Holiday Travel Tips for Families. Making Every Journey Magical

By Maria Lusich

The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year — but for parents, it can also be one of the most stressful, especially when traveling with kids. Between packing gifts, managing flight schedules, and keeping little ones entertained, family trips can feel more like a marathon than a vacation.

Here are some smart, creative, and sanity-saving travel tips to make your holiday journeys smoother, safer, and more meaningful this season.

1. Pack with Purpose — Not Just for Convenience

Forget overstuffed suitcases. Instead, pack by category and scenario. Create separate pouches or packing cubes for “airport snacks,” “in-flight entertainment,” “emergency changes,” and “holiday outfits.”One out-of-the-box idea: pack a “comfort kit” — a small pouch for each child with familiar scents (like a favorite lotion or stuffed toy) to help calm travel nerves. Familiar smells can ease anxiety and make strange hotel rooms or vacation rentals feel a little more like home.

2. Turn Travel Time into Family Time

Instead of relying solely on screens, use long car rides or flights as a chance for connection. Bring along conversation cards or start a “holiday storytelling game” — where each family member adds one sentence to a funny or festive story.Parents can also give kids a “travel journal” or disposable camera to document their adventures. It turns travel into a creative experience and helps children notice the world around them.

3. Choose Your Home Away from Home Wisely

For families, where you stay matters just as much as where you go. When renting a vacation home or booking accommodations, look for family-friendly details — like a washer/dryer, kitchen access, safety gates, and nearby grocery stores.Out-of-the-box tip: check for holiday-ready spaces. Some vacation rentals decorate for the season, providing cozy, festive touches that make your stay extra special (and save parents from packing decorations!).

4. Keep Holiday Traditions Alive — Wherever You Are

Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your family traditions. Bring along a few small items that keep your traditions alive — like a favorite ornament, menorah, or cookie recipe.If space is tight, create a “mini tradition”: watch your favorite holiday movie together in pajamas wherever you are, or start a “travel tree” using postcards from each trip as ornaments.

5. Prep Kids Emotionally, Not Just Logistically

Many parents plan every detail of their trip — but forget to prepare their kids emotionally. Discuss the trip in advance, show pictures of where you’re going, and explain what the travel days will look like.This helps kids feel secure and minimizes meltdowns. And if plans change (as they often do during the holidays), model flexibility — showing children that adventure sometimes comes from the unexpected.

6. Prioritize Health and Rest

The excitement of the season can make kids skip naps or meals, but balance is key. Carry a “health pack” with hand sanitizer, vitamins, mini first-aid items, and hydration packs.Pro tip: plan downtime — even 30 minutes of quiet play or reading can help kids reset and prevent overstimulation from all the festivities.

The best holiday trips aren’t the most perfect — they’re the most memorable. When parents focus on connection, creativity, and calm, travel becomes an extension of what the holidays are all about: family, joy, and togetherness.

So whether you’re flying to snow-covered mountains or driving to grandma’s house, take these moments to slow down, laugh, and make memories that sparkle long after the suitcases are unpacked.