"Must Have" Summer Travel Tips -

After a decade of successful international and local travel with kids, it is no secret that I consider myself an expert. Here are my top five summer travel tips you need to know for summer 2024.

Pack kid bathing suits and flip flops in your carry-on. I want to scream this tip from the rooftops! Let’s say that you have spent months planning the ultimate summer trip, you and your family arrive to the perfect tropical location, palm trees are swaying and then… something completely out of your control happens and your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. It happens, it’s part of air travel. However, you can still enjoy day one of your vacay by arriving to your destination ready to jump in. One parent can haggle with the airline on the phone and someone can oversee kids jumping right into the pool!
Pack a SHIRT for yourself in your carry-on. I am often amazed that this isn’t on every single travel tips list. Long before I had kids, I was on solo airplane trip. I was seated next to a lovely new mom and her six month old baby flying by themselves. We chatted as she fed her little one a full 12 ounce bottle right before take-off. As we ascended she and I kept up our conversation, and suddenly her bundle of joy threw up the entire 12 ounces right into her shirt (yes, into like inside- a visual I’ll never forget). While this new mom had tons of clean onesies, she had to sit in a milk covered shirt for the duration of the flight. I would go on to have my own share of travel mishaps (throw ups included) and I always remember to pack an extra shirt for myself.
Get on the plane with one bag per adult, that’s it. This is a hot take and I don’t mind sharing it because it is 100% based on my expert experience. I have travelled alone with three kids under six multiple times. The ONLY way I would do this is carrying one back pack and checking on the other baggage. Why? Assuming you have assigned seats, you need to board the plane last. There will be no overhead space and that is ok. In order for you to have a good flight, you need to make sure your kids are ready for a rest. They need to run races up and down the airport halls and utilize any play area available until you board.
Identify your passports easily with a sticker. An identifying sticker on the back of each will save you! TSA is not known for their patience. If you are traveling with multiple kids, there is a point where it is suddenly time for each child to show his or her passport and you have five identical navy books staring you in the face, with an angry agent and a line of people behind you. See our Simpsons family for reference.

5. Swim-Ear Swim Drops: (Check with your Doctor) I don’t know about you, but we don’t have a pool in our backyard. For us, summer vacation means days on end of swimming way more than usual. When ears don’t dry it can lead to ear aches and infections. These can spell disaster on vacation. Get ahead of an ear ache by using swim ear drops each night. We like Debrox brand, but there are several on the market.

Traveling with kids is HARD, but it is so rewarding. I hope these tips help you have a super successful vacation!

Read my top-visited travel post: https://explorethedetails.com/museo-soumaya-with-kids/