Vacations provide some of the most magical moments in our lives, not least when you have a young family. The opportunity to see and explore new places is very exciting for kids. Likewise, spending time together without the stresses of daily life is great for everyone. Nevertheless, when taking a trip with children, it is imperative that you put the right preparations in place.
While it does take a little extra planning to master the family vacation, the simple preparations will set you up for the perfect trip. Focus on the 10 simple steps below for the best results.
Reader's Roadmap
#1. Consider Your Child’s Sleeping Arrangements
As a parent, you understand the importance of sleep to a youngster. When they are well rested, the following day will be far more enjoyable for everyone. Conversely, disrupted nights will leave parents feeling exhausted while kids will feel very ratty.
For babies and toddlers, a travel cot is one of the smartest purchases you’ll make. The Newton Travel Crib & Play Yard is an ideal option. As well as being very compact and portable, it has a breathable material that will aid your little one’s rest even in hot climates. Parents will also retain great visibility of their sleeping tot.
Older children will be fine sleeping in the bed provided by your accommodation. If they sleep with a night light at home, though, bringing it will create familiarity.
#2. Choose A Kid-Friendly Destination
Parents should not overlook the importance of their own enjoyment on vacation. After all, you need a break from daily life and something that you can look forward to in the weeks leading up to it. Still, a destination that keeps kids entertained should be a priority.
There are plenty of options to consider, such as family holiday parks or theme park visits. Beach vacations are another popular choice. Before booking any break, you may want to research the family attractions. Meanwhile, you can always enjoy some classic adventures for toddlers that you do at home. Only you’ll be in a new setting.
Keeping the kids entertained with activities that you also enjoy will provide the foundation for a perfect trip. Regardless of whether it’s domestic or international.
#3. Prepare For The Journey
Traveling to your destination is unlikely to be the most enjoyable part of the trip. However, it can be particularly challenging when you have young kids. When you are prepared for the journey, though, you can stop this from becoming a major issue.
If flying internationally, you should learn how to keep kids entertained on long flights. Meanwhile, you want to prepare for the trip to the airport. Taking a car or hiring a taxi transfer is often more convenient than taking public transport. After all, carrying luggage as well as the kids while trying to follow timetables can be very stressful.
For long road trips, investing in an in-car DVD player could be the smartest option. It’ll keep the kids occupied and save you from a million and one questions.
#4. Think About Internal Travel
Getting to the destination is one thing. When you have young children in your travel party, though, moving around the location that you’re visiting is another challenge. Hiring a car could be a very useful option if you intend to take various day trips.
Perhaps the best tip, however, is to check the location of your accommodation. Finding a hotel with good facilities is a great starting point, but some of the appeal is lost if it’s an hour or two away from attractions. Staying in a more central location may cost slightly more, but you’ll save time and money on internal travel.
Besides, it gives you more options when looking for activities. When combined with pleasant travel to the destination, your vacation will be more enjoyable.
#5. Pack Essentials
When traveling alone or with friends, you can often get away with traveling light. In fact, you can quite easily last 7 or 10 days without some of the possessions that you would have at home. Frankly, you can’t take those risks with the kids.
Moreover, you should not wait until you arrive and then look for a pharmacy or convenience store to stock up on supplies. All medicines, first aid items, and toiletries should be packed in your luggage. When staying in a hotel, shower gels and other basics will be provided. But you still need to pack toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and other key items.
If nothing else, it removes a chore from your checklist once you’ve arrived at the destination. So, you can begin to enjoy the vacation right away.
#6. Prepare Their Palette
As an adult, the opportunity to explore different foods is one of the best parts of a vacation. For youngsters, though, trying unfamiliar foods can be quite daunting. So, preparing their palette in the weeks leading up to the trip is advised.
Preparing your child for the cuisines that they may expect on vacation could mean going to a restaurant in your town. Or it could mean making recipes like paella, if visiting Spain, at home. Aside from removing the sense of the unknown, it can be an ideal way to build excitement for the trip. Of course, you’ll probably find some familiar dishes while away anyway.
Thankfully, snacks like candies are likely to be less of an issue as the tastes are fairly universal even when the brands differ.
#7. Involve Them
Finally, your adventure will be far more enjoyable when kids are excited. The most effective way is to involve them in the vacation. When kids are of school age, showing them some of the activities available and letting them choose can be ideal.
However, even toddlers can be made to feel like they are leading the way. Questions like “shall we do X?” or “where are we going?” in an excited voice is a simple yet effective way. Giving youngsters a map or letting them take photos also works. The VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix is a kid-friendly product to support this. It’ll also serve them well in daily situations.
Above all else, seeing that your child is excited and engaged with the vacation will put your mind at ease. An enjoyable trip for the whole family is assured.