
Plan Your Routes: Plot out your journey in advance, considering rest stops, attractions, parks, places for the kids to burn off some energy and dining options along the way. Don’t forget to book hotel rooms too. You never know what kind of conference or event is happening in a town you planned to stop at only to find all the hotel rooms are extremely expensive…or worse, booked.
Car Maintenance: Make sure your vehicle is in good condition with a thorough check of oil, tires, brakes, and fluids before hitting the road.
Entertaining the Kids: Pack a variety of games, books, and movies to keep the little ones entertained during the drive. I like the paper bag hours. You can give your kids a small brown paper bag for each hour that passes with new snacks and activities in there. Most of these you can snag at the Dollar Tree.
Comfort is Key: Dress in layers, bring pillows and blankets, and consider seat arrangements to optimize comfort for everyone.
Snacks and Drinks: I like to pack a small cooler with healthy snacks and plenty of water to minimize stops and keep everyone fueled. You can pick up some small travel caddies for the kids to use as a tray in the backseat.
Frequent Breaks: Plan for regular breaks to stretch, move around, and avoid fatigue during the long drive. My husband hates the constant stops, but they’re essential. Make sure to throw out all the trash when you stop so you’re starting fresh again when you hop back in the car.
Plane Travel Tips: If possible, hold your toddler’s naps off to the time your plan takes off. Keep them BUSY! Bring snacks and suckers. Bring coloring books, small toys, tablets and more. A lot of the roadtrip travel tips can be used here too.
Have Patience and Flexibility: Anticipate delays, unexpected bathroom breaks, and potential detours, Be prepared for meltdowns and breakdowns and try to maintain a positive attitude. Try to approach the journey with a patient and flexible mindset. Remember! Your mood sets the tone and can be totally contagious.

*If you’re traveling to the beach this spring break, a few items I bring along are:

A cheap laundry hamper (you can also pick one up when you arrive to your destination).
Baby Powder: this works wonders to get the sand off your feet!
A blowup mattress (optional) and a bed sheet, this is going to make life with kids who can’t walk yet a lot easier.
Bring your own toys for the beach! Buying them on location is always so expensive.

What are some travel tips I might be missing? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments!