Two Wandering Soles Shares How To Get Travel Ready

Follow along with the Zweber family on Instagram @twowanderingsoles for destination recommendations, travel tips and more. Photos: Ben and Katie Zweber

Bloggers share insider tips for traveling with kids.

Zweber family road trips look a bit different than most. When Ben and Katie Zweber reach their destination for the day, daughters Juniper, 4, and Senya, 1, trade their car seats for a fold-out toddler bed and a bassinet. And, as dinner sizzles away on the stovetop, the Zwebers open the back doors of their custom camper van and soak in the newest breathtaking view.

The Zwebers take an almost monthly sojourn in their camper van, much to Juniper’s delight. “She is obsessed with it,” Katie says. “She is constantly asking if we can go in the van.” Although the Zwebers have a uniquely comfortable setup, there are some bits of advice they’ve gleaned from frequent road trips that apply universally.

Ben, originally from Plymouth and Katie, originally from Minnetonka, have spent over a decade wandering the world. Under the moniker Two Wandering Soles, the travel bloggers welcomed their daughters into the mix, but that hasn’t slowed down their travel lifestyle, which includes drives around the country and flights to destinations here and abroad.

At 4 years old, Juniper has been on 91 flights, and there’s little doubt Senya will match that number—if not exceed it—when she reaches the same age. “For the most part, kids are very flexible and adaptable,” Katie says. “We found that we can still travel very much the same way we always have and include them in that.” They share some of their tips for travel success for families.

Travel bloggers Ben and Katie Zweber share their wanderlust with their daughters.

A good starting point includes involving kids in the planning process. “Talking about where we’re going, what we’re doing and involving [Juniper] in even some of the planning process, I think that helps her get more excited and be more present and feel like she’s part of the trip instead of just tagging along,” Katie says.

Be prepared to start the trip by avoiding day-of-travel stress. “The day of travel is just a small part of your entire trip,” Ben says. “I think it’s a lot better to focus more on where you’re traveling and then all the things that you get to do …”

New activities or toys go a long way to entertain young travelers. “I think keeping things somewhat simple, but weaving in something new makes it feel exciting,” Katie says. Recently, she discovered that printing worksheets and putting them in plastic folders allows for easy entertainment with the help of whiteboard markers.

Slim down the diaper bag to a fanny pack for flights. “You can keep that in your seat,” Katie says. “It’s not going to take up a ton of space.” With a few diapers and a small package of wipes, the fanny pack is much more versatile for in-air changes.

Taking breaks is key. “Making sure that we’re being conscientious of taking breaks that work around [Juniper’s] schedule, like stopping at a playground, getting her wiggles out, that is really helpful,” Katie says.

Use a travel stroller (ideally lightweight and collapsible) that works with an infant car seat; it goes a long way in getting from Point A to Point B. “That has been really helpful—especially when we have long layovers,” Ben says. “Our daughters could sleep in the stroller or take a quick nap while we’re waiting at the airport.”

Two Wandering Soles
Instagram: @twowanderingsoles