Children’s travel tips can make the difference between an enjoyable holiday, and a headache! We have some of the most helpful tips to make your summer a little more stress-free.
General Children’s Travel Tips
Plan For Extra Time
When you’re travelling with your little ones, everything is going to take much longer than you expect. No matter how you’re travelling at least an extra half hour just in case things go a little off-plan.
Don’t Overpack
One of the things we’re all a little guilty of for children’s travel is overpacking. We try to take all of our little ones familiar comforts to keep routines. However, going on holiday is out of routine anyway, so this plan rarely works. Instead, pack as little as possible, with only one or two comfort items that are most essential.
Pre-Book Outings
This tip for children’s travel is more to do with organisation than anything else. Pre-book whatever you can. If you want to spend a day at a water park, book it before you leave. There are two reasons why this is a good idea. First, children generally like to know what’s going on, and secondly, you’ll avoid any disappointment as by booking beforehand, you’re guaranteed to be able to enter the attraction.
Talk To Your Little Ones About The Trip
Your little one may be nervous about travelling, but talking about the trip, and explaining the general itinerary might help. Your little one will know what to expect, and this can help calm nervous children. This can be particularly important for first-time travellers.
Snacks
Make sure that you pack a selection of snacks for your little ones. It might not always be possible to get somewhere to buy food, so a selection of your child’s favourite snacks can help keep boredom and hunger at bay.
Invest In Good Gear
If paying a little extra means that you travel with a better quality item, pay the extra if you can afford it. This doesn’t mean shelling out hundreds on luggage, but it may mean replacing your usual suitcase with a camping backpack. For things like travel car seats, and strollers, if paying a little more means you have a lighter, more compact item, do it. It will make things so much easier for you.
Things Will Go Wrong
One of the most important children’s travel tips to keep in mind is that things will go wrong. The unexpected will happen. Be prepared for it and accept it. Try not to let any mishaps overwhelm you or put a cloud over your holiday.
Contact Information
You should give your little one’s your contact information. Depending on their ages, this could be a note in their pocket with your name, phone number, email address and the address of where you’re staying. Older children might be able to memorise the information or save it into their phones. It means that if they get lost, there will be a way for you to be contacted.
Travel Documents
If you’re travelling abroad, be sure to check what documents are needed for your children to enter that country. For many countries, all you’ll need is their passports, but some require that you also have an original birth certificate as well. Double check all the identity requirements about a week before you leave.
Travel Car Seat
Some car rentals have car seat available to hire with the car, others don’t. If you’re hiring a car, ask if you can book a car seat as well. If you can’t, you should look for a travel car seat to take with you.
Cameras
Children’s travel is exciting for them, so think about buying some disposable cameras, or a cheap digital one and letting your little one take all of their own travel snaps. Just be sure to take some yourself with your own camera.
Children’s Travel For Babies And Toddlers
Changing Supplies
No matter how many nappies you think you’ll need during your travel time, you will need more. Pack two or three times more nappies than you’ll think you need, a full pack of wipes, and a travel pot of nappy cream – My Little Sudocrem is the perfect size for popping in a travel bag!
Ear Popping
Ear popping can be a problematic part of children’s travel with young children. Small children won’t be prepared for the sensation and won’t be able to equalise the pressure on their own. Babies may find it easier if you’re feeding them a bottle during take-off and landing. If your little one is a toddler, having a drink or a snack to chew can be helpful.
Plan Your Travel Times
No matter how you’re travelling, think about your travel times. If possible, try to arrange travelling at times that fits into your children’s routine. Think about when would work best for you. Would your little one sleep on an overnight flight, or would a daytime journey be easier?
Be Flexible
Be as flexible as you can. If your little one’s schedule gets thrown off for a few days, go with it. Don’t let yourself become fixated on a schedule and try to have as much fun as you possibly can.
