Keep the Focus on Vacation Fun- 4 Things to Pack to Keep Everyone Safe and Healthy While Travelling with Kids

With all the excitement of an upcoming family trip, it’s easy to forget that things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes traveling with littles can come with little bumps in the road that have the potential of souring an otherwise sweet family experience. Here are 5 items that you always want to keep in a Ziplock, in your carry-on, ready to grab just in case you encounter a medical thorn on your otherwise rosy vacation.

Band aids. I like to order whatever “thing” my kids are into. Paw Patrol, Disney, Pokémon- whatever. Keep some band aids in your bag so that in the event that one of your littles gets “wounded” on your journey ( i.e. gets a papercut or anything as dramatic), you need not search for the life-saving remedy that is a band aid. You’ve already got ‘em.

Now you’ve made it to your hotel, had lunch and are basking in the sunshine on a warm sandy beach. You look over lovingly at one of your children and OH WOW. Heat rash. All over her arms. Maybe someone else would be nervous. Not you. You packed kids’ allergy meds. No need to figure out how to say allergy medicine in another language or start instacarting to your hotel. You’ve got this one. 

Now you’ve been enjoying your trip, touring and taking lots of photos to remember this wonderful experience. On the drive back to the hotel, one of your kiddos says his head is hurting a little. Ten minutes later there are tears and he’s in real pain. Again- you are cool as a cucumber because you have children’s acetaminophen in your backpack. Crises averted. If you really want to ace this category, bring along a digital thermometer. Think of it like car insurance. No one wants to think about needing it, but when it’s needed, you’ll be glad you had it on hand.

Last but certainly not least, is the item that may seem the most basic, but it is also, in many ways, the most critical. Vacations spent splashing in the waves and soaking up the sun’s warm rays are the things of vacation dreams. Unfortunately, nothing can ruin a warm and sunny paradise vacation like a nasty sunburn. Make sure to bring along whatever form of sunblock your kiddos are most willing to let you apply and reapply. Most sunblock label claim to be effective for 80 minutes and if you think about it, that’s not long at all. Make sure to have enough for your family to enjoy the pool, hiking, biking, touring and all of the adventures you want to and more…and that you are able to do so without looking like a tomato. 

Thinking about what could go wrong is definitely a bummer. That being said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These items are lightweight, and easy to pack in a Ziplock bag in your purse or carry on. Aside from the sunblock, hopefully, you won’t need them. But if someone does get a cut or a bump, starts to have a reaction to who-knows-what or isn’t feeling well, you’ll be glad you have these quick and simple fixes. Happy and safe travels!