On a regular day, managing kids as a parent is no easy feat. So, you wouldn’t be wrong if you assumed that traveling with kids can be a nightmare, that is if you do not plan properly. How then does one prepare and plan when traveling with kids? This article aims to show you how to travel with kids such that your trip leans more towards a fun experience than a nightmare. Here are the tips we will go over in this article.
- Book way ahead of time.
- Prepare mentally.
- Involve your kids in the planning process.
- Avoid rushing.
- Travel as light as possible.
- Carry healthy snacks.
- Keep devices charged and loaded with kid-friendly content.
- Be ready to clean up any mess.
- Explore the outdoors.
- Give the kids adequate playtime.
- Make the trip fun for everyone.
- Go for accommodation with a kitchen.
- Limit the buying.
- Don’t stray too far from your home routine.
- Do a practice run.
Let’s dive in
- BOOK WAY AHEAD OF TIME
Waiting two weeks or a week to your trip before booking flights and accommodation isn’t a great idea. This is especially true if you plan to travel during the holidays; at the same time as everyone else. Make your bookings as early as possible so you can get amazing deals on flights and top-notch family accommodation.
- PREPARE MENTALLY
If this is your first time traveling with kids, brace yourself! It will be very different from your other trips. Don’t expect things to be the same. Do your best to stay as clear-headed as possible. If peradventure you were to fall into a funk of negative emotions, it will definitely rub off on your kids. Stay calm and cheerful irrespective of the disappointments and hurdles you face along your journey.
- INVOLVE YOUR KIDS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS
This is a great way to get your kids excited about the trip. Ask them where they want to go, and what they plan to do when they get there. This will encourage them to do their own research and hopefully get the most out of the trip.
- AVOID RUSHING
Do whatever you can to avoid rushing. Leave your home early for your flight. Avoid typical airport rush hours. An idea is to book a flight for late morning or early afternoon when there is little or no traffic at the airport. The last thing you want is to be late for a flight with a kid in tow who is also throwing a tantrum.
- TRAVEL AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE
You don’t have to carry the kitchen sink when you travel. Always travel light, pack the bare minimum. You can always buy stuff, should you need anything when you get to your destination. Remember you are going to keep an eye on your kids throughout the trip. More luggage is just more things to worry about.
- CARRY HEALTHY SNACKS
This will especially come in handy during those long road trips or flights. Be sure to avoid snacks that can induce any form of allergic reactions in not just your kids but other kids that may cross your path.
- KEEP DEVICES CHARGED AND LOADED WITH KID-FRIENDLY CONTENT
This is also a great way to keep your kids occupied during those long trips. The more time they get watching their favorite cartoon, the less time they have to cry at the top of their lungs for absolutely no reason.
- BE READY TO CLEAN UP ANY MESS
If your kids are still pretty young, then an unexpected vomit fest is possible. Be sure to bring along paper towels, plastic bags, and any other bit of kit you may need to clean up the mess. Don’t forget to pack a change of clothes for you and your kid.
- EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
If your kids love the outdoors, give them all the room they need to explore. Go for a swim in a lake with your kids, let them play with the animals. These activities are sure to engage their minds.
- GIVE THE KIDS ADEQUATE PLAYTIME
Yes, you are on a trip in an exotic location and your child just wants to play games on your mobile phone. Indulge them. Give them time to do what they would normally do back home for play.
- MAKE THE TRIP FUN FOR EVERYONE
I know that left to yourself, you would probably spend the entire trip visiting museums and visiting religious sites. Kids on the other hand quickly get bored by history lessons. Be sure to include activities that your kids will enjoy. Something like cooking or art classes can be a fun experience for you and your kids.
- GO FOR ACCOMODATION WITH A KITCHEN
Your kids may or may not like the local food during the trip. In the event that they don’t, having a kitchen where you can quickly put together a meal will be a blessing.
- LIMIT THE BUYING
Your kids are going to want you to buy any and everything for them, don’t fall for it. Keep the buying of souvenirs to a minimum as they can take up precious luggage real estate.
- DON’T STRAY TOO FAR FROM YOUR HOME ROUTINE
A form of routine like going to bed at a particular time and having meals at specific times similar to what you do back at home will help your kids feel relaxed.
- DO A PRACTICE RUN
Before you go all out to that far away exotic location, why not go for a weekend getaway at someplace local. This will help you familiarize yourself with the process of traveling with kids.
There you have it, be sure to employ these tips in making that family trip one to remember. Family trips can be a great opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. Be sure to enjoy every moment of it, come what may. So, what do you think about these tips? Do you have other tips of yours that you will like to share? We will love to hear from you. Cheers.
