Top Tips For Travelling With Kids

To some, the thought of traveling with kids is a nightmare.  But the truth is, as long as you plan smart, it can be an amazing family experience that lets you build memories together that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.  

Photo by Aliko Sunawang on Unsplash

So, to make the whole experience as stress-free as possible, follow these tips.  

Keep them entertained 

Kids are easily bored when traveling or stuck in hotel rooms, so you need to make sure you’re armed with a variety of activities to keep them going.  Some people use screens or consoles, others use toys or snacks. If it’s a very long journey, you might have to use all of these. Try packing a small travel speaker too like the Anker Soundcore 2, it’s under $50 and you can connect it via BlueTooth to other devices. 

Don’t over plan

Before you had kids, you might have been the type of couple that filled every day of their holiday with trips, activities, and tours.  That’s not going to happen when you go on vacation with kids. They’ll get tired and cranky and you’ll not be able to enjoy the things you had planned.  

Plan for a slower pace with plenty of downtime and you’ll feel much less stressed.  

Take A Stroller

If you have a baby or small toddler, carrying them in a sling might get a bit tiring.  Luckily, you can get some amazing, compact, lightweight strollers that can be transported around easily.  Even if your child has recently left their stroller behind, they won’t be used to doing so much walking so may still need it.  It’s also handy to have as a makeshift bed if they need to nap while you’re out and about without having to go back to the hotel. 

If you’re planning on using a car on vacation, you can also buy car seats that turn into strollers, so you have the added benefit of a safety seat for your baby.  Many taxis and rental cars don’t have them as standard and it will save you having to take a bulky car seat and a stroller. 

Check-in online

Most airlines let you check-in online in advance and avoid the lengthy queues at the airport. All you need to do when you get to the airport is to drop your bags at the express check-in line.  Some airports also provide a service to families that has someone meet them at the airport to help them with their bags. 

Don’t overpack

Going anywhere with kids can seem like a military operation. How do such little people need so many things? Be ruthless when you’re packing.  Unless you’re traveling to a very remote country, chances are that you’ll be able to buy most items you need if you really do need them.  

Don’t pack all of your best/most expensive items either.  It can be tempting to take all of their best outfits and toys with you but they are almost guaranteed to get ruined or broken.  

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