Traveling With Your Child Over the Holidays
- Kate and Iyanna
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Yes, You Can Enjoy It!
Holiday travel with toddlers can feel like a big, unpredictable adventure, especially when you are trying to balance routines and all the emotions that come with the season. As Montessori families, we already understand the power of independence and the value of a thoughtfully prepared environment. The good news is that these same principles make travel much easier.
Traveling with children does not need to be stressful. Truly. Of course we’re not promising perfection, but it does not have to be super chaotic either. When we shift our mindset and focus on what we can control, holiday travel becomes much more peaceful for everyone.Â
Children learn a lot by watching how adults manage challenges. When you model deep breaths, problem-solving, patience, or humor during a stressful moment, you’re teaching your child how to cope with frustration and unpredictability.
What You Can Control
You cannot control flight delays, traffic, long lines, or the occasional meltdown. You cannot control sudden hunger, overstimulation, or how your child reacts to unfamiliar environments.
But here is what you can control:
Parts of the Environment
Things like a familiar blanket or a stuffed animal can make a big difference. Bringing a few familiar, purposeful activities/items can help your toddler feel grounded.
Your Attitude
A calm, flexible, and responsive approach sets the tone for the entire trip.
Your Preparation
Thoughtful packing and planning go a long way.
Things to Consider:
Trip length. Preparation for a one hour trip will look very different from preparation for a five hour trip.
Activities that interest your toddler and how they will be presented.
Toileting needs, including timing for bathroom breaks and decisions about diapers or underwear.
Food, with attention to keeping mealtimes similar to home.
Sleep, since rest greatly affects regulation.
Being Intentional
When you travel with intention, the experience becomes less about reaching the destination and more about sharing the journey. Some of our best memories do not happen at the destination at all. They come from the time spent together along the way. Maybe it was belting out a favorite song with family or a funny moment that became one of those stories you never get tired of retelling.
These experiences are true firsts for our children, and they often become the core memories they carry forward. When we take a deep breath, step back, and simply watch, we begin to see the beauty of each moment through our child’s eyes.
Managing Toileting While Traveling
Toileting is one of the biggest stressors for parents during holiday travel. It can feel tempting to put a diaper back on to avoid messes or extra stops. The encouraging news is that it is possible to maintain the same philosophy while traveling. It simply requires planning and intention.
Pack a small toileting wet bag just for travel
Two pants
Two shirts
Two underwear
Two underwear covers
Two pairs of socks
Wipes and small trash bags
Let’s Be Real:
We want to preserve the authenticity of toilet learning and also acknowledge the realities of traveling with young children. The goal is to support your confidence as a parent while keeping things practical and genuine.
We practice toilet learning in a way that protects the child’s connection to their body. Allowing the child to experience wetness or soiling creates a strong link between mind and body. We begin this at what many consider a young age so that toileting becomes part of daily life before a full cognitive understanding of the process develops.
There are ways to protect your peace of mind, keep the seats clean, and enjoy your holiday while staying aligned with this approach.
We Recommend Two Options:
Option One
Just underwear and your usual toileting routine. This depends entirely on where your child is in their journey.
Option Two
Layering. This allows your child to experience the sensation of being wet while keeping everything dry. Place underwear on first, then either a plastic underwear cover or a diaper on top. This contains the mess and lowers stress.
Both options support the philosophy. We still want consistency with visiting the toilet throughout the day. The diaper or cover is simply there as a safeguard to catch anything and protect clothing or surroundings. It is not there to replace or undo the child’s progress. Its purpose is to support learning while honoring the realities of travel.
There are no never nevers or always always. What we look for is flexibility that still allows the beauty of this experience to unfold.
Keeping Travel Screen Free
(Yes, It Is Absolutely Possible)
Screens can be tempting during long stretches of travel. Toddlers, however, thrive through engagement with the real world. With a little preparation, you can offer hands-on, meaningful activities that keep their minds and bodies involved.
A screen free approach also supports regulation, connection, and awareness of the environment, which often leads to a calmer experience overall.
Audiobooks, Songs, and Conversation
Audiobooks offer a familiar story in a new format and support concentration. Spotify, Amazon Music and Audible have wonderful options.
Songs are also helpful. Playing music nonstop for many hours may not feel realistic, but integrating music at specific moments like before eating or during quiet times can be beautiful.
Simple conversation supports language development and companionship during travel.
Toys and Activities for Holiday Travel
Here are materials that work well in cars, airplanes, waiting rooms, and family gatherings. Each one supports Montessori principles through simplicity, purpose, and hands-on engagement.
Tip: Rotate items slowly. Keeping a few things tucked away helps maintain interest and prevents overwhelm.
Tip: No need to put too many of one item out, a 4-5 limit of each item limits the possibility of overstimulation. Keeping the rest in a bag as backup is a great option!Â
A Final Word of Encouragement
Travel with toddlers will always include unpredictable moments. Big feelings, new environments, and shifting routines are part of the experience. Yet travel can also be filled with curiosity, connection, and genuine magic when we approach it with intention.
You can do this!
The goal is not to occupy every minute. The goal is to create a calm and mindful travel rhythm that supports your child’s natural curiosity and independence.
Take a moment to reflect on how you have managed travel in the past. What felt challenging, and what went well. Carry both pieces of information with kindness toward yourself. Remember to forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made, the ones you may be making now, and the ones you will make in the future. Parenting involves continuous learning, and travel simply highlights this truth. Growth comes from reflection, not perfection.
Let the journey unfold and trust your preparation.
