When you travel with young kids, preparation is key. And it doesn’t have to be that complicated, just know your triggers and prepare for activities.

I pack two baskets — one with snacks and tools to prevent challenges from our triggers and one with tech/non-tech activities. I put them in an easy-to-reach spot with all the essentials and we rotate through the snacks and activities, all while preventing some of the big triggers that may come up.

If you remember back to when I talked to Wendy Bertagnole about sensory preference (see blog here) then you remember learning about sensory preferences. We all have sensory preferences and it’s the way we process the environment around us.

We all have “sensory cups“ and they can be big, normal, or small. If we have a BIG cup we are sensory seeking and if we have a SMALL cup we are sensory avoiding.

For me personally, I have a small sound cup. So I am triggered by too much sound — positive or negative sounds. But I also know if I’m in the car for 14 hours — that there are going to be loud sounds with the 2 and 4-year-old. So how can I address these triggers PREVENTATIVELY?

Address triggers

IF YOU/YOUR CHILD’S SOUND THRESHOLD IS LOW…

• Get loop earplugs (adult)

• Over-the-head earplugs

• Prepare with Audiobooks + favorite podcast

• Music playlist

 IF YOU/YOUR CHILD’S TOUCH THRESHOLD IS LOW…

• Pack Wipes

• Head pillow

• Clothes that feel good to you/your child

• Slip-on shoes 

IF YOU/YOUR CHILD’S PROPRIOCEPTIVE/VESTIBULAR (AKA MOVEMENT) THRESHOLD IS HIGH…

• Bear crawl on breaks

• Bear hugs

• Jumping jacks

• drink through straws

• crunchy snacks

• weighted bean bag on lap

• yoga stretches

• heavy work activities

• dancing

ALWAYS BE PREPARED WITH

• Snacks

• Water bottles + refill

• Bring a potty

• Garbage

• Carsickness equipment 

Make it fun!

ACTIVITIES

• Tech + Non-tech activities

• New + familiar activities

• Use screentime if needed

• Play interactive games -- I spy, 20 questions, ABC

• Non-messy creative play, Drawing, Water wow, Magnetic doodle drawing toy, Magnetic beadboard, animals, Duplo's, magnets on a cookie sheet