Spring Break Tips for Traveling with Children

Whether venturing out of state or down the street, traveling with children for spring break can be equal parts exciting and challenging. Throw in unexpected weather delays or detours and any well-prepared family might have emotions like a preschooler. But don’t worry. In this article, Denver Preschool Program (DPP) unpacks all of the best tips for traveling with children, including: 

• The 5 Ps of traveling with children: prepare, pack, protect, pivot, and practice patience 
• Tips for flying with young children out of Denver International Airport 

Traveling with children: prepare, pack, protect, pivot, and practice patience

There’s nothing like a good mnemonic, or pattern of letters, to help families prepare for traveling with children. Remember how best to get ready for a wonderful adventure with your preschooler with DPP’s 5 Ps for traveling with children are: 

• • Prepare: Nothing can derail your trip faster than lack of preparation. Most preschoolers thrive on a schedule. Outline the details of your trip, including travel, breaks, and fun activities. Go over the itinerary with your children and family members so everyone knows what to expect. Based on your travel plans (and your creativity), consider making a map or checklist where your preschooler can follow along and can look forward to planned stops and activities. 
  • Pack: This may sound obvious, but even if you aren’t taking an overnight trip, you will need to pack. Any time spent traveling (via air, car, train, or bus) warrants snacks–and lots of them. While you can likely purchase snacks en route, it’s always best to have a variety of options on hand for that unexpected travel delay or meltdown. A spare set of clothes for everyone is also advised, even if you are just going on a day trip. Depending on where you are traveling, you may need a first aid kit. And don’t forget about the entertainment: games, books, fidget toys, music, a favorite stuffed animal, etc. Check out these screen-free road trip ideas for children. 
  • Protect: Vaccines, sunscreen, bug spray, car seats, and hand sanitizer are all things to consider when traveling with your children for spring break. If you are venturing internationally, be sure to check about your destination’s requirements for traveling with children in vehicles. Be vigilant and keep a watchful eye on your children when traveling to new places–even stopping for gas on a road trip can pose safety risks so be aware and prepared. Create a plan for where to meet if you get separated, and consider writing your phone number somewhere on your child (this could be a card you slip into their pocket, on their shirt tag, etc.) in case your little one is too young to memorize your number or carry their own phone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers additional tips on traveling with children. 
  • Pivot: Even for those who are expert vacation planners, adjusting your plans, or pivoting, while traveling with children is a given. Flight delays, unexpected weather obstacles, or children who are too tired or too sick for what’s on your itinerary are all common occurrences during spring break travel with children. Have a plan and a backup plan so that you don’t feel stressed or overwhelmed. Consider having a few options for activities and alternative activities in your back pocket for those unexpected interruptions to your itinerary. 
  • Practice patience: Emotions can run high when traveling with children, even when everything goes smoothly. If possible, build in time for yourself during your travels to unwind and refresh. Practicing mindfulness and incorporating humor can also ensure that your patience is at peak performance even when your travel plans go astray. Setting realistic expectations and being flexible can also help you feel patient throughout your trip. 

Tips for Flying with Young Children Out of Denver International Airport

Denver families planning to fly with their preschool children on a spring break adventure (or anytime) will likely be flying out of Denver International Airport (DEN). Denver’s airport offers two newer features that may be helpful for families: 

• Sunflower Lanyard Program: For people of all ages who have hidden disabilities, like autism, diabetes, or speech difficulty, the Sunflower Lanyard Program helps signal to travelers and airport personnel that they may need extra time or care when traveling. Travelers or their care companion can pick up a free Sunflower Lanyard from a DEN Ambassador or a Customer Service Agent at any of the four customer service information booths at DEN, which are located in the terminal and in the center of each concourse. Read more about DEN’s Sunflower Lanyard Program from Rocky Mountain PBS. 
• Children’s play area in Concourse C near Gate C48: This new play area is open all day and night, offering a great place for kids to unwind during a layover or before taking off on a flight. Even if you aren’t flying out of Concourse C, families can take the train (or walk) to enjoy the play area. 
• DEN’s Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS): This delightful program features more than 90 therapy animals, primarily dogs, and even one cat, all dedicated to enhancing travelers’ experiences. These friendly, certified therapy pets and their volunteer handlers roam the airport, offering comfort and joy to passengers through petting sessions and photo opportunities.

Denver International Airport also offers a variety of additional amenities for children and families. 

When flying with children out of DEN, or any busy airport, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to check your bags, get through security, and travel to your gate. USA Today recommends arriving at the airport at least 2 hours ahead of your departure time when traveling with kids. Many families who are experienced at traveling suggest arriving 2-3 hours early at the airport to  avoid extra stress and unexpected issues. 

If you are looking for additional insights before flying with your family, check out these 16 tips for flying with kids and Flying with Kids: Tips for a Successful Airport Experience. 

Additional Resources for Traveling with Children Over Spring Break

While we offer a few helpful tips in this blog post, there are many other resources to reference as you plan for a successful spring break trip with your preschooler. These are just a few of the many options to aid in your adventure: 

• Essential Tips For Parents Traveling With Kids
• Surviving Spring Break Travel 
• 9 Spring Break Travel Tips for Families
• How To Travel with Children Without Losing Your Mind 
• 24 Tips for Traveling With Children How to make flights and road trips easier for children with autism, anxiety, and other challenges