Traveling with Kids of All Ages: Tips and Tricks for Parents on the Go

Let's face it, taking your little ones out and about can be a real challenge. Maybe you have an explorer who likes to stop and examine every crack in the sidewalk, or maybe you have a foot dragger who whines endlessly, "I'm tired," or, "Are we there yet?" It's enough to make even the most patient parent want to give up and never leave the house. But don't give up! I've rounded up some tips that will have you and your kids zipping around town and on adventures like a well-oiled machine.

These essentials helped us survive getting from point A to point B at each stage of our children's development. Whether it was getting them to school, navigating the big city, or traveling to new places, this is how we made it happen.

On the Go with Infants

First up, let's talk baby carriers. With a baby carrier, you'll have your hands free to hold a latte and navigate those pesky stairs and doorways with ease, or, as is more often the case, allow you to better wrangle a second or third kid. Your little bundle of joy can nap while being securely attached to you like the barnacle it wants to be. As they get a little older you can transition them to forward facing–great for the curious babies who want to see the world with you, or back carry–fun for them, and easier on your back.

Baby wearing isn't just convenient, it can actually be good for your baby's development too! Research has shown that baby carriers can help new parents bond with their newborns, calm them down when they're fussy, and even help parents learn more about their baby's needs and behavior. Plus, the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) indicates that a properly fitted baby carrier that supports your baby's hips in the M-position, can encourage healthy hip development. So not only will you be cruising around town with ease, you are also doing right by your child's development. Win-win!

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Mommyhood101 put together an extensive review of the Best Baby Carriers of 2023, with Ergo Baby Omni 360 taking the top spot. Here are a couple of other baby carriers that we used and loved for years.

Most comfortable: Kinderpack
This versatile carrier can be used for babies and toddlers alike. It offers excellent back support and distributes weight evenly, making it a comfortable choice for longer outings or for carrying heavier babies. With fully adjustable straps, you and your partner can easily take turns doing the heavy lifting. It comes in an endless array patterns and colors so you can find one that really suits your personal style. Bonus, since the fabrics and styles are often limited edition, if you keep yours in good condition, the resale value can be quite high when your babies have outgrown the baby wearing phase. Cons: Kinderpack carriers do not support forward facing or side carry.

Best wrap: Baby K'tan
This carrier is perfect for newborns and infants, as it offers a snug, wrap-like fit that keeps your little one close and secure. The K'tan's unique design reduces the amount of fabric you have to wrap around your body, and you don't need a PhD in cloth arrangement to secure your babe. It's also a great option for breastfeeding on-the-go, as the fabric can be adjusted to create a discreet nursing cover. The Active versions made with quick drying, breathable performance fabric, are great for summer babies or hotter weather–think baby at the beach! Cons: It may not be the best choice for longer outings or heavier babies, as the weight is distributed mostly on your shoulders and back. Another potential dealbreaker is the size is not adjustable so you won't be able to pass baby off to anyone else for a break unless they're about the same size as you.

Too big to Carry, But still needs a Nap

Next up: Toddlers. This is possibly the most challenging and cumbersome age for travel. They don't want to sit still, but they tire easily, and any time you go anywhere you basically become a sherpa with all the extra things you must carry for them from diapers to toys to snacks. Strollers are pretty essential for this age and if you're a parent, no doubt you've already done endless research on strollers and found the best out there to suit your family's needs for everyday use, so here we'll just focus on travel strollers.

What we look for in a travel stroller:

1. Lightweight
2. Folds easily to get through airport security or navigating stairs
3. Full reclines for on the go naps (large canopy is a bonus!)
4. Budget friendly, particularly if this will only be used for travel

Many of the top strollers you might find on the "Best of Travel Strollers" lists are exorbitantly expensive, at around $500 a pop. For best value for your money, we recommend the ZOE line of strollers. Their newest addition to the line-up, The Traveler, even folds small enough to fit in overhead airline compartments.

Traveling and don't need a stroller until you arrive? Or perhaps you live in a place where you drive everywhere and don't have a need for a regular stroller. Consider renting a stroller after arrival. Depending on where you are going, many stroller rental companies will deliver directly to your hotel or Airbnb. We like to rent strollers for places like Disney World where having one makes all the difference between whether or not the kids will make it through the day. Since you don't need to lug these around to the airport and back, you can rent heavier duty options like City Mini GT and BOB Revolution which move like a dream even when pushing a 60 pound kid for miles. Magic Guides has compiled a list of the best non-Disney stroller rentals in Orlando that can give you a sense for pricing and available inventory.

Rideable suitcases for your minis: When traveling, a rideable suitcase offers a fun way to navigate big airports. If you have a toddler that is always on the move, why not harness that energy and put it to good use? A rideable suitcase is the perfect way to keep your little tyke entertained while also lugging around all their stuff. We've used a Trunki for a few years now to keep our kids' travel essentials in one place (activity books, headphones, games, tablets, and snacks) and it conveniently fits under the seat in most planes. After take off, it can also double as a footrest so their little legs are not dangling uncomfortably for long flights.

For those who spare no expense for their little jet-setters, you might want to check out the JetKids by Stokke ride-on suitcase. This one has swivel wheels which make it easier to navigate through tight spaces and crowded airports. The ingenious design has hidden storage compartments, an extendable tray table, and converts to a padded bed for long train or plane travel (once seatbelt signs are turned off).

The Stroller Free Years

Our kids are both finally at the age where they are stroller and diaper free– Hallelujah!–but that doesn't mean their little legs can't benefit from an assist when it comes to keeping up with the grown-ups. For that, we've got scooters.

With city kids, ours are used daily just for getting around the neighborhood and even for school drop-off and pick-up. When they're tired, or the spaces are crowded, you can pull them along with ease. When they have energy, and it's safe to do so, they can expend it by scooting along on their own.

My mind was blown the first time I saw a family traveling right up to the gate with their preschooler on his scooter. Since then, we've brought ours with us on multiple adventures and having the scooters with us during travel has been a game-changer for sightseeing in walkable tourist destinations.

Flying with scooters: A couple things to note if you choose to bring your scooters along for your next flight. If it doesn't fold, you'll need to be able to separate the handlebar from the base to send it through the x-ray machines at security. You can gate check the scooters or fit them under the seat when the handlebar is detached or folded.

So there you have it, my top tips for getting from point A to point B with kids of different ages. With baby carriers, rideable luggage, and folding scooters, you'll be unstoppable. We're here to attest that your jet-setting days don't have to come to an end just because you have children! Happy travels!