Without breaking a sweat…
Family travel can seem exhausting at first, involving snack negotiations, mid-flight tantrums, and the incessant chorus of “Are we there yet?” But with proper preparation and a little attitude change, family travel can become an exciting adventure that everyone can enjoy. In this blog we will go through some strategies that will help keep tensions under control.
Plan, But Don’t Overplan
It can be tempting to craft an itinerary for every hour of every day when dealing with children, but flexibility is your greatest ally when planning events for them. Stick with a loose schedule with only 3 or 4 key activities each day, leaving room for rest, play and unplanned detours. Use tools such as Google Maps to mark nearby playgrounds, family cafes or rest stops so having options at the ready should your toddler suddenly decide they need something different or change their mind unexpectedly.
Book Accommodations That Suit Families
Escape cramped hotel rooms and opt for accommodations designed specifically to meet the needs of a family. Hotels and vacation rentals cater to families with amenities like full kitchens, laundry services and play areas, providing extra space for everyone in a property if possible. Just remember to read reviews from other families about how family friendly a place truly is before making a decision.
Make Travel Times Kid-Friendly
Wherever possible, schedule travel around your children’s natural rhythms. Early morning or evening flights might work perfectly with their sleep cycle while road trips could go more smoothly if synchronized with nap hours. With older children, involving them in the travel planning process will increase cooperation while simultaneously helping them feel included and more willing to accept new schedules.
Snacks Are Non-Negotiable
Snacks can make all the difference for a vacation ‘s success and success can only increase when snacks are delivered at just the right time. Bring both healthy and indulgent options to keep the session engaging and individually-packaged snacks can double up as time-killers when boredom strikes. Some ideas for snack include:
- Granola bars
- Baby carrots and hummus
- Pretzels
- String cheese
- Fruit gummies or dried fruit
Bring reusable water bottles for each family member and fill up after clearing airport security to save on beverage costs.
Simplify Travel With Luggage Storage
Traveling can quickly become extremely frustrating when you are dealing with bulky suitcases while trying to keep an eye on small children. But using services like St Pancras luggage storage when you are traveling to London can ease this burden and allow you to explore your destination freely before checking into your accommodation. By leaving your bags behind at a luggage storage, you’re freed up from dragging bags around which is perfect for families on-the-go. One less thing for you to worry about during an adventure.
Create Entertainment Survival Kits
Bored children can turn any trip into an emotional marathon, so to ensure the trip goes smoothly, create age-appropriate survival kits filled with activities and surprises to keep them occupied during any journey. Some ideas for these survival kits:
- For younger children: Coloring books, crayons and sticker books can all come in handy when travelling alone or as part of a larger group.
- For older children: Crosswords, puzzle books and handheld gaming systems can keep older children occupied on long journeys.
- For teens (who often claim not to require distraction): Download their favorite shows or podcasts as entertainment options
Simplify Airport Chaos
Navigating airports can be stressful when traveling with luggage and children. To minimize stress and make things easier for yourself, start early, use family lanes at security checkpoints where available, and ask airline attendants for extra help when flying with young ones. Many are happy to provide early boarding or store strollers on board the plane for you.
Roll With It
No matter how carefully you plan, things may still go a bit sideways during a vacation. Flights get delayed. Suitcases get misplaced. Someone spills juice all over themselves. Instead of allowing mishaps to ruin the experience for you and themselves, try looking at them as stories you’ll laugh about later (they always will). Keeping a sense of humor is half the battle.
Stick to (Some) Routines
Even during travel’s unpredictable course, keeping some familiar routines can help your children stay grounded. If bedtime means reading their favorite story, take that book along. Having snack times or quiet breaks regularly will also offer comfort during change. Just make sure that any usual rules don’t get bent too rigidly. It’s okay if bedtime shifts by an hour, or dessert arrives twice in one day.
Conclusion
Traveling with your family doesn’t need to be difficult. With the proper tools, attitude, and creativity at your disposal, traveling can become an enjoyable process that transforms even mundane trips into unforgettable adventures. Plan ahead, go with the flow, and don’t forget your snacks, you got this.
