Here are our top recommendations for families vacationing.
Children alter everything. With nap times and food preferences to take into account, even a simple trip to the supermarket involves additional planning. Therefore, it is easy to see how that relates to travel, whether it be a quick weekend break, a road trip, or a glamping holiday. As someone who has a personal stake in the subject, I took advantage of the chance to consult with subject matter experts and other parent travelers (as well as compile the lessons I've learned from my several journeys with a young child) to produce a list of the best family travel advice. You'll be ready for anything that arises when traveling with kids thanks to these ingenious ideas and tactics for every stage and age, proving for all time that it's possible to have a calm family holiday.
1. Encourage children to participate in planning.
Although it sounds fairly fantastic to me, I'm not advocating handing your kids a globe and asking them to point to where you're going on your next vacation. Instead, involve them before taking off. This may take the form of making family flashcards with interesting information about the locations you'll be visiting or cooking a dish from that location together.
2. Use travel as a chance to further your education.
Our thoughts, as well as the minds of our children, are opened by travel. With hotels, resorts, and tour operators seeing the potential in offering experiences that teach guests something new, the educational travel trend has exploded in popularity. Tom Marchant, the creator of Black Tomato, says that letting kids' interests direct activities and outings increases their engagement and vigor while boosting the educational component.
3. Take into account using a travel agency.
The amount of work required to plan a trip increases significantly when children are included. While some parents are excellent at planning every single detail, it stresses out other parents. Utilizing a travel agency can help ease the stress of planning everything, freeing up time for the numerous other tasks that families must complete before a trip.
4. Instruct young tourists to prepare their bags.
Even if it's only a tiny backpack with a few toys and a children's coloring book, this will increase enthusiasm for everyone from toddlers to teens to load a bag with things they want. Of course, this doesn't apply to babies.
5. Invest on a top-notch travel stroller.
You won't have any regrets about investing in a lightweight, simple-to-maneuver, compact travel stroller like the Bombi Bbee Lightweight Stroller that serves as a vehicle, a snack station, and a bed while you're on vacation.
6. Benefit from children under two travelling for free in the United States.
Within the United States, infants and toddlers under the age of two can fly on an adult's lap for no additional cost. This is a significant financial savings and a comfortable approach to get young children interested in flying. (Keep in mind that while international flights allow lap infants, it typically comes at a small cost.)
7. Reserve bulkhead seating.
Since many airlines really offer an in-flight bassinet for babies, bulkhead seats are excellent for families with infants traveling on their laps. The ability to spread out, access baggage, and avoid having to worry about small legs kicking other passengers are reasons enough to reserve these seats, even as children get older. Faster boarding is an advantage.
8. Use priority boarding when traveling with young children.
Most airlines let parents board the plane ahead of time with young children. (typically after first-class passengers and elite frequent fliers). This gives families some time to settle in before the hectic and occasionally tumultuous general boarding.
9. Free car seats and strollers are gate checked.
Hold onto your stroller (or car seat, if you want to bring one) and drive your children through the airport instead of checking it at the luggage drop off. Then, just gate-check it without charge before taking off. When you land, you can pick it up before leaving the plane area.
10. Carriers are really helpful.
While a stroller undoubtedly offers many advantages, a carrier can occasionally be the best option, especially for very little babies. In hectic, crowded places like airports and railway stations, it's wonderful for infants and babies to feel close to dependable caregivers. Additionally, it frees up two hands for parents so they can carry baggage, get passports out, display boarding passes, etc.
11. Bring lots and lots of snacks.
Do you believe you have enough snacks to feed an entire football team? Then you can definitely handle one child on a brief car or aircraft travel. Despite the jokes, you absolutely want to avoid being hungry because it can cause irritability in people of all ages. It never hurts to carry extra options because small palates might be picky about meals on any given day, especially for opinionated toddlers. (Peter Rabbit Organics pouches, Serenity Kids grain-free puffs, and Cerebelly granola bars are our current two-year-old-approved favorites.)
12 . Always keep reusable water bottles with you.
This advice applies to everyone who travels, but it's crucial for families with young children who might require special child-friendly bottles and can't simply grab something from a cooler case. Bringing a reusable bottle that you can fill up at clean water stations as you go is better for the environment (and for keeping the whole family hydrated).
13) Put together a first aid kit.
When traveling with children, it's always wise to "aim for the best, prepare for the worst." Of course, we all hope that everyone stays safe and unharmed throughout, and that is probably what will happen. But you want to be ready in case something does happen. This include assembling a first-aid kit that includes antibacterial ointment, bandages, gauze pads, and age-appropriate medications, electrolyte packets, syringes, and thermometer.
14. The best airplane snack is a ring pop.
Ring Pops truly make the best sweet treat when it comes to airport munchies, and here's why: It is beneficial to sucking on them to relieve ear pressure during takeoff and landing, and as they take a while to finish, it will keep them occupied and still for a while. (Credit for this tip goes to my friend who is an amazing, ingenious mom of five boys.)
15. Airplane screen time is not taken into account.
Yes, there will be others who disagree with this statement. Giving the kids an iPad or letting them watch a movie, however, is for the great majority of parents a tiny price to pay for peace and quiet – for themselves and other passengers.
16. Get some sticker books
Kids can use reusable sticker books like the Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad on paper as well as on the windows of cars, planes, and trains.
17. Use entertainment in inventive ways.
On long (and, who are we fooling, even short) planes, trains, and car excursions, kids require a lot to keep them amused. Create a full entertainment arsenal with age-appropriate activities, such as busy boards or doodle kits, in addition to stickers and screens.
18. Before you leave, download music, podcasts, audiobooks, and shows.
Although it may seem apparent, I can't tell you how often I forget to download a podcast before a flight. You may ensure that you always have access to that entertainment on your flight by simply downloading playlists of music, podcasts, or audiobooks before takeoff.
19. Always carry extra clothing.
No matter the child's age (although perhaps teenagers should do this for themselves), it's always a good idea to pack an extra set of clothes for each youngster in case somebody spills, gets sick, blows a gasket, or just feels "icky."
20. Establish a restful sleeping atmosphere.
We've all heard tales of parents setting up pack and plays in bathrooms or walk-in closets of hotel rooms to provide young children with a quiet, dark area to sleep. But depending on how your accommodations are set up, that isn't always possible. A portable shusher and a SlumberPod, which is like a tent-like dome that fits over a crib to completely block out the light, allow you to transform any corner into a comfortable, peaceful sleeping area.
21. At your destination, rent large baby equipment.
High chairs, car seats, and cribs can all be rented through a firm like BabyQuip, which is available in most major U.S. cities, rather than having to ship or even travel with them. You may even order baby wipes and diapers in advance and have them delivered to your hotel or vacation home.
22. Make good use of packing cubes.
Using a distinct color set of travel cubes for each child will ensure that there is no misunderstanding and that everyone can easily reach their clothes, according to my parent friend who has numerous children.
23. Travel by car.
More family members means purchasing more plane tickets, which quickly adds up. A road trip is a fantastic substitute that enables you to visit locations with more freedom, which is perfect for families. Driving past a location versus flying over it has pros and cons. Observed anything intriguing? Just stop and take a look. A few hours without Cocomelon playing nonstop are also possible because many children slumber better in the automobile.
24. Consider glamping.
Having trouble getting the youngsters away from their screens? Reintroduce them to nature by taking them on a trip filled with hiking, stargazing, s'mores, and family time spent in a glamping tent.
25. Fabulous resorts are all-inclusive.
Many parents appreciate how simple it is to stay at an all-inclusive resort, where everything is taken care of from check-in to check-out, from meals and drinks to activities. For instance, Beaches and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts have made a whole industry out of serving families.
26 . You don't have to sacrifice luxury,
Many parents believe that their days of living in five-star luxury are over, but that isn't the case. Numerous extremely upscale hotel chains, such The Peninsula, Rosewood, and Four Seasons, offer customized programs, kid-friendly cuisine options, and entertaining in-room facilities.
27. Make a sensible room selection.
If you can, look for hotels with outside space if you are traveling with a child who needs to nap. It's fantastic to be able to escape to a balcony or patio for some fresh air since you'll be so attached to the room for at least a couple of hours, says travel writer and new mother Katy Spratte Joyce.
28. If you're nursing, bring a Hadaka.
Bring a Haaka or hand pump with you if you're nursing or pumping as a backup. It's always a good idea to have a plan B in that circumstance, advises Joyce. "I've heard horror stories about electronic pumps dying or malfunctioning and chargers being left at home," she says.
29. Move more slowly.
Traveling is going to look very different from what it did before having children. And it's all right! A family vacation has the appeal of allowing everyone to explore a new location at their own speed. The experience is key. That might entail carrying out a single scheduled task and allowing the remainder of the day for free-range exploring.
30. Follow the current.
Although studies have shown that youngsters thrive on routines, spontaneity and adventure also have merit. Your children won't recall skipping that afternoon nap years from now, but they will recall how family trips were always incredibly memorable times, and that will stay with them forever.