How to Make a Travel Dance Video with Your Toddler!

Travelling with a toddler or young child is an adventure! But adding a fun travel dance video into the mix can make it definitely more memorable!

We got back from our overseas trip months ago, but I only compiled the video the other day! I don’t know why I hesitated for so long to make it, but gosh I’m so proud of how good it turned out! Set to the Wiggles song ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat,’ it showcases us dancing to it in different places around the world. It’s been such a hit that Kaydes has been playing it on loop!

Here’s how you can create your own travel dance video with your little one/s!

Pick Your Song and Locations

Start by choosing a song that’s easy and fun for your child to dance to, depending on their age. To be honest, this was possibly the hardest bit of all of it lol. Pick a song that they love listening to before you go, and preferably where there’s some actions involved.

I chose ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ for that reason because it’s catchy and fairly simple. Although she couldn’t jump at that time (23mths), so it was quite funny and cute to see her try!

Next, think about the places you’ll be visiting and where some good places would be to do them. Dancing in/around iconic sights is a great way to really remember your trip in a different way. But if like me, you get a little shy, then picking quieter places are just as good. Always consider safety for each location, ensuring it’s a secure spot for both dancing and filming.

Don’t be hard on yourself if you forget, after all it’s for fun. Sometimes you may just enjoy the sight so much that you don’t remember, like I did. Setting a phone reminder prompt each morning of your holiday is a good way to keep it fresh in mind.

Keep It Simple and Fun

Toddlers in particular, have short attention spans, so keep the dance moves simple and repetitive. Basic steps, clapping, and spinning are perfect. The goal is to capture the joy and spontaneity, not to choreograph a perfect routine.

Toddler tantrums can occur, so don’t push them, but try to film when your toddler is well-rested and fed. A tired or hungry child is less likely to cooperate. We usually filmed after Kaydes had her nap and a snack, ensuring she was in a good mood. Praise and encouragement also goes a long way in keeping them motivated and happy during the shoot.

When you arrive at your planned location, set up quickly and basically. I only filmed on my iPhone and sang parts of the song myself, while we danced. Ideally, it would’ve been great to play the song out-loud, but just wasn’t possible as a party of 1.5! I used either a small tripod or a small phone clip that I put on the pram push handle, depending on the local.

Capture multiple takes if you can, but be prepared for impromptu moments. As I knew that I wanted to piece different locations together, I would only do snippets of the song at those places. Adapt to what your needs are. Often the candid shots turned out to be the best bits.

Try and involve your child in the process. I would stop and ask Kaydes if this was a good area to do the dancing. This involvement will make them more excited and cooperative during the filming.

Edit Your Masterpiece

Once you’ve gathered all your clips, it’s time to edit. I think this was the bit where I felt overwhelmed. We had travelled literally around the world, and went to 12 countries. So I had a lot of videos, it seemed daunting to watch them all! I’m also a single mum, so time is often not my own. It turned out to be very simple, and I didn’t have as much footage as I thought. Enough for the compilation though.

I sorted the videos into different albums in my native Photos app. I labelled them with ‘Row’, ‘Jump’, ‘Stamp’, ‘Clap’ and ‘Dance’ to make the piecing together easier next. There’s a ton of video editing software out there, like Final Cut Pro, etc. But personally, I prefer and recommend the simplicity and user friendliness of the iMovie iPhone app.

Select bits of the videos, and sync them with the music. In my video there was quite a bit of changing of locations, so I didn’t add many fun transitions or text as that would’ve been too much. But with one or two locations you could add those elements if you wanted.

Share the Fun

Then share your finished video with friends and family on social media or your blog! The video/s become special keepsakes, capturing the essence of your adventures and preserving them for years to come. I think it’s so wonderful to see the subtle changes and growth in her, that have occurred since then. It’s going to be great to look back in 5, 10 etc years at how little and funny our little ones were!

It’s a gorgeous way to document your travels, and create a fun memory that you and your child/ren will love. The most important part is to have fun. Don’t stress about perfection. The joy and laughter shared during the making of the video are what truly matter. ♥️

What song would you choose for your travel dance video? Share your ideas in the comments below!