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Sometimes there is nothing more daunting than taking your children with you on a vacation. Even a simple roadtrip can turn into one long nightmare if the right precautions are not taken. But, given the right tools and tactics, you can turn your summer vacation into the relaxing getaway or daring adventure that your whole family deserves.

10 Tips to Traveling with Your Children:

1. Stick to Their Schedules
Vacation is no time to stray from the norm. If your child naps at a certain time, make sure that your travel plans can accommodate. Your kids will stay in better spirits and keep up their stamina longer, which will help you to get the most out of your trip.

2. Pick Your Seat Wisely
Where you sit on an airplane can make all the difference when traveling with children. Take advantage of sites like Seat Guru, which provide detailed seatmap graphics, in-depth comments about seats with limited recline, reduced leg-room and misaligned windows, color-coding to help identify superior and substandard seats, in-seat power port locations, galley, lavatory, exit row and closet locations.

3. Don’t Forget About Technology
We count on a myriad of technology to keep our kids entertained while in the air and on the road, and it is a pain when you bring it and then can’t use it. Read up on these simple steps to take before you leave to ensure that everything will be in working order throughout your travels.

4. Pack According to Climate
Children are at risk for more sun exposure than adults if carried in backpacks or on a child seat at the front of a bike. And if they are not walking or cycling themselves, they will get colder than everyone else as they won’t be warmed up with exercise. Protect them accordingly and have plenty of sunscreen available, as well as layers to pull on and take off.

5. Stay Hydrated
Children are particularly prone to dehydration, mostly because they don’t drink unless they feel thirsty. The low humidity of cabin air can cause mild dehydration as well as dry and irritated nostrils, so it is important to get kids to drink regularly. Also check your children’s urine from time to time; if it is darker than usual, cloudy or strong-smelling, insist that they drink more water.

6. When It Comes to Luggage, Think Ahead
If it looks like you are going to be weighed down with mountains of bags, you may want to send on suitcases and bulky items via a baggage delivery company. Remember that prices come down the more you send, and you will get better rates if you send things a few weeks in advance rather than a few days before you travel. Try First Luggage  or Carry My Luggage for a quotation. There are also companies that specialize in delivering baby products such as formula, baby food and more.

7. Avoid Any TSA Surprises  
TSA is required to screen everyone, regardless of age, in order to ensure the security of all travelers. Many Transportation Security Officers are parents themselves and understand travelers’ concern for their children.
General Screening Guidelines:
– Children 12 and under may leave their shoes on.
– TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child.
– All carry-on baggage, including children’s toys, bags and items, will be screened. Please let your child know that their blanket, favorite stuffed animal or toy will have to go through the X-ray machine and then will be returned to them.
– All child-related equipment that can fit through the X-ray machine should go through the X-ray machine.
– If possible, collapse or fold strollers and any other child-related equipment while in the queue, removing any items in the stroller pockets or baskets.
– Ask a security officer for help gathering bags and equipment, if needed.
Visit the TSA website for complete TSA travel details.

8. Keep Kids Busy
– Getting your children started on a few vacation-related projects before you leave is a great way to prepare them for what is to come. You could explore maps, history, geography, animal and plant life of your destination, or read books or watch a film that is set there. If the food is likely to be radically different, research dishes that they might enjoy, and try rustling up something similar before you go.

9. Once You Arrive, Get Organized
Most tourist accommodations are not particularly child-friendly, so once you have checked in you will probably need to make some adaptations yourself. Start by checking locks on doors and windows to make sure the room is secure. Check the sturdiness of the fittings – wobbly balconies and railings are unsafe and mean you should change your accommodation straight away. Point out things such as loose towel rails or curtain rails to the staff, and use insulating tape to cover exposed wires or sockets or block them off with furniture that is too heavy for your children to move. It is also a good idea to check the temperature of the hot water; it is often scalding so you may need to warn your children.

10. Remember to Relax!
Once you have researched your destination, prepare a list of possible activities that take various lengths of time and suit different weather conditions. If you have more than one child, give each a turn to make choices from the activities list. This will help everyone to know what they can expect and also make decision-making easy.

Looking for more? Visit Wandermom, Travel Mamas and Travel Savvy Mom for tips and expert travel advice!

SHARED by: Gymtime