Treating your children to a holiday abroad is one of the most exciting and rewarding things you can do as a parent.
However, as we know, children can be a bit of handful, even more so when they’re removed from their everyday routine and environment.
So, to help you out, we’ve put together this list of six super tips for travelling with children.
- Pack comfort items
If your children are young, they probably aren’t used to being away from home for prolonged periods. It’s, therefore, a good idea to pack some comfort items such as their favourite toy or blanket to remind them of home and provide a sense of familiarity.
- Stay at a rental home
Hotels are great, however, when you’re travelling as a family, it’s worth considering a rental property on an accommodation site such as Airbnb because you can really make them your own, so they feel homely and cosy. Plus, you’ll have cooking facilities, which is ideal if your children have special dietary requirements or you want to avoid forking out on restaurant meals all the time.
- Travel by car
Can you think of anything worse than squeezing onto a crowded train or bus with kids and loads of luggage in tow? Driving, on the other hand, allows you and your little ones to travel in comfort and avoid undue stress. For added convenience, use airport parking comparison site Looking4.com to book parking – it has deals for major UK hubs like Stansted and Heathrow.
- Travel light at the airport
When you’ve got energetic and active children to try to control, excessive bags are the last thing you need at the airport. So travel light at the airport by packing all non-essential items in your suitcase, so you’re left with just a small carry-on bag – just think how much easier it’ll be to browse those airport shops and stock up on some duty-free goods!
- Keep them entertained
We all know how easily children get bored and when they do this can quickly turn into a full-on temper tantrum. This is that last thing you need when you’re travelling. It’s, therefore, a good idea to use your hand luggage to store some of their favourite toys and games. If you’re low on space, a tablet is a great investment – they can use it to read, colour in, watch TV and just about anything else.
- Brand and track ‘em
When you’re passing through busy transport hubs and crowded tourist hotspots, it’s easy to get separated from your child. Writing your name and contact number on their arm is, therefore, a wise idea. You could also invest in a GPS tracking device and attach it to their wrist or belt.
Follow these six super tips and you’ll be able to keep stresses to a minimum when travelling abroad with your children.
What are your top tips for travelling abroad with children? Please share them in the comments section.