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Travel and outings with kids

Terms for flying, driving and packing when children come along.

A

All-inclusive resortA resort where one price covers the room plus meals and drinks, and often some activities, instead of charging for each one separately during the stay.
Annual passA pass bought once that covers entry to a park, attraction or set of sites for a year, so it pays off after enough visits.

B

Beach day checklistA list of what to pack and do for a safe day at the beach with kids: sun protection, water, life jackets, a lifeguarded spot and an adult watching at all times.

C

Camping with kidsPlanning a family camping trip around kids' safety and comfort: water, fire, food storage, ticks and constant watching near lakes and rivers.

F

FAA-approved car seatA child car seat labeled as certified for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft, so it can be used in a child's ticketed airplane seat.
Family vacationA trip taken together by a parent or parents and their children, usually planned around school breaks, the children's ages and a shared budget.
Flying with a babyAir travel with a child under 2, which starts with one choice: a lap infant on an adult's lap, or a ticketed seat with an FAA-approved car seat.

G

Gate checkHanding a stroller, car seat or carry-on bag to the airline at the boarding gate so it travels in the hold instead of the cabin.

I

Indoor play placeAn indoor venue with climbing structures, slides and soft play areas where children can run and climb out of the weather.

J

Jet lag in kidsThe mismatch between a child's body clock, still on home time, and the clock where they've landed after crossing time zones, which can upset their sleep.

L

Lap infantA child under 2 who flies on an adult's lap without a seat of their own. The FAA allows it but recommends a ticketed seat and an approved car seat.
Library passesFree or discounted admission passes to museums, gardens and other attractions that a public library lets cardholders reserve, usually for a set date.

M

Motion sicknessFeeling sick from the movement of travel by car, boat, plane or train, which CDC says is most common in children from 2 to 12 years old.

P

Packing listA written list of everything to bring on a trip, ticked off as each item goes in a bag so nothing important gets left behind.
Passport for kidsA U.S. passport for a child under 16. The child applies in person on Form DS-11 with both parents' consent, and it's valid for 5 years.
Points and milesRewards earned from credit cards, airlines and hotels that can be spent on travel, worth whatever the program lets you redeem them for, often around 1 cent each.

R

Rainy day activitiesThings for children to do indoors when bad weather cancels outdoor plans, ideally mixing active play with quieter projects.
Reef-safe sunscreenA marketing label for sunscreen meant to signal it won't harm coral; no regulator defines the term, so the active ingredients list is what to check.

S

Shoulder seasonThe travel period between a destination's peak and off-peak seasons, just before or after the busiest weeks, when fares are often lower than at peak.
Sun safetyThe habits that protect skin and eyes from the sun's UV rays: shade, covering clothes, a hat, sunglasses and broad spectrum sunscreen reapplied often.

T

Theme park planningWorking out dates, tickets, park reservations, lodging, budget and a daily plan before a theme park trip, so the cost and the days hold no surprises.
Travel budgetA plan for how much a trip will cost in total, split into travel, lodging, food, activities and a cushion, set before you book.
Travel first aid kitA small, packable kit of first aid supplies, medicines and health papers a family carries on a trip so minor problems can be handled away from home.
Travel insuranceA policy bought for a trip that can repay prepaid costs if you cancel for a covered reason, and pay for medical care or evacuation while away.

V

Vacation planningWorking out where, when and how a trip will happen, including what it costs, how to save for it and what paperwork it needs, well before you leave.

Z

Zoo membershipA yearly membership with a zoo that covers admission for the people it names, and at many AZA zoos brings free or discounted entry at others too.