Yahoo Lifestyle10 Tips for travelling with children
Try these tips to make holidays with the kids brilliant fun and a great way to spend time as a family.
“We’re all going on a summer holiday…no more worries for me and you…” Ah, Sir Cliff, the perennial optimist. He’s clearly never spent much time 'en vacances' with a toddler.
Our memories of family holidays usually centre around fun family games and teaching the kids to build sandcastles, rather than the constant chorus of ‘Are we there yet?’ on every car ride. But there’s no denying that family holidays can be stressful affairs.
Fortunately, with a bit of forward planning and a bountiful supply of baby wipes, you can bypass the stress and move straight on to the memory making. Here are our top ten tips for travelling with little ones.
1. Research accommodation thoroughly
A luxury beachside hut in Bora Bora may be the perfect place to rekindle those pre-children sparks, but two long-haul flights and almost 24 hours on the move simply isn’t going to cut it with a baby in tow. Instead, opt for family-friendly hotels or campsites that offer kids’ clubs and supervised pools and play areas. Also make sure to book all accommodation in advance. Spontaneity is great for the unencumbered, but when you’ve been on the road for what seems like an eternity with an increasingly irritable toddler in the back seat, you’ll be glad you took the trouble to book ahead.
2. Take the contents of the chemist with you
Antihistamines, plasters, sunscreen, inhalers, allergy medication – anticipate a multitude of ailments before you leave and pack accordingly. Be sure to include plenty of antibacterial wipes and if you’ve recently potty trained, bring pull-ups.
You may be keen to encourage your child out of nappies at the earliest opportunity, but other holidaymakers tend to look unfavourably on little accidents in their four-star swimming pool.
3. Get techy
A ban on technology is all very well and noble at home, but if you want to keep your journey as stress-free as possible, you’ll need to give your kids your smartphone or tablet to keep them entertained. Child-friendly apps featuring games, puzzles and digital colouring in books means you don’t have to worry about packing paper pads and crayons, saving space in the car and suitcase.
4. Play family games
I Spy, the car colour game, Disney sing-alongs – keep them on standby for when your phone invariably runs out of juice.
5. Carry a child monitor
This is a great way to keep an eye on kids in crowded places such as airports. The parent carries a remote control-sized tracking device while the child wears an armband similar to a watch. If the armband is removed or the child goes beyond a certain distance, the alarm sounds.
6. Stay cool
If you’re going somewhere hot, choose clothes for your children made from natural fibres to avoid them getting prickly heat. Babies can sweat a lot as their bodies aren’t so used to managing changes in temperature, so will need up to three changes of clothes a day (two for young children). Also buy them good-quality sunglasses, preferably wraparound to avoid them getting lost.
7. Involve them in the planning
If you’re excited about the trip, the kids will be too and will be less likely to become bored and irritable en route. Look at maps together beforehand to show them where they’re going, introduce them to the local cuisine and discuss the types of animals they might encounter on holiday.
8. Bring slings and travel cots
Slings are comfortable to wear and take up no room in your suitcase. Travel cots are also a good idea as hotel beds often won’t have any barriers to stop children from falling out.
9. Pack sterilising tablets
These can be used in a watertight screw-top container and are ideal for cleaning dummies.
10. Enjoy it!
Accept that travelling with children is bound to cause delays and factor this into your journey time. Organise as much as possible in advance, but don’t try to cram too many activities in. The best family holidays are the least complicated.
For more information, see The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Small Children by Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco and Travel with Kids Footprint Guide by William Gray.
