✨ How to Travel with a Tween (and Actually Enjoy It)
We’re the Smithson’s, a full-time traveling family with our tween daughter Tilly in tow. We swapped stress for sunshine, school runs for slow travel, and are now world-schooling our way through life.
And no, it’s not always glamorous. But it’s real, it’s freeing, and it’s 100% doable—with a tween! So if you're thinking about ditching the routine and becoming a full-time travel family... here’s what we’ve learned along the way.
Ever tried traveling full-time with a tween who’s moody, hungry, and glued to their screen?
Yeah, we have too. (A lot.) It’s not always smooth sailing—but it is 100% manageable with the right mix of patience, snacks, and flexibility. And that’s what we’re sharing here.
🎒 Snacks, Sleep & Sanity: Your New Best Friends
Traveling with a tween? Start here:
Got snacks? Always. Seriously. Hangry tweens are no joke. Keep things like fruit, crisps, and local goodies within reach.
Tired much? Sleep routines go out the window as full time travellers—but a nap, a lie-in, or just a quiet half-hour can be magic.
Let go of the clock. Some days are slow, others packed. Be okay with both. Flexibility = survival.
Ask yourself: What keeps your tween grounded at home? Can you recreate that on the road?
⏳ Why Slower Travel = Better Travel (Especially with Kids)
Does rushing from city to city sound exciting… or exhausting?
For tweens (and honestly, for us too), slow travel gives everyone a chance to catch up with themselves. Less pressure to “see it all,” more time to enjoy the little things: a great park, a lazy morning, or a movie day as a family.
Build days in your itinerary that are just for chilling. Let your kid choose the pace. You might be surprised at how much smoother the days go with less meltdowns.
Tilly’s choice to chill at a cat cafe in Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭
💬 Let Your Tween Be Part of the Plan
Think your kid doesn’t care about the travel plans? Think again.
Tweens love having a say. Let them pick a museum, vote on the next destination, or plan a day around their interests. It gives them ownership, gets them excited, and can totally change the vibe of the trip.
When we started travelling together I had a plan of what we should all do, this was met with some conflict and now Tilly has been getting involved with the planning the day is much more enjoyable.
Honestly, you don’t want a stroppy tween overshadowing that special day out that’s taken weeks to plan…. it’s not worth the stress!
Want fewer moans and more momentum? Ask: “What’s something you’d love to do this week?”
Tilly organised a day out to a Dinosaur Park in Lampang (Thailand) 👇🏻 - it’s nice to include her in the planning!
🤯 Emotional Support Without Smothering
Travel is emotional—especially when you're between homes, cultures, and time zones.
Give your tween:
Space to chill (headphones and alone time matter)
Reassurance that big feelings are totally normal
Trust to explore their independence a bit more
Set family expectations early. Talk about kindness, flexibility, and respecting everyone’s downtime. And then... model it. (Even when your phone’s dead and it’s raining on laundry day.)
🚀 Fun > Perfect: Connection Over Checklists
Travel isn’t about ticking boxes—especially with kids. Some of the best days come from unexpected turns, spontaneous dance parties, or an afternoon spent making new friends on a beach.
Let go of the “Instagram” version of travel. Lean into the messy, silly, snack-filled, real-life one. It’s way more fun, and a lot more memorable.
Ask: Are we chasing perfection—or connection?
💰 Travel on a Budget with a Tween? Yes, You Can!
Family travel doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s what’s worked for us:
Stay longer in each spot = better rates and better routines
Eat local, cook often = cheaper (and sometimes healthier!)
Free stuff is gold – Parks, walks, local events, beaches—don’t overlook them
Pack light – You really don’t need 5 pairs of shoes. Promise.
And remember, your tween doesn’t need five-star hotels—they need a comfy place, Wi-Fi, snacks, and space to draw or game.
🔌 Tech, Wi-Fi & Screen Time: The Balance Game
Let’s be real—tweens are online. And that’s okay!
We let Tilly connect with friends, play Roblox, and watch Netflix. But we also set boundaries. No screens at dinner, regular off-grid adventures, and daily downloads for offline moments. Tilly actually spent a lot more time on her phone/technology when we lived at home in the UK, we didn’t monitor it as much as we were all so tired after a working/school day, it was easier to let it be.
Now we are all within close proximity to each other we have more awareness around screen time and know when to shut technology down. Its actually refreshing when we go out and explore together and leave our devices tucked away in our bags.
And yes: a portable charger is an actual lifesaver.
What’s your family’s digital rhythm? Build it into your travel routine early.
Tilly starting to create her own business idea 👀
💁♀️ Tilly’s Top Tips for Tween Travel Survival
(Yes, she helped write this.)
Choki Choki chocolate tubes stash (from 7/11) – non-negotiable.
7/11 snack runs – every country, every time.
Good mobile data – life or death (her words).
Roblox & Netflix – for downtime.
Drawing supplies & a good book – calm in chaos.
Friends on socials – to stay connected to her friends old and new (worldwide)
A fan, comfy pillow, teddy & blanket – little comforts go a long way.
Food. More food. Then snacks. Then nice drinks.
Headphones – for music and family peace.
🌈 Final Thoughts
Traveling full-time with kids isn't about being perfect. It's about being present.
You won’t get it right every day. We don’t either. Struggling with constant tween attitude, tech drama, or emotional ups and downs while living out of a backpack? You’re not failing—it’s just normal. These tips are how we survive (and sometimes even thrive!) with a tween on the road.
You can build a life with less stress, less stuff, and way more freedom. We’re proof that worldschooling, slow travel, and chasing sunshine with your tween is possible.
So... want to know where to start? You just did—by showing up here!
We’re the Smiths On Tour. And we’ll see you on the road.
