How My Kids Slept During Our Family Trip (and What Helped Us Stay on Track!)
Lacy Hess • June 8, 2025
How We Handled Sleep While Traveling with Kids for a Family Graduation Trip
Last weekend, we flew to California as a family to celebrate my oldest nephew’s high school graduation. I can’t believe he’s already 18 and walking the stage! This trip was extra special because it was also our kids’ very first time on an airplane—and let me tell you, I had all the usual questions running through my head:
How would they handle the early flights? The change in schedule? The excitement and overstimulation?
I knew it wouldn’t be perfect, but I also knew that we’d find our rhythm and get back on track once we were home.
Here’s how it went—and what I think helped make sleep during travel a little smoother.
Early Mornings, Big Emotions, and… No Naps?!
We kicked off the trip with a 4:45AM wake-up on Thursday. The kids had gone to bed only 30–60 minutes earlier than usual the night before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Surprisingly, there were no meltdowns that morning—thank you, travel excitement!
Despite a 45-minute drive to the airport and a long flight ahead, no naps were taken. The kids were wide awake the entire time. We colored, read, ate snacks, and soaked in the newness of flying.
Once we landed, they ran off some energy in the airport (thankfully not in anyone’s way!) and stayed awake all the way through lunch and playtime at our destination.
Making Sleep Work in a New Space
That first night, we did everything we could to make bedtime feel familiar:
- We kept them in separate sleep spaces within the rooms they were bunking in.
- Followed our normal bedtime routine: shower, teeth, books, story, lights out.
- Made the rooms as dark as possible and even turned on red hanging lights in my daughter’s room since they were available.
- Stayed consistent with our “goodnight” routine—even in a brand-new environment.
There were a few bedtime stall tactics, of course:
My daughter came out three times
before finally settling in. A little imagination—like “I’ll meet you in our dreamland with unicorns and rainbows”—helped calm her nerves.
My son sang to himself
for about 10 minutes (adorable) and then fell asleep for the night.
Once asleep, they stayed asleep all night and slept 12 full hours. They were exhausted, and it showed.
How Sleep Progressed Over the Trip
Each day got a little better:
Day 2:
- A short 30-minute car nap post-aquarium visit.
- One quick bedtime exit, then down for the night.
- Slept 11 solid hours!
Day 3:
We attempted an afternoon nap in their travel rooms—something we haven’t done in a while.
After our mini bedtime routine, they each came out once, then slept over 2 HOURS. I was shocked—and thankful, because we had a graduation party that night.
They stayed up until 10PM and loved every second of it!
Day 4:
- Another short nap in the car after a baseball game.
- 7:30PM bedtime in prep for our early morning flight.
- No bedtime protests!
Day 5:
- A 4AM wake-up to travel home.
- No naps until the car ride home from the airport.
And then? Right back to our usual sleep schedule
that night without any problems.
Tips for Traveling With Kids and Prioritizing Sleep
Every trip is different, and the beginning always seems trickier because of all the excitement and stimulation. FOMO (fear of missing out) is real—especially with kids!
Here are my takeaways and sleep travel tips for families:
- Stick to your normal bedtime routine. It offers comfort and predictability, even in new places.
- Create a sleep-conducive environment as best you can: dark room, familiar lovey/stuffy, sound machine (if you have a portable one—wish we did!), and a cool, quiet space.
- Stay flexible but intentional. You may need to offer a nap even if your child doesn’t usually nap anymore.
- Adjust bedtime to match your child’s sleep needs. An earlier night may be necessary after a stimulating day.
- Keep realistic expectations. Sleep won’t be perfect—and that’s okay. Focus on helping your child feel safe and secure, and things will improve as they settle into the new rhythm.
The Bottom Line: A Strong Sleep Foundation Makes All the Difference
Because we’ve worked hard to build healthy sleep habits at home, our kids were better able to adjust to the changes
and get back on track quickly when we returned.
If you’re preparing for summer travel and wondering how to help your child sleep well away from home—or if you’re still working on setting up those healthy habits—I’d love to help.
👉 Book your free consultation today
and let’s talk about how I can help bring sleep back to your home.
💌 And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for weekly sleep tips, new blog posts, and special offers to support your family’s sleep journey.
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