SENSORY-FRIENDLY TRAVEL TIPS
Imagine this: Basking in the warm embrace of sunshine, the ocean's melody serenading your senses like a soothing wind chime orchestra, and the velvety touch of sand cradling your tired feet.
Ahh, doesn't that just transport you to paradise? Returning to your resort room at day's end, slipping into a decadent bubble bath, then climbing into a bed made with luxurious linens — a winter getaway dream come true. It's the stuff we fantasize about during those bone-chilling nights of snowstorms and frosty winds, right?
But wait — reality check inbound.
Even with the promise of an all-inclusive resort, achieving this idyllic scene becomes a Herculean task when the whole family tags along.
Now picture this: Instead of the tranquil lull of waves, you're bombarded with glaring sunlight, sand in places you never knew existed, and the perpetual chorus of "I'm hungry" and "I'm bored" on repeat. Oh, and let's not forget the delightful addition of humidity to the mix.
Move along, folks. Nothing to see here but chaos.
Suddenly, the allure of family togetherness starts to lose its shine, especially when the inevitable chaos of kids off their routine in unfamiliar surroundings kicks in.
Don’t panic!
Through our collaboration with Pitch A Fête, a family experience company focused on transforming ordinary hotel stays into extraordinary ones, and That Makes Sense OT are here to rescue your reality and reignite that sense of family togetherness and bonding. Our mission? To help you and your family reclaim the essence of your vacation — to connect, bond, make cherished memories, and truly unwind.
Let's reimagine the scene:
As you step into your resort room, prepare to be whisked away into a magical oasis. Pay no attention to the mundane beds and nightstands. Instead, a fairy-lit path beckons you toward a corner bursting with wonder and coziness. Behold, a small tent adventure adorned with bedding and an array of sensory delights that will captivate both young and old alike.
Remember those tired and hungry kiddos?
Look at them now!
Their eyes are alight with curiosity as they delve into the treasures of the tipi. Adventures await, and the whole family is invited to partake. These immersive experiences spark curiosity and excitement, transforming your vacation into a journey of discovery.
Whether or not you have family members with sensory sensitivities, we all have unique sensory preferences. By acknowledging and honoring these preferences, we can turn what might have been a struggle-filled vacation into a luxurious, harmonious experience. By considering sensory needs before, during, and after your getaway, we can navigate any challenges with grace, ensuring that the memories we create are nothing short of extraordinary.
Let’s unpack some sensory tips for successful family vacations:
Before the trip
Research your destination, to be prepared for any potential challenges for your child’s sensory system.
To prepare for the culture of the area, read children’s books, watch YouTube video clips, listen to the music of the culture (here in Florida, we get Jimmy Buffet vibes), and explore foods local to the area.
Involve children in packing a few favorite sensory items that could include a soft blanket, fidget toys, stuffed animals, and noise-canceling headphones.
Travel day
Pack some sensory-friendly snacks: Different textures and flavors are ideal to accommodate family member preferences. Some of my sensory favorites are carrot sticks, dried fruits, lemon drops, Bit-O-Honey chews, and gum. (These are all for older children, so adjust as required for your children’s safety.)
Engage in games the whole family might enjoy. There are many games available commercially, but also try games like 20 Questions, I Spy, and the license plate game.
Pack a sensory activity bag for each child, including age-appropriate activities (painter’s tape is my all time favorite, especially for toddlers), books, coloring materials, and comfort items like fidget toys or stuffed animals. Pitch A Fête curates festive holiday-themed sensory play kits too!
Plan sensory breaks:
If traveling by car, plan regular rest breaks to stretch, run around, and explore. Rather than stopping at the truck stop along the interstate, find a playground or a nature area to get some of the wiggles out and expose your senses to the smell of freshly cut grass, flowers in bloom, or even a new snow pile (extra change of clothes recommended!).
If traveling by air, use noise-canceling headphones to lessen the auditory overwhelm. Plan snacks during takeoff and landing times to ease the effects of the pressure changes on the ears. Use layovers to your advantage by finding areas where children can run and do active play.
Vacation Time
Plan a mix of structured activities and outings, as well as downtime to relax. Vacations are meant to be a time to regroup and recharge.
Expect the unexpected. Weather, illness, and schedule changes can throw perfectly laid plans into a tizzy. Rather than lament what could have been, find the joy in the moment!
Maintain key parts of your routine with your children. Routines give children a sense of safety and connection in an otherwise unfamiliar space.
Accommodations such as a room far from the elevators and the pool area can help reduce noise, blackout curtains help for visual sensitivities and may help those early risers to give parents a little more shuteye, and suites with a separate area for sleeping and playing can help so you aren’t all tied to an 8 p.m. bedtime.
Returning Home
On the way back home, talking about the things you miss at home and things you love to do at home can help prep your family to get back into the home routine.
Give some grace and time to re-establish routines.
Look at photos and play with souvenirs from the trip as a way to cement fond core memories of the vacation.
Get back into your bedtime routine as quickly as possible. Getting enough rest is the best way to reset your sensory system.
In summary, let's not sweat the small stuff. Sometimes, those little mishaps and spontaneous moments become the fondest memories of our vacations.
A child with a well-regulated sensory system is free to explore and embrace adventure through whole-body sensory learning and play. Establishing a sense of connection and safety is pivotal for sensory regulation. Whether it's a hug, a shared giggle, a spontaneous song, or a bit of roughhousing, these simple acts foster connection in the moment. These moments of connection accumulate throughout the day, nurturing resilience within the family and allowing our children to be the curious little beings they were always meant to be.
At That Makes Sense OT, we believe in curiosity over compliance, and we motivate children to use their strengths and interests to help them build more skills. Our purpose is to help families create a safe space that allows their child’s natural curiosity to emerge and transform rigidity and power struggles into joy-filled, adventurous exploration.
Brenda Chilstrom, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory processing and feeding services. She has over 30 years of experience working with children and families and believes all gains, no matter how big or small, are worth celebrating.
Pitch A Fête is a family experience company based in Pittsburgh that believes in the transformative power of play to turn ordinary stays into extraordinary ones. They provide families, communities, and hoteliers with the tools to create enriching oases wherever they go, from tent adventures and sensory play kits to curated Camp Fête immersive event planning guides. Their play experiences are designed to transform homes and hotels into fantastical realms, promoting interactive play, cooperative engagement, and fundamental life skills.
Founder and CEO, Kaitlin Malaspina, and her daughter are the mother-daughter duo behind the brand. Together, they spend their days dreaming up new ways to make the magic of childhood just a little more magical. The travel-loving pair works with luxury hotels to engineer creative fun for the whole family, making memories that last forever.
