How To Travel With Your Kids This Summer Without Ruining Everyone Else’s Vacation - Dear Media

All on the Table
Host Katie Lee Biegel and her producer spouse Ryan have a 4-year-old daughter named Iris, and since she was very young, they’ve included her in their journeys. This hasn’t been without challenges—as anyone who has struggled with installing a car seat amidst summertime crowds at airports knows well—but the pair has come up with effective tactics for making these trips smoother.

As Katie puts it, “There’s something truly remarkable and heartwarming about experiencing the world from their innocent perspective and sharing in their joy.” In addition to these emotional perks, they’ve discovered that early exposure to travel also offers tangible advantages. Ryan points out that introducing Iris to various elements such as time differences, varied sleep settings, new cuisines, and the hurdles of traveling itself has enhanced her flexibility and adaptability in general.

Choose your destinations wisely

The Biegels have discovered that not every summer vacation destination measures up when traveling with a small child. They’ve found their best experiences occur at locations where Iris has ample space to move about easily, such as Montana ranches or rural estate properties instead of bustling urban areas.

“City trips are not that fun for her,” Katie reflects. “But we went to Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek, and she could just run wild and free. That was fantastic. Or when we did the London trip, we went first to the British countryside and stayed in an old estate, and she could just run and play.”

If you don’t need to stress over your kid darting into traffic, you’re free to unwind and savor your holiday. “We were able to have a glass of wine as we observed her, and it felt like everyone could be content,” Katie explains.

Flight logistics matter too. The couple prioritizes direct flights whenever possible—but who doesn’t these days? “I want to get her on that flight and just be on the one, one and done, and not have to think about getting on another one,” Katie explains.

Get the hotel to work for you.

When you’re looking into hotels, Katie says, it’s better to call and speak to someone than to book online. Most properties offer family rates that aren’t advertised on booking sites—typically connecting room rats where the second room could be as much as 50 percent off.

“If you decide to add more children and find that having two bedrooms would be better suited for your family, you could opt for that option at one and a half times the price. This often turns out to be cheaper compared to renting a one-bedroom suite,” Katie clarifies.

Opting for a stay at a resort may not be ideal for immersing yourself in local culture, but it excels as an excellent choice when relaxation is your main objective. For a more fulfilling experience suitable for both adults and youngsters, consider resorts equipped with kids’ clubs. Such facilities offer organized activities such as guided nature hikes or creative art projects, ensuring engaging experiences for young ones while providing caregivers with moments of respite. Additionally, these interactions facilitate connections between your child and peers hailing from various corners of the globe. As Katie emphasizes, “Introducing your child to others their age is crucial because they’ll encounter fresh perspectives through fellow vacationers.”

If you’re talking with the hotel concierge, this is an excellent opportunity to inquire about additional offers, discounts, or perks. Is complimentary breakfast available? Are children allowed to dine for free? Often such amenities may not be promoted, yet the hotel might provide them if requested politely!

Enhance your cabin baggage style

Katie and Ryan have compiled an excellent list of essential items to pack in a carry-on for your child. Below are their recommendations:

An iPad:

Absolutely, an iPad comes into play here, but Katie isn’t bothered by loosening screen-time restrictions during travel days. Additionally, should your kid usually sleep with a white noise machine back home, consider downloading a white noise app onto the iPad to assist them in getting some rest in an unfamiliar environment.
Emergency supplies

Airport restrooms can be quite unpleasant, so if space allows, packing a personal toilet kit with wipes could prove useful for emergencies. It’s also smart to include kids’ Tylenol or Motrin in your carry-on luggage. They had one particularly bad experience when Iris fell ill during their journey to Spain without proper medication at hand.
Plenty of snacks

Katie and Ryan fill boxes with fruits, sandwiches, or Iris’ favorite comfort foods.
Highlights
magazines

This one has stood the test of time for good reason. Nothing keeps a child engaged quite like a “find the differences” picture.
Car equipment

For children aged three and above, the Biegels strongly believe in the benefits of using the
Ride Safer Vest
, which acts as a wearable booster seat. “Once she puts on this vest, the seat belt fits securely over her using the integrated harness,” explains Katie. This innovation has made a significant difference for them. The product is light and easy to carry around, plus it removes the hassle of bringing along a bulky car seat when traveling via airplane.

Is traveling with children really worthwhile?

For the Biegels, the response is affirmative. Embarking on a journey with small kids means adjusting your standards in certain aspects even as you elevate them in different areas. It’s possible you won’t get around to visiting each gallery or dining at every eatery you planned, yet you could find that observing your child encounter something novel can be far more fulfilling than you imagined.

The Biegle method isn’t focused on crafting idyllic family vacation moments; rather, it emphasizes being savvy so that everybody has an enjoyable time. This could involve opting for a ranch instead of a city destination, selecting a non-stop flight over a less expensive connecting one, or picking a resort with babysitting services over a trendy hotel lacking them.

As Katie puts it, preparing for these trips—like getting Iris swimming lessons before beach vacations—has opened up more destinations for their family. The investment in making travel work for a four-year-old pays off in the form of more adventures they can all enjoy together.

For more home, food, and lifestyle tips from Katie Lee Biegel, listen to
All on the Table.

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