Planning a fun and fabulous getaway for your kids is a lot of fun, but as we all know, children can be a bit of handful.
So for those of you looking for some ideas on how to handle your kiddies during your time away, here are 10 tops tips for travelling with children.
1. Bring your own snacks
Children are hungry beings, but rather than fork out on overpriced airport snacks, bring your own nutritious nibbles instead – they’ll keep your children satisfied and energised for the flight ahead.
2. Bring empty water bottles
Travel is thirsty work, and the 100ml liquids rule means you can only fly with overpriced airport drinks. So pack some empty water bottles in your carry-on and fill these up for free once you’ve gone through security.
3. Consult your children
Keeping your children in the loop with regards to your holiday plans will help maximise the chances of them behaving and cooperating during the trip. It’s also worth letting them have a say in some of the plans too.
4. Travel with a tablet
With a tablet amongst your belongings, you’ll have no problem keeping your children entertained during the flight. Load it with their favourite games, films and books, and relax as they immerse themselves. And if you’re worried about your child spending too much time staring at a screen, parental control app Screen Time lets you put a limit on it.
5. Don’t overpack
Don’t fall into the trap of packing everything your children use at home. There are kids everywhere in the world, so if you find you’re missing something you need, chances are you’ll be able to buy it at your destination.
6. Allow plenty of time
When you’re travelling with children, you can be sure that things are going to take longer than expected, with constant toilet trips and spontaneous tantrums taking up time. So make sure you build in extra time for the usual delays.
7. Keep track of your child
There’s no fear like the panic when you child wanders off. So consider investing in a GPS tracking device, so you can keep track of them at all times.
8. Pre-book
Pre-booking doesn’t end with flights and accommodation. Anything you can book ahead of time is one less thing to worry about, so consider pre-booking things such as activities and transport from the airport.
9. Travel by car
No parent wants to squeeze onto a packed train or coach with a load of luggage and their children in tow. So consider driving to the airport instead – you’ll find great parking options on comparison site SkyParkSecure.com for Teesside and most UK hubs.
10. Accept that things will go wrong
We’ll do anything to ensure that our kids have a perfect holiday. However, the reality is that travel is unpredictable. There are so many things that can go wrong, so acceptance of this keeps you calm. While keeping a realistic mindset, planning adequately to reduce the likelihood of incidents is prudent. For instance, if you’re considering destinations and activities like a walk around Brecon’s stunning four waterfalls, remember to ensure your kids are properly dressed for the experience and closely monitored at all times. Selecting the right destinations and preparing thoroughly for them can help ensure you and your kids have a safe and enjoyable experience, giving you the peace of mind that you’ve done your best.
Follow these top tips and you’ll be all set for a fun-filled holiday with your children.
What are your top tips for travelling with children? Share them in the comments section.