This article is part 6 of my series: “Sacred Living in a Distracted Age,” a journey back to presence, barakah, and God in a world that constantly pulls us away.

Traveling with children especially babies requires preparation both physically and mentally. It is very different from traveling solo or with adults, and it naturally asks more of us as parents.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that have worked well for me. They may not work for everyone, because we are all different and have different needs, personalities, and parenting styles.

Personally, I am not a strict planner. Even when I try to follow rigid routines, I usually end up abandoning them. I thrive on flexibility, and rigidity does not suit my nature. That said, I do benefit from gentle routines and a soft rhythm. I like to know the general shape of my day, week, or journey as I cannot function without it but I also leave plenty of room for things to unfold naturally.

Until my children reached the age of around ten, I almost always traveled with them without screens even on long flights or extended bus and train journeys between countries. Alhamdulillah, this was a conscious choice, and with Allah’s help, it was made possible. At the time, my children did not have personal devices, and we didn’t even own a television. They did have limited and monitored screen time at home, but not during travel. As a result, journeys felt exciting to them. They enjoyed the views, anticipated what was to come, and engaged fully in simple activities.

One Long Journey, One Little Traveler

I once traveled with my three-year-old on a journey that included a 24-hour bus ride from one country to another with long boarder stay. Alhamdulilah, I cannot take credit for how smooth that experience was nor can I attribute it to the activities I had prepared beforehand. I truly believe Allah made it easy for us, and I was also blessed with a relatively easygoing child.

Still, there were some practical things that helped such as a simple toy and a water colouring book. However, most of her time was spent talking to us or the other passengers she became friends with, playing outside whenever we stopped for a quick break or the long wait at the boarder. When we felt like we were delayed she just hopped on her legs and played with the natural things she could find around her. Alhamdulilah for that experience for all of us.

Though I didn’t pack much for this long journey for my 3 year old. The following items are what I usually took with me on holiday:

• A small selection of toys such as magnetic tiles, Duplo Lego, or a favorite compact toy that could fit safely into a backpack
• A few lightweight, non-bulky books
• A reusable water-coloring book that only requires a water brush. Completely mess-free and endlessly fascinating for young children. This was by far the most-used item on our journey and continued to be used throughout the holiday
• A non-digital writing or drawing pad with a pen, which works well for both younger and older children, especially when traveling with siblings who turn it into games and friendly competitions
• Light snacks, though I prefer not to overdo snacks as they can sometimes lead to hyperactivity or tummy upsets

Perhaps the most important tip of all is this: DON’T OVER SCHEDULE and DON’T STRESS excessively about how your children will stay entertained. Of course, their age matters; babies and toddlers naturally require more attention and involvement. But across my travels with babies, toddlers, and older children, I’ve learned not to overpack or overwhelm myself with entertainment options. I intentionally leave space for free play, conversation, rest, and simply observing the world around them. Time and again, this simplicity has led to enjoyable and peaceful journeys for all of us, alhamdulillah.

There were many trips where I packed only one or two of the items mentioned above rather than everything. When we arrived at our destination, I made sure the children had access to books, toys, or enriching activities often outdoors such as exploring, outings, or swimming. Children truly don’t need as much as we think they do. You may be surprised by how well they engage with very little, or how absorbed they become in unstructured play.

I strongly believe that once children leave their familiar indoor environment and understand that they are on a journey, something shifts in them. You often witness a side of your child you don’t usually see at home; more patience, presence, and acceptance. Even journeys we expect to be difficult can surprise us when our children rise to the occasion, remain calm, and accept the experience as it comes. In those moments, we realize that we adults are often the ones who complain more, become impatient, or struggle to adapt.

Of course, it helps to know what to expect from a journey and to plan accordingly but always go with an open mindset. Parenthood teaches us, often the hard way, that things rarely go exactly as planned. It is a humbling experience when Allah reminds us, through our children, that we are not in control. We plan the perfect day, and then a child has an accident, siblings argue, or someone locks the car keys inside the car (yes, that happened to me once!). These moments refine us. They teach us patience, reliance on Allah, and acceptance of His decree. His plan always prevails over ours.

Now that I travel with a pre-teen, the experience looks different. They may use the screen provided on the airplane, but on bus or train journeys, I still prefer to keep things screen-free. I remind them while packing to bring a book or a quiet activity they enjoy, such as drawing or handiwork. If they choose not to and end up bored, they know not to complain as I’ve already given the reminder at home.

Long train journey encounter

Four years ago, we traveled by train from London to outside the city for a short holiday. It was a long journey, and we were traveling with my children and their cousins around 10 children in total, aged between 3 and 10 accompanied. The younger children sat together, and the older ones sat nearby. They chatted, giggled, enjoyed the scenery, had snacks, and played quiet games.

As mothers, we were conscious of the other passengers and gently reminded the children to keep their voices down when needed. Naturally, they would forget, but we tried to balance courtesy with allowing them to enjoy themselves.

At the end of the journey, as we stepped off the train, a man approached us. My heart sank as I assumed we had disturbed him. Instead, he said, “I just wanted to tell you that your children were very pleasant to travel with.” He explained that it was refreshing to see children talking, laughing, and interacting rather than being glued to screens. He also noted their respectful language and demeanor. I thanked him, feeling relieved and grateful, especially since we had been worried about their noise levels. His words stayed with me.

I don’t believe my children are perfect simply because they had a screen-free journey but I was thankful for the reminder that this kind of interaction is still possible. My aspiration for my children has always been higher than simply being “good enough” by today’s lowered standards. I want excellence in their upbringing, inshaAllah. We must be careful not to deprive our children of higher expectations simply because society’s baseline has fallen.

The point of sharing this story is to show that traveling with children without screens is not only possible but can be deeply enriching. Children often rise to the expectations we set for them, as long as those expectations are reasonable and delivered with consistency. While they may resist at times, they also come to respect clear boundaries when we stand by them.

I didn’t intend for this to turn into a reflection on parenting and screen time but it’s a topic close to home and it naturally finds its way into my thoughts and conversations.

I hope these tips help you on your next long journey with children, and that you’re pleasantly surprised by what your children are capable of when given trust, simplicity, and space.

In my next post I’ll write about travelling with a baby and what to keep in mind or not!

Until next time..

Peace be with you.