One day when my younger son was just figuring out how to walk, I took my kids to a nearby trail and let them loose. It was a chilly day in Winter and we ALL were needing some time outdoors. They immediately started wandering down the trail, picking up sticks and playing in the dirt. All the fussing and fighting that had plagued our morning completely stopped, and they were as happy as could be out in the wilderness.

That’s when it dawned on me… that all my kids really need is unstructured play time outside to be perfectly content. And if our kids are happy… so are we! As people who have never idled well, my husband and I have always sought out vacations that are a little more off-the-grid and adventure-focused. So this was an amazing revelation to say the least. I realized that as long as I could plan a trip where there were kid friendly trails and beautiful places in nature to explore… we could go anywhere!

As a plant-based athlete, mom of two young boys, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, I know how complicated it can be to plan vegan-friendly vacations. So I changed my thinking around it completely, and once I did, it became super easy to travel pretty much anywhere in the world. In this blog post, I’ll show you what I mean.

1. Shift your thinking

Instead of researching destinations that are vegan friendly, be prepared to bring your lifestyle with you. And no, I don’t mean throwing your air fryer in your check bag! I mean, plan to do a little more of the food prep yourself, so that you can free yourself up to explore ALL day while you’re traveling with your family. 

2. Plan ahead, and plan to cook

Preparation is key when traveling with kids. Before your trip, research your destination! We generally book accommodations that include a full kitchen (usually an Airbnb) so that we can just get groceries delivered and do all the meal prep ourselves. To me, this is the easiest way to have breakfast, lunch and snacks fully covered before heading out the door. We always pack a collapsible cooler in our check bag, or pick one up locally upon arrival so that we can have everything available in the car with us. A few days before the trip, I plan a grocery delivery so that when we get there, it’s all ready to go! Never leave the for the day without having fed the kids breakfast. Make sure to have lunches and snacks packed before you get going (this includes kids AND adults)!

3. Map it out

In general, I love making spreadsheets before a big trip so that when we wake up each morning, we have a plan! Of course, there's always wiggle room built in, but its good to know the general vicinity of where you'll be going and what the highlights will be for the day. If you like eating out with your kids, research a few vegan-friendly restaurants, breweries or markets nearby. Having a list of potential dining options will make mealtimes MUCH easier! 

2. Travel days require food prep too

Carry a selection of vegan snacks that your kids love. For all travel days, we make sure our kids have bento boxes packed with a variety of snacks and "heavy foods" for lunches on the go. Think about items like fresh fruit, trail mix, whole-grain crackers, and homemade energy bars. These will come in handy during long flights or car rides. Familiar foods are always a win when you’re traveling, too. Offer snacks early and often to avoid any meltdowns during the trip. Water bottles are critical, so don’t forgot those either!

3. Screen time

In our normal everyday life, we are pretty strict about limiting screen time to less than 1 hour per day. We don’t use screens at the table, and we don’t use them at any other time except for snuggles before naps and bedtime (a total of 20 minutes each). On travel day, though… its a screen-time free for all! And you know what? IT WORKS. Everyone is happy. We check out tablets from the library with pre-loaded educational games so that its new and interesting content for the kids that will keep them occupied for long stretches of time. Make sure to charge them up the night before your trip! Intentional use of screens can be a game changer, but you really have to do the work to limit screen time in the regular routine for this to work.

4. Bring the Basics, and Pack Light!

If there is a particular food item that your kids really love (for us its JUST Eggs), consider packing it in your check bag in a soft cooler so that you’ll have a few days worth during your trip. Remember, familiar foods will be key to keeping everyone fed and happy during your longer adventures. As far as kids gear, we also keep it really simple by just booking accommodations that have laundry facilities. This way my kids can wear the same essentials on repeat and we can just do the wash as needed. For the airport, if you want to skip the stroller, we have had great success with using a hiking backpack to pack essentials for the plane, and get our little guy to the gate without a fuss. For more kids gear recommendations, check out my top picks here.

4. When possible, Inform the Airlines and Accommodations

When booking flights, inform the airline of your dietary preferences in advance if you can. Some airlines (though not all) do offer vegan meal options. Additionally, let your accommodation know about your dietary needs, so that your welcome basket is vegan-friendly when you arrive.

5. Educate Your Kids

Teach your children about the local cuisine and the vegan options available at your destination. Encourage them to be open to trying new dishes and flavors, which can turn into a fun and educational experience.

6. Stay Flexible

While planning is essential, it's equally important to be flexible. When we were in Alaska, we found ourselves stuck for several hours in a very small town due to an unexpected road closure. We got hungry! We found a local restaurant and pieced together a great meal just by asking for a few swaps and side dishes. Regardless of what we ate, I will never forget how much fun we had that day. 

8. Explore Local Markets

Visiting local farmers' markets can be a fantastic way to experience the culture and source fresh, vegan-friendly ingredients. You might discover unique, regional fruits and vegetables to include in your meals.

9. Seek Vegan-Friendly Destinations... or maybe don't!

Consider choosing destinations known for their vegan-friendliness. Cities like Los Angeles, Portland, and Berlin are celebrated for their abundance of vegan restaurants and food options. There are more and more all inclusive beach resorts that accommodate plant-based tourists as well. This will make your life easier while you’re exploring, but don’t let a non-vegan destination stop you! Even remote destinations have grocery stores and most of the time you’ll be able to make it work.

10. Be Patient and Kind

Remember that not everyone is familiar with this lifestyle! Be patient and kind when explaining your dietary preferences at restaurants or when asking for vegan options. Your positive attitude can go a long way in promoting understanding and awareness.

11. Document Your Journey

Share your vegan travel experiences with other families on your blog or social media! Document your adventures, the plant-based restaurants you discover, and the local dishes you try. This can inspire and assist other parents who are on this journey, too.

Traveling with vegan kids can be a rewarding experience that reinforces the values of compassion and sustainability you want to instill in your children. By planning ahead, being flexible, and embracing new experiences, you can make your family adventures both memorable and fully plant-based. Bon voyage!

Thinking of heading to Alaska this summer? Here's my spreadsheet. Feel free to send any questions my way at [email protected]

If you’re serious about starting a plant based diet for your family, you should download my insanely useful 21 Day Plant Based Challenge.

For 1-on-1 help with lifestyle change, click here