The Traveling Family Circus: Your Go-To Guide for Stress-Free Family Travel

Rome may be one of the most historic cities in the world, but is it a good destination for kids? In this episode, I share our experience visiting Rome with five kids, along with my best family travel tips, must-see attractions, Vatican advice, and favorite kid-friendly activities. Whether you have one day in Rome from a cruise stop or several days to explore, this episode will help you plan a memo...

History, pizza, gelato, ancient ruins, and beautiful coastlines. In this episode, I'm taking you along on our four unforgettable Italy cruise ports aboard the Disney Dream: Cagliari, Naples, Rome, and Pisa. I'll share exactly what we did with our five kids, what excursions were worth it, what I'd do differently, and the lessons we learned along the way. From exploring Pompeii and th...

Was a Disney Cruise really worth the hype? In this episode, I share our family's full review of the Disney Dream Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, including embarkation day tips, dining, kids clubs, entertainment, Pirate Night, character experiences, the AquaDuck, photo package, and all the little moments that made this trip so magical. I'll also share what surprised us, what we'...

What does it really look like to travel internationally with your kids on your own? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Kate from Adios Team, a mom who regularly takes solo trips around the world with her two daughters. We talk about how she plans these trips, manages long travel days, keeps things running smoothly, and builds the confidence to do it again and again. If you’ve ever wondered whe...

Disney is magical… but it can also get expensive fast. In this episode, I’m sharing simple, little-known ways to save hundreds on Disney trips and even earn free flights and hotel stays in the process. From discounted Disney gift cards to a smart credit card strategy that helped us earn thousands of points for our upcoming Disney cruise, I’m breaking down exactly what we did and how you can do it...

Ever wondered what it actually takes to plan a big international trip with kids? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our nearly 3-week European family adventure—from booking flights and using points to planning a Disney Cruise, visiting multiple countries, and managing all the moving parts as a family of seven. If you’re dreaming of a big trip but don’t know where to start, this e...

Planning a trip to Oahu with kids? In this episode, I’m sharing our experience visiting Oahu as a family with young kids, including where we stayed on the North Shore and in Ko Olina, our favorite beaches, fun activities, and tips to make your trip easier. From shave ice in Haleiwa to calm lagoons perfect for little swimmers, this episode will help you plan a memorable and family-friendly Hawaii v...

Traveling with kids can be amazing—but it can also test everyone’s patience. In this episode, I’m sharing our simple $5-a-day reward system that helps motivate teamwork, kindness, and better behavior on family trips. Plus, I’m sharing practical tips to reduce meltdowns, keep the peace, and help the whole family enjoy traveling together. 📌 Show Notes: https://www.happylittletraveler.co/podcast/epi...

Planning a family trip to San Diego? In this episode, I’m sharing how we spent one fun-filled week in San Diego as a family of seven, including Legoland, SeaWorld, Coronado Beach, Balboa Park, Belmont Park, and more. I’ll also share tips, favorite moments, and why San Diego is one of the best family-friendly vacation spots. The Plunge- Indoor Pool Obstacle Course Sea World- Quick Queue Jr- skip li...

Planning a road trip with kids? After driving 1,200+ miles through 9 states with five kids (plus dozens of other road trips over the years), I’m sharing all of our best road trip tips, tricks, and hacks that actually worked—from screen-free games and snack ideas to organization must-haves and ways to keep kids happy on long drives.  If you've had a bad experience in the past or think road tri...

In this episode, I’m joined by Julianne, the voice behind My Outdoorsy Mom , to talk about how to raise outdoor confident kids in a simple and realistic way. We dive into how she went from having 3 kids under 3 to creating a daily rhythm of outdoor play that transformed her home, reduced screen time, and helped her kids become more independent and regulated. We also talk about how getting kids out...

Planning a family trip to Myrtle Beach? I’m sharing exactly how we spent 2 fun-filled days in Myrtle Beach with kids as the final stop on our 9 states in 9 days road trip. From go-karts and mini golf to beach time, Broadway at the Beach, and a unique airboat adventure, this episode is packed with family-friendly ideas to help you plan an easy, memorable trip. I’ll walk you through our real itinera...

Exploring Virginia’s Historic Triangle with kids? In this episode, I’m sharing our 2-day experience visiting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown as part of our 9 states in 9 days road trip with our 5 kids. From climbing aboard replica ships to walking through a living colonial town, I’ll break down what we loved, what we’d do differently, and tips to make this stop fun and manageable with kids....

In this episode, I’m sharing our experience visiting Washington, DC with kids , including our 2-day itinerary, must-see landmarks, and tips for making the most of your time. From touring the U.S. Capitol and seeing the Declaration of Independence , to exploring museums and going to the top of the Washington Monument , I’m breaking down what we did, what worked, and what I’d recommend for families....

In this episode, I’m recapping our epic 9-state spring break road trip with kids . From flying a redeye and visiting the Statue of Liberty and Washington, DC , to exploring early American history in Virginia, flying kites in the Outer Banks, and ending with beach time in Myrtle Beach, I’m sharing our full itinerary, highlights, and what it was really like traveling this much with five kids. If you...

What’s the best age to start traveling with kids? In this episode, I’m breaking down what it’s really like to travel with children at every stage—from babies and toddlers to school-age kids and beyond. I share the challenges, benefits, and tips for each age group, along with why I believe any age can be a great age to travel as long as you adjust expectations. If you’re wondering when to start tra...

In this episode, I’m sharing all about our day visiting Tokyo DisneySea , one of the most unique Disney parks in the world. From ride strategy and using Premier Access passes to the best snacks, must-do rides, and tips for navigating the crowds, I’m recapping our experience and sharing helpful advice if you’re planning a visit. If Tokyo DisneySea is on your Japan itinerary, this episode will help...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a recap of my husband Greg and my recent kid-free trip to Tokyo, Japan . From flying in Delta One suites using points , to exploring Shibuya Crossing, cuddling baby pigs, Takeshita Street, TeamLab, and Tokyo DisneySea , we’re diving into our favorite experiences, kid-friendly recommendations , and a few funny travel mishaps along the way. Even though this was one of...

Want to travel internationally with kids but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I’m sharing the best first international destinations for families — including London, Paris, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Spain, Australia, and Costa Rica. We’ll talk about why these countries are easier for beginners, how they minimize language barriers, and what makes them esp...

Family travel can feel overwhelming — the packing, the meltdowns, the cost, the logistics. So is it actually worth it? In this episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I’m sharing the honest pros and cons of traveling with kids, what makes it hard, and why I still believe it’s one of the best investments you can make as a family. If you’ve ever wondered whether family vacations are worth the money...

We’re attempting something we’ve never done before — a nine-state spring break road trip with five kids — and I’m taking you behind the scenes of exactly how I’m planning it. From flying into Newark and driving down to Savannah, to choosing hotels, pacing drive days, packing in time blocks, and keeping everything organized in one digital hub, I share my real-life process step by step. I also break...

Checked bags? Not in this family. In this episode, I share why our family of seven travels carry-on only for every trip—from three nights to three weeks—and how this strategy has made traveling with kids smoother, faster, and far less stressful. From the luggage and packing cubes we swear by to laundry-on-the-road tricks, mix-and-match outfits, and mindset shifts that keep us packing light, this e...

Snow falling in downtown Chicago, shopping sprees on Michigan Avenue, ringing in the New Year from a hotel room with skyline views, and ice skating beneath the city lights—this family trip had it all. In this episode, I’m sharing our New Year’s adventure in Chicago with five kids, from staying in a spacious two-bedroom suite at the Residence Inn Downtown Loop to visiting the Willis Tower Skydeck,...

Taking kid-free trips as a couple isn’t selfish—it’s intentional. In this episode, we talk about why couples need time away without kids, how kid-free travel strengthens your marriage, and why prioritizing your relationship actually benefits your children. I share our family’s experience taking annual couples trips, how we make it work with support from grandparents and caregivers, and practical t...

Hotels can be one of the most expensive parts of traveling with kids — but they don’t have to be. In this episode, I’m sharing practical, family-tested strategies to save hundreds (and even thousands) on hotel stays. From using points and miles with Hyatt, to leveraging family discounts on second rooms, to knowing when Priceline or Expedia can score you the best deal, this episode breaks down exac...