Top Tips for Travelling with Children

Travelling with young kids doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’ve put together our top travelling tips for making sure the little ones stay happy and healthy. Happy kids make happy parents, so read on ensure the perfect relaxing family holiday.

BEFORE YOU GO:

1. Make sure you pay a visit to your family doctor a couple of months before going abroad. Take the kids’ vaccination records and make a note of their blood types from the doctor. Note that babies under 18 months won’t receive any travel vaccinations.
2. Spend time researching hotels and resorts – it is important that your chosen accommodation has a child-friendly vibe, and facilities suited to holidays with children. For example, does it have a kids club? A baby pool? Is there an adequate lift system for getting in and out with prams or buggies? Does the hotel provide travel cots? Be aware that most kids clubs have a minimum age requirement. It is wise to ask diligent questions to ensure you feel completely comfortable about the situation before booking the kids into a kids club. Location is everything, so make sure there is plenty round about to keep the kids occupied – beach activities, theme parks, water parks, sports, etc.
3. Create a loose itinerary – it’s much harder to just ‘go with the flow’ when you have kids in tow, and planning your days in advance will make you feel more organised and in control. Be prepared to be flexible, dependant on weather and other factors, and make sure you plan for a slower pace that you usually would.
4. Stay safe when you travel – Ensure to fill save all of your essential travel information and important contact details etc… in your tripsafe on tripsology.

EN ROUTE:

1. Make sure the kids are dressed appropriately for travelling – dress young children in several soft layers, made from natural fibres, which are easy to put on and remove. Planes can get chilly – request blankets from the cabin crew if necessary.
2. Take some snacks you know the children will like. Plane food isn’t for everyone, so it’s important to have back-up if you’ve got little fuss-pots on your hands!
3. Depending on the age of your children, organise for each child to have a small backpack filled with their own toys, books and goodies – this will keep them occupied during the flight.

ON LOCATION:

1. Protecting your children from the sun is critically important. Children’s eyes are more vulnerable to glare than yours, so kit them out with sunglasses. Sun hats with wide brims and neck flaps are an absolute necessity, as is light loose clothing which covers the shoulders or you can now buy kids UV clothing. Apply plenty of high SPF sun cream first thing in the morning, remembering to reapply throughout the day – particularly after swimming. If you’ve got a baby, a little sun tent is a good idea for the beach.
2. If the tap water isn’t safe to drink, you’ll need to buy bottled water, or boil, filter or sterilise it. Make sure the kids don’t brush their teeth using the tap water if it’s not safe.
3. Have fun! Encourage the kids to make memories in their own way, be it by keeping a holiday journal, collecting postcards or drawing pictures of the places you visit.

So there you have it. We would love to hear your travel tips too and so would other members. Start exchanging your holiday tips and stories of your travel adventures with other families, join today and start your journey!