You’ve pictured it, right? The happy-go-lucky family adventure. Then you’re 30,000 feet up with a screaming toddler, your other kid just spilled juice everywhere, and you’re seriously questioning every life choice that led you here. We’ve all been there. The secret to a good trip with little ones isn’t about having the perfect plan; it’s about not making a few classic, trip-ruining mistakes.
Don’t Try to Recreate a “Before Kids” Itinerary
Remember those trips where you’d hit three museums, a historical site, and a trendy restaurant all before dark? Yeah, those days are over. The fastest way to a full-family meltdown is overscheduling.
Kids, especially little ones, run on a different clock. They find a random bug on the sidewalk more interesting than the 400-year-old painting. If your schedule is a minute-by-minute spreadsheet, you’re just setting yourself up for failure. Pick one big thing for the day. That’s it. The rest is just snacks and survival.
Stop Packing for Every Possible Apocalypse
It’s so tempting. “What if he needs his favorite stuffed animal?” “What if it rains… in this desert?” “What if we need 400 diapers for a three-day trip?” You end up lugging three giant suitcases, a stroller, and a car seat, all while trying to hold a tiny hand. Stop it. Unless you’re going to a remote island, they will sell diapers, wipes, and basic medicine where you are going. Pack what you know you need, not what you fear you might need. Your shoulders will thank you.
Don’t Throw the Whole Routine in the Garbage
“It’s vacation!” we say, letting them stay up super late and skip their nap. This is a trap. A tired kid is an irrational, cranky kid. Their little brains can’t handle that much disruption. You don’t have to be a drill sergeant, but try to keep the fundamentals.
A toddler in Newmarket still needs their 1 PM nap, and that same toddler on vacation definitely still needs it after a morning of new, stimulating sights. Stick to a rough sleep schedule. A well-rested child is a happy travel companion; a sleep-deprived one is a tiny monster.
Never, Ever Be Without Snacks
This is, like, the golden rule. A “hangry” child is a different species. The moment their blood sugar dips, your peaceful trip is over. And no, the airport convenience store charging $9 for a tiny bag of Goldfish doesn’t count.
You need to pack a dedicated, easily accessible bag of their favourites. Cereal, pretzels, fruit pouches, cheese sticks; whatever keeps them happy. Don’t assume you’ll “just find something.” You won’t, not when you need it. Always be over-prepared on the food front.
Don’t Make Your Arrival a Stress Test
You land after a long flight. You’re exhausted. The kids are wired. And now you have to find the baggage claim, haul 80 pounds of gear, wrangle the stroller, and then try to hail a cab or figure out a ride-share with a car seat? This is arguably the worst part of any trip.
Smart parents front-load the cost here to save their sanity. For a big international trip, booking a chauffeur service in Ireland to be waiting for you isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic move that saves your entire first day.
Avoid the “One Tiny Room” Hotel Trap
Booking a standard hotel room looks fine online. Then you get there. The baby needs to go to bed at 7:30 PM, which means you’re all sitting in the dark, whispering, and scrolling on your phones for the rest of the night. It’s miserable.
For the love of your sanity, look for an apartment-style hotel, a suite, or an Airbnb. Having a separate room where you can close the door and have a glass of wine like an actual adult is the difference between a vacation and a hostage situation.
It’s About the Memories, Not the Itinerary
The perfect trip doesn’t exist. Something will go wrong. Someone will have a tantrum (maybe even you). But if you avoid these classic blunders, you’re stacking the deck in your favour. You’re creating space for the good stuff; the genuine laughs, the silly moments, the core memories. The goal isn’t to have a flawless vacation; it’s to have one that you all remember fondly, where the good far outweighed the chaotic.
