Traveling With Kids: What Actually Worked (and What I’ll Do Again)

We visited Monterrey to see family, and while it was so good to reconnect and be surrounded by loved ones, let’s be real: traveling with little ones takes planning. Thankfully, a few things really worked for us this time. Here’s what I’ll be repeating on every future trip (and what I’ll never travel without again).

🎒 1. Packing Clothes by Day, Not by Kid

This simple shift made mornings 100x smoother. Instead of packing a separate bag for each child, I pre-packed complete outfits by day—including underwear, socks, and extras—and placed them in packing cubes. We've had ours for ages and still love them, but honestly, any bag will work.

Each morning, we just grabbed that day’s cube. No rummaging through three different bags to find one pair of socks. Total game-changer!

🍎 2. Snack Container That Kept Everyone Happy (and Clean)

I packed a stackable snack container that held multiple snacks without spilling. Each tier had something different: fruit, cheese cubes, and beef jerky. I always toss in a few prepackaged snacks too—trail mix, granola bars, maybe some cookies for a treat!

It fit perfectly in the stroller pocket and helped avoid snack meltdowns mid-flight and during long visits with family.

🧸 3. Travel Toys That Actually Kept Them Busy

We brought a few compact, screen-free toys that worked wonders on the plane and during downtime at our relatives’ house:

• Travel Size Magnetic Fishing Game: A compact little set that includes a fishing rod and several magnetic fish, all neatly stored in a carry case. We picked ours up at the San Diego Zoo a while back, but this one is super similar! After my 2-year-old plays independently for a bit, I jump in and start calling out specific colors or quantities to catch—it adds a fun challenge and keeps the game going even longer.

• Super Slide Puzzle Game: Keeps my 6-year-old engaged for close to 40 minutes—and honestly, it’s fun for adults too! The compact size makes it perfect for travel or small spaces. The only downside is it doesn’t come with a storage bag, but we just used one we had at home. Problem solved!

• Water Wow Reusable Activity Books: A low-mess favorite that works for multiple ages. Just add water! Kids can reuse the pages again and again, making it perfect for travel.

I stored everything in a reusable zip pouch to keep things tidy and easily swappable during the trip.

👶 4. A Travel Stroller That Was Light, Compact & Naptime-Friendly

We brought a lightweight travel stroller that folded up quickly, reclined for naps, and didn’t take up a ton of space in cars or restaurants.

Monterrey has some uneven sidewalks and cobblestone paths, so a heavy stroller would’ve been a nightmare. This one handled everything—and came in clutch when one of the kids needed a nap mid-visit.

🌇 5. Visiting Family in Monterrey Was the Best Part

We were there to visit family, and that alone made it so special. From big homemade meals to walks through Fundidora Park and evening treats of paletas, it was a trip full of love (and sugar). The kids played with cousins, stayed up late, and made memories that I know they’ll cherish for a long time.

And while family made it meaningful, having these little travel systems in place made it doable.

🧳 My Go-To Amazon Travel Favorites for Kids:

• ✅ Clear Packing Cubes

• ✅ Stackable Snack Container

• ✅ Lightweight Travel Stroller

• ✅ Reusable Zip Pouches

Whether you’re traveling across the country or flying internationally to see family, I hope some of this helps make your trip smoother. We came back tired—but full of joy. And best of all? I wasn’t completely burned out this time.