Travel Tips for Families: Making Every Trip Smooth and Memorable

Traveling with your family is one of life’s greatest joys. From first beach discoveries to bonding over new flavors and funny mishaps, family vacations create moments that become part of your story. But let’s be honest—traveling with kids also comes with its share of stress. Between packing, planning, and keeping everyone entertained, the dream getaway can sometimes feel more like a logistical challenge.

At JOOi, we believe that family travel should be joyful, effortless, and deeply rewarding. With the right tips and a little help from our travel experts, your next trip can be smoother and more memorable for everyone involved.

1. Plan Together, Travel Happier

One of the best ways to get your family excited about a trip is by involving them in the planning. Let your kids help choose activities, meals, or even destinations within your itinerary. Giving them a say builds excitement and gives them a sense of ownership in the adventure.

When kids feel like their voices are heard, the trip becomes theirs, not just something they’re being taken on. This builds not only anticipation but a sense of responsibility and curiosity.

You could start by giving each family member a “day” or a part of the trip to plan—this could mean picking a lunch spot, choosing an activity, or selecting a fun stop along the way. Even younger kids can get involved by voting on options or drawing what they’d like to see. For older children and teens, give them a research role by letting them explore travel blogs or videos and come back with their top three experiences they’d like to try.

You can also turn planning into a bonding activity. Make it a Sunday afternoon ritual to sketch out the itinerary together. Use visual tools like interactive maps, travel mood boards, or even a family Pinterest board to let everyone contribute their ideas. It not only boosts engagement but helps set expectations, especially around timing, budgets, and shared experiences.

Plus, kids who are part of the planning are more likely to be patient when plans shift (hello, delayed flights), because they understand what’s ahead and feel part of the decision-making process.

2. Choose the Right Accommodation

Not all hotels are created with families in mind—and when you’re traveling with kids, the right accommodation can make or break your entire trip. Beyond just having a place to sleep, the best family-friendly hotels offer space, flexibility, and thoughtful amenities that cater to the needs of both children and parents.

Start by looking for spacious rooms, family suites, or connecting rooms. These allow everyone to spread out, decompress, and maintain a bit of routine (especially important when traveling with toddlers or teens). Some hotels even offer small kitchenettes or laundry access, which can be incredibly helpful for longer stays.

Child-friendly facilities go beyond just having a pool. Seek out places with shaded playgrounds, shallow kids’ pools, splash zones, or activity centers that are age-specific. These features not only keep kids engaged and active but also give parents a chance to relax nearby without constant worry.

A true game-changer? Hotels that offer babysitting services or fully staffed kids' clubs. Whether it’s a morning yoga class, a romantic dinner, or simply time to enjoy a book by the pool, having the option for a little adults-only time can dramatically improve the quality of your stay. Many resorts now design enrichment-based kids' programs—from Balinese dance classes to eco workshops—that blend fun with cultural learning.

Also, consider the overall family-friendliness of the service. Staff who are welcoming to children, flexible meal times, high chairs, and healthy kids’ menus are small touches that go a long way. Some hotels even offer kids' welcome packs, complimentary toys, or bedtime milk and cookies, helping little guests feel just as special as the adults. Not all hotels are created with families in mind. Look for accommodations that provide spacious rooms or connecting suites, offer child-friendly facilities like playgrounds or kids’ pools, and—bonus—have babysitting or kids’ club services so parents can enjoy their own time, too.

3. Pack Smart, Travel Light

When you’re traveling with kids, it’s tempting to overpack "just in case." But trust us—less is more. Overpacking can weigh you down, both physically and mentally, especially when navigating airports, transfers, or simply trying to find that one pair of socks buried at the bottom of your suitcase.

Instead, focus on versatile clothing that can be mixed, matched, and layered. Choose quick-dry materials that are easy to wash and wear again, and bring a couple of outfits that work for both day outings and casual dinners.

Don’t forget entertainment essentials, especially for long flights or downtime in hotel rooms. A few compact, age-appropriate options like coloring books, magnetic puzzles, card games, or a tablet loaded with offline content (movies, audiobooks, and games) can keep kids occupied when you need it most.

Toiletries should be travel-sized and minimal. Most family-friendly hotels will provide the basics, so stick to what your kids really need: sunscreen, bug spray, and any personal medications. Pro tip: a small pouch with emergency items like band-aids, baby wipes, kids’ paracetamol, and motion sickness tabs is worth its weight in gold.

If you're traveling with younger children, consider bringing a foldable stroller, lightweight baby carrier, or compact snack containers. The key is to travel light but smart—so you can stay flexible, focused, and enjoy the journey without wrestling with luggage every step of the way. Focus on versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, bring travel-sized toiletries, and don’t forget entertainment (coloring books, puzzles, or a fully charged tablet for long rides).

4. Keep the Itinerary Flexible

While routines provide a sense of comfort and structure for children, travel is also about breaking out of the ordinary and embracing a little spontaneity. One of the most common mistakes when planning a family trip is trying to do too much. Overpacked schedules can quickly lead to tired kids, frayed nerves, and missed moments.

Instead of cramming your days with back-to-back attractions, aim for one or two main highlights per day. This might be a morning visit to a temple, followed by an afternoon at the beach, or a wildlife encounter wrapped up with a leisurely lunch. By allowing space between activities, you create room for the unexpected like stumbling upon a local festival, enjoying an unplanned ice cream stop, or simply lounging by the pool a little longer because everyone’s happy.

This flexible approach helps avoid burnout, especially for younger kids who need downtime, naps, or just a break from stimulation. And truthfully, it reminds everyone that vacations aren’t just about checking things off a list, but about enjoying the moment.

Many families find it helpful to build in “open windows” into the itinerary (time blocks with no fixed plan). These little gaps often become the most memorable parts of the trip. Whether it’s chasing butterflies in a rice field or chatting with a friendly local, those unplanned moments often become the ones you remember most. While routines help children feel secure, vacations are all about exploration—and sometimes unpredictability. Avoid packing too many activities into one day. Instead, plan one or two main attractions and leave room for spontaneous discoveries or well-deserved breaks.

5. Create Memories, Not Just Checklists

It’s tempting, especially in a destination as vibrant as Bali, to pack your itinerary with every must-see attraction and photo-op spot. But in the race to “see it all,” it’s easy to overlook the beauty of simply being present. Some of the most magical family moments aren’t found in guidebooks. They unfold in the quiet, in-between spaces.

It might be a spontaneous stop at a local market, where your kids try satay for the first time and end up dancing to street music. Or an unhurried afternoon by the pool, splashing and laughing with no agenda. Or that golden hour moment when the whole family watches the sky turn shades of pink and orange, together, saying nothing at all.

These unplanned, simple joys often end up being the most vivid memories that your kids will talk about long after the trip is over. Travel should never be about ticking off attractions. It should be about collecting small moments of connection.

So yes, plan a few key experiences. But leave space for slow mornings, silly detours, and shared discoveries. In the end, it’s not how much you see that matters, it’s how fully you enjoy the time spent together. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to “see it all,” but sometimes, the most magical moments come from doing the simplest things—sharing street food at a local market, playing by the pool, or watching the sun set over the ocean.

Plan Less, Enjoy More with JOOi

JOOi helps you find better hotel deals and plan a trip that actually works for your family—no fuss, no stress.

Need a visa? We’ve got that covered too. With JOOi, you can skip the airport lines and breeze through immigration, which makes a big difference when you’ve got kids in tow.

We keep things simple, so you can focus on enjoying the time together.