Hi everyone!
Spring break trips are on the horizon! Traveling with little kids gets easier when you know a few small tricks ahead of time.
This week I’m sharing a few of our favorite family travel tips and inspiration, including:
✈️ The simple airport energy trick that helps young kids sit still on flights
🌴 A Mediterranean island that’s perfect with kids
📸 How to get the perfect baby passport photo at home
🎁 The surprise toy trick that keeps toddlers entertained during travel
Whether you're planning a big international trip or just trying to survive your next flight with little ones, I hope these ideas help make travel a little smoother. As always, if the newsletter resonates with someone you think you might enjoy reading topics like this, please feel free to forward along!
Kids getting excited for upcoming trips!
The Airport Trick That Helps Toddlers Sit Still on Flights (Burn Energy Before Boarding)
One of the biggest challenges when flying with young kids is expecting them to suddenly sit still after hours of excitement at the airport. Kids naturally have a lot of energy, and boarding a plane right away often means that energy comes out mid-flight.
A simple trick many parents swear by: burn the energy before boarding.
Instead of sitting at the gate, build in time for a mini airport adventure.
Try this before your next flight:
Identify if there are any child-friendly play areas for kids prior to the trip - Google “[Airport name] kids play area”
Walk the entire terminal instead of waiting at the gate
Let toddlers run in open areas or quiet gates nearby
Play games like “race to the window” or “find the airplane”
Even 20–30 minutes of movement before boarding can make a huge difference once you’re in the air. For more on flying with littles, visit my guide here.
Play area at the Doha, Qatar Airport
Destination Spotlight: Mallorca, Spain
Planning a summer trip to Europe? Mallorca is a beautiful — and surprisingly kid-friendly — island in the Mediterranean. Think calm beaches, charming villages, resort options, and outdoor adventures that are perfect with little kids.
It’s also an easy add-on to a Barcelona, Spain itinerary with a quick flight.
Why families love Mallorca:
Family-friendly beachfront resort, hotel, and villa options
Sandy, swimmable beaches perfect for toddlers
Scenic vintage train rides through the mountains
Boat trips to hidden turquoise coves
A relaxed Mediterranean pace that works well with kids
Mallorca, Spain
Baby’s First Passport - And How To Get The Perfect Passport Photo
If you're planning your first international trip with a baby, the first step is applying for a baby passport.
The process sounds intimidating — but it’s actually pretty simple once you know the steps.
The biggest challenge for most parents? The passport photo.
Babies have surprisingly strict photo requirements, which is why I always take the photo at home using this passport photo app instead of trying to manage it at a pharmacy. Using this app (and other similar ones) has always streamlined the process for me!
Our fourth baby getting her passport picture taken - at home!
Our first baby at a CVS for passport photos
The “Surprise Toy Trick” that Works Every Time
Toddlers lose interest in familiar toys quickly, especially during long travel days. But newness is magic when it comes to keeping little kids engaged.
One trick many traveling parents use is bringing a stash of small surprise toys and revealing them one at a time throughout the trip.
The novelty alone can buy you 15–30 minutes of focused play each time.
Some easy travel toy ideas:
Sticker books - Our favorite are ‘National Geographic’, ‘First 100 Words’, and ‘My Sticker-Dress Up’
Window suction toys for airplanes
Small figurines, cars, or animals - such as Polly Pocket or
Post-it notes for sticking and peeling
Pro tip: wrap them like tiny presents or keep them hidden in separate pouches so each reveal feels exciting. Visit here for my full Amazon Shop with our tried and tested product recommendations.
What’s Next?
We have our first flight as a family of six coming up for Spring Break! Even with all our travel experience, navigating the airport with four kids under six still comes with a few nerves.
Have you ever flown with four little kids? I’ll be sharing what works (and what definitely doesn’t 😅).
If you’d like to follow the journey in real time, feel free to connect with me on Instagram.
Happy travels!
— Shaina
