Turks and Caicos with Kids: Family-Friendly Travel Tips from a Mom of 4
Before I had kids, I was something of a globetrotter. The best part of both my job and my lifestyle was the freedom to pick up and go, hopping on international flights at a moment's notice.
These days, I rarely go anywhere without four kids and a husband in tow - so trips require a lot more planning than they used to. But every bit of effort is worth it. Travel is still a big part of my identity, and seeing the world through the eyes of my children has made it all the more magical.
So, if you’re planning a family trip to Turks and Caicos with kids, here’s everything you need to know - straight from a mom of four!
Why Turks and Caicos is Great for Families
Safe, Clean Beaches
Grace Bay Beach, on the island of Providenciales, is famous for its shallow, calm waters, making it the perfect spot for little ones to splash and play. The sand is soft and the water is the bluest I’ve ever seen! Thanks to the protective reef, motorized water sports are prohibited, meaning even more peace of mind for parents.
Direct Flights from Major Cities
This wasn’t our first trip to the Caribbean, and it definitely won’t be our last! We flew directly from New York in just under four hours. When you're traveling with kids, the shorter the flight, the better. I also only choose direct flights given how unpredictable connections can be. Once my kids are older I’ll reconsider this parameter.
Family Friendly Resorts and Villas
We stayed at Windsong Resort for the second year in a row (details below) and had a great experience. There are so many incredible options for accommodations in Grace Bay. When choosing a family-friendly resort I suggest evaluating your most important criteria:
All Inclusive vs. Pay As You Go
Hotel Style vs. Apartment / Suite style
Kids Amenities
Ocean View and Beach Access vs. Resort View
Resort Size (boutique and small vs. brand name)
A Variety of Dining Options
From grab-and-go cafés to beautiful waterfront restaurants, Turks and Caicos had something to satisfy everyone. We especially loved the Tuesday Night Beach BBQ at The Somerset which offered a savory buffet and great entertainment for the kids! For a more adult meal I’d suggest The Marine Room or Vita at Rock House.I also packed plenty of snacks and loved having a kitchenette in our hotel suite, which made quick meals and picky-eater moments much easier to handle.
Ease of Navigation
English is the official language of Turks which made navigation, planning, and communicating during our stay a breeze! We like having the convenience of our own car while traveling with the kids. This year we rented a car through Scooter Bob’s, a convenient rental facility. The experience was seamless! Our car was waiting for us at the airport eliminating extended wait time at car rental locations (no thank you!).
Where We Stayed (And Why We Loved It)
We stayed at the Windsong Resort, which is nestled right on Grace Bay Beach—just steps from the ocean. The resort describes itself as offering “laid-back luxury,” and honestly, that couldn’t be more accurate. It had all the amenities we wanted as parents, without the stuffiness or sideways glances as our crew of six came rolling through with sandy feet and big energy. These are the specific reasons we loved the Windsong Resort:
Spacious Accommodations: We had a two bedroom, two bathroom suite which was perfect for our family of six.
Beach Access: The beach was steps away and so convenient. We were able to get complimentary access to sand toys and snorkeling equipment
Complimentary Breakfast: We started each day with breakfast at the resort, a nice amenity which made for a quick start to the morning!
Personal & Professional Staff: The small size of the resort means you know everyone there – from Gary the concierge to Larry the beach and pool manager. Everyone was eager to make our stay enjoyable.
My non negotiables for travelling with kids:
✅ Daily continental breakfast, because it’s one less meal to plan and prepare for.
✅ Full kitchen, because a quick lunch in the room is so much easier with kids!
✅ Laundry in the room (we’re potty training our youngest, need I say more?)
✅ Pool on site, because nothing sets my kids up for a great night’s sleep like spending all day in the water, and the pool was the perfect way for my husband or I to spend a few hours with the older kids while our youngest napped.
We’d absolutely recommend Windsong to any family looking for a blend of comfort, convenience, and a truly kid-friendly atmosphere right on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Traveling with Four Kids: What Worked, What Didn’t
Our kids are 8, 6, 4, and 2 years old - so when we travel, we’re dealing with every phase of childhood: big-kid boredom, preschooler energy, toddler tantrums, and naps-on-the-go. It’s a lot, but with some trial and (plenty of) error, we’ve learned what helps make travel smoother.
Set Realistic Expectations for Travelling With Children (By Age)
One of the best things we’ve learned over the years is to meet our kids where they are developmentally - especially while travelling. Setting realistic expectations by age and communicating them clearly ahead of time reduces frustration and helps everyone feel like a member of the team!
8 YEARS OLD
At this age, we start to give our oldest a bit more responsibility.
Be aware of your surroundings and keep track of your belongings.
Help Mommy and Daddy with your siblings (even small things like handing out snacks or holding the baby’s hand are huge).
Set a good example by being quiet and considerate on the plane, in restaurants, and during travel transitions.
Start learning how to follow a basic itinerary (“We’re going to the beach, then lunch, then rest time”).
6 YEARS OLD
This age is full of energy and curiosity, so we channel that into structure and small tasks.
Pack your own backpack with airplane activities (with help).
Be responsible for your water bottle and sun hat.
Practice asking for things politely at restaurants or with hotel staff.
Understand the rhythm of the day-fun time comes after sunscreen and shoes.
4 YEARS OLD
Preschoolers thrive with routine, even on vacation.
Use a picture schedule or talk through the day in simple steps.
Give choices when possible (“Swim Suit or Sunscreen First?”) to avoid power struggles.
Expect tiredness to show up in big emotions - plan for early dinners and built-in downtime.
Bring comfort items from home (a familiar stuffy toy can go a long way in a new place).
2 YEARS OLD
Toddlers are chaos in motion - traveling with them takes flexibility and patience.
Prioritize snacks above all. Cheerios in a portable cup were the MVP of our trip – scaring away the hangry symptoms.
Plan activities in short windows - one outing in the morning, one in the late afternoon.
Accept that screen time rules may bend (or break) on travel days.
Expect meltdowns. Pack patience. And remember: nothing is forever - including the flight.
What Worked for Us While Traveling to Turks and Caicos with Kids (a Few Family Travel Wins)
Even with all the chaos of traveling as a family of six, there were a few things that worked really well and made the trip smoother (and a whole lot more fun).
Being Flexible With Potty Training:
Our 2-year-old is in the middle of potty training, so we kept things low-pressure. He wore swimmers in the pool, but we let him use his regular swim trunks on the beach so he could still “practice” in a relaxed way. It worked for him—and for us. (Check out the Products I Trust for Potty Training on Amazon)Letting The Easter Bunny Get Practical:
Since we traveled over Easter break, we skipped the traditional egg hunt and instead laid out beach-ready baskets for each of the kids. Think goggles, rash guards, water toys, and snacks. They were thrilled that the Easter Bunny had come all the way to Turks and Caicos just for them, and we were thrilled not to have the hotel suit covered in melted chocolate.Packing Cubes = Sanity Savers:
With six people’s worth of clothes, swimsuits, and accessories, our bags could’ve been a disaster. But packing cubes kept us organized the whole time. Each kid had their own color-coded cube, and we used extras to separate beach gear, sleepwear, and backup outfits. Total game-changer.
Ps. Gearing up to travel with your kids? Check out my Infant Travel Essentials and Toddler Travel Essentials on Amazon!
What Didn’t Work (Learn From My Mistakes)
Groceries are expensive and if we go again I’ll pack non-perishable snacks in a suitcase so we have them easily accessible when we arrive.
The sun is so strong, think a 12 UV index even on a cloudy day! I wish I had packed more sunscreen because we ran out and ended up paying a premium for sunscreen at an overpriced tourist shop.
I wish I had coordinated a babysitter one night and splurged on an adult dinner. There are so many nice resorts and restaurants and it would have been a nice treat to get out for an evening!
Room Sharing with Kids on Vacation: How We Make It Work
I’ve actually written a whole blog on room sharing while traveling for the holidays (because let’s be real—tight sleeping quarters are part of the deal when you’re away with little kids). You can read the full post by clicking the link above, but here are the high points we always come back to:
Give everyone their own sleep space – even if it’s just a crib in the corner of the room or a toddler air mattress by the closet.
Double up on sound machines – one by the bed, one near the door. Trust me, they’re magic. I love the yoga sleep or hatch options!
Set expectations early – talk to your kids ahead of time about the setup and how they can help things go smoothly.
Bring the comforts of home – a lovey, night light, bedtime books… it all helps create sleep cues.
Keep Expectations Realistic – the sleep might not be perfect, but you came to make memories, not get the best sleep of your lives!
Final Thoughts: Why We Keep Traveling with Kids (Even When It’s Hard)
The sandcastle construction zone!
Traveling with kids isn’t always easy - there are meltdowns, missed naps, and moments where you wonder if it would’ve been easier to just stay home. But every time we do it, I’m reminded why it’s worth it. Our kids get to see new places, meet new people, and experience the magic of the world outside their everyday lives.
Whether it’s a quiet morning on Grace Bay Beach or watching them run wide-eyed through Disney World (read How to Do Disney With Kids next), these are the memories that stick. And for all the extra bags, bedtime struggles, and snack negotiations, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Wishing you happy travels! And remember, if bedtime struggles have you too tired to even think about you next getaway, book your complimentary consultation call today, and we’ll help you get back on track!
Meg O'Leary is an Infant and Child Sleep Expert and the founder of A Restful Night. Based in Westchester County, NY, she leads a team of certified sleep coaches to provide virtual support to families across the US and around the world.
