How to Travel Solo…with a Kindergartener

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It’s one thing to travel solo but when you throw in a 5-year-old things can get complicated. I chose not to travel with my son until he was at an age to truly enjoy and remember it. To date, he has been on three vacations and there are ways to make it enjoyable for both the single parent and the child. Here are just a few things to know that may make single-parent travel a little easier.

• Luggage

When I told my son we were going on vacation, the first thing he said was, “But mommy I don’t have a suitcase.” Whenever we went anywhere before, I would just put his stuff in my bag or let him take my smallest luggage piece. Apparently that won’t fly with a Kindergartener . He must have his own, identifiable suitcase. So, I got him this amazing SpiderMan suitcase similar to the one you see here.

Getting a little one their own luggage makes them feel independent and gets them excited about the trip.

• Pack Inexpensive Toys or Devices

Kids have the shortest attention spans. So, you gotta bring the devices. However, if you bring their favorite toy or an expensive gadget, there’s a good chance it may get lost in all the hustle and bustle of transit. I suggest bringing a less expensive tablet like a LeapFrog or Kids Kindle Fire. Of course, this depends on the age of your child and how responsible they are. This is important because the TVs on the plane may not always work. Unfortunately, I speak from experience. If I do bring the ipad or Nintendo Switch etc., I make sure it’s securely tucked away in the luggage until we’re situated. Luckily, we’ve only lost one stuffed animal and the stand to the ipad case but have come back with all devices.

• Leave Early

Normally, you would need to get to the airport about two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. But with a kid in tow, I would allow for at least an additional thirty minutes. If your child is older and can walk through an airport faster, you may not need to worry about it. As for cruises, it’s always a good idea to get there as early as possible anyway to get that first included meal! Road trips with a Kindergartener shouldn’t affect time except maybe allowing extra time to stop for bathroom breaks more frequently.

• Check Car Seat Laws

If you’ll be renting a car when traveling, it’s a good idea to check the booster seat or car seat laws in your destination. In Florida,  children age 5 and under are to be secured properly in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. Children ages 0 to 3 must be in child restraint devices of a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat. Children age 4 and 5 must be in a separate carrier, integrated child seat or booster seat.

• Research Kid Activities

Before I take the little one on a trip, I make sure to see if there is a kids club on the cruise ship or a kids area at the airport. You’ll want to know the hours and activities of the kids club on cruises. You’ll want to know the location of kid activities in airports. Most are located in airline lounges. This will be a welcome distraction if there’s an unexpected flight delay.

These are just some things that may make traveling as a single parent easier and a bit less stressful. Join the email list to get more travel tips.