Planning Family Vacations With an Extra Guest: Bleeding Disorders

First published July 2017
Updated January 2026

Travel can feel intimidating when your child has a bleeding disorder. Everyday bumps and scrapes may carry a higher risk of bleeding, which can make families hesitant to leave the comfort of home. But as the weather warms and summer approaches, a bleeding disorder doesn’t have to keep you from getting out and enjoying time together.

Maybe you’ve been dreaming about a family vacation. If so, you might be wondering what extra planning is needed when traveling with a child who has a bleeding disorder. The most important step is to have a plan. While some families worry about traveling with a child who has a chronic medical condition, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders should not hold you back.

With thoughtful preparation, you can absolutely plan a safe and fun vacation. As you get started, consider the following:

1. Your vacation destination
2. The activities you’d like to do
3. Your child’s treatment plan for prophylaxis and breakthrough bleeding

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right destination is especially important in case of an emergency. Before you travel, find out whether there is a nearby hospital or hemophilia treatment center (HTC). HTCs across the country care for people with all types of bleeding disorders and have specialized teams that can provide expert care and coordinate with your home HTC if needed.

If you’re planning to travel internationally, bleeding disorders specialists are available around the world. Contact your home HTC ahead of time so they can help you identify appropriate care options abroad.

Safe Vacation Activities for Kids with Bleeding Disorders

Another key part of planning is thinking about the activities you want to include in your trip. Will they be safe—and enjoyable—for everyone? The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) offers guidelines on sports and activities for children with bleeding disorders. These guidelines group activities into five color-coded categories, ranging from low risk (green) to high risk (red).

This resource highlights many “green” activities—such as archery, hiking, and snorkeling—that can be fun for the whole family. Reviewing these recommendations can help you plan confidently and may even inspire you to try something new together.

Creating a Travel Treatment Plan

Finally, make sure you have a treatment plan that supports a safe and worry-free trip. Reach out to your HTC before you travel to review your plans. They can help create a travel treatment plan, provide a travel letter, and ensure you have the appropriate medications and supplies packed for your journey.

Vacations are valuable opportunities for families to connect, relax, and make lasting memories. With a little planning and support from your care team, a bleeding disorder doesn’t have to stand in the way of meaningful adventures and memorable experiences.