On a family trip a few years ago, we were having a wonderful time when, out of nowhere, my daughter grew upset and started to cry. I asked if something was hurting or bothering her, but she shook her head. She didn’t know why she felt so sad. Finally, I asked, “Do you think you might be homesick?”
“What does homesick mean?” she asked.
I explained that homesick simply means missing home. She paused to think, and then the tears came again. “Yes,” she said, “that’s it. I miss home.”
Homesickness in kids can show up in many ways — sadness, irritability, or sudden emotional outbursts. Sometimes it looks like withdrawing from what’s happening around them. Sleep troubles or changes in appetite can also signal the anxiety of being away. That’s why it’s important to notice shifts in behavior and mood while traveling.
Homesickness is very real, especially for children. They feel the separation from home and the familiar on a much deeper level than adults do. For kids, time away feels longer, more indefinite — they can’t always see the end from the beginning. Days filled with new places, people, and routines can feel overwhelming.
When everything is unfamiliar, anxiety creeps in. Kids have little control over the flow of the day as they follow along with family plans. It’s easy for them to feel lost in the newness. Part of traveling with kids is recognizing when that overwhelm sets in — and remembering that they’re not being difficult, they’re simply processing a lot at once.
One of the best things you can do is ask directly if they’re feeling homesick, and explain what it means. Kids need to know that it’s normal — even adults experience it. It also helps to reassure them that you can miss home and still enjoy new experiences. Being homesick doesn’t mean they don’t want to be there; it just means they need a moment of connection to something familiar.
Those small connections to home help anchor kids in the sea of the unknown. They remind children that time away is temporary and that home is still waiting for them. That security makes it easier to open up and enjoy new adventures.
Over the years, we’ve learned a few simple strategies that make all the difference. Here are five ways to help kids cope with homesickness while traveling and keep them feeling connected to home.
5 Tips to Help Homesick Kids
- Bring Comfort Items
- Schedule a Time to Call Family
- Time to Play During the Day
- Find Familiar Foods
- Maintain Bedtime Routines
Bring Comfort Items
When kids get homesick, what they often miss most are the familiar things from home. One of the simplest ways to ease that feeling is to bring along a small piece of home with them.
Before any trip, we make sure to pack one or two comfort items. These little anchors — well-loved and well-known — provide familiarity in an unfamiliar place. They don’t need to be big, but they should be meaningful.
Comfort items are as unique as the kids who carry them. For some, it might be a favorite stuffed animal or toy; for others, a blanket, cozy pajamas, or even a sweatshirt that feels like home. In our family, it’s usually a beloved stuffed animal and a small blanket tucked into the suitcase.
The familiar feel of these items offers kids a sense of security when everything else is new. They become a tangible reminder of home — something steady they can hold onto, no matter where they are.
Schedule a Time to Call Family
Staying connected to loved ones at home is vital for kids. Time and distance can feel especially heavy for them, often stirring up loneliness or worry.
Before you leave, arrange with family members to have a regular time to call or video chat. This daily connection gives kids a chance to process their day, but more importantly, it offers the comfort of a familiar face and voice. Knowing that time is set aside just for them creates something to look forward to.
On our trips, our daughter video chats with Grandma at about the same time each evening. That routine has become special — a reminder that even when she’s far away, she’s still woven into the fabric of family. Distance doesn’t change that.
When kids feel connected, they feel steadier and braver in facing new experiences. A simple, scheduled call can make all the difference in easing homesickness while traveling.
Time to Play During the Day
A big part of homesickness is the anxiety that comes from being surrounded by new places and routines. One of the best ways to ease that stress while traveling with kids is to make time for play.
Play is familiar. No matter the country or language, kids know how to run, climb, and laugh together. A playground or park gives them space to release nervous energy and reconnect with something that feels natural and safe.
In our family, we like to joke that we’ve become international playground hunters. When planning our days, we make it a point to look for local parks or open spaces. If there’s no playground nearby, we’ll find somewhere to race, kick a ball, or play tag. That time to move and play helps our daughter unwind and makes her more open to new experiences the rest of the day.
Even a short stop at a park can make a big difference. Giving kids space to play helps ease anxiety, balance the unfamiliar, and keep travel days lighter for everyone.
Find Familiar Foods
One of the trickiest parts of traveling with kids can be figuring out what they’ll eat. Many kids aren’t adventurous with food — and being in a new place only makes that more challenging.
Food, though, is also comfort. It’s worth the effort to find meals and snacks that not only fill them up but also remind them of home. Sometimes that means parents need to be flexible — choosing a kid-friendly spot first, then finding something to suit adult tastes afterward.
A little planning can help: check restaurant menus ahead of time for options your child will eat, or stop by a grocery store to pick up familiar basics like fruit, cereal, or snacks from home. At the same time, encourage kids to try some of the local food you’re enjoying. Tasting new flavors is part of the adventure, and having the balance of both familiar and new makes it easier for them to be open to the experience.
Even small touches of familiarity — a snack from home, or a simple meal they know — can be a powerful comfort in the middle of new surroundings. That balance can go a long way in easing homesickness while still embracing the joy of travel.
Maintain Bedtime Routines
It may seem counterintuitive to talk about maintaining routines on vacation, but kids thrive on structure. Familiar routines help them feel secure and navigate new experiences more easily.
This is especially true at bedtime. When traveling, following a familiar nighttime routine can soothe anxiety and signal that, even in a new place, some things are the same. Kids know what to expect, and that predictability helps them feel calm, secure, and ready to sleep.
In our family, we always read a book and sing a song before bed, following the same order we do at home. After a long day of new sights, sounds, and experiences, this little ritual is a comforting piece of home. Like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, routines carry a familiar, reassuring feel.
That assurance — that some things stay the same — eases the fear of the unfamiliar. With a predictable bedtime routine, kids sleep better and wake up ready to embrace the adventures of a new day.
It can be hard for kids to feel so disconnected from what they know. When homesickness hits, it can feel overwhelming and sometimes even derail a trip for a little while. Creating ties and connections to home helps reduce that anxiety and makes children more open to new experiences. Planning ahead with simple strategies to ease the disconnect can make travel more enjoyable for the whole family.
Thanks for joining me today to talk about coping with homesickness while traveling. I’d love to hear — what strategies do you use to help kids feel at home when they’re away?
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