5 Family Travel Tips (From a Photographer/Mom of 2)

Traveling with young kids is its own kind of adventure. A beautiful, chaotic, snack-fueled, emotion-packed adventure. As a mom and a documentary-style family photographer, I’ve experienced firsthand how unpredictable (and unforgettable) it can be to travel with little ones.

Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or a big family vacation, these family travel tips are here to help make your journey a little smoother—and a lot more meaningful.

Here are five of my favorite real-life family travel tips that I’ve learned through both personal experience and through chatting with my client families.

1. Make a Packing List Ahead of Time

It sounds simple, but this one tip can save so much stress later on. Start your list a few days before you leave so you’re not relying on memory while wrangling kids and zipping up suitcases at the last minute.

Think beyond clothes—include your child’s favorite toys, books, and activities, plus plenty of snacks and the all-important lovey. A well-prepped packing list means fewer forgotten items and fewer mid-trip meltdowns. It’s one of the easiest family travel tips to implement—and one of the most effective.

When it comes to outfits, for kids 3yo+ pack one outfit per day plus 2 extras. For babies and toddlers, make that two outfits per day, especially if you don’t plan on washing clothes during your trip. Don’t forget some backup clothes for each child (and yourself!) for the plane or car ride.

2. Build in Buffer Time

If you think something will take 20 minutes with kids, double it. Whether you’re navigating airport security, stopping for snacks, or trying to get everyone out the door, give yourself a buffer.

Padding your itinerary with extra time means fewer meltdowns, less stress, and more space for spontaneous fun (or much-needed bathroom breaks). Among my most practical family travel tips: leave room for the unexpected—it’s always coming.

3. Embrace the Chaos

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” travel day with kids. Plans go sideways. Naps get skipped. There will be tantrums and missed turns and other fun surprises.

But here’s the thing: the messy, unpredictable moments often become the stories you laugh about later. The spilled juice, the mid-air meltdown, the impromptu dance party at a rest stop—it’s all part of the memory.

As a family photographer, I believe those real moments are just as worthy of being remembered—and they’re often the most meaningful.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Tired kids (and tired parents) make everything harder. One of the most important family travel tips I can offer: protect sleep as much as you can. Try to maintain consistent bedtimes and naps, even if it means adjusting your itinerary or pushing your whole schedule by a couple of hours for the duration of the trip.

Consider bringing things that make sleep easier in new places—white noise machines, blackout curtains, a familiar bedtime book. A well-rested family is much more likely to enjoy the adventure.

5. Take the Pictures—Even the Messy Ones

Don’t wait for the perfect sunset or matching outfits. Capture the real stuff: snack breaks, airport cuddles, wild hair, and hotel bed snuggles. These in-between moments are where the magic lives.

You’ll be so glad you did. Real memories trumps posed perfection—always.

A Travel Story I’ll Never Forget

One time when we landed at the airport after a 12-hour flight, my son, 3-years-old at the time, had the most massive meltdown at the airport. I’m talking crying, kicking, SCREAMING so loud that everyone around us took notice.

When we arrived at the very long immigration line, the officer took one look at us and promptly waved us down. Airport security rushed us all the way to the very front. We would have been mortified it we weren’t already, well… mortified. The officer made light of the situation as only another parent who’s been there could have. He joked around with my son and even gave him his own little badge. We were in and out in minutes, all of us in much better moods when we reached the other side.

In the end, we were grateful that a few minutes of total hell saved us an hour of waiting in line while completely exhausted. Plus, the other travelers had their eardrums spared. We can now laugh at how the most insane meltdown, that happened at the worst possible time, kind of turned out to be a lifesaver.

Real-life family travel in all its glory, right?

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Your Travel Moments

Traveling with young kids will never be perfectly smooth—but with a little flexibility, a lot of patience, and a good mindset, these trips can be rich, memorable, experiences that your family will treasure for years.

Whether you’re heading out on a big family adventure or just taking a break from the everyday routine, remember: the imperfect moments are just as worth capturing as the picture-perfect ones.

If your heart is in documenting real life—not just the highlights—I’d love to help you preserve your family’s story.

Are you local to Los Angeles or planning a trip here? Reach out so we can start planning your next documentary-style photo session!

Family Travel Tips

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Marjorie Cohen is a Los Angeles Family Photographer offering at-home documentary sessions to families in LA County. Marjorie works with parents who want relaxed and natural photos with their newborn. Follow along on Instagram or Pinterest for her latest work!