Guest Post by Julietta Skoog
About Julietta Skoog
Julietta Skoog caught the travel bug at the age of 17 when she traveled solo to La Coruna, Spain to live with an exchange family who spoke only Spanish for a summer. Since then, she has studied and traveled abroad to over 25 countries. She lives in Seattle with the love of her life, Jon, and their three sporty and fun kids, two of whom are in local, public Japanese immersion schools in their awesome Wallingford neighborhood. Professionally, Julietta Skoog, Ed.S, MA, is the Early Years Lead and co-founder of Sproutable, which offers grown ups the tools, systems and strategies they need to cultivate powerful relationships, teach social-emotional skills, and set healthy limits and boundaries with all kids, from babies to teens. She draws from over 20 years of practical experience as a school psychologist working with thousands of students with a variety of needs and her own three children when coaching parents, bringing a unique ability to translate research, child development and Positive Discipline principles into everyday solutions. She is passionate about using travel as an opportunity to teach kids critical life skills that help them reach their full potential to cultivate a more compassionate world.
Top Tips for Traveling with Kids đźš™
Q: How do you involve your kids in travel planning? Do they help pick destinations or activities?
A: We definitely involve the kids with activities within the destination. We call it the wish list, and literally make a list of the things they want to do or see, usually 2-3 per person. Then we make it a game to see how many things we can do, and it also stretches them to think creatively for the logistics of the timeline. On a deeper level, I use the trip as an opportunity to teach and practice life skills.
Q: What activities or entertainment keep your kids happy during long trips?
Julietta: GAMES! I am all about games games games for this age group. We bring cards, mad libs, travel board games, drawing supplies, clay, MASH, and also bust out all the good word games like 20 questions, I Spy, stories and categories.
Q: What kind of destinations do you find work best for kids in this age group?
A: Anywhere there is a pool! We have done big trips to Japan, New Orleans, Argentina and also road trips along the coast and when you can find a hotel with a pool it makes a day full of sightseeing end with joy and resets everyone. Parks are huge as well; we try to find parks wherever we are to have picnics and play time to break up all the restaurants.
Q: How do you balance kids’ energy levels and downtime while traveling?
A: I manage expectations. Here are my tips on this:

Your children are not going to shower you with gratitude and put challenging behavior on pause just because you crossed state lines. Routines are out of whack and stimulation can be on overdrive so their behavior will reflect that. Model compassion and going with the flow, even when they are in melt down city. That being said…

Routines 
SHOULD continue while away! Vacation can really turn kids upside down, and when they don’t know what to expect they start pushing all the boundaries in order to figure out where they are. Rules and routines help them to feel safe, and this is especially important when they are out of their comfort zone. That first day sets the precedent: make a plan together for what nap/quiet time, bedtime, screen time and responsibilities will look like. Keeping to your usual sense of rhythm and order, with of course the necessary tweaks and shifts, makes kids feel safe while modeling flexibility and firmness at the same time. Remember that sleep directly correlates to coping skills and function.
For example, let them know BEFORE pool time that they will only be swimming when sunscreen is on. (Tip: pretend the sunscreen is face paint and ask them what kind of animal or character they want to be while you “paint” the sunscreen on.) Walk them from their bed to the bathroom BEFORE they go to sleep so they know what to do when they wake up in the middle of the night. Give them the day’s itinerary and include choices to invite cooperation and awareness. “This morning we are going to walk down to the beach and then go to the whale museum. We will have time after that to either fly the kite or go for a bike ride- you decide. This all builds executive functioning skills, self esteem, and capability = cooperation.
Wherever you are (regardless of age, sharing a room or size of travel destination), create a positive time out space. Maybe it is a pillow in the corner, or just the bed but designate it immediately upon arrival. No judgment, just a spot to reset when big emotions start to bubble over. Sibling squabbles don’t just stop while they are on vacation. Remember they are a chance to grow problem solving skills and strengthen relationships, so be the coach instead of trying to stop it. Melt down at the pool? Wrap them up in a towel, pull them onto the chaise lounge and lower YOUR voice while you validate feelings and addressing the likely root (starving, over tired, over stimulated). Then order yourself a treat;)
I am all for being flexible while traveling and having a plan but also being ok to eject if it has just gotten too much. Finally, have a conversation with your travel partner about what routines are going to look like. What will be more relaxed and what are non-negotiables? The clearer you are going in, the better you can handle the surprises.
Q: Are there any specific travel gear or gadgets that make traveling with kids easier?
A: I loved having Apple air tags, especially in Japan when we were traveling with three families and there were a lot of kids to keep track of. I also love the Fly Legs Up for long international flights.
Q: What are some essential items to pack when traveling with kids?
A: Baby wipes and extra plastic bags! Critical for all ages. Also a swimsuit, even if you think there isn’t going to be a pool! You never know. More importantly, I invite cooperation from my kids by giving them chances to contribute with the packing process and giving them “travel jobs.” I also always have a small game in my fanny pack, a small notepad, and crayons or colored pencils. My kids all get car sick so I never leave home without kids dramamine and sea band bracelets.
Q: Do you have any favorite kid-friendly airlines, hotels, or tour operators? Do you prefer to stay in hotels or rentals when you travel?
A: Alaska Airlines has always been amazing to fly as a family, and my kids love their “kid snack packs.” I prefer Airbnbs with kitchens but do like to mix in the hotels with pools.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about traveling with kids?
A: Make connections: It may sound obvious, but loop your kiddo in! Intentionally tell them where you are going, who you will see, and what to expect. Read books about your destination or how you will be traveling (planes, trains, automobiles). Show pictures of friends or family you will be visiting. When they feel included and connected, they are motivated and more likely to cooperate and be excited. Once you are there, Talk to your children at dinner or before going to sleep about all the fun things they experienced that day, regardless of their age. Making connections and retelling events like a story creates meaning and integrates sweet memories. You can also talk about the NOT so fun stuff too. This helps them process and bring closure when you say things like “and then you were comforted by Grandma” or “and then you got an ice pack and felt much better.”
Practice: Role play! If they are old enough to walk, they are old enough to practice, and even younger kiddos still benefit from you talking through expectations. Role play expectations in an airplane, restaurant, security lines, train, wedding…whatever new adventure is being thrown their way.
Find the fun: You can’t make anyone do anything, but you do have control over your own attitude. When the bumps come up, find the fun. Be silly, sing a song, play a game, or simply ask “how can we make this fun?” You’ll be surprised how a little fun goes a long way in shifting the course of your trip. Play together, relax, and embrace the opportunities that any travel challenges may bring.
Ultimately, the most important lesson I have learned from traveling with kids is to choose quality connection and use the inevitable traveling challenges to model flexibility, a sense of humor and solving problems with grace.
Thank you Julietta for sharing your incredible tips for traveling with kids!