Tips for Summer Travel with Kids and Grandkids

Expert Reviewer: Kellee Grimes, MBA, RN, BSN

Director of Human Resources, Mutual of Omaha

Summary: Summer travel with kids doesn’t have to be chaotic. This article explains how with the right planning, packing strategies, and kid-friendly activities, your trip can be smooth, safe, and memorable.

Traveling with kids. Does the thought make you excited or anxious? Whether you’re heading out with your children or grandchildren, summer trips offer incredible opportunities for discovery and bonding. The memories that you make together can last a lifetime.

But let’s also be honest: traveling with young kids can be stressful, tiring, and expensive. Long car rides or flights test everyone’s patience. Fortunately, a little planning can go a long way. These summer travel tips will help your trip go more smoothly, keep the kids happy, and maybe even save money.

Include kids in the planning

You’ve likely already spent a lot of time planning your big trip. A great way to get kids excited about the upcoming trip is to include them in the pre-trip planning.

Regularly discuss the upcoming vacation and even ask them their opinions on the activities you plan. If you’re going to the beach, you could buy a coloring book of ocean scenes. You can also include children in itinerary planning by giving them a say in the activities. Perhaps you have the choice between a hike and a horseback riding adventure.

When kids are involved in the planning, you get their support, reduce uncertainty, and you may even prevent meltdowns down the road. It’s a win-win! You can even use the time leading up to the trip to talk about safety on a road trip or in an airport.

Building excitement by discussing the trip and setting expectations will bring the whole family together and create anticipation that can help make your travel with kids less stressful for all.

Surprise treat bags

Surprising children is almost as fun as receiving a surprise yourself, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to be a crowd pleaser. Pack surprise bags for your kids to open to and from your trip destination.

Giving the kids a small “treat bag” to open every so often can become a fun, inexpensive activity that gives them something to look forward to in shorter intervals so they’re not so focused on the long travel that’s underway.

Things like suckers, temporary tattoos, stickers and mini game books are good for on-the-go entertainment. You can even throw in some goodies related to your vacation. If you are going to a place where there is swimming, for instance, pack your goggles in a bag.

Other things you can put in a surprise bag:

• Travel-size coloring or sticker books
• Washable markers or crayons
• Puzzle cards or mini Lego kits
• A few dollars for a souvenir shop stop
• Healthy snacks or a favorite treat
• Vacation-themed toys like mini flashlights or sand molds.

Stock up on snacks

Snacks are a must for any complete summer travel checklist, as hungry kids (and adults!) become cranky quickly. Save effort, money, and grumpiness by packing healthy snacks for the trip. Store goodies like snack packs, crackers, trail mix, and nuts in your travel bag for easy access during your trip.

If you’re traveling by car, you can pack a small cooler filled with water bottles and fresh snacks like small apples, tangerines, and baby carrots. Even if you’re flying, save money in the airports by bringing packaged, TSA-approved snacks¹.

Always be ready to pull out a bite to eat when a child is hungry and tired while traveling or during your trip. Being prepared with snacks for your travel with kids makes for happy tummies, which will make for a better trip for everyone.

 

Essential packing tips and checklist

What you pack can make or break your summer travel experience. Smart packing can prevent meltdowns, emergency stops, and make for a smoother trip.

Here’s a summer travel checklist to get started:

Travel essentials

• Tickets, IDs and health cards
• Itinerary printouts
• Medications (plus a basic first-aid kit)
• Reusable water bottles
• Hand sanitizers and wipes.

Clothing

• Swimsuits and quick-dry towels
• Extra outfits for kids (accidents happen)
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
• Lightweight jackets or hoodies
• Hats and sunglasses

Toiletries

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Insect repellent
• Lip balm with SPF
• Hairbrush and travel soap

 

Kid-friendly extras

• Favorite comfort item (like a blanket or small stuffed animal)
• Headphones
• Charging cords for electronics
• A few books for bedtime stories
• Travel games or cards

Packing just the right amount is almost as important as packing the right stuff. Avoid the hassle of digging through overstuffed bags by staying organized; life is simple when you can easily find that missing sock.

But don’t forget the essentials, like medications, hand sanitizer, and first-aid supplies, especially when traveling with kids.

 

Opt for new activities

This is tough, but leaving the toy chest at home saves space and allows room for extra activities. Sure, one or two of the child’s favorite toys can be carried along on the trip, but there is no reason to pack more than that. Kids become more present, get creative, and bond more with family.

You can get creative with new, low-cost activities like building sand castles at the beach, riding bikes, reading new books during downtime, or even playing age-relevant board or card games. Taking away the distraction from the dozens of toys your child or grandchild is used to will encourage everyone to participate in new activities together!

Additional ideas

• To make long drives more fun, organize scavenger hunts at rest stops or parks.
• Kids can send postcards, letters, or drawings to friends, depending on their age and abilities.
• Tweens and older children will enjoy geocaching, an outdoor activity that uses GPS to find hidden containers.2
• Create a scrapbook or collect small keepsakes along the way to create lasting memories.

Travel games and apps to beat boredom

Long car rides and flights can test everyone’s patience. A good mix of screen-free games and kid-safe apps can make the difference between an unbearable trip and a manageable one.

Screen-free games

• I Spy: One player chooses something they can see, and the other players have to guess what it is from the clue. For example: “I spy with my little eye something beginning with [letter].”
• Would You Rather? Players take turns asking each other “Would you rather” questions, often funny ones. For example: “Would you rather be able to talk to plants or talk to animals?”
• License plate bingo: This game involves looking at the license plates of passing cars and checking them off a bingo card that has different states or regions listed. The goal is to complete a line or full card by spotting plates from different areas.
• 20 Questions: One player thinks of a person or an object, and the others have up to 20 yes-or-no questions to work out who or what it is.
• The Alphabet Game: Players take turns to name objects they can see around them that start with each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z.

Of course, if you’d like your kids to engage in screen time, there are many child-friendly apps available.3 To avoid screen-time problems on your trip, download all apps and games beforehand and bring a portable charger if needed.

 Summer memories to last a lifetime

Think back to your childhood. Do you have memories of trips with your parents and siblings, or with your grandparents? Probably, the times you recall are some of the fondest. Making memories doesn’t begin when you arrive at your destination. Sometimes, the best experiences happen during travel.

With the right preparation—snacks, games, clear expectations, and a well-packed bag—you can turn the journey itself into a part of the adventure. For more summer travel tips for families, Mutual of Omaha is here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are some of the best vacation destinations for kids?

Beach towns, national parks, and cities with kid-friendly museums or zoos are all great picks. Destinations like San Diego, Yellowstone, or coastal spots with walkable activities offer a good balance of fun and relaxation for families.

Q2: At what age are children the easiest travel companions?

Many parents find that kids between ages 6 and 10 are the easiest to travel with. They’re old enough to listen and follow instructions, as well as carry their own (small) bag, and enjoy structured activities without constant supervision.

Q3: What is the best summer activity for kids?

Outdoor water play—like swimming, splash pads, or beach games—is often a hit in the summer. It helps burn energy, keeps them cool, and can be done with minimal gear or cost.

Sources

1. TSA, https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food , accessed May 2025
2. WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/what-is-geocaching , March 2025
3. Common Sense Media, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-kids-apps-to-download-before-a-flight , May 2025

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Expertly Reviewed by: Kellee Grimes, MBA, RN, BSN

Director of Human Resources, Mutual of Omaha

Kellee Grimes is a Registered Nurse, Certified ADAAA Coordinator, and Director of Human Resources at Mutual of Omaha. Leveraging her clinical experience in critical cardiac care and over a decade in health and welfare benefit administration, Kellee is passionate about comprehensive healthcare and dedicated to fostering inclusive, equitable communities. She and her husband are proud to raise their children as active and engaged members of the community.

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