Traveling with family can be quite stressful. Though it can get easier when you do it more often, it’s always overwhelming to plan vacations, especially with kids. Proper planning and the right arrangements can help you overcome the various challenges when traveling with kids. In addition to proper planning, there are lots of little things you can do to save time, money or stress while enjoying the best time with family.
This article covers some essential tips that will make your vacation or trip the best ever! Learn more below:
Essential Family Travel Tips
Take it slow and Meticulous
When traveling, especially with kids, you do not need to rush Everything. For solo travelers, you might need to plan for extra time. You need the exact opposite for kids. Planning will take slower than expected. Which will include activities like checking in at the airport, buying snacks and drinks along the way, boarding the plane, getting through security and even using the restroom.
First, ensure that you pack Everything you need. Be meticulous when packing. That is, ensure that you check every detail and pack all necessary or needed items. Make sure to get to the airport early. Leaving extra time also applies to other parts of the
a trip like sightseeing, restaurant trips etc.
Note: it is always best to leave your schedule loose. This will help you gather plenty of time for adjustments. There is bound to be a mistake, so keeping enough time, will help you make necessary adjustments.
Do not Overpack
In as much as you are trying to pack all you need, you do not need to overpack. Parents likely want to pack all the things kids use at home. This might be in an attempt to bring in familiar items for the kids to help maintain their usual family routine. At the end of the day, overpacking will be a lot stressful. As while trying to take care of the kids, the many pieces of luggage will draw you back. So, while catering for your kids, you wouldn’t want to be carrying 100 pounds of luggage too.
Instead of carrying a lot of luggage, pack only what you need. Make it as little as possible. Trying to carry all the things your kids are familiar with will only end up giving you a sore neck. However, if you find you are missing something important, buy it at your destination. It may be difficult to buy things in a less-developed place, but most places you will take your kids will have the essentials you require to care for them.
Note: The less luggage you carry, the easier it will be to pack. The less you have to carry home, the more space for souvenirs.
Prebook Everything as much as you can
As a solo traveler, you might be used to making decisions on what to do or eat when you get to the destination. But that might not work so well with kids. When you arrive at a new destination, you will want to direct to your lodging, keep the bags and rest, especially if it is a long journey. So, it is very important to prebook your accommodations.
Prebooking will also give you time to select the best. While booking when you get there might not allow you time and might result in you settling with only what you can find. All you can book ahead of time is one less thing you get to worry about. Ensure to use the right credit card for your prebooked hotels, flights and activities.
Hot Tip: In addition to flights and lodging, you can also prebook private and public transportation, sightseeing tours, restaurants, tickets for theme parks or museums and many other attractions. Prebooking ensures that you have more time to relax and enjoy all activities when you get there.
Outline the Trip plans for your kids
This is particularly important for first travelers. When kids aren’t happy with the activities planned for them, the entire trip will be uncomfortable and tiring. Letting them go through the trip plans will help them know what to expect, and they can tell you which activity or place they prefer. This will ensure they are comfortable and the trip will be fun for them.
You can also inform them of what to expect at the airport, plane, bus, and hotel and when they arrive at the destination. You can even discuss with them the expected behavior throughout the trip. This way, you will come to a better understanding.
Note: Once you let your children on with what to expect, they get to understand things better. They are likely to ask fewer questions and are a lot happier and more comfortable about what’s coming next.
Bring A lot of Snacks and Meds.
Always have snacks available for your kids. This will help keep the kids cheerful, especially if you have to wait long hours for real food. Moreso, the food at your destination might be strange to the kids, so giving them snacks can help them keep full. Adults also eat snacks, so be sure to pack adult snacks.
Medicines are very important when traveling. Getting sick can ruin the entire trip, but having meds close can save the day. Consider packing meds like:
- Headache medicines
- Medicine for upset stomachs
- Allergy medicines
- Motion sickness prevention medication.
If anyone in the family already has prescribed medication, be sure to come along with it. While traveling with drugs, ensure that it is in the original packaging or go with a copy of the prescription. This can come really hard while crossing the border or security screening.
Travel with necessary identification Documentation and give your kids your Contact Info
If it happens that your kids get lost, the following contact information will help:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Local address
So, ensure you give the following contact information. The best way to do this is by sharing it in a note and putting it in their pockets. If they do not have any pockets, you can tie a little card with the formation on their belt or shoe. You can be creative or have them memorize your contact number. Just ensure they can reach the contact information.
Some countries might require additional paperwork to cross the borders with kids. So, it is important to check the countries and pack essential identification documents.
Bring Entertainment for the Family
Entertainment is very necessary when going for a long or short trip with family. One way kids get entertained is through electronic devices. You can pack some, as this can help keep the kids happy for a long time. You can also bring new toys and books for them. Kids are more excited when you get them brand-new things. If you can get cool souvenirs during your travel, that will be great too.
If your kids are responsible enough, it will be nice to get them a camera. Or if they are way too young for a camera, you can let them take pictures with a mobile phone. This will help them find the new environment more appealing.
Other helpful tips include:
- Pay for a good gear
- Ask for child discounts or special seasonal discounts.
- Accept that things will go wrong and prepare to make them right or manage the situation.
- Keep track of your child.
- Strategically plan flight times.
- Let kids pick activities.
- Be flexible
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my kids happy while traveling?
The best way to keep your kids happy while traveling is to pack lots of snacks and keep them entertained. You can let them pick the activities they like and pre-inform them about what to expect in the new environment.
At what age are kids easiest to travel?
It can be quite challenging to travel with kids, no matter their age. But toddlers are more difficult, and teenagers are less stressed. But no matter the age, you need to pack what they need and prepare according to their preference.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things to do to make the family vacation amazing. But we’ve considered some essential family travel tips. These tips will ensure you have a fun time with your family. Ensure to pack what you need, keep kids safe and prebook all you can. For more tips kindly visit commutepassport.com.
