Travelling with children can be far different than travelling without; so different, in fact, that the first time new parents travel with their child can be overwhelming. It’s not uncommon to feel stressed out and unprepared by having a third person to cater to on a trip away from home. Despite travelling with children having the potential to be stressful, it doesn’t have to be. You may be able to make your next holiday trip far more enjoyable by exploring these tips:
Write Lists
The planning phase of a holiday is perhaps the most crucial for ensuring a smooth and stress-free trip away from home. You don’t want to forget about packing essentials, so write lists of everything you’ll need for yourself and your children.
Break the list down into categories, such as main items, travel documents, snacks, baby items, and medications. You might also have separate lists of what you’ll need for specific activities. For example, if your family is planning a trip to a water park, you’d write a list of things you’d need for that activity, such as swimwear, towels, swim nappies, and sunscreen. The more detailed your lists are, the lower your chances might be of forgetting essential items.
Book Child-Friendly Accommodation
Trying to keep children entertained in non-child-friendly accommodation can be stressful. There are few things to engage them beyond the activities and toys you bring with you. You may also not have access to the everyday essentials you need to take care of them conveniently, such as a travel cot and high chair.
As a result, choosing child-friendly accommodation can be crucial for convenient travel. Hotels, motels, and camping grounds with fun children’s activities and child-safe rooms can mean you don’t have to spend every waking moment trying to stave off boredom.
Make Lots of Stops
Road trips are a fun way to see the countryside. Most adults don’t mind spending hours in a car, looking at beautiful scenery from the car window. Children can sometimes be a different story.
While they might nap for part of the journey, they can require multiple stops for toileting, food, nappy changes, and activities. If you factor these stops into your travels, you may reduce the risk of being behind schedule and late for your accommodation check-in or booked activity.
Make Plans for Naps
Children up until preschool age typically need at least one nap a day. Young toddlers may even take two, while babies need multiple. Try to include these naps into your travel schedule as much as possible.
For example, you might plan an afternoon activity for after your child has had a chance to sleep. You might also align long trips on the road with their nap time so they can sleep while you drive. Accommodating your children’s sleep schedule may allow for a much more pleasant holiday experience.
Bring a Stroller
Going on holiday can mean exploring new locations, often on foot. Children under the age of five can struggle to keep up, with their little legs tiring after a short time. Rather than having to carry them around once they tire, bring your stroller with you on holiday. You may then navigate crowded places like airports and tourist attractions more quickly and safely. Most strollers are designed to fold down neatly into the boot of a car. You can also check them in as luggage through airport security.
Pack Snacks
You won’t always be within a convenient distance of a shop or restaurant when hunger strikes. Keep your children happy and their hunger satiated by packing snacks and beverages in spill-proof bottles for the journey to your holiday destination.
Bringing snacks can also be a great way to save money. Rather than buying expensive food your children aren’t familiar with and may not eat, you can bring snacks from home that they enjoy often. Many different snack options, such as biscuits, muesli bars, muffins, and fruit, can be suitable for travel.
Choose Child-Friendly Activities
Trips away can look much different when you start a family. Previous late nights at restaurants and bars and adventure activities like skydiving and bungee jumping may now be off the cards. Instead, you’ll likely need to choose child-friendly activities that everyone in the family can enjoy. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options, no matter where you travel. Swimming, beach trips, museums, and playgrounds are a few of the many options you can explore.
Travelling with children doesn’t have to be the stressful experience many parents endure. By planning in advance, choosing child-friendly activities, and allowing plenty of time to get to your destination, you may enjoy a holiday that’s memorable for all the right reasons.
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