Whether you’re a frequent traveler or planning your first family vacation in years, a little preparation can go a long way. Flying can feel overwhelming, especially when traveling with young children, grandparents, or loved ones with disabilities.
One phone call before your trip—and asking a few extra questions—can make all the difference.
These travel tips are designed to help you feel more prepared so you can spend less time stressing and more time making memories.
This post was contributed by our Doctor of Occupational Therapy student, Grace, with additional family travel tips from our own experiences.
Plan Ahead Before You Fly
The best travel tip? Start before travel day.
Here are a few simple ways to make airport day smoother:
- Call your airline ahead of time with any accessibility or travel questions.
- Arrive early to allow extra time for check-in, security, and assistance services.
- If traveling with wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, or other mobility equipment, consider dropping off family members and equipment at the terminal before parking.
- Our family checks luggage curbside whenever possible. One adult stays with the kids while another checks the bags, making the trip into the airport much less stressful.
- Before your trip, locate the nearest emergency room and urgent care at your destination. During my pregnancies, I always researched the closest maternity unit. After an unexpected ER visit with our 3-year-old in Maui, we now make it a habit to know where nearby medical care is located before every vacation.
Flying with a Wheelchair: Pack for Peace of Mind
Flight delays happen. Keeping a few essentials with you can make unexpected changes much easier.
Consider packing these items in your carry-on:
- Wheelchair charging cord or battery backup (always check current FAA guidelines before flying)
- A laminated instruction card attached to your wheelchair explaining how to safely fold or operate it
- A small wheelchair repair kit with essentials like a multi-tool or duct tape for quick adjustments if needed
Travel More Comfortably
Small items can make a big difference during long travel days—especially when flights are delayed, routines change, or unexpected moments happen.
A few comfort items worth considering:
- Cooling towels for temperature regulation, anxiety relief, or pain management
- Daily pill organizers for both adults and children
- Pack all medications in your carry-on—not checked luggage
- Extra protection for peace of mind—from pull-ups for little ones (even if they are potty trained) to adult protective underwear or pads when needed. Travel days can be unpredictable, and having options available can help everyone feel more comfortable and confident.
Family Travel Tips for Every Age
Thoughtful planning helps every generation enjoy the journey.
Before your next flight, consider packing:
- A sensory travel kit with fidgets and quiet activities. Rotate items between trips to keep them exciting.
- Noise-canceling headphones for both children and adults to reduce overstimulation.
- Portable chargers and battery backups for phones, watches, hearing aids, communication devices, and other essentials.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
- Wet wipes (they’re useful far beyond the toddler years!).
- If available, use airport lounges or designated quiet spaces to recharge between flights.
Travel has the power to bring generations together. With a little preparation, everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—can travel with greater confidence and comfort.
Additional Accessories to Travel With More Ease
Here are a few additional occupational therapy-inspired travel accessories to consider when preparing for your next adventure. These tools may help support comfort, independence, and ease while traveling.
- Provides extra support getting in and out of vehicles
- Improves balance and stability
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Reduces strain on the shoulders, neck, and back
- Makes navigating airports easier
- Keeps one hand free for mobility aids or holding a child’s hand
- Helps maintain personal hygiene while traveling
- Lightweight and compact
- No batteries required
- Mess-free entertainment for kids
- Compact for carry-on bags
- Encourages fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
More Family Travel Resources
Looking for even more travel inspiration?
Visit our Amazon Storefront for our favorite family travel accessories, accessibility products, and travel essentials for every age.
You can also read our Top 10 Family Travel Must-Haves for more products we never leave home without.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, we hope these tips help your family travel with a little more confidence—and a lot less stress.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through my links. I only share resources and products that align with our mission of creating more joyful, comfortable, and accessible adventures for families.
