How to Travel Internationally with Kids and Make it Fun

30 June 2025

Flying across borders with little ones in tow? That can sound like a twisted fairy tale or a mission impossible. But what if I told you that traveling internationally with kids could actually be fun—yes, real fun! Think giggles at airport terminals, bonding over new foods, and priceless “firsts” like toes in foreign sand or faces in ancient ruins.

I’m not saying it’s all rainbows and unicorns (hello, toddler meltdowns), but with the right planning, attitude, and a few travel hacks up your sleeve, you can create unforgettable family stories that’ll last a lifetime. So buckle up (literally and metaphorically), because we’re diving deep into how to make your international family adventures smoother, smarter, and a heck of a lot more enjoyable.

1. Start With the Right Mindset

Okay, first things first. You have to go in knowing that things won’t always go as planned. And that’s okay. Unexpected stuff? It’s part of the adventure when you travel with kids.

Instead of focusing on jam-packing your itinerary, focus on creating meaningful moments. This is about memories, not checklists. Think less “eat, pray, love” and more “eat, nap, snack, play.”

Remember, your kids feed off your energy. If you’re stressed out, chances are they’ll pick up on it. Stay flexible, laugh off the hiccups, and everything will feel much lighter.

2. Pick Kid-Friendly Destinations

Let’s be real—some places are way more family-friendly than others. You're not going to enjoy a wine-and-jazz weekend in Paris the same way with a teething baby. So, when planning your destination, think: what will my kids actually enjoy?

Look for:

- Walkable cities with good public transport
- Plenty of indoor and outdoor kid activities
- Low travel time from one site to another
- Access to basic medical facilities

Top family-friendly destinations?
- Copenhagen, Denmark (playgrounds galore)
- Tokyo, Japan (clean, safe, and quirky fun)
- Vancouver, Canada (nature and city life combo)
- Barcelona, Spain (beaches + churros = winning)
- New Zealand (just one big natural playground)

3. Pack Smart, Not Heavy

Raise your hand if overpacking is your kryptonite. 🙋‍♀️ Guilty! But when you’re traveling with kids, baggage becomes your burden real quick. So, instead of packing for every “what if,” think like a minimalist.

Essentials to pack:

- A well-stocked medicine kit (you do NOT want to hunt for children's Tylenol in a foreign language)
- Snacks (lifesavers during flights, tours, or delays)
- Comfort items (a small blanket, stuffed animal, or nightlight)
- Travel documents + copies (passports, insurance, consent letters, etc.)
- One or two new small toys or books (new = more exciting)

Pro Tip: Use packing cubes. Seriously, they’re like magic drawers in your suitcase.

4. Prep the Paperwork (Like a Boss)

Before you even start dreaming of airport duty-free shops, make sure your documents are in order.

Check off this list:

- Valid passports (some countries require 6 months of validity beyond your travel dates)
- Visas, if necessary
- Travel insurance that covers kids
- If you're traveling solo with the kids, you might need a notarized consent letter from the other parent or guardian

And don’t wait till the last minute. Government paperwork moves slower than a toddler putting on socks.

5. Choose the Right Flights

Ah, flying—the part that gives most parents anxiety. But it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

Tips to make flying easier:

- Book direct flights whenever possible
- Fly at night so kids can sleep through most of it
- Check airline policies on kids (some offer bassinets, kids' meals, and early boarding)
- Invest in noise-canceling headphones or kid-friendly tablets with downloaded shows or games
- Don’t forget to let them suck or chew during takeoff/landing to avoid ear pain (gum for older kids, pacifier or bottle for the little ones)

And please, for your sanity and others’… bring extra wipes.

6. Break Up the Trip Into Fun-Sized Chunks

Kids aren’t built to sightsee for six hours straight. (Come on, neither are most adults.)

So how do you keep things fun rather than frustrating? Break up your days.

Try this magic formula:

1 big thing (museum, historic site, tour)
1 small thing (ice cream stop, short hike, playground)
1 chill time (nap, downtime at the hotel, or a quiet cafe)

Also, build in buffer days—don’t plan stuff for every single second. Let them just explore organically sometimes.

7. Involve Your Kids in Planning

Want your kids to care about the trip? Let them help plan it!

Even young kids can pick between two activities or help choose what to eat. Older ones can research with you and even help build the itinerary.

This gives them a sense of ownership—and they’ll be way more excited because it’s their trip too.

Plus, watching a ten-year-old explain why they want to visit a dinosaur museum in German? Priceless.

8. Embrace the Local Kid Culture

One of the coolest parts of international travel is seeing how kids around the world live and play.

Visit local playgrounds. Eat at family-run restaurants. Attend a local festival or game.

Let kids interact with locals—language barriers often disappear when a soccer ball or swing set is involved.

It shows them the world is full of different people—but we're all the same in so many ways. That’s a powerful lesson from a swing set in Tokyo or a beach in Portugal.

9. Find Your Family Travel Rhythm

Every family has a different rhythm. Some can handle fast-paced days. Others need midday naps and early bedtimes.

The key? Listen to your family’s vibe. Don’t copy someone else’s Instagram-perfect itinerary.

Over time, you’ll learn what works best: are you morning explorers or nighttime wanderers? Do you prefer structured tours or wandering alleys? Figure it out and lean into it hard.

10. Capture the Moments (But Don’t Overdo It)

Photos? Yes. Videos? Totally. But don’t spend the entire trip behind a screen.

Give kids a cheap camera and let them snap their view of the trip—it’s often hilarious and touching and gives you insight into what mattered to them.

Also, keep a travel journal together. Have everyone add a line or draw a quick doodle at the end of each day.

Who knows? It might become a family tradition.

11. Say Yes More Often

Maybe you wouldn’t normally let them eat gelato at 10 a.m. Or splash in a muddy puddle outside the Roman Forum. But you’re not at home.

You’re traveling.

Saying yes (within reason) makes the trip feel more magical. These out-of-the-ordinary moments often become the ones they remember.

So go ahead—say yes to the weird snacks, the long detours, the cheesy souvenirs. Travel is about joy, after all.

12. Keep Your Cool When Things Go Sideways

Let’s face it, something will probably go wrong:

- Flight delays
- Lost luggage
- Sudden illness
- Tantrums in front of the Eiffel Tower

Take a deep breath. These moments suck in the moment but start becoming funny stories later (usually).

Have a plan B, keep some emergency cash, and always—ALWAYS—carry some form of chocolate. You’ll thank me later.

Final Thoughts: Memories Over Perfection

Your kids won’t remember every landmark. They won’t care that you found the “best” pizza place in Naples. What they’ll remember are the feelings:

The excitement before takeoff. Running through a fountain in Madrid. Falling asleep in your arms on a train.

The world is a big, messy, beautiful place. And sharing it with your kids? That’s a gift. So slow down. Laugh more. Stress less.

You're not just traveling internationally with kids. You're shaping how they see the world.

And that's pretty freaking amazing, don't you think?