Traveling with Kids, Just a Little Differently

Travelling with children is already quite an adventure. So naturally, when there are also specific needs, many people wonder how to do it… or even whether it is reasonable to go away. On our side, we never really asked ourselves that question like that. We never stopped ourselves from travelling, whatever our children’s age or their particularities. For us, leaving has always been obvious.

On the other hand, what has changed is the way we travel. We adapt, simply. I am convinced that you can go almost anywhere with children, but not necessarily in the same way as everyone else. And that is perfectly fine like that.

Over time, we have learned to anticipate certain things that really change the comfort of the trip. For example, for long journeys, we almost always choose evening flights. The goal is simple: so that the children sleep. And honestly, that makes a huge difference. The journey is calmer, they are less tired, and so are we.

We also think about reserving adapted meals when possible, whether that means children’s menus or more specific needs. It is a small detail that changes a lot of things, especially since you should know that special meals (vegetarian, vegan, allergen-free…) are often served first, just like children’s menus. Result: less waiting, children served quickly, and above all the possibility of eating at the same time as them, without delay. Because clearly, having to juggle between your meal tray and entertaining your child who has already finished… it quickly becomes sporty. Might as well avoid that when we can.

Once on the plane. In the same spirit, we try to make the whole process as smooth as possible: priority boarding when we can, notably with a disability card, window seats (for us, that is non-negotiable), snacks in the bag and bottles filled before boarding.

And then there is that little thing I care about a lot, and which completely changes the atmosphere of the trip: surprises. The children always plan a few activities, but me, on my side, I secretly slip in little new things. They never know exactly what I have planned, and that creates real excitement. When it is time to take the things out, it is a bit like Christmas morning on the plane. It can be a book with stickers to stick on, a small travel journal, a guide to the country we are going to discover, new films downloaded onto the tablet, a new app or even a little travel-sized board game. Nothing spectacular, but the fact that it is new immediately attracts their attention. Time passes faster, they are happy, and the journey becomes almost a moment they look forward to.

We really try not to see transport as a constraint. The trip starts as soon as we leave the house. So we play, we talk, we observe… or sometimes, we do nothing, and that is very good too.

Another thing that helps us a lot is accepting to slow the pace down, even during the journey. During our trip to Japan last year, we chose to break up the journey with an overnight stop in Seoul. It was not an obligation, but a real decision to make the journey more pleasant. We booked a simple, affordable hotel, close to the airport, and that completely changed our experience. We were able to settle down, sleep properly, let the children move around a bit… and leave the next day much more refreshed. This break clearly reduced fatigue and stress.

Travelling with a child with specific needs requires a little more organisation, that is certain. You have to anticipate, observe, adjust. But it is not a barrier, far from it. It simply pushes us to travel differently. We learn to be more attentive, to respect each person’s rhythm, to savour the moments differently. And in the end, we create just as strong memories, if not stronger.

Because what really matters is not travelling perfectly. It is leaving, sharing, and continuing to live these experiences together.