14 errors parents often make while traveling with children

Just as mastering baby care for the first time can be challenging, navigating travel with one (or more) kids is a journey filled with ups and downs. This is especially true now, with additional hurdles. Having traveled several hundred thousand miles with my two kids, including some trips during the pandemic, we've faced many trials and I've committed numerous blunders.

Drawing from my own adventures, as well as insights from fellow travelers in the TPG Family Facebook group and elsewhere, we've put together a list of common missteps many parents encounter while figuring out how to travel with their kids.

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Relying on airplane seat assignments to resolve themselves

You purchase tickets for yourself and your kids, label them as children on the reservation, and assume the airline will seat you all together. Right? Wrong -- or at least, not always right.

Although airlines do make an effort to seat children with their parents, it doesn't happen automatically. Don’t take it for granted that you’ll be seated next to your kids. This aspect may be more manageable during a pandemic, particularly with airlines still blocking middle seats, but it's still something to keep high on your travel to-do list. Be very proactive about monitoring seat assignments, for your kids’ sake and for those around you who might not want to engage in last-minute seat trading.

Here are some extra tips to ensure your family gets seated together.

Not having a barf bag within reach

I've experienced the shameful walk off the plane drenched in kid vomit more times than I care to admit ... and that was before the pandemic heightened fears of every cough and sniffle.

Believe me, that one time you don’t have a sickness bag within arm's reach, you’re going to wish you did. When I’m on my game, my youngest daughter sits covered with a blanket on the plane, so at least I’m prepared to catch any midair emergencies. A bag is never far behind.

Failing to pack an extra set of clothes -- for yourself

Most parents remember to have a change of clothes for their baby or toddler, but often overlook that they might need an extra outfit too ... until it’s too late. (Refer to the previous point.) Mishaps can occur while caring for a child at 36,000 feet, so always keep a spare change of clothes on hand for yourself.

Neglecting to bring a stroller

So your 3- or 4-year-old walks everywhere at home? Mine does too. But the distance they cover at home and what you'll need them to walk in Europe, at Disney, or even in a large resort are completely different. We’ve had days logging 10 miles at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and nearly 20 miles at Disney World, so it really adds up.

If your trip involves more than just a little walking, you’ll likely need a stroller on hand for a full one to two years longer than you would at home. (At a theme park, you might find yourself needing it until your kids can spell like pros.) Here are some of our top strollers for travel.

Omitting headphones

You’ve packed a device for your kids to watch or play with, and it’s fully charged -- great job! But if you forgot the headphones, those around you may not appreciate hearing that third episode of "My Little Ponies" or the constant background music from a video game. Kid headphones are quite affordable, so don’t forget to bring a pair for each child (and maybe a spare), since we all know how well sharing usually goes.

Trusting the quality of airplane food

Not all airplane food is made the same. Some of it can be quite tasty. But the majority of it is ... really not great.

Considering picky eaters and the fact that some airlines may forget to load special meals, it’s a recipe for hungry kids. At best, your child might end up with soggy chicken fingers. On a long-haul flight, "hanger" will definitely hit if you don’t bring your own snacks for the kids. Plus, right now, airplane food options are even more limited than usual, so you really need to plan to be self-sufficient.

Cutting costs by adding a layover

There are plenty of effective ways to save money on travel. However, making your family’s flight schedule inconvenient by opting for early or late departures or adding connecting flights isn’t the best way to save if you can help it. As your kids grow older, feel free to choose those cheaper flights, but putting little ones through unnecessarily tough itineraries can be a mistake.

Traveling with a lap toddler

Traveling with a lap infant is one experience. Cuddly, sleepy, nursing babies can sometimes fare better in their parents' arms than in their own seats. However, squeezing in that final free flight with a lap toddler just before they turn 2 can lead to regret for some parents.

We booked a trip one month before my youngest turned 2, and I ended up reserving a seat for her literally on the way to the airport as I realized what a poor choice this was. Thankfully, there was last-minute saver-level award availability, or that 23-month-old would have been unhappily wriggling on my lap for a four-hour flight instead of sitting contentedly in her car seat. In other words, just because an airline allows something doesn’t mean it’s a wise decision.

Since we’re on the subject -- make sure to carry a birth certificate if you’re flying with a lap infant. While some airlines might not always check, others definitely do. Southwest, in particular, is known for requiring a birth certificate for lap infants -- even for babies who are clearly under the age limit.

Not bringing enough formula, diapers, or wipes

There’s the scheduled duration of a flight (or cruise, or train journey) and then there’s the reality of how long it actually takes. If you only pack enough diapers, wipes, and formula for the planned trip, you might find yourself seriously underprepared for the actual journey. Always pack extra when it comes to essentials -- and then throw in a bit more just to be safe.

I won’t disclose how many diapers we used on a transatlantic flight when my 1-year-old started experiencing tummy troubles right after takeoff, which persisted throughout the overnight journey. Let’s just say I was grateful I overestimated our diaper supply.

Misjudging jet lag

In the TPG Family Facebook group, a family recounted that it took their kids four whole days to recover from jet lag during a trip to Africa. Unfortunately, their entire stay in Africa lasted only five days. Experts suggest it can take about a day to adjust for each hour of time zone change.

I can’t say it always takes that long, but when crossing an ocean, expect a significant adjustment period during the first couple of days. Be realistic about what your kids can manage and when you anticipate they’ll be active during the day.

It can be beneficial to schedule an overnight stop along the way -- which is why we often spend a night on the West Coast en route to Hawaii to help ease the impact of jet lag.

Relying on seatback entertainment

Notice anything off about this scenario? If you were relying on the airline to provide inflight seatback entertainment, you might be in for a surprise.

Very few domestic airlines consistently provide seatback entertainment across their entire fleet, so it’s wise to assume there won’t be any, and then be pleasantly surprised if you find functional built-in options.

Speaking of inflight entertainment, don’t forget to pack backup power supplies for all devices. Not every aircraft or seat has in-seat charging capabilities.

Over-scheduling

Whether you’re crossing oceans or heading to Florida, I’d estimate that 89% of all family travel meltdowns stem from over-scheduling, leading to overtired kids and shorter tempers.

Still skeptical? Just stroll through a typical Disney World during peak season where families have meticulously planned FastPasses, meals, and more months in advance, and observe the chaos when they try to fit it all in. You can’t do everything — or even if you can, you shouldn’t. This trend has softened a bit since 2020 as people have learned to go with the flow and appreciate the small moments, but it’s still a crucial point to remember.

Assuming hotels will provide cribs and connecting rooms

While we’ve criticized air travel quite a bit, lodging with kids comes with its own set of potential pitfalls.

If you require a crib or connecting rooms at a hotel and mentioned this in your reservation, it seems logical to expect these accommodations. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It’s best to call the hotel to confirm beforehand, and then check in again on the day of your arrival. Even then, things can slip through the cracks, so don’t be caught off guard.

We once arrived at an airport hotel late at night due to a flight delay. Our then 3-month-old was completely exhausted and quite upset. She was a light sleeper — transferring her while asleep was a no-go, so we kept waiting for her crib.

That crib we requested months in advance and confirmed again on the day of our arrival? It was missing for two hours, which felt like an eternity at midnight with a crying baby. If we had known it would take that long, we would have switched to Plan C, but we mistakenly thought it would arrive any moment. It didn’t. I can still hear the cries from that night (and so can our neighbors — sorry!). To be on the safe side, consider bringing your own travel crib.

Failing to acclimate kids to masks beforehand

This is a very 2020 addition to our list, one we hope to remove in a future post-pandemic update.

On most U.S. airlines, at theme parks like Disney World, and even in some hotels, children aged 2 and older are required to wear face masks just like adults. I wholeheartedly support mask-wearing for everyone's safety, but it can be a significant challenge for young toddlers to keep a mask on for hours if they aren’t accustomed to it.

If you have upcoming travel where your child will be 2 or older, start getting them accustomed to wearing a mask ahead of time. If you can't get your 2- or 3-year-old to wear one, it may be wise to reconsider any near-term flights or trips to places that require mask compliance for that age group until this phase of the pandemic has passed or your child is ready to tolerate wearing a mask.

The takeaway

Traveling with children often means dealing with chaos, sleepless nights in unfamiliar places, and vowing to your partner that you'll never embark on such a journey again.

However, that feeling is temporary. In normal circumstances, the biggest blunder you can make regarding travel with kids is to forgo the adventure and stay home. Yes, it can be challenging — very challenging — but it is ultimately rewarding. Learn from the experiences of those who have traveled before you and strive to sidestep the common pitfalls we all face at some point.

When things go awry, the key is to remain calm and concentrate on your child's immediate needs. By doing so, the situation will resolve itself much quicker than if you let panic take over or worry about the opinions of those around you — we assure you.