Travel Hacks for Sports Families: Smart Tips From a Coach’s Wife on the Go

If you’re raising little athletes — or married to one — you already know that sports travel is a lifestyle. From weekend tournaments to long-haul college game days, families like ours spend more time in gyms, hotels, and minivans than we do at home. But here’s the good news: with the right hacks, those chaotic travel days can feel a whole lot smoother (and dare I say… fun?).

After more than a decade of traveling with three kids while my husband coached basketball, I’ve picked up tips that save time, sanity, and money — all while keeping the kids happy and everyone fed. Here are my favorite travel hacks every sports family should know.

Pack With “Game Day Zones” in Mind

Instead of packing by person, pack by category. It keeps everything organized and eliminates the frantic rummaging for socks in the hotel lobby.

Create small zones like:

• Warm-Up Gear Zone (sweatshirts, warm-ups, sneakers)

• Sideline Snacks Zone (granola bars, fruit, refillable water bottles)

• Entertainment Zone (coloring pads, iPads, headphones, small games)

• Bathroom Essentials Zone (toiletries, travel medicine kit, wipes)

Book Hotels Close to Food

Forget the pool — the #1 priority for sports families? Walking distance to food.

Pick hotels near:

• Quick-service restaurants

• Grocery stores

• Breakfast spots

• Coffee shops

Not only does this save time between games, but it also keeps hunger meltdowns to a minimum. This hack is gold for any family traveling with toddlers or teens.

Bonus Hack: If your hotel isn’t next to a grocery store—or if you just don’t feel like hauling everyone out—Walmart+ is a life-saver. You can get:

• Snacks for the weekend

• Breakfast items

• Diapers + wipes

• Toiletries you forgot

• Gatorades and waters

• Medicine

• Extra socks, chargers, or hair ties (because someone ALWAYS forgets these)

All delivered straight to your hotel lobby in under an hour depending on location. I’ve used this so many times on game weekends, and honestly, it’s one of the easiest ways to keep everyone fed, happy, and ready for tip-off.

Keep a “Game Day Go Bag” Packed Year-Round

I swear by this.

Have a bag that lives in your car or mudroom with:

• Wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Portable phone charger

• Mini first-aid kit

• Hair ties

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Snacks that won’t melt

• Extra socks (trust me on this one)

That way, you can grab and go without packing from scratch every weekend.

Use Flight Alerts + Flexible Dates to Save

If you’re flying to away games, especially Division 1 or 2 tournaments, set alerts in apps like:

• Hopper

• Google Flights

• Kayak

• Skyscanner

Then stay flexible — shifting your flight by even 24 hours can drop prices dramatically. If your schedule is tied to game days, look at alternative airports nearby (many are less expensive and less crowded).

Always Bring Your Own Water Bottles

Between practices, airport security, and hotel hallways, kids drink a lot.

Bring your own reusable bottles and refill them at:

• airport hydration stations

• hotel gyms

• concession stands

• Starbucks (they’ll fill them!)

Bonus: saves money and keeps kids from asking for $4 waters at the gas station.

Plan Meals Before You Go (But Keep It Simple)

You can look up kid-friendly restaurants within 30 minutes of your destination before you even leave home. Or you can just use our guide :)

Search things like:

• “best breakfast near [campus name] with kids”

• “family-friendly restaurants [city name]”

Use Hotel Rooms as “Half-Time Reset Zones”

When you’re bouncing between arenas and fields, the hotel becomes your lifeline.

Make it your reset zone:
✔ recharge devices
✔ change clothes without chaos
✔ rest kids between games
✔ stock snacks
✔ regroup as a family

Even a 20-minute break can turn the day around.

Keep Kids Entertained Without Overpacking

Bring one compact entertainment option per kid, something that can handle airports, hotels, and long drives.

Our favorites are listed in the “Shop Game Day Favorites Page”

• Sticker books

• Magnetic games

• Downloaded shows

• A small travel journal

• Fidget toys

• Kindle or iPad mini

The goal is enough to keep them busy — without needing a second suitcase.

Take Advantage of Loyalty Points

I know you’re already traveling a ton… so make your travel work for you.

Sign up for:

• airline loyalty programs

• hotel rewards

• rental car points

You’ll be shocked how quickly free nights and flights stack up when you’re traveling year-round for sports.

Make Every Trip a Mini Family Adventure

Yes, you’re traveling for sports — but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in fun.

Before you leave, look at our guide and save:

• one kid-friendly activity

• one local hidden gem

• one cute coffee shop or brunch spot

• one place to burn energy before the drive home

This is the whole mindset behind Game Day Getaways — every game weekend can feel like a memory-maker.

Final Thoughts

Sports travel can feel overwhelming, but with the right systems (and a few mom hacks), it becomes a rhythm your whole family can enjoy. These small changes don’t just make your trips smoother — they help you create little adventures along the way.

If you loved these tips, you’ll love the full Game Day Getaways Guide, where I break down:

• kid-friendly activities

• family eats within 30 minutes of every NCAA D1 & NCAA D2 campuses

• mom hacks for packing, planning, and surviving game days

And more.