1

Choose flights that work with your child’s schedule

Of course, it’s tempting to book the cheapest flight available, but the lowest fare isn't always the best value when you're traveling with young children. Whenever possible, look for departure times that line up with your child's regular nap or bedtime . A sleepy child is often far more likely to relax, or even sleep, through a good portion of the journey, making the experience easier for everyone on board.

Direct flights can also be worth paying a little extra for. Every layover means another security check, another boarding process, and another opportunity for delays to throw off routines. Pediatric experts also recommend arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare, reducing the stress of rushing through terminals with children and luggage. Starting the trip calmly often sets the tone for everything that follows.

2

Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need

If there's one piece of advice nearly every experienced parent agrees on, it's this: pack extra snacks. Delayed flights, long security lines, traffic jams, and unexpected detours have a way of stretching meal times, and hungry children rarely become more patient as the hours pass .

Choose foods that travel well and don't require refrigeration, such as crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, applesauce pouches, or pretzels. Keeping familiar snacks within easy reach can also help picky eaters adjust to new surroundings. Even if you never open every bag, having plenty available provides peace of mind—and may help avoid an expensive airport food stop.

3

Download entertainment before you leave

Modern travel has become much easier thanks to tablets and smartphones, but they're only helpful if the content is actually available when you need it. Airplane Wi-Fi isn't always reliable, mobile signals disappear in remote areas, and onboard entertainment systems occasionally malfunction.

Before leaving home, download favorite movies, television shows, audiobooks, music playlists, and age-appropriate games directly onto your devices . Packing headphones and portable chargers is just as important. Having entertainment ready to go means you'll never have to rely on an internet connection to keep little travelers happily occupied during long stretches of the journey.

4

Pack a complete change of clothes

Children have an incredible talent for finding the one puddle, juice box, or muddy patch capable of soaking an entire outfit. That's why seasoned travelers rarely leave home without packing at least one complete change of clothes in their carry-on luggage .

Include fresh socks, underwear, and a lightweight sweater in addition to a clean outfit. A plastic bag for dirty clothing is another simple addition that can make life much easier. Some parents even pack an extra shirt for themselves, since babies and toddlers have a remarkable ability to spread spills well beyond their own clothes.

5

Reserve seats together whenever possible

Sitting together isn't simply more convenient; it makes traveling significantly easier. Being close allows parents to quickly hand over snacks, help with entertainment, comfort nervous children, and manage unexpected situations without disturbing other passengers .

While many airlines try to seat families together, it's never guaranteed unless seats are selected in advance. Booking early increases your chances of staying together throughout the flight. For infants and toddlers traveling in their own seats, using an FAA-approved child restraint system provides an additional layer of safety during turbulence and takeoff.

6

Include flexibility in your plans

One of the quickest ways to create unnecessary stress is to try to pack every hour of the vacation with activities. Children naturally move at a different pace than adults, and even the most exciting attraction can become overwhelming after a long day.

Instead of scheduling four major attractions in a single afternoon, consider planning one primary activity with plenty of free time around it . Unexpected playground visits, leisurely lunches, or simply taking a break at the hotel often become some of the most enjoyable parts of a family vacation. Leaving room for spontaneity allows everyone to enjoy the trip rather than race through it.

7

Follow proper car seat and booster seat rules

Whether you're driving your own vehicle or renting one at your destination, using the correct child restraint is one of the most important safety decisions you'll make. Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of injury and death for children, making proper car seat use essential.

Health and safety experts recommend keeping children rear-facing as long as possible before transitioning to forward-facing seats, followed by booster seats until an adult seat belt fits correctly . Children under 13 are generally safest riding in the back seat. Taking a few extra minutes to install a seat correctly can make a tremendous difference in protecting young passengers.

8

Plan regular breaks on road trips

Adults may be able to drive for hours without stopping, but children usually need regular opportunities to stretch, move around, and burn off energy. Long periods of sitting can quickly lead to boredom, frustration, and restless behavior.

Planning a break every two or three hours gives everyone a chance to use the restroom, grab a snack, or simply walk around for a few minutes . Scenic overlooks, parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds can transform routine stops into enjoyable parts of the journey while helping drivers stay refreshed as well.

9

Bring a familiar comfort item

New places can be exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming for younger travelers. A favorite stuffed animal, blanket, bedtime book, or small pillow provides a comforting reminder of home when everything else feels unfamiliar .

Psychologists often refer to these cherished belongings as "transitional objects" because they help children cope with change and unfamiliar situations. Even older children sometimes appreciate having a familiar item nearby while sleeping in hotels or staying with relatives. Small comforts can make a surprisingly big difference after a busy day of sightseeing.

10

Involve kids in the planning

Vacations become even more exciting when children feel like active participants instead of passive passengers. Depending on their age, let them help choose a restaurant, pick one attraction to visit, or learn interesting facts about the destination before leaving home .

Younger children often enjoy marking locations on a map or helping pack their own travel bag, while older kids may enjoy researching museums, hiking trails, or local foods. Giving every child one special choice during the trip encourages enthusiasm and creates memories they'll feel personally connected to.

11

Keep bedtime routines as consistent as possible

Travel naturally disrupts daily schedules, but maintaining familiar bedtime habits can help children settle down more easily in new surroundings . Reading the same bedtime story, brushing teeth in the usual order, or listening to a familiar lullaby signals that it's time to sleep, even if bedtime happens in a hotel halfway around the world.

Well-rested children generally handle busy sightseeing days, long flights, and unfamiliar environments much better than overtired ones. While vacations don't require military precision, preserving a few comforting routines often helps the entire family enjoy each day a little more.

12

Remember that perfect trips don’t exist

Perhaps the best family travel advice has nothing to do with luggage, flights, or packing lists. Even the most carefully planned vacation will probably include a delayed flight, unexpected rainstorm, forgotten toy, or missed reservation somewhere along the way .

The families who seem to enjoy traveling the most aren't necessarily the ones whose trips go perfectly; they're the ones who treat surprises as part of the adventure. Years later, it's often the unexpected moments that become the funniest stories and the happiest memories. A successful family vacation isn't measured by perfection, but by the experiences you share along the way.

1

Buying alcohol (but not drinking it)

Everyone knows that alcohol was banned during the Prohibition Era (1920–1933), but what about it was illegal? The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor, but drinking it in the comfort of your home was perfectly legal. Now, if you wanted to get your hands on it, you usually had to resort to not-so-legal means, such as speakeasies or bootleggers.

2

Shopping on a Sunday

Enjoying some retail therapy on the weekends is not uncommon nowadays, but there was a time when you could only do it on a Saturday. Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, were statutes that restricted commercial and recreational activities on Sundays , from buying alcohol to hunting, to ensure rest on the Lord’s day. Most blue laws were repealed in the 1960s, but some counties and states still enforce them to some extent.

3

"Modifying" the National Anthem

The National Anthem deserves respect—in fact, making a musical arrangement for it or playing only a part was once illegal. In the early 20th century, many states passed laws against the "musical desecration" of the Star-Spangled Banner , which outlawed embellishing the melody, using it as part of a medley, or dancing to its tune. These laws are no longer standing, and all etiquette regarding the National Anthem is voluntary for civilians.

4

Voting as an 18-year-old

Although there is no consensus among states about the legal age of majority, there is a national standard when it comes to voting in state and federal elections, something all Americans can do at 18 years old. However, this is a relatively new development. The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was passed in 1971 as a result of controversies surrounding the Vietnam War draft of young men who were not entitled to the vote.

5

Swearing in public

While federal laws against profanity are unconstitutional under the First Amendment, several states have passed statutes against public swearing and indecent language . While most of these statutes have not been enforced for decades, you’d be surprised to know that they were still standing in states such as California, Virginia, and Michigan within the past decade.

6

Margarine

D id you know that margarine was banned or severely restricted until the 1950s? In the late 19th century, many states banned the sale of margarine to protect the butter industry, while others allowed its sale on the condition that it was dyed pink to render it unappealing. Margarine with a butter-like appearance could sometimes be sold with an added tax. In 1950, President Harry Truman passed the Margarine Act, lifting all bans and taxes on yellow margarine.

7

Wearing pants as a woman

Wearing pants as a woman was never banned or criminalized on a federal level, but most states outlawed it with crossdressing laws and ordinances. In 1923, the US Attorney General stated that it was legal for women to wear pants in public, but this was not a federal law, which meant that state ordinances still stood. Although women's pants became standard during World War II, many places—such as the U.S. Senate—still banned them until the 1990s.

8

Eating popcorn at the movies

There was never a law or a statute banning popcorn at the cinema, but not for lack of trying. During the Silent Era of Hollywood, food was banned inside most theaters, and popcorn was the public enemy #1 due to the noise . When did it become a movie staple? With the introduction of sound in film, the crunching of popcorn was less of an issue, and street vendors started selling it outside cinemas. Eventually, theaters realized that there was major profit in snacks and started selling them, at a huge markup, in the theater.

9

Pinball machines

In what was known as the ‘Pinball Prohibition’, cities all across America made pinball machines illegal. The rationale was that pinball machines were gambling devices and were used by the mafia to lure children into illegal gambling . Luckily, most anti-pinball laws were repealed in the late 1970s.

10

Owning gold

There are several things that regular citizens can’t legally own, but why gold? In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that banned private ownership of gold —though small amounts of gold jewelry were allowed—to prevent "hoarding". Citizens were required to turn in their gold to the Federal Reserve, and would receive $20.67 per ounce. Gold ownership was made legal again by President Gerald Ford in 1975.

1

John F. Kennedy’s favorite

Image: Florida Memory

We all have our favorite movie or book, and JFK was no exception. America’s 35th president had a clear literary favorite : Ian Fleming’s James Bond series .

In fact, some credit President Kennedy with boosting Fleming’s popularity in the American market. Shortly after taking office, JFK hosted a dinner with several notable figures—including the creator of Bond. Following that meeting, sales of Fleming’s books skyrocketed in the US, eventually leading to the famous film adaptations!

2

Jefferson and speeches

Image: J. Amill Santiago

Thomas Jefferson was one of the great political figures who helped shape this country. And with such talent—along with his political and diplomatic skills—you might not expect that the Sage of Monticello had a hard time speaking in public. But it’s true! According to historical records, Jefferson preferred writing, as public speaking made him uneasy—even panicky at times. So much so that he delivered only two public speeches during his time in office!

3

Adams and Jefferson's caper

Image: sq lim

Before becoming rivals, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were very good friends. In fact, they shared not only political ideals but also everyday adventures. In 1786, while traveling in England, the two—both devoted fans of Shakespeare —visited the house where the playwright was born. Legend has it that before they left, they decided to take a souvenir: a small piece of the wooden chair said to be where Shakespeare once sat while writing!

4

William McKinley's lucky charm

Image: Library of Congress

President William McKinley was known for the red carnation he often wore in his suit lapel—a flower many said he considered a good luck charm . Once, during the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, a little girl approached him to say hello, and the president handed her his signature flower. Strangely, just moments later, he was shot by a man in the crowd. McKinley died eight days later from his wounds.

5

Andrew Jackson's temper

Image: Giorgio Trovato

President Andrew Jackson was famously a hot-tempered man. It's believed that the 7th president fought in more than 100 duels!

According to a well-known story, in 1806, Jackson challenged a man to a duel after the man insulted his wife, Rachel. The opponent fired first and struck Jackson in the chest. But the bullet didn’t stop him —Jackson stood his ground and returned fire, mortally wounding the man. Though he survived, the bullet seriously injured Jackson, and some say it remained lodged in his chest for the rest of his life.

6

Ulysses S. Grant's last-minute decision

Image: Library of Congress

Ulysses S. Grant, commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War and later the 18th president, was also invited to attend Ford’s Theatre with President Abraham Lincoln on the night of Lincoln's assassination. But at the last minute, Grant declined the invitation in order to visit his grandchildren. That decision may very well have saved his life.

7

Washington's teeth

Image: Ryan Quintal

Contrary to the popular myth, our first president’s teeth were not made of wood. However, it’s true that George Washington suffered from serious dental problems . In fact, he began losing his teeth before the age of 30. While his dentures weren’t wooden, they were made from a mix of materials—including ivory, copper, silver, and even animal and human teeth!

8

James A. Garfield's skills

Image: Sean Foster

President James A. Garfield was well known for his impressive oratory and writing abilities. But his talents didn’t stop with English—he was also fluent in Greek and Latin. In addition, Garfield was reportedly ambidextrous: he could write with both hands , even simultaneously. Surprisingly, he allegedly could write in two different languages at the same time—one with each hand! Hats off to him.

9

Andrew Johnson's childhood

Image: Yasamine June

Andrew Johnson didn't have an easy childhood. In fact, he started working at a very young age —when he was just 10 years old, his mother sent him and his brother to apprentice as tailors. They ran away two years later, but Johnson’s skill with fabrics stayed with him well into adulthood. It’s said he designed and sewed his own suits while in office.

10

Abraham Lincoln's hobbies

Image: Jacob Thorson

Abraham Lincoln wasn't just the leader who guided the country through the Civil War and became the 16th president—he was also a regular person, just like us, with a wide range of passions and hobbies (many, many hobbies!).

President Lincoln had a curious mind and surprisingly varied interests. He loved reading (especially Shakespeare), exploring logic and mathematics, playing chess and the violin, caring for animals (especially cats), and even had a talent for mimicking voices. In addition, he was a skilled wrestler in his youth, reportedly competing in around 300 matches and losing only once!