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Traveling is such a wonderful way to create memories and teach your kids about the world. But, you can’t enjoy it if your kids are having meltdowns everyday of your trip. Use these proven tips to stop meltdowns while on vacation so you can make more memories with your kids.
You don’t have to sit back and just accept that meltdowns are a part of traveling with kids. While there’s no way to completely eliminate crankiness, you can minimize it by planning ahead. And these tips will help!
Tip #1: Go with the grain, not against it.
Just like when sanding a piece of wood, you will get much smoother results by going with the grain. Know the personalities of your kids. Work with their tendencies, not against them.
If you have a child that gets super cranky if they don’t have a nap by 2:00 pm, then plan your travel days around nap time.
If you have 2 kids that constantly pick on each other while at home, make sure you separate them while in the car or on an airplane.
My son is very laid back until he gets hungry. Then he gets cranky. So, when we are traveling, I always make sure to stop for a snack when he starts getting hungry.
When you anticipate your battles, you are in a much better position to win them. So, work with what your family gives you instead of trying to turn them into someone they’re not.
Tip #2: Be prepared.
You can’t win the battle if you don’t have the necessary tools. So be prepared before the meltdowns start.
Pack snacks, toys, books, that favorite stuffed animal your child sleeps with every night, and anything else that will help you to stop meltdowns in their tracks, regardless of where you are.
If you will be traveling at night, bring a small flashlight or reading light if your child is scared of the dark. Pack ipods and headphones for everyone in the family so no one will argue over music.
Check out my essential items for successful road trips with kids and must-have items for flying with kids for some ideas of things to pack.
Tip #3: Outsmart them by always staying one step ahead.
Part of being prepared is having what you need when you need it. This means not just planning ahead, but also anticipating the needs of your kids so you are ready to quickly step in with the answer.
For example, plan your meal stops so when you hear the “I’m hungry” whine from the backseat, you are pulling into a restaurant parking lot. Hand your son his lovey 5 minutes before his normal naptime.
Have a “bag of tricks” at the ready so you can hand out toys or activities when your daughter becomes bored and restless while waiting at the airport.
Be ready with whatever your kids need when they need it. They will think you are super mom, but the truth is that you are saving your own sanity by avoiding the whining and fussing. This one tip will stop meltdowns while on vacation better than anything else!
Tip #4: Fight crankiness with excitement.
Stop meltdowns on vacation by trading excitement for crankiness. When they start to get upset, tell your children something about the trip to get them excited.
What exactly you tell them will vary depending on their ages. For younger kids, it may be telling them they get to fly on an airplane. For older kids, it may be telling them about the awesome pool at the resort.
Whatever it is that you use to get them excited, keep reminding them of it whenever they start to get cranky. Use it as motivation for them to hang in there. And, as a last resort, use it to bribe them to stop with the attitude.
Tip #5: Always keep them engaged.
Smart parents know that to stop meltdowns on vacation, you need to keep your kids entertained. An entertained child is a happy child. The more you can engage your kids along the way, the less likely they will have a meltdown.
But as any parent knows, kids get bored really easily. So, make sure you have plenty of entertainment for the entire journey. As soon as they tired of one thing, hand them something new.
Here are some ideas to keep your kids entertained during your travels:
Use technology to your advantage.
These days, most kids would rather be looking at a screen than anything else. So, to stop meltdowns while on vacation, use this to your advantage.
Pack your children’s electronic devices. Think about getting your kids a few devices that they only use when traveling.
When my son was younger, he had a portable DVD player that he only uses when we traveled. It keeps him entertained for hours.
Just don’t forget to pack extra batteries and chargers for those devices! Even if you limit your child’s screen time while at home, consider making an exception while traveling.
Pack trivia cards.
After a while, even the most tech-savvy kid will lose interest in electronics. When that happens, be prepared with some low-tech options.
One of my favorite things to pack is trivia cards. Either get a travel set before your trip or grab the cards from your favorite trivia game, wrap a rubber band around them, and throw them into your bag. Then, when you need a diversion, pull them out and take turns asking each other questions.
Another bonus to the trivia cards is that they take up very little space.
Introduce your kids to some old school games.
Remember the games we all played when we were kids: the License Plate Game, I Spy, and 20 Questions? Another easy option for entertaining your kids is to introduce them to these old games.
Chances are, your kids have never heard of these games. And you never know, they may love them! Plus, they require no packing!
Make up your own games.
If you start running out of things to entertain your children, make up a game of your own. I do this quite often with my son.
Years ago, while waiting for a table in a restaurant, my son began to get restless. We were waiting near a window that looked out onto a busy street, so I made up a game where he got points for spotting specific colored cars. It kept him quiet and busy until our table was ready. We still play this game a lot when traveling.
You can make up games on the fly or plan a list out in advance that you can refer to when needed. For more low-tech ideas, check out my screen-free activities for road trips and flying with kids.
Pack surprises.
Kids love surprises. Before you leave for your trip, go to the local dollar store and stock up on small treats, gifts, and toys. Hide these from your kids and sneak them into the car or your carry-on luggage.
Whenever you need a diversion, pull one out for each of your kids. And don’t forget to wrap them up or package them in a fun way. A good presentation will always add to the fun.
Another option: tell your kids at the beginning of your trip that, if they are well behaved, they will get a surprise at pre-determined times, such as when you cross a state line or at the top of each hour. This way, they have something to look forward to.
Tip #6: Never underestimate the power of snacks!
Another way to stop meltdowns while on vacation is to pack snacks. Food works wonders to eliminate the crankiness that comes with traveling.
Full bellies mean better moods and more cooperation from your kids. Snacks also fight boredom. Another advantage of packing food for the trip: they can be a lifesaver if you are unexpectedly delayed for some reason.
For ideas of what snacks to pack, see my list of the best snacks for road trips and airplanes.
Conclusion
Traveling with your kids is a great way to create wonderful family memories. But, it’s only fun if you don’t spend the whole trip reacting to meltdowns. You can easily avoid child meltdowns while traveling. The above tips and tricks will help your entire family have more fun on your next trip.
For more tips on traveling with kids, see my comprehensive guide to happy travel with kids, why you should include your children in vacation planning, how to include them in trip planning, and the top reasons to travel with your kids.
For more tips on eliminating tantrums in your little ones, see this article from Webmd.
Happy travels!
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