Holiday Travel, but Make it Comfy with Kids

Let’s be honest: holiday travel isn’t always restful, especially if you have kids. Between packing everyone’s favorite stuffies, praying you didn’t forget the white noise machine, and attempting to keep your toddler from licking the airport floor (again)… it can be a lot.

While exhausting, holiday travel doesn’t have to mean abandoning all comfort or routines. With a little planning (and the right essentials), you can make holiday travel feel way more relaxed, restorative, and maybe even a little bit cozy!

Here are my top tips for making it happen, from a mom who’s learned the hard way that calm begets calm.

Don’t aim for perfection.

When you’re traveling with little ones (or even solo), flexibility is everything. Your toddler may skip a nap, your baby might sleep in your arms the whole flight, and you might end up eating 46 snacks for dinner (no shame in that game).

Instead of stressing about keeping everything perfectly “on schedule,” try focusing on staying calm and connected. A few deep breaths and a little “it is what it is” energy can go a long way

Your kids feed off your vibe. If you’re chill, they’re more likely to be chill too. (Keyword: more likely. No guarantees).

Family with their Eco Organic Kids Mattresses and Eco Trundle Bed

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Create comfort on the go

One of my top travel tips is to recreate comfy home vibes wherever you go. Bring familiar comfort items that help everyone settle down like your child’s sleep sack, a favorite bedtime book, or their softest pajamas.

Don’t forget you deserve comfort, too! If you’re staying with family or at a rental, you can instantly upgrade the sleep setup by bringing a supportive pillow! I’m obsessed with Avocado’s Green Pillow for exactly this reason. It’s natural, breathable, and perfect for turning a guest room or pull-out into something that actually feels like your bed!

Avocado’s certified organic materials are not only safer for families but also way better for sensitive sleepers (aka babies and parents running on fumes). Because who wants to lie awake on scratchy polyester sheets after a long travel day? Not me.

Make bedtime a sensory sanctuary

After a full day of overstimulation (and probably sugar), your kids’ nervous systems are on overdrive. Yours likely is too! Keeping the bedtime routine simple and adding in sensory elements can help everyone wind down faster. Try:

dim lighting
one familiar book
gentle back rub or forehead strokes
familiar scent (try bringing a little lavender pillow spray from home!)

A lightweight Avocado Natural Linen Throw also doubles as the perfect cozy layer for winding down, whether you’re nursing in a hotel bed or cuddling up for story time before lights out.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Lower the bar

Traveling with kids is not the time to introduce new routines or expect perfect sleep. A few extra cuddles, quick cat naps on the go, or more middle-of-the-night wakeups are totally normal and expected, especially when you’re crossing timezones.

Keep in mind your goal for the trip whether it be family time, sightseeing, or just making special memories. Once you’re home, you can recalibrate and get back on schedule. For now? Let it go! And if you do end up nap-trapped in a random bedroom or rental car while everyone else is inside enjoying pie, just remember you’re not alone.

Remember your rest matters too!

Parents are usually the last ones to get comfy after everyone is in bed and the dishes are done, but your rest matters too. If you’re constantly on edge or sleeping on the world’s lumpiest couch, no one wins.

Bring what makes your rest easier: a travel pillow, your own sleep mask, or even a small Avocado Mini Pillow to keep your neck happy on flights or car rides.

You don’t need a full spa retreat to recharge, just a few thoughtful comforts that help your body (and brain) feel safe enough to rest.

Holiday travel doesn’t have to be total chaos. With a little flexibility, familiar routines, and cozy upgrades (thank you, Avocado 🥑), you can turn even the most hectic family trip into something that feels warm and cozy.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

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Rachael Shepard-Ohta is a Certified Sleep Consultant, Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist, and mom of 3. Rachael founded Hey, Sleepy Baby in 2020 when she was frustrated with the status quo baby sleep advice. Her platform, courses, and team work with families worldwide to change the narrative surrounding infant sleep while getting the whole family better rest! She lives in San Francisco, CA with her family.