The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and…travel!
And with AAA having projected a record-breaking 119.3 million people traveling between December 21st and January 1st, the roads and skies were busy. Last year’s domestic travel projection narrowly surpassed the pre-pandemic record set in 2019, signaling a significant return to holiday travel traditions.
Adding to the hustle and bustle, AAA anticipated an additional 3 million travelers compared to last year. For families with young children, this surge in travel can present unique challenges. Navigating airports, packing efficiently, and maintaining routines while on the go requires careful planning and preparation.
This guide offers Christmas travel tips for families with young children to ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday journey.
Plan Your Journey
Successful holiday travel starts well before packing. Begin by choosing your departure and arrival times wisely. According to KidsHealth, early morning flights are less likely to experience delays, airports are less crowded, and direct flights reduce the hassle of layovers. Fewer stops also mean a lower chance of lost luggage. If you’re driving, consider leaving after a full night’s rest rather than immediately after work or school to ensure a smoother trip.
When booking accommodations, prioritize family-friendly options. Many hotels offer holiday decorations, Santa visits, or special Christmas meals. Vacation rentals provide more space and kitchen facilities, allowing you to prepare familiar holiday foods and maintain cherished traditions. For inspiration on destinations, Lonely Planet has highlighted ten of the best places in the USA to visit during this magical season.
Build extra time into your itinerary. The Christmas season brings unexpected delays – weather, traffic, or long security lines. A few extra hours can transform a stressful rush into a leisurely journey. Kids sense adult anxiety. By leaving yourself ample time and modeling calm travel behavior, you’ll help your children manage the journey better.
Smart Packing Tips for Holiday Travel
Packing for holiday travel is a balancing act between bringing Christmas essentials and keeping luggage manageable. To lighten your load, consider shipping gifts directly to your destination. If traveling with presents, leave them unwrapped to avoid security issues and pack wrapping supplies separately.
For children’s comfort, bring a familiar item from home—like a stuffed animal or pillow—to create a sense of security in new surroundings. Surprise gifts revealed during the journey can also keep little ones entertained. If you’re traveling with a baby, remember that most shuttle services and private transfers offer car seats as an add-on when booking.
Weather-appropriate clothing is key, and layering allows for easy adjustments between indoor and outdoor temperatures. Pack a dressy outfit for Christmas celebrations but prioritize comfort for travel days. Include holiday pajamas or outfits that are part of your family traditions.
For your carry-on, pack extra baby clothes in case of unexpected messes. Include options for both warm and cool conditions—airplane temperatures can be unpredictable. Need white noise for naps? Your iPhone has a built-in white noise machine under Settings → Audio/Visual → Background Sounds.
Lastly, a power strip makes charging multiple devices easier, keeping phones, tablets, and headphones ready for use.
Infant Care During Holiday Travel
Traveling with an infant requires careful preparation to ensure their comfort and routine are maintained. Pack all essential supplies, including diapers, baby food, formula (if bottle-feeding), bottles, pacifiers, and familiar comfort items. Keeping a baby’s schedule consistent—especially for feeding, naps, and bedtime—can help reduce travel-related stress.
For formula-fed infants, ensure you have enough formula for the entire trip. However, parents should be aware of potential health risks associated with certain formulas. Legal actions, such as the Enfamil lawsuit claim that Mead Johnson failed to warn about NEC risks in infants consuming its cow’s milk formula.
TorHoerman Law notes that necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe and potentially fatal condition. Families filing Enfamil lawsuits allege that the formula caused serious injuries and deaths, seeking compensation for medical costs, pain, and wrongful death.
Health considerations are also important. Before traveling, consult with your pediatrician to discuss vaccinations and any necessary precautions, especially for international trips. A well-stocked first-aid kit is essential—including infant-safe fever reducers, pain relievers, and any prescribed medications.
Manage Expectations and Create New Traditions
Children thrive on routine and may find a traveling Christmas challenging. Before departure, discuss as a family which traditions you’ll maintain and which new ones you might create. Perhaps open one gift before leaving, or have Santa leave a note explaining gifts appearing in a hotel room.
Create a “traveling Christmas kit” with small decorations – a miniature tree, lights, or ornaments – to transform any space into a holiday environment. These familiar elements provide continuity.
Forbes suggests establishing “vacation rules,” like allowing sugary cereals or extra screen time, to create a “special” association with being away and keep kids occupied. Even if you closely monitor these things at home, a plane trip is a great time to relax the rules a bit.
Technology helps maintain connections with family unable to join you. Schedule video calls for gift unwrapping or holiday meals, letting grandparents or cousins participate virtually. These digital gatherings can become cherished new traditions. Managing expectations and creating new traditions ensures a joyful holiday, wherever you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can we maintain our Christmas morning traditions when staying in a hotel?
Many properties offer special arrangements for Christmas morning, including room decorations or early breakfast delivery. Bring small, symbolic items from home like stockings or a tabletop tree. Consider establishing a new tradition specific to travel. The key is preparing children by explaining how things will be different but still special.
What’s the best way to handle gift-giving when traveling for Christmas?
Consider shipping gifts directly to your destination in advance or embracing experience gifts rather than physical ones. If traveling by car, hide unwrapped gifts in luggage or the trunk. For air travel, carry critical items (the “must-have” gift) in carry-on luggage to prevent disappointment if checked bags are delayed.
How do we balance family visits with our children’s needs during Christmas travel?
Communicate clearly with hosting family members about your children’s schedules and limitations before arriving. Establish private family time—perhaps the morning of Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning—that belongs just to your immediate family. Don’t hesitate to excuse yourselves for naps or early bedtimes; overtired children diminish everyone’s enjoyment.
Christmas travel with young children offers unique challenges but also exceptional rewards. The memories created often become the stories families tell for years to come. By approaching holiday travel with thoughtful planning, realistic expectations, and a spirit of adventure, parents can create magical Christmas experiences regardless of location.
Remember that children learn by example—your attitude toward travel challenges shapes their perception of the experience. With preparation, flexibility, and focus on what truly matters—family togetherness—your Christmas journey can become a cherished tradition.
