If you are going away this Christmas – whether it’s to the extended family, or somewhere overseas for a family vacation – it can be challenging travelling with kids, especially over the holidays.
So we wanted to share our favourite tips on how to make that travel with kids that little bit less stressful!
Make A Project Book
If you are travelling overseas, or to a place that kids haven’t been before, create a fun project book.
Project books are a great way for kids to learn about the destination, too. Plan ahead, and in the front pages of the book, stick in a map, and some fun facts about the country – the capital, the currency – kids can even help and make it an arts project
Then, as they travel, they can use it as a journal, writing all about what they love about this new culture. It will keep them excited and entertained, and they will love collecting bits and pieces to stick into it.
These are invaluable later in life, too, when they read back on how they felt experiencing other cultures.
Try And Book Night Flights
Night flights are brilliant for kids! They will have been on the go all day, and (hopefully!) exhausted by the time they get on the flight.
This also means parents (hopefully!) get some sleep too!
Make The Baby Changing Bag Count!
If you are on a flight where you only get one piece of hand luggage, the baby changing back will count. So use it wisely!
Pack as much as you can for the baby in there, and use it as their “suitcase” – change of clothes, diapers (lots!), and you can even put some things in there for you too.
Lots Of Snacks!
Whether you are embarking on a flight, or a car journey, make sure you have lots of snacks and water packed. Healthy snacks are great, and the occasional treat, as kids will feel full for longer.
This also means they won’t be constantly asking to stop at McDonalds on the road, and they won’t have to wait for the airline food to be brought out if they’re hungry.
Snacks are invaluable!
If you don’t want them to have too many treats, make them a “prize” for winning a game (such as Eye Spy), or completing a page in a colouring book.
Leave Plenty Of Time
Take your time. Kids will want to stop off and look at things, either at the airport, or in the shops at the rest areas along the highways.
So allow time for this. There is nothing worse than starting off your holiday stressed. It’s your holiday – so enjoy it!
We know it’s often easier said than done with time, but try and be as prepared, and pack in advance (ideally the night before).
Also tell kids you need to leave an hour before you really do, and just get that little bit head start.
Then you will all have a great time before your holiday even begins!
Give Them A Camera
Kids love projects, and they love to feel included. If they have a camera, they will feel like “mum and dad” being able to capture the holiday.
Sure, you might not get photos that are worth of Photographer Of The Year (then again, you might!), but kids will really take notice of their surroundings, and look at their trip in a whole new light, rather than head down on the phone the whole time.
Try and give them a prize for the best photo at the end of the trip. They might even have to explain their inspiration as part of the competition.
Use Public Transport
You’ll be surprised how much kids really start to love travelling on public transport. Waiting for that new bus, or reading train stations as they travel.
It’s also a great way to introduce kids to other cultures if you are overseas, and gives them a sense of confidence which will be invaluable to them later in life.
Cars are convenient when it comes to longer journeys, as you can just throw all your luggage in, but so are trains for those long journeys! Perhaps compromise, and take public transport within the city, but a car to get there.
They can really get a better sense of where they are exploring!
Check Passports!
There is nothing worse than realising the day before you travel, that your child’s passport actually expires next week because it’s 5 years, and not 10 as you had thought.
So check, check and double check! When you book (if you are travelling overseas), make sure you check then, and book in to renew the passport that week if it’s nearly expired.
Check the adult passports too, whilst you are there!
Take Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are just as important as the passport on some trips! They come in so handy – after all meals, after public transport, after kids are just being kids…
Always keep these in your handbag, and you won’t regret taking them – ever!
If you have any great tips you’d like to share, don’t forget to comment below!
Have a great holidays, and Merry Christmas from Day Out With The Kids!
Beth 🙂
Day Out With The Kids 