The holidays are here! Large family gatherings and crowded travel conditions are a prime breeding ground for viruses to spread. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering at home or hitting the road to visit loved ones, these holiday health tips for kids from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) pediatricians will help your family stay safe and healthy throughout the season.

Pack Smart for Holiday Travel and Good Health

Heading out of town? CHOP pediatricians who are also parents know exactly what belongs in your travel first aid kit. Dr. Anjuli S. Gans, a pediatrician at CHOP’s Karabots Pediatric Care Center in West Philadelphia and mom of two, emphasizes sun protection even in winter: 

“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen for babies six months or older. For younger babies, bring protective clothing like rash guards and hats with wide brims.”

Beyond sunscreen, pack these essentials:

• Simple emollients like Vaseline or Aquaphor for everything from chapped lips to minor scrapes
• Various sized bandages for inevitable cuts and scrapes
• Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte powder packets. “If your child gets dehydrated from the heat or catches a stomach bug while you’re away, oral rehydration solutions can save a trip to the emergency room,” Dr. Gans notes.
• Children’s antihistamine (talk with your pediatrician about proper dosing before you travel)
• Pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for fevers, ear pain, or headaches
• Gallon Ziploc bags for inevitable messes — clothes that get wet or soiled

Get the complete pediatrician’s packing checklist and tips to travel like a pro to minimize your family’s chances of getting sick. These holiday health tips for kids can help prevent and treat common travel illnesses.

Button Battery Alert: A Hidden Holiday Danger

Bringing new toys and gadgets into the house comes with a serious warning from CHOP experts. “Button batteries,”those small, coin-shaped lithium batteries found in remote controls, watches, toys, and even musical greeting cards,represent a growing risk for young children. Choking is the leading cause of injury for children under 3 years old. In addition to being a choking hazard, button batteries are poisonous.  

“Parents have to be very vigilant about family devices. Severe injuries often occur in under two hours,” warns Dr. Ian N. Jacobs, Director of CHOP’s Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders. 

When swallowed, these batteries can get stuck in a child’s throat, and saliva interacts with the battery’s charge to create a chemical reaction that burns tissue within hours.

Protect your children:

• Identify all devices in your home or travel destination that use button batteries.
• Tightly secure or tape shut battery compartments.
• Keep spare batteries completely out of reach.
• Dispose of spent batteries immediately and safely.
• Watch for symptoms that mimic cold or flu: sore throat, difficulty swallowing, cough, vomiting, or chest pain.

Click here to watch the button battery safety video and learn more, including guidelines for emergency action. (Dial the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, day or night.)

Rest is Best: Caring for a Sick Kid at Home 

Let’s be honest: kids get sick. A lot. It’s typical for children to come down with respiratory or stomach bugs six to eight times each year. The good news? Most illnesses can be safely managed at home with rest, liquids, and over-the-counter medicine to relieve fevers and other common symptoms. Learn more about sick season here. 

Stock your medicine cabinet now:

• Pain/fever reducers (acetaminophen and ibuprofen)
• Children’s antihistamine
• Hydrocortisone 1% cream for itchy skin
• Thermometer
• Bandages in various sizes
• Oral rehydration solution
• Saline nasal drops

Prevention tactics that actually work:

Following these simple holiday health tips keeps kids safer during the busy season.

• Practice proper handwashing — the single most effective prevention method
• Stay current on all vaccines (flu, COVID boosters, and routine immunizations)
• Teach kids to cough or sneeze into their elbows
• Keep sick children home from gatherings (yes, even holiday parties)

Not sure if symptoms require medical attention? CHOP’s free online Symptom Checker can help you make informed decisions about what level of care your child needs and steps you can take to relieve symptoms at home.

What’s Open When? Where to Get Care Over the Holidays Around the Main Line and Greater Philadelphia Region  

Many pediatricians’ offices are closed at some points during the holiday season. It’s important to keep that information handy, and know where your closest emergency department is located. CHOP’s Emergency Departments in Philadelphia and King of Prussia are open 24/7, and their Urgent Care offices offer expanded hours. 

No matter what the holidays bring, CHOP’s network of locations throughout the region are here to support your family every step of the way. Plan ahead by knowing your pediatrician’s holiday hours and checking estimated wait times online at CHOP’s Urgent Care locations before you go.

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Photos courtesy of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as seen in the Health and Wellness Guide.

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