Holiday Travel Tips for Families of Children with Special Needs
The holidays often mean travel - long car rides, crowded airports, new beds, and big changes in routine. While this can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming, especially for children with sensory, motor, or developmental challenges.
At Adventure Pediatric Therapy, we know that “vacation” doesn’t always feel like a vacation when you’re worried about meltdowns, sensory overload, or big behavior changes. The good news: with a bit of planning and lots of grace for yourself and your child, holiday travel can be more manageable - and even fun.
Here are some therapist-approved tips to help your family travel with a little more ease this season.
1. Plan Ahead for Your Child’s Unique Needs
Every child is different. Before you travel, think through what tends to be hardest for your child:
Long periods of sitting?
Waiting in lines?
Loud noises or bright lights?
Changes in food or sleep routines?
Being around lots of people?
Make a simple “travel plan” around those challenges. For example:
If sitting is hard, plan movement breaks every 20-30 minutes.
If noise is overwhelming, pack noise-canceling headphones.
If new foods are tricky, bring preferred snacks and drinks.
You know your child best - trust your expertise.
2. Try a “Practice Run”
New experiences are often easier if they’re not completely new.
Take a shorter car ride ahead of time and practice some of your travel routines (snack breaks, bathroom stops, listening to audiobooks, etc.).
If you’re flying, watch videos or read social stories about airports, security, and boarding the plane.
Role-play what will happen: “We’ll wait in line, put our bags on the belt, walk through the scanner, then get our things back.”
Occupational therapists often use visuals and practice to make transitions feel safer and more predictable - these same strategies work really well for travel.
3. Pack a “Sensory” Bag
Think of this as your sensory travel toolkit. Include items that help your child feel regulated, calm, and entertained:
Favorite fidgets or small toys
A comfort item (stuffed animal, blanket, weighted lap pad)
Headphones
Tablet with downloaded shows, music, or calming apps
Books and activity pads
Chewy and crunchy snacks (great for oral sensory input)
Gum, chew tubes, and a water bottle with a straw (for kids who benefit from extra oral input)
If your child uses adaptive equipment, communication devices, or visual schedules, keep those in your carry-on or within easy reach in the car.
4. Keep Routines Where You Can
You don’t have to create a rigid schedule, but holding onto a few familiar routines can help your child feel more secure:
Try to keep bedtime and wake time as consistent as possible.
Maintain simple daily routines like: pajamas → toothbrushing → story → lights out.
Bring familiar bedtime items: sound machine, nightlight, blanket, or stuffed animal.
It’s okay if things aren’t perfect—aim for “close enough” rather than all-or-nothing.
5. Use Visual Supports and Clear Expectations
Kids with sensory and developmental differences often do best when they know what’s coming.
Consider:
A simple visual schedule (pictures or words) showing the steps:
“Car → Grandma’s house → Dinner → Play → Bedtime.”A first/then approach:
“First we go through security, then we watch your show.”Short, calm reminders:
“There will be lots of people and noise. If it feels too loud, we’ll put on your headphones.”
Visuals don’t have to be fancy - hand-drawn pictures work just fine!
6. Build in Movement and Sensory Breaks
Travel often means a lot of sitting, waiting, and being in crowded spaces - all of which can be extra challenging for kids with sensory processing differences.
Where possible:
Plan movement breaks: walking, stretching, animal walks, jumping in place, wall push-ups.
If your child benefits from heavy work (proprioceptive input), try:
Carrying a small weighted backpack
Pushing luggage
Doing hand squeezes, big hugs, or squeezes to arms/legs (if they like deep pressure)
These activities help many kids feel more organized and calm in their bodies.
7. Have a Plan for Sensory Overload or Meltdowns
Even with great planning, tough moments happen - and that’s okay.
Think ahead:
Where can you go for a break if your child becomes overwhelmed? (A quiet corner, outside, the car)
What helps your child calm down? (Deep pressure, music, sitting in your lap, rocking, swinging arms)
What can you say to others if you need to step away?
“We’re taking a quick break. We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“She’s feeling overwhelmed. We’re going to give her a quiet moment.”
You don’t owe anyone a detailed explanation - your priority is your child and your own regulation.
8. Prepare Family and Friends (If You Want To)
If you’re visiting relatives, it can help to gently set expectations ahead of time:
Let them know your child may:
Need breaks away from the group
Eat different foods than everyone else
Avoid hugs or prefer high-fives
Wear headphones at the table or in noisy rooms
You might say something like:
“Loud, busy environments are hard for him, so we may step away for breaks. If he doesn’t want a hug, a wave or high-five is perfect.”
Advocating for your child is a powerful form of love.
9. Celebrate Small Wins (and Let Go of “Perfect”)
Maybe your child tolerated a longer car ride than usual.
Maybe they tried sitting at the table for a few minutes.
Maybe they used their words or device to say “all done” instead of melting down.
These are big victories in an unfamiliar environment.
Holiday travel with a child who has special needs doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s - and that’s okay. You have permission to:
Leave early if you need to
Skip some activities
Do things differently than other families
Protect your child’s boundaries (and your own)
We’re Here to Support Your Family
If travel, transitions, or sensory overload make holidays especially challenging, you’re not alone! Our occupational therapists at Adventure Pediatric Therapy work every day with children who have sensory processing differences, feeding challenges, motor delays, autism, ADHD, and other developmental needs.
We can help you:
Understand your child’s unique sensory profile
Create individualized strategies for travel, family gatherings, and daily routines
Build your child’s skills and confidence over time
If you’d like more support or ideas tailored to your child, we’d love to talk with you.
From all of us at Adventure Pediatric Therapy, we wish you a holiday season filled with moments of connection, flexibility, and compassion—for your child and for yourself.
You’re doing important, meaningful work every day just by showing up for your child. ❤️