Traveling internationally with kids can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. After years of taking our own kids across the globe, we’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t!) when it comes to planning family trips that are actually enjoyable for everyone. If you’re dreaming of your next adventure, these tips will help you feel prepared, confident, and ready to make incredible memories together.
There’s something magical about seeing the world through your child’s eyes. For our family, traveling internationally with kids has always been part of our story. Tom is from England, I’m from Texas, and with both of our families spread across different continents, travel was something we knew we’d be doing often.
We first took our oldest son from the U.S. to England when he was just 10 weeks old, and we’ve been making international trips as a family ever since. With a little thoughtful planning, these trips have become some of our most treasured memories. Whether you're headed to Europe, Africa, Asia, or somewhere in between, here are 12 of my favorite tips for planning a smooth, fulfilling family adventure.
Jump to:
- 1. Check Your Passports
- 2. Involve Your Kids in Planning
- 3. Slow Down Your Itinerary
- 4. Teach a Few Local Words
- 5. Help Your Kids Gets Comfortable with New Foods
- 6. Pack with Purpose
- 7. Use Family Perks and Airport Shortcuts
- 8. Prepare for Long Flights and Layovers
- 9. Have a Jet Lag Plan
- 10. Consider On-the-Ground Transportation Needs
- 11. Set Realistic Expectations
- 12. Help Them Capture the Memories
- Enjoy your trip!
1. Check Your Passports
This might sound obvious, but trust me, it’s the first thing to double (and triple) check. Everyone needs a passport, even infants, and children’s passports expire much faster than adult ones (just five years!). Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
I also recommend making color copies of everyone’s passports. Keep a digital copy handy (saved securely to your phone or email) and leave a paper copy with a trusted friend or relative.
Tip: Get a family passport holder. This one is only $10 and it makes airport check-ins so much easier.
2. Involve Your Kids in Planning
One of the best ways to help kids feel excited (and a little more cooperative) is to involve them in the planning process. Even younger kids love looking at pictures of where you're going, watching a YouTube video about the destination, or choosing one special activity they’re really looking forward to. For older kids, you can give them a few options and let them help make decisions. It gives them ownership and makes the whole trip feel like a shared adventure, not just something they're being dragged along to.
Tip: I always aim for a balance between cultural experiences and kid-friendly downtime. Don't underestimate the power of a good children's museum. Most major destinations have them and my kids love visiting them around the world.
3. Slow Down Your Itinerary
It can be so tempting to squeeze in as much as possible, especially if you’re flying across the world. But with kids, slower is almost always better. I try to avoid staying anywhere for less than three nights, if possible. Packing up and moving constantly is exhausting for everyone and leaves little room for those spontaneous, magical moments that make family travel so special.
4. Teach a Few Local Words
Even just “hello,” “please,” and “thank you” can go a long way, and kids love trying them out. It gives them a sense of engagement and shows respect to the people you’re meeting. Plus, it’s fun to watch their confidence grow as they try something new.
5. Help Your Kids Gets Comfortable with New Foods
Part of the fun of international travel is trying new foods, but for kids, that can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Before your trip, start introducing your kids to new flavors at home. Watch videos or read books about the local cuisine, try recipes from the country you’re visiting, or even do a little “taste test night” as a family.
When you arrive, encourage them to try new things, but also be flexible. It’s okay to have a backup plan (like a familiar snack stash) for days when they’re tired or hesitant. And honestly, sometimes just letting them order plain bread or rice at a restaurant is totally fine. It’s about keeping everyone fed and happy while you explore.
6. Pack with Purpose
Packing for an international trip with kids can feel incredibly intimidating. The good news: it doesn’t need to be stressful. A little strategy goes a long way.
First of all, packing cubes are a total game changer. If you don’t own any yet, I highly recommend investing in some. I like using different colors for each kid to keep everyone’s stuff easily organized.
You definitely want to avoid overpacking, but at the same time, make sure you’ve got the essentials covered, especially the things that are harder to track down when you need them urgently. (Though keep in mind that in many destinations, you can easily access grocery or pharmacy delivery if you need something once you arrive.)
Here’s a peek at what always goes into our bags:
- A mini first aid kit: children’s Tylenol, Benadryl, Band-Aids, any prescription meds, and a small thermometer.
- A few Large plastic bags: not glamorous, but an absolute lifesaver for soiled clothes, unexpected motion sickness, or containing anything messy until you get back to the hotel.
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: because kids.
- Healthy Snacks your kids will actually eat: airport snacks and hotel breakfasts aren’t always kid-approved, so having a stash of familiar options can save the day.
- A laundry bag: especially helpful if you’ll be doing laundry on the trip or just want to keep dirty clothes contained and separate
Don’t forget to pack with your destination’s climate and environment in mind. If you're traveling somewhere hot, cold, rainy, or very sunny, plan your clothing accordingly. I always recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes that are already broken in. There’s nothing worse than sore feet ruining your sightseeing day because you packed brand new shoes.
7. Use Family Perks and Airport Shortcuts
Traveling internationally with kids can be challenging, so most airlines offer early boarding for families. Use it. The same goes for family security lines at many airports.
If you’re eligible for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry, your kids can come through with you, and the time (and stress) it saves is massive.
8. Prepare for Long Flights and Layovers
For toddler and younger kids in particular we try to recreate as much of our normal bedtime routine as possible, even in the air. Change into pajamas, brush teeth, read a quick bedtime story, and get everyone cozy. I always pack a soft travel pillow, a small cozy blanket, and their favorite stuffed animal or comfort item.
Always bring a stash of familiar snacks your kids actually like. I also pack a refillable water bottle for each kid that we can fill up once we’re through security. Staying fed and hydrated makes everything go more smoothly.
Tip: Most airlines offer child-friendly meal options, but you usually need to request them in advance when you book your tickets.
Let's talk about screen time. In our opinion, long travel days are not the time to enforce strict screen limits. Load up your tablets with plenty of shows, movies, or games that your kids love, and bring comfortable kid-friendly headphones for watching in-flight entertainment. Trust me, everyone will be much happier. You can get back to your usual screen time rules once you arrive.
If you have a layover, do a little research ahead of time.
Some airports have surprisingly great family spaces that are fantastic when you're traveling internationally with kids. For example, London Heathrow has a soft play area that’s perfect for kids to burn off some energy between flights.
9. Have a Jet Lag Plan
Jet lag hits different when kids are involved. We always try to build in at least one cushion day after arrival to let everyone adjust. Keeping everyone hydrated, getting outside early for natural sunlight, and gently shifting sleep schedules can make a huge difference. I also recommend keeping your first day super low-key, walk around your neighborhood, grab a pastry, explore a local park, and let everyone ease into the new time zone.
We actually have a whole blog post dedicated to managing jet lag with kids. Be sure to check that out if you’re planning a big time zone shift!
10. Consider On-the-Ground Transportation Needs
You've landed, now what? Will your kids tolerate multiple train transfers with all your luggage? Do you have a stroller that needs to fit in taxis? Are you comfortable driving in a foreign country with different road rules? These are all things to think through before you book anything.
For us, car seats and boosters have always been a big consideration. Many car rental companies offer them, but they can be expensive, and you never quite know what you’re getting. We actually love bringing these inflatable booster seats. They’re compact, lightweight, and easy to toss into a taxi or rental car. If your kids still need full car seats, you might want to look into travel-friendly options that are lighter and easier to carry through airports.
11. Set Realistic Expectations
This one’s less logistical, more mindset-related. Even with perfect planning, things will go sideways. Someone will get hangry, tired, or overstimulated (possibly all at once). Build in downtime, skip the urge to over-schedule, and accept that some moments will be messy. That doesn’t make the trip a failure. In fact, those imperfect moments often lead to the best stories later on.
12. Help Them Capture the Memories
One of my favorite parts of traveling with kids is seeing the trip through their eyes. Giving them a simple way to document their experience makes it even more special. My mother-in-law has a little travel journal she uses with the kids where they write a few sentences about their day and draw a small picture of their favorite moment. My kids love it.
You can also give them a small, kid-friendly camera so they can snap their own photos along the way. It’s such a sweet way to preserve their unique perspective, and it gives them something fun to focus on during downtime. But also remind them (and yourself!) that it’s okay to put the camera or journal down sometimes and just enjoy being fully present in the moment. Those are the memories that stick.
Enjoy your trip!
Traveling internationally with kids takes a little extra planning, sure, but oh, is it worth it. These trips have given our family some of our sweetest memories, from baby’s first passport stamp to watching our kids discover new places with wide-eyed wonder. With a little prep (and a lot of snacks), you’ll be ready to make your own family adventures, too.
Enjoyed our tips for traveling internationally with kids? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Traveling with the family soon? Check out our post: 10 Tips for Long Road Trips with Toddlers