As a fellow Swiss parent of an only child, I’ve discovered that traveling with our little trio can be an incredible bonding experience but comes with its unique challenges.
I enjoy the flexibility of traveling with my little family around Europe for long weekends. Every time we plan a trip, we would be thinking, would he get bored? How can we balance family time with his need for independence?
Well, I have to say, it’s been quite the journey to figure out a few tricks and figure out a way that works for the three of us! Over the years, we’ve discovered that traveling around Europe with just one child can be an advantage. It’s a chance to nurture his independence, boost his social skills, and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. But let’s keep it real, it’s not always that smooth. There were plenty of moments of “I’m bored”, and “ I don’t want to play alone”, but I’ve gathered a few golden tips that saved the day several times.
Planning together: We made our child feel like he is the co-pilot.
Being a perfectionist, I used to be the kind of mom who planned every little detail of our trips. I even took care of preparing all the luggage, the museum schedules and tickets, and restaurant reservations. But what I didn’t realize back then was that Yannis had absolutely zero interest in following my schedule. Since he turned 5, he started to be more involved! So, we started letting him pick activities, choose between destinations, and even plan the occasional ice cream stop. You won’t believe how much more excited he gets when he’s involved.
I also started encouraging him to use his camera to document his trips, and occasionally, he’d write down or draw his favorite memories from the trip. It was such a fun way to get him engaged, and now, it’s a sweet little tradition we keep on every trip.
Pack smart: Essentials for Solo kids.
Ok, let’s talk packing. It used to stress me out. Are you like me, always getting anxious two days before the trip, because of the fear of forgetting something important? especially when I didn’t know what would keep Yannis entertained for hours on the road? But after a few trial and error runs, I learned that less is more, but packing the right stuff is key. These days, I never leave the house without his favorite art supply. My boy loves drawing, painting, and coloring. He enjoys this solo time even when we are at home. Art kits are small, easy to pack, and keep him busy for hours when we’re waiting for a delayed flight in the train, or just relaxing in the hotel.
Crayola Art Kits with watercolors, crayons, and markers, or Spirals Art Machines are one of those known brands that let kids create designs on their own.
Another pro tip? Pack plenty of snacks. It’s funny how something as small as a snack can avoid a full-on tantrum especially when you have a toddler. Psychologists say that tantrums happen because of a child’s personality and current situation. They’re a normal part of child development. Cleveland Clinic published a great article on how to manage temper tantrums.
Stay flexible: Go with the flow.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that flexibility is your best friend when traveling with an only child. I used to have this perfect itinerary, but things rarely according to plan, from my experience. Sometimes Yannis just wants to stop and check out a random bakery or needs a break at a playground and I learned that it is okay! No need to freak out about it because we will be late to check-in at the hotel, or because we need to be in at the museum at a specific time. Some of our best memories have come from unplanned moments. Lesson learned: few activities can be planned and booked, while there is a need to build extra time into our schedule for those spontaneous stops, and keep backup plans for rainy days.
Encourage Independence: let him spread his wings.
This one has been a struggle for me, as I tend to overprotect. Yannis is naturally curious and loves being in charge of things, so we started giving him age-appropriate responsibilities during our trips. We started small like letting him carry his day bag with his snacks, or helping him navigate public transportation. But over time, he’s gotten so much more confident and independent.
Once in Germany, we let him figure out how to get us back to the hotel using the bus, at the age of 6. Seeing how proud he was when we arrived without a problem was worth it. Plus, he’s learned some basic travel skills that’ll stick with him as he gets older.
Socialize on the go: Finding playmates in the new places
Traveling with one child can sometimes feel a bit lonely for them, this is a fact. That’s why we always look for family-friendly accommodations that have kids’ clubs or playgrounds. It gives Yannis a chance to make new friends, and honestly, it’s a win-win because it gives us parents a bit of a breather.
We’ve also started joining group tours and cooking classes designed for families. During a camping weekend in Brunnen Germany last year, we did a pasta-making class, and we met other families with kids, this was an enriching experience for him. Talking to people outside their immediate family can boost a child’s confidence. Every time they make a new friend or ask a question at a restaurant, they’re pushing past a little bit of fear or shyness. We started to support Yannis to step out of his comfort zone and become more independent. We started small like ordering his food at a café and paying for his candies at the supermarket by himself. These little moments of self-reliance add up. When children see they can handle themselves in social settings, they’ll feel more independent in other aspects of life, too.
Balance Family Time and “Me” Time
I used to feel guilty if we didn’t spend every second together on vacation, but with my husband, we realized that we all need some “me” time, even (and especially) on family trips. Sometimes that means splitting up – my husband and Yannis will go to the pool while I am taking a café for a quiet coffee break.
We also plan for one-on-one time. During our long weekend in London last month, my husband took Yannis to visit Arsenal stadium. Yannis is a soccer fan, it was a highlight for him to spend this half-day with his father. Meanwhile, I got the chance to relax in the apartment. The next day it was my turn to take Yannis to Paradox Museum and Madame Tussauld, as we share a passion for art, and museums. I have to say, that was also much more convenient to pay for two tickets instead of three for each visit.
Capture memories: Get creative with travel souvenirs.
One thing we started doing as a family is collecting postcards from every place we visit. It’s a simple but meaningful way to remember each destination, and Yannis loves picking them out and sending some to his best friends by post. We’ve also gotten into creating digital photo albums and scrapbooks. After every trip, we sit down together and pick out our favorite pictures, which turns into a little DIY project we can do as a family and Yannis loves that.
We even keep museum passes, or a bit of sand from the beaches we have visited to complete the DIY projects. It makes looking back on our adventures that much sweeter.
Leverage technology for downtimes: moderate it
I used to be so strict about screen time at home and while traveling, but sometimes a good educational app has been a great option. Especially during those long travel days when you need a moment of peace! I’ve found that downloading apps related to our destination helps Yannis stay interested in what we’re doing. He learns about local landmarks or history in a fun way. Yannis could play trivia games on local history, culture, or geography. Inaturalist is also a great app that helps him identify plants, animals, and insects you come across while traveling. It’s educational and connects him to the local environment. I wrote an article about the best apps that will keep your child interested in your travel destination and help him learn while having fun.
That said, we have clear rules about screen time. We try to limit it and make sure that it’s balanced with real-world activities. But I won’t lie, sometimes you just need a little screen break to keep everyone sane.
Maintain familiar routines
While travel is all about exploring new places, maintaining certain routines can help kids feel secure. We keep bedtime rituals consistent, whether it’s reading a story or listening to a podcast. Familiarity helps him adjust more easily to new surroundings. So, do not forget to pack a few books and audiobooks for that.
Stay Positive and Patient
I have to say, the most important tip I could give is to be kind to yourself. Travel can be stressful, and not everything will go perfectly. There have been moments where I’ve had to take a deep breath and remind myself that it’s okay if things don’t go as planned. The most important thing is that we’re together, creating memories, even if they come with a few bumps along the way. Your child will pick up on your attitude, and together, you can handle any struggles.
That was a lot :D! But trust me, these 10 tips have been my go-to for making travel with my only child feel like an adventure rather than a stress-fest. Sure, there will be challenges, but with a little planning, flexibility, and patience, you’ll make memories that’ll last a lifetime.
