Going on holiday before you have a family can be a relaxing experience where you don’t have to worry about too much. However, all that changes when you have kids to look after, no matter their age. Going abroad should be a fun experience for everyone, so it pays to make sure that you are taking precautions, so everything runs smoothly. Not only will the kids be happy, but it will also allow you to stay sane and stress-free.
The traditional way of booking and preparing for a vacation doesn’t work as well when there are more people to think about. Here are our tips for how you can travel with kids and enjoy the time away together.
Be Prepared
Most people will book a flight and not worry about where they are sitting, but with a family, you want to make sure you’re all sat together. Flying can be a frightening experience for some kids, but with you, by their side, they will feel more at ease. You will also want to think about who will sit where, as we all know kids can sometimes bicker. Most of the time, it is best to sit the kids away from each other, that way no one will be claiming someone stole something or one child is annoying the other.
Pack the Essentials
It is always a smart idea to look ahead and check the weather of the destination you are travelling to. Even in the height of summer, there may be storms and periods of rainfall, so you have to be prepared. Make sure you pack clothes that are appropriate and oversee what your kids are packing as well. Many children want to be grown up and pack for themselves, but it doesn’t hurt to do a quick check to be sure they’ve packed what they need. Even if things are forgotten, there will always be shops to buy things because there is always one person who forgets their toothbrush.
Bring Entertainment
Waiting around at an airport or sitting in a car for a long period of time can be dull, but it can be even more boring for children. You don’t want them to constantly be asking if you have arrived yet, so always bring some form of entertainment for them. It could be as simple as a book or even their favourite toys. A great idea is to pack some miniature games they can play with or bring along a tablet so they can watch a show they’ll enjoy. This will help to keep them distracted and before they know it, you’ll have reached your destination.
Don’t Forget Snacks
There is nothing worse than realising you’re hungry and not being able to eat anything. Kids’ moods can be altered depending on if they have eaten something or not. The problem with buying food on a plane or at the airport is the prices aren’t parent-friendly and depending on how many mouths you have to feed, it can be expensive. A better idea is to always bring some snacks along with you, such as sandwiches and pieces of fruit. You don’t want to give them anything sugary as it will give them too much energy and they’ll be harder to control in a public place.
Stick to A Schedule
Once you’ve arrived at the destination of your holiday, you want to have as much fun as possible. A way to do this is to create a schedule and ask all the members of the family what they would like to do. Make sure that everyone has something included and leave some free time for when you want a relaxing day instead. It’s not a lot of fun with the schedule is too rigid and you also want to make sure that as parents you’re able to enjoy yourself too. If you want to spend an afternoon golfing or going to the spa, leave one parent being to oversee the kids’ activities. As much as possible, go with the flow and ensure everyone has fun!
You don’t have to dread going on holiday with the kids and when you utilise these tips, you’ll find it is a lot easier than you thought.