TORONTO - Every year since they were babies, I’ve been taking my kids on beach vacations — from Barbados, to Turks & Caicos, to a Caribbean cruise and all over Mexico – sometimes with family and a couple of times on my own.

It stressed me out in the beginning, figuring out what to pack and what to leave, and trying to anticipate all the things that could come up during the holiday so that I could be as prepared as possible.

The part that made me the most nervous was getting from A to B. The travel part can be testing for adults, never mind for little ones – the long lines, the waiting, the being confined to a small space for hours. Whenever I see tired moms trying to calm a screaming baby on a plane or dads on their last nerve chasing a toddler, mid-tantrum, around a packed waiting area, I think, please don’t let that be me.

I’ve read articles on the subject and asked other parents for suggestions, and after over a dozen trips with the kids, I no longer feel nervous about the travel part.

For instance, on our last trip back from Puerto Escondido, Mexico, I travelled solo with my 4-year-old daughter, 6-year-old son, two big suitcases, two kid suitcases and a stroller.

The trip involved a two-hour bumpy, windy taxi ride, followed by a five hour flight that arrived in Toronto at 2 a.m. Plus, just to keep things interesting, my son caught a bug on the last day – he had a fever and, there’s no nice way to say this, it was coming out of both ends.

Even so, the 10-hour trip went smoothly. Despite pulling over to vomit and emergency runs to the washroom, the kids were laughing in the terminal, enjoying a movie on the plane and chatting happily while in the long line for customs.

Having travelled with a nursing baby, a toddler and an infant, one newly potty-trained child and one on my lap in diapers, I can tell you each stage comes with its own set of considerations and challenges and the key is always good planning.

So here’s 10 tips I’d like to share with you to help travelling with children a little easier:

1 — Streamline your packing

The first couple of trips, I made the mistake of packing everything I could ever possibly need, which of course meant that I ended up lugging around a lot of things I never used. Be strategic in what you pack. Are there items (like sand toys) that can easily be purchased when you get to your destination? Also, check what baby gear they have at the destination – cribs, high chairs, car seats – so you can minimize the amount of things you have to bring with you.

2 — Pack a surprise bag

Bring a bag with toys, books and activities your kids haven’t seen before (or haven’t seen in awhile) and pull something out whenever they start to get bored or antsy. Choose small and light items that don’t make noise (no one wants to be stuck on a flight next to a child with a whistle) and steer clear from anything messy or with small parts that are bound to get lost. I always make a trip to the dollar store and pick up some crayons, notebooks and stickers. Matchbox cars, binoculars, colouring books and small games (like magnetic travel-size Snakes & Ladders) are other big wins with my kids.

3 — Bring snacks

When you’re travelling, it’s sometimes hard to predict when your next meal will be and if you’re like me, you live in fear of a hungry child. Make sure to pack lots of snacks in your carryon — granola bars, crackers, apples and raisins are all good choices. I also consider the sugar content – I wouldn’t drink a big cup of coffee before sitting in a tight space for five hours so I don’t give my kids sugary treats before a flight; I like them nice and calm.

4 — Let them move

Whether travelling by land or air, your little ones have several hours of sitting still ahead of them, so encourage them to move around and burn off some energy before boarding. Some airports have a little play area for kids – how brilliant – but you can also just walk around or find someplace where they can run and jump a little. I rarely use the advance boarding option that’s offered for those travelling with young children as it just means extending the amount of time they need to be confined.

5 — Keep them comfortable

For some kids, travel can cause physical discomfort, be it pain from air pressure changes to motion sickness. During takeoff and landing, nurse or bottle feed your baby, give a candy or sippy cup to toddlers and some chewing gum to older kids. Keeping them sucking, chewing and/or swallowing will help their ears to equalize. To help relieve motion sickness encourage your child to look out the window.

6 — Technology is your friend

While I’m fairly stingy about how much screen time I allow at home, all bets are off when we travel. (Thank you to whoever invented personal viewing devices on airplanes!) Where one isn’t available, bring a tablet or portable DVD player — and don’t forget the kiddie headphones. If, like me, you have a child prone to motion sickness, listening to music and looking out the window is a great way to pass the time.

Above:  Keep kids entertained during long flights is very important.

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7 — Bring a change of clothes

Whether or not your child is in diapers, newly potty trained or a messy eater, you’ll be so happy you packed an extra set of clothes. Also consider if you’re travelling to a different climate. I’m usually leaving -10C weather and arriving in the full 30C heat and humidity at my destination. It can take a good hour or two getting through customs, waiting for luggage and getting a ride to the hotel, so I always pack summer clothes in my carry on so the kids won’t have to sweat it out.

8 — Ask for help

An extra set of hands or a jump of the line can be a lifesaver, particularly when you’re travelling with kids on your own. Don’t be shy to ask the flight attendant to keep an eye on your sleeping child so you can take your other child to the washroom. If there’s a really long line at customs and your little one is hungry, tired, fussy or all three, ask staff if there’s a quicker way. You might be pleasantly surprised by the special accommodation made for those travelling with small children.

9 — Teach them to be good little travellers

The more your kids learn to be considerate travellers, the easier they will be to travel with, which is good for everybody. On planes, I’m perpetually reminding my kids to use an inside voice and to be mindful not to kick the seat in front of them. More than once, co-travellers have thanked us. It’s not an entirely selfless effort; being considerate makes the people around us more understanding when we have to use the washroom four times an hour or if a tantrum starts brewing.

10 — Breathe and have fun

So your daughter’s cute travel dress is covered in grape juice and your son didn’t nap and is teetering on the brink of a full meltdown. Maybe you never realized how loud your kids are and have been the target of about a thousand dirty looks since you left home. Take a breath and let it go. It’s all going to be okay. After all, you’re on vacation.