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

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to plan a family trip step-by-step —from choosing the right destination and finding the best time to travel, to booking flights, hotels, activities, and building a kid-friendly itinerary that isn’t overwhelming. We’ll walk through how to choose between a hotel or Airbnb, what to look for when researching weather and packing, and how to avoid the biggest mista...

In this episode, I’m joined by Irina from On Points with Kids , who just returned from an incredible family trip to French Polynesia — exploring Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Moorea with her kids . Irina shares how her family made this dream destination affordable using points and miles , along with practical tips for planning, choosing family-friendly resorts, and keeping travel days smooth. We chat abo...

Today I’m talking all about traveling with kids during the holidays —Thanksgiving, Christmas, or both—and how to keep your family traditions alive even when you’re far from home. I’m sharing our Christmas in Puerto Rico with 12 family members (yes, Santa still found us!), how we recreated the magic with stockings, pajamas, a mini “felt” Christmas tree, cookie decorating, and games, plus what it lo...

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to earn the Southwest Companion Pass so you can fly a child or family member for nearly free for up to two full years . I’ll walk you through what the Companion Pass is, why timing is everything, and the exact strategy I recommend— with step by step instructions. I’ll also share how my husband and I both earned it, how we used it so two of our kids fl...

In this episode, I’m diving into everything you need to know about cruising with kids and cruising as a family — from choosing the right ship and itinerary to onboard tips that make your vacation fun, smooth, and stress-less. I’m sharing our experience cruising with little ones on Carnival and Royal Caribbean (and our plans for a Disney cruise next year!), plus what to look for in a cruise line, h...

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Ashley from @TravelingGraces , who—along with her husband and two kids—spent an entire year traveling around the world! Ashley shares what inspired their family to take the leap, how they planned a full year abroad, and what life on the road really looked like as they explored multiple continents and over 22 countries. From funny travel stories and une...

In this episode, I’m sharing how we explored Paris with kids — from taking the Eurostar from London , to staying at a hotel with an Eiffel Tower view using points, to our favorite kid-friendly Paris experiences. We visited the Louvre with kids , went to the top of the Eiffel Tower , took a Seine cruise, enjoyed rich hot chocolate at Carette, and spent a magical morning at Luxembourg Gardens with t...

** If this episode was helpful, please leave a review and rating .  I read them all and it helps other families find this podcast.  Thank you!** In this episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about exploring London with kids — including our family-friendly itinerary, what we loved, what we wouldn’t do again, and the insider tips that made our trip easier and more magical. From iconic sig...

Today I’m sharing my top 10 game-changing travel apps that make family travel easier, smoother, and way less stressful — from finding flight deals and planning road trips to booking family-friendly stays and keeping everyone organized along the way. These are the exact apps I use to simplify travel days and make every trip feel effortless.  And stick around until the end, because I’m also sharing...

Is Taiwan on your bucket list? It should be! Along with a few special guests on today's episode, I'm sharing our family’s 5-day adventure through Taiwan — exploring Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung with our two oldest kids. It was such a meaningful trip because my husband lived in Taiwan over 20 years ago, and we finally got to see those places together as a family. From vibrant night mar...

Thinking about buying a timeshare or wondering if the one you already have is worth it? In this episode I'll break down the real pros and cons of owning a timeshare —from guaranteed vacations and resort-style amenities to hidden fees,  maintenance costs, and limited flexibility.  As a Marriott Vacation Club Owner myself for 4 years who has enjoyed using it for our family of 7, we have seen th...

Planning to drive the Road to Hana with kids? In this episode, I share the best family-friendly stops — from Twin Falls and the Garden of Eden to Black Sand Beach, Hamoa Beach, and the Seven Sacred Pools — plus tips on where to eat, what to pack, and how to avoid common mistakes. I also share our family’s 12-hour experience and why my Maui Magic for Families   guide is the ultimate resource for cu...

On this episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I’m sharing all about our recent trip to Maui with kids — what worked, what didn’t, and the family-friendly gems you won’t want to miss. From snorkeling with Four Winds Maui and spotting turtles at Ho‘okipa Beach, to the breathtaking sunset at Haleakalā and kid-approved food stops like Monkeypod and Ululani’s Shave Ice, I’ll walk you through our fav...

Planning a Disney vacation can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I’m joined by Disney Vacation Specialist Rachel Ngeam , who shares exactly how to plan and execute the ultimate family Disney vacation . We cover timelines, where to stay, how to build a kid-friendly (and meltdown-proof) itinerary, Genie+/Lightning Lane strategy, dining reservations, budget-saving tips, and c...

In this first episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I’m sharing the heart behind our family’s passion for travel and why we choose to make it such a priority while our kids are still young. I’ll talk about the challenges of traveling with five kids, the lessons I learned from my own childhood experiences, and the motivation behind starting this podcast. This episode is about more than destinati...

What if your family’s next big adventure didn’t come with a big price tag? In this episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I am spilling the tea on how my family of seven flies and stays for nearly free using credit card points and airline miles. Whether you’re brand new to points and miles or just want to travel smarter as a big family, this episode breaks it down in mom-friendly, no-stress step...

Flying with toddlers and young kids can feel like a marathon in the sky—but it doesn’t have to end in exhaustion (or tears!). In this episode of The Traveling Family Circus , I’m sharing our real-life tips for surviving long flights as a big family. From what to pack in your carry-on, to how we get our kids to sleep on planes, to our favorite screen-free activities that actually keep toddlers ente...

Welcome to The Traveling Family Circus — This podcast is for families like ours—big, busy, bursting with love—and dreaming of seeing the world together before the kids grow up. I’m Jacquelyn, but my friends and family call me Jacq — I’m a full-time working mom of 5, entrepreneur, and creator of the Happy Little Traveler activity kits available on Amazon. Our family of 7 has taken dozens of trips —...