10 holiday travel hacks moms swear by

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We can’t avoid travel delays, tantrums, or the mind-boggling need to pee five minutes after you leave the rest stop, but these mom-approved tricks can at least make the things you can control a lot smoother and fun.

Why did you agree to this? Because it’s the holidays, the season of perpetual hope (to steal a phrase from a holiday movie about the joys and perils of travelling with kids). Sure, a trip to the dentist with three kids under five might sound more appealing than holiday travel, but your mother-in-law has made it clear: you’re coming.

Thankfully, we’ve got more than hope to get you through it. Here are 10 travel hacks ECHOage moms swear by.

1. Everything is 10x more exciting when it comes wrapped

Wrap activity books, brain puzzles, snacks, or stickers, and hand one out every hour or milestone (“We made it through security!”). It buys silence, breaks up the trip, and makes everything feel festive. Anticipation is a surprisingly powerful behaviour tool.

2. You can never have too many snacks

Use a “Snackle Box” (a tackle box for snacks) and fill each compartment with bite-sized, low-mess options: cut grapes, pretzels, sliced peppers, mini marshmallows, crackers, dried yogurt drops. It stops the constant “I’m hungry” whines and saves you from acrobatic reaching behind seats.

3. Use ziplocks for everything

Clear, labelled ziplock bags are travel heroes. Snacks, meds, crayons, chargers, socks, toiletries — everything goes in its own bag. When someone needs a bandaid, the lovey, or Motrin immediately, you won’t be digging like a raccoon in a trash can.

4. Pack a full change of clothes… for yourself

Kids get extras; you should too. One rogue juice box or mystery airport spill and you’ll be grateful for a fresh T-shirt, leggings, underwear, and deodorant. It’s worth the extra carry-on weight.

5. Download shows, podcasts, and playlists in advance

Airport Wi‑Fi is unreliable. Download everything the night before — shows, audiobooks, playlists, podcasts — and bring backup chargers and a power bank. Double-check the downloads so you’re not trusting the cloud at 30,000 feet.

6. Prep a “quiet kit”

A cozy blanket, small pillow or favourite stuffy, and kid-sized noise-cancelling headphones can turn overstimulation into rest time. Pack an eye mask and your own headphones so you can steal a snooze too.

7. There’s always a family line. Always.

Look for family-priority options at security, boarding, and bathrooms. If none exist, politely ask to be waved through — people usually understand. Getting through faster helps everyone, especially when a child is melting down.

8. Rotate entertainment

Keep a small tote of activities (colouring kits, fidget toys, sticker books) and offer them one at a time. Swap items when boredom hits so each feels new. Spacing out novelty keeps kids engaged without overwhelming them.

9. Carry a mini first-aid + “oops” kit

A tiny pouch with bandaids, wipes, hand sanitizer, motion-sickness tabs, a thermometer strip, and a spare plastic bag covers most disasters. You won’t need everything every trip, but the one time you do, you’ll feel like a hero.

10. Book yourself a massage

Not a joke. A post-trip reward (massage, pedi, or a long bath with the door locked) makes you calmer and more patient during travel chaos. Consider it preventative self-care.