No Need for Nightmares: Traveling With Young Children
Anyone who says traveling with young children is easy is lying. Even short flights can be a challenge, and long-haul flights can be a nightmare. The inevitable tantrums, the boredom, the pestering—it’s enough to put you off traveling altogether.
But there are ways to make it easier. If you’re planning to take your kids on vacation, here are some tips to help you all cope better.
Choose Your Destination Wisely and Plan Ahead
Where you choose to go on your trip is crucial. You will want to go somewhere with plenty to see and do for the kids so they won’t get bored. So look for a suitable place, then plan your trip in advance.
Know which attractions you want to see, book tickets to shows months before you travel and ensure there is plenty to do to keep everyone busy.
Book Suitable Accommodation
Where you choose to stay can make or break your trip when you are with kids, so find somewhere child-friendly. This could be a hotel with a restaurant catering to families and perhaps a swimming pool.
The location of your hotel is also important. You will want somewhere near to all the attractions. For example, if you go to Boston, you could stay somewhere central like the Marriott Peabody, then there is no need to travel too far to see all you want to.
Tablets Are Your Friend
Did parents really travel with young children on long trips before tablets were invented? Many parents today could not imagine doing so.
Find a robust and affordable tablet for each of your children (preferably one that has a long battery life), and there are plenty to choose from. Then download a selection of TV programs and movies direct from Netflix or another app, stock up on games, and it should keep them happy for hours. You might also want to pack a selection of other gadgets to keep them busy.
Invest in Other Cool Travel Gear
Kids will enjoy traveling a lot more if they have some cool travel gear to take with them. If you have not heard of Trunki, it’s a small suitcase for children that they can pull along behind them on wheels. It even doubles up as a seat, and it makes traveling a lot more fun.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Moving from place to place with kids always takes longer. You might have to stop for bathroom breaks, there might be diapers to change, you’ll have to stop for snacks—and it all adds up.
This means you need to give yourself plenty of time. So arrive at the airport at least an hour earlier than you normally would, give yourself more time to see attractions when you arrive, plan ahead, and take it slow.
Don’t Forget Their Favorite Toys
Make sure each of your children packs their favorite toy to provide comfort. Traveling can be stressful even for them, and it helps if they have something familiar with them.
Pack Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
Stock up on wipes and hand sanitizer for the journey and for any trips you make once you arrive at your destination. Sometimes it can be hard to find a place to wash hands, so this is a way to help ensure everyone stays healthy. Planes are not clean environments, so regular hand wiping and cleansing is recommended.
Make Traveling with Kids More Fun
Traveling with kids certainly has its challenges, but there is no reason it has to be unbearable. With a bit of forward thinking and some careful planning, you can prepare for every eventuality to ensure everyone has a great time on your next trip.
