Surviving Holiday Travel With Kids: Tips From The Experts

Travel

Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinThe holiday season, while filled with joy and excitement, often comes with the added pressure of traveling with children. From crowded airports to unpredictable winter weather, the experience can quickly become overwhelming. For many parents, holiday travel is notorious for being chaotic. Airports are packed, flights are overbooked, and delays are common, especially with winter storms lurking. Add children to the mix, and the stress can multiply. However, with some expert-backed strategies, you can minimize the stress and make holiday travel with kids much smoother.

1. Don’t compare yourself to other parents. “Some parents may feel well-equipped to do a big trip to Europe, while others may not,” says Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, a licensed psychotherapist who specializing in psychodynamic parenting, anxiety, and modern challenges. Be mindful of what kind of parent you are, and the personality of your kids. A great trip for one family might be a chaotic disaster for another.

2. Prepare for the plane. Air travel is a common point of stress for families, but with a bit of planning, you can keep your children occupied and (hopefully) content during the flight. “In addition to bringing activities, it’s helpful to prepare them emotionally before the trip,” says Elvis Rosales, LCSW, Clinical Director at Align Recovery Centers. “I suggest talking to your kids about what to expect during the flight, such as why they need to stay seated or what turbulence feels like, so they aren’t caught off guard. This can help reduce anxiety.”

3. Consider the pace of the trip. “One of the first things I always recommend to parents is to consider the overall pace of the trip,” says Rosales. Children thrive on routine, so a busy, high-paced schedule could lead to meltdowns. Look for destinations and activities that offer flexibility, such as family-friendly resorts with built-in kid activities or cities where you can easily find a mix of child-friendly and adult-friendly attractions.

4. Balance fun with education. Interactive museums, zoos, and aquariums are always a hit because they provide a learning opportunity in a playful setting. Outdoor activities like nature trails, parks, or even a day at the beach can offer both relaxation and excitement explains Rosales. Kids get the chance to explore, and parents can enjoy a more laid-back day out. Cultural experiences, like cooking classes or craft workshops, can also be a fun way to immerse kids in local traditions. These activities help children feel involved in the trip while giving them a new skill or memory to take home.

5. Know there will be hiccups. “Let’s be real: even the most prepared parent can feel overwhelmed during travel,” says Rosales. Parenting is hard enough at home, and travel adds a layer of unpredictability. If you’re feeling stressed, it’s okay to take a step back, breathe, and reassess your plan.
6. Create a slideshow for the kids to view pre-trip. Kids want to know what to expect. Creating a slideshow with photos of the destinations, pictures of some of the activities you’ll do and foods you’ll eat, is a great way to get the kids excited and also set the expectation of what the trip will be like. It doesn’t have to be big and complicated. Just downloading a few photos to share is often enough.
7. Choose your mode of transportation wisely. “Traveling with early walkers by plane can be especially challenging, and this may be a good age to opt for a car trip if possible, where you can stop as often as you need to give your restless child a break from the car seat,” says Victoria Murray, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a private psychotherapy practice. Older kids, on the other hand, may love traveling by plane—they get their own seat, watch their own shows/movies and have the feeling of independence that comes with this.
8. Consider the weather. Does the location you’re traveling to have lots of different options even if the weather turns? “Relying heavily on outdoor plans can lead to a bad time for everyone if you are traveling somewhere where the weather is unpredictable,” says Murray.
9. Create “vacation” rules. One parent lets her kids have all the sugary breakfast cereals they want on vacation. They never get it at home, so the kids know this is a “vacation” rule. Even if you are a parent who closely monitors screen time and diet at home, a plane trip is a great time to allow your kids to be occupied with screens and snacks. “It will give them something to look forward to, create a “special” association with those activities and being on vacation, and help keep them occupied so that you can relax,” says Murray.
10. Pick outdoor seating options. Things to avoid when traveling are activities or restaurants that have “adults only” vibes. “While you may be desperate to enjoy a sophisticated dinner with your partner, if your kids are bored, no one will be enjoying themselves,” says Murray. “Instead look for places that seem more family-friendly, or has outdoor seating so you won’t feel self-conscious if your kids are a little more restless or noisy.”
11. Don’t give yourself a hard time about skipping something. “If you are going to be anxious over safety, or the line is too long, or something just feels off, skip it,” says Lynn Zakeri, a therapist in the Chicago area. “Give yourself permission to not do something and tell yourself that you can always come back and do it a different time if it is that important.”
12. Use your words. What should parents do when they are feeling overwhelmed and stress? Verbalize it. “Instead of being cranky and snippy, let the family know that there is a bit of an overload going on and you need a break,” says Zakeri. Sometimes even 20 minutes to reset is all your need.

US envoy sees some ‘concerning signals’ in Russia-China military cooperation in Arctic

US & Canada

The United States is watching growing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic closely and some of their recent military collaboration in the region sends “concerning signals”, the U.S. Arctic ambassador said. Russia and China have stepped up military cooperation in the Arctic while deepening overall ties in recent years that include China supplying…

New Shows & Movies To Watch This Weekend: ‘The Diplomat’ on Netflix + More

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

This week’s new arrivals on streaming include the return of Keri Russell as U.S. diplomat Kate Wyler in Netflix’s The Diplomat, the exclusive streaming premiere of Despicable Me 4, and a new documentary about the career of legendary composer John Williams on Disney+, Music By John Williams.

Not sure which new releases to check out? Let us here at Decider help you figure out what to watch this weekend and where to stream it.

New Movies & Shows To Stream This Weekend: The Diplomat (Season 2), Music By John Williams, Despicable Me 4 + More

It’s been over a year since season one of Netflix’s The Diplomat, but the political series finally returns this week with six explosive (literally) new episodes to binge while you’re sneaking all that Halloween candy out of your kids’ stash. On Peacock, you can check out the streaming premiere of Despicable Me 4, and on Disney+, tune in to the new film Music By John Williams, a tribute to the man and the music that has defined so many classic films and pop culture moments for generations of us.

New on Netflix October 31: The Diplomat (Season 2)

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The Netflix political drama The Diplomat, starring Keri Russell as a U.S. diplomat in England, returned this week for season two. This season, Russell’s character, Kate Wyler, is attempting to figure out who was behind the bombing that ended season one on a major cliffhanger, while also dealing with a new frenemy, the Vice President of the United States, played by series newcomer Alison Janney. The complete second season is available now.

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If you missed out on Gru and family at the theaters earlier this year, you can catch the streaming debut of Despicable Me 4 exclusively on Peacock this week. The film, which co-stars Steve Carrell, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, arrived on demand this summer, but is finally on streaming as of October 31.

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John Williams, the legendary composer responsible for some of the most iconic scores in cinema, gets the documentary treatment in the new Disney+ film Music By John Williams. The film, out Friday, is a look into Williams’ career, featuring insights from filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and J.J. Abrams and others he has inspired.

WHERE TO WATCH MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS

Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend:

The options above only scratch the surface, so you know that this weekend’s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend! For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now, or if you’re still undecided on what to stream this weekend, then check out the complete list below:

New on Netflix – Full List

Released Thursday, October 31

Murder Mindfully (DE) *NETFLIX SERIES

The Diplomat: Season 2 *NETFLIX SERIES

Released Friday, November 1

Barbie Mysteries: The Great Horse Chase (Netflix Family)

It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football (Netflix Documentary)

Let Go (Netflix Film)

60 Days In: Season 7

A Paris Christmas Waltz

Fall Into Winter

Free State of Jones

Just Go With It

Love In The Wild (Season 2)

Maid in Manhattan

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Oblivion

Pompeii

The Scorpion King

Sixteen Candles

Superbad

The Whale

Whiplash

New on Prime Video – Full List

Released Thursday, October 31

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End (2024) *Prime Video Original Movie

Thursday Night Football (2024) *Prime Video Live Sports

Released Friday, November 1

12 Days of Christmas Eve (2004)3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)50 To 1 (2014)A Knight’s Tale (2001)A Perfect Day (2006) – Available on Freevee for free with adsAbsolute Deception (2013)Across The Universe (2007)Agent Cody Banks (2003)Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004)Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)Airplane! (1980)All Saints (2017)Almost Christmas (2016)Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid (2004)Anger Management (2003)Apache (1954)Bad Company (2002)Battlefield Earth (2000)Battleship (2012)Big Night (1996)Blizzard (2003)Blown Away (1993)Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)Boomerang (1992)Bucky Larson Born To Be A Star (2011)Carrie (1976)Carrie (2013)Casualties Of War (1989)Catch Me If You Can (2002)Catch-22 (1970)Children of Men (2007)Christmas with the Kranks (2004) – Available on Freevee for free with adsCold Mountain (2003)Comes A Horseman (1978)Copshop (2021) – Available on Freevee for free with adsCowboys & Aliens (2011)Crazy In Alabama (1999)Dear Christmas (2020)Dear John (2010)Death Wish 3 (1985)Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)Death Wish II (1982)Die Hard (1988)Disturbia (2007)Double Team (1997)Driven (2001)Dumb And Dumber To (2014)Dune (2021)Earth to Echo (2014) – Available on Freevee for free with adsEquals (2016)Escape From Alcatraz (1979)Exodus (1960)F/X (1986)Fame (2009)Flash of Genius (2008)Flight (2012)Gladiator (1992)Gone Baby Gone (2007)Good Boy! (2003)Good Will Hunting (1998)Gorky Park (1983)Gosford Park (2002)Guns Of The Magnificent Seven (1969)Harriet the Spy (1996)Hell is for Heroes (1962)Hour Of The Gun (1967)House at the End of the Street (2012) – Available on Freevee for free with adsHow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)Identity Thief (2013)In & Out (1997)Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)It Takes Two (1995)Jacob’s Ladder (1990)Jingle All the Way (1996)Escape from L.A. (1996)John Grisham’s The Rainmaker (1997)Johnny Mnemonic (1995)Just Like Heaven (2005)Kill Your Darlings (2013)Kingdom of Heaven (2005)Les Miserables (1998)Leviathan (1989)*Libre (2024)Loch Ness (1996)Lords of Dogtown (2005)Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone (1990)Margot At The Wedding (2007)Mean Girls (2004)Meet John Doe (1941)Men (2022)Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009)Midnight in Paris (2011)Mr. Mom (1983)Murphy’s Law (1986)Neighbors (2014)Of Gods and Men (2011)One Direction: This Is Us (Extended Cut) (2013)Pan’s Labyrinth (2007)Passengers (2016) – Available on Freevee for free with adsPlay Misty For Me (1971)Popeye (1980)Puss in Boots (2011) – Available on Freevee for free with adsRadio Flyer (1992)Rambo III (1988)Rampage (2018) – Available on Freevee for free with adsReba McEntire’s Christmas In Tune (2021)Return Of The Seven (1966)Ride Along With Gag Reel (2014)Rio Lobo (1970)Roboshark (2015)Rosemary’s Baby (1968)Roxanne (1987)Run Lola Run (1999)Rust (2010)Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)Saving Silverman (2001)School of Rock (2003)Scrooged (1988)She’s So Lovely (1997)She’s the Man (2006) – Available on Freevee for free with adsSilver Linings Playbook (2012)Slackers (2002)Small Soldiers (1998)Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)Star Trek VIII: First Contact (1996)Steel Magnolias (2012)Steve Jobs (2015)Still of the Night (1982)Straw Dogs (2011)Surviving Christmas (2004)Target (1985)The Animal (2001)The Apartment (1960)The Aviator (2004)THE CHRISTMAS EDITION (2020)The Edge of Seventeen (2016) – Available on Freevee for free with adsThe Eiger Sanction (1975)The Family Stone (2005)The Godfather (1972)The Godfather, Part II (1974)The Good Shepherd (2006)The Great Escape (1963)The Holiday (2006)The Italian Job (2003)The King’s Man (2021)The Lady In The Van (2016)The Lego Movie (2014) – Available on Freevee for free with adsThe Magnificent Seven (1960)The Magnificent Seven Ride (1972)The People vs. Larry Flynt (1997)The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)The Saint (1997)The Soloist (2009)The Spectacular Now (2013)The Swan Princess And The Secret Of The Castle (1997)The Swan Princess Christmas (2012)The Terminator (1984)The White Buffalo (1977)The Wonderful Country (1959)The Theory of Everything (2014)Think Like a Man (2012) – Available on Freevee for free with adsThink Like a Man Too (2014) – Available on Freevee for free with adsTo Sleep With Anger (1990)Tom & Jerry (2021)Tower Heist (2011)Turbulence (1997)Ultraviolet (2006)Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning (2012)Walk of Shame (2014)Walking Tall (2004)War of The Worlds (2005)Zona Mortal (1994)

New on Hulu – Full List

Released Thursday, October 31

60 Seconds to Sell: Complete Season 1

Born in the Wild: Complete Season 1

Duck Dynasty: Complete Seasons 6 and 7

LIVING IN SECRET: Complete Season 1

Miracles Decoded: Complete Season 1

MysteryQuest (2022): Complete Season 1

Pawn Stars: Complete Season 19

The Best And Worst U.S. Presidents: Complete Season 1

Transition of Power: Presidential Legacy: Complete Season 1

Washington The Warrior: Complete Season 1

New on Max – Full List

Released Thursday, October 31

Dark Souls Among Us (aka Senales del Mas Alla), Season 1

Released on Friday, November 1

A Christmas Carol (1938)A Christmas Story (1983)Another Earth (2011)Big Miracle (2012)Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009)Dirty Harry (1971)Elf (2003)Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)Goodfellas (1990)He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)Janet Planet (2023) (A24)Jurassic Park (1993)Jurassic Park III (2001)National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)The Addams Family 2 (2021)The Extra Man (2010)The Full Monty (1997)The Hangover (2009)The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)The Other Side of the Door (2016)The Polar Express (2004)Unforgiven (1992)Unstoppable (2010)

Released Saturday, November 2

Cleats & Convos, Episode 104

Released Sunday, November 3

Before They Kill Again, Season 1 (ID)Invincible Fight Girl, Season 1 (Adult Swim)Like Water For Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate), Season 1 (HBO Original)

New on Disney+ – Full List

Released Friday, November 1

Music By John Williams

Ayla & The Mirrors

Released Saturday, November 2

Endurance

New on Starz – Full List

Released Friday, November 1

Fat Joe Talks

Sweetpea

Three WomenATLChocolate City: Vegas StripDawn of the Dead (2024)A Day in the Life

The Devil Has a Name

Hot Fuzz

Land of the Lost

Made of Honor

The Nutcracker and the Magic Flute

Paul

The Perfect Christmas

Phat Beach

The Rundown

Shaun of the Dead

Small Town Crime

Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins

What’s Cooking?

New on Paramount + with Showtime

Released Thursday, October 31

Camp X-Ray*

Released Friday, November 1

‘Tis the Season to Be Smurfy3:10 to Yuma48 Hrs.A Boy Named Charlie BrownA Christmas Carol (1999)A Night At The Roxbury*A Thin Line Between Love And HateA Thousand WordsAdam Sandler’s Eight Crazy NightsAlfie (2004)All I Want For ChristmasAll the World Is SleepingAnother 48 Hrs.Bad SantaBad Santa 2Billionaire Boys Club*Black Snake MoanBlades of GloryBlinded by the LightCatch and Release*Chloe*Christmas EveCloud AtlasCloudy with a Chance of MeatballsDaddy Day CampDeath at a Funeral* (2010)Deck The Halls (2011)Double JeopardyEat Pray LoveElectionElf: Buddy’s Musical ChristmasErnest Saves ChristmasEverybody’s FineFasterFencesFirst ShiftFive Feet ApartFlashdanceFlightFree BirdsFriday Night LightsGoGood Will HuntingGoodFellasHacksaw RidgeHappy ChristmasHead of StateHome For The HolidaysHookHotel for DogsIda Red*Identity*Inglourious BasterdsInsomniaJoyeux NoelJust MercyLast Man StandingLast VegasLeap of Faith*Letters from Iwo JimaLike CrazyLooperLuce*Mad Max 2: The Road WarriorMad Max Beyond ThunderdomeMagnoliaMichael ClaytonMorning GloryMy Cousin VinnyMy Fair LadyMy One and Only*No Strings AttachedNoahOliver! (1968)Once Upon a Time in AmericaOut of SightPaddingtonPet SemataryPet Sematary IIRoundersRVSanta Stole Our Dog!*ScroogeShaft (2000)She’s All ThatSiberiaSnatchSuper 8Surf’s UpTapsTaxi DriverThe 12 Days of Christmas EveThe Age of AdalineThe Baby-Sitters Club*The Dead Don’t Hurt*The Dead Zone*The DuchessThe English PatientThe Fighting TemptationsThe Good Liar*The Guilt TripThe Honeymooners*The Hurt LockerThe InfiltratorThe Kite RunnerThe Long Kiss GoodnightThe November ManThe Prince and MeThe Prince Of Tides*The Smurfs Christmas SpecialThe Social NetworkThe Stepfather*The TerminalThe TuxedoThose Who Wish Me DeadTop Five*TremorsTwo for the MoneyUnforgivenUrban CowboyVacancy*Wayne’s WorldWe Were SoldiersWhat Lies Beneath*What Women WantWhile You Were SleepingYours, Mine & OursZack and Miri Make a Porno*Zookeeper

New on Peacock – Full List

Released Thursday, October 31

A Brilliant Young Mind

Despicable Me 4 (Peacock Exclusive/Streaming Debut)*

Teacup, Season 1 – Finale – 2 Episodes, 30 min (Peacock Original)*

Transpecos

Released Friday, November 1

The American President

Angels Sing

Annie (1982)

Annie (2014)

Appetite for Love

Atomic Blonde*

Back To The Future

Back To The Future II

Back To The Future III

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead

Belfast*

Billy Madison

Black Hawk Down

Black Nativity

Blockers*

The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Ultimatum

Casino

CBGB

A Christmas In Vermont

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

The Day After Tomorrow

The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Departed

Dick (1999)*

Die Hard

Dirty Dancing (1987)*

Dirty Dancing (2017)*

Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights*

The Dog Lover’s Guide to Dating

Don’t Be Afraid of The Dark

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch*

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

Erin Brockovich

Face/Off

The Family Man

The Family Stone

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

Flight

Flip That Romance

Game 6

Hannibal

Harry and the Hendersons

Heaven Is For Real

Hell Or High Water*

Hidden Figures

A Holiday For Harmony (Streaming Premiere)

Interstellar

It’s A Very Very Muppet Christmas Movie

It’s Complicated

The Journey Ahead

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park III

Jurassic World

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

King Kong

The Legend of Frosty The Snowman

Les Miserables

Liar, Liar

Little Fockers

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Madagascar

Major Payne

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!

Meet The Fockers

Meet The Parents

Mixed Nuts*

Moulin Rouge

My Sweet Austrian Holiday (Hallmark)+

Mystery 101: Pilot

Norm Of The North

Notting Hill

Paddington

Penguins of Madagascar

The Perfect Holiday

Phil

Pitch Perfect*

Pitch Perfect 3*

Quigley Down Under

Red Riding: 1974

Red Riding: 1980

Red Riding: 1983

A Ring by Spring

Ruby Herring Mysteries: Her Last Breath

Ruby Herring Mysteries: Prediction Murder

Ruby Herring Mysteries: Silent Witness

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark

The Secrets of Bella Vista

The Silence of The Lambs

Silver Linings Playbook

Sing

Soul Food

Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron

Sweet Carolina

Ted

There Be Dragons

This Christmas*

The Truman Show

The Turkey Bowl

Una

Volcano

Walk The Line

The Warlords

Released Saturday, November 2

A Carol For Two (Hallmark)+

The Outfit*

Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Released Sunday, November 3

Our Holiday Story (Hallmark)+

What Else Is Streaming New This November?

What you see above is just a portion of the new movies and shows you can watch this month if you’ve got more than one streaming service subscription. We update our guides to the new releases on the most popular streaming platforms every month, so you can stay on top of the freshest titles to watch. Here are full lists, schedules, and reviews for everything streaming:

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education addresses UNESCO Global Education Meeting

Science and Health

A delegation led by Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev is on a visit to Fortaleza, Brazil, to participate in UNESCO’s Global Education Meeting, the Ministry told APA.

On the first day, the delegation attended the presentation of the Global Education Monitoring Report and participated in several plenary sessions on topics such as equity and inclusion in education, as well as education, science, and technology.

On October 31, Emin Amrullayev delivered the closing speech for the session on climate and environment. In his address, the minister shared information on Azerbaijan’s green education and climate education policies, highlighting the country’s successful experiences. He also emphasized the importance of the upcoming COP29, to be hosted by Azerbaijan, and invited the audience to participate.

The Global Education Meeting, held from October 31 to November 1, gathered education and finance ministers from UNESCO member countries, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, and officials from various organizations.

The event is set to conclude today.

Myanmar military arrests film critic, alleging threat to stability

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Shein Htet Aung, who is currently in military custody (Supplied)

Military authorities announced that they had detained a Yangon resident this week after he criticised a film poster’s portrayal of people of Indian descent, accusing him of inciting instability.
Shein Htet Aung, also known as Vee Htet Kumar, a Hindu man in his 30s living in Yangon’s Hlaing Township, had expressed his disapproval on Facebook after seeing a poster for a newly released film. 
The first half of the film’s title translated to “Have you ever ridden a jeep?” in Burmese, while a second phrase was a stereotypical mimicry of the language or accent of Myanmar’s Indian minority. 
Although many critics have been arrested in the years since the coup, Shein Htet Aung is the first to be detained for his opinions about a film.
Shein Htet Aung’s family lost communication with him after he went to the Khaweichan School for the Blind. . .

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