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Simple Ways to Stay Connected When Traveling Without Your Kids

What makes traveling without your kids work? It’s all about creating those predictable moments of connection. When your little ones know mom is thinking about them, even from miles away, it gives them something tangible to look forward to and helps maintain that emotional bridge until you’re back for real-life snuggles.

As someone who’s built a business around making family adventures easier (yes, that’s literally what we do at A to Z Adventure Gear!), I’ve learned that sometimes the best solutions aren’t about grand gestures. They’re about finding those small ways to make challenging moments a little bit easier, a little bit sweeter, and a lot more connected.

Whether you’re traveling for work, taking a needed break, or embarking on your own adventure, remember: it’s okay to be away sometimes. What matters is maintaining those heart connections, one little gesture at a time.

You see, while I know my husband’s got this (he’s actually the more fun parent who turns every weekend into an adventure), I’m the designated snuggle-giver and emotional support human in our house. And those little worried faces at bedtime? They get me every time.

It’s important (and often necessary) to travel without your kids, but it can feel really hard too. Sure, the practical stuff might be covered (maybe you’ve left your partner with a play-by-play of the schedule, or they’ve got the routines down anyway), but it’s those small moments - the extra bedtime hugs, the whispered conversations, the middle-of-the-day comfort - that our kids miss most when we’re away.

So, here’s a quick and easy way to connect with your kiddos while you are away:

Love Notes while Mom is away:

Step 1: Grab something to write on
♥️ A stack of sticky notes or any paper works great.
♥️ Or get fancy and print out some cute note templates. I made a quick one on Canva, you can click here and edit to your liking

Step 2: Write your notes
⭐️ Keep it simple and fun - silly is perfect!
⭐️ For little ones, a quick phrase or simple drawing they can understand works magic.
⭐️ Make it personal - mention specific activities you know they’ll do: “Have fun at soccer today!” or “Can’t wait to hear about art class!”
⭐️ Let your personality shine through - they love YOU, not perfect words.

Step 3: Make your delivery plan
📝 Write a date/day on each note and give them to your partner or caregiver to distribute.
📝 Think about timing - maybe it’s a lunchbox surprise, a bedtime treasure under their pillow, or a morning smile on their breakfast plate.
📝 Mix up the locations to keep the excitement going!

Baby on floor playing with the Lay and Play Adventure Mat

Speaking of making family travel easier…

Ever tried entertaining a baby on an airport floor? (yeah, not fun) That’s exactly why I created the Lay and Play Adventure Mat! As a mom who’s been there, I designed this mat to be the “why didn’t I think of this sooner?” solution for traveling families.

✨ Creates a clean, safe play space anywhere (goodbye, mysterious airport floors!)

✨ Doubles as an emergency changing mat when you need it most

✨ Keeps your little one entertained and engaged

✨ Gives you those precious hands-free moments for… you know, actually drinking your coffee while it’s hot

✨ Pops right in the washing machine when you’re back home

Because sometimes the smallest solutions make the biggest difference in your family adventures!


Learn More about The Lay and Play Adventure Mat