Going on holiday with the little ones in tow? We’ve got you.
No matter how far you’re planning to travel, doing so with a young family can feel daunting and exciting in equal measure. With some careful organisation and by learning a few handy bits of advice before you go, you can have the adventure of a lifetime.
Whether you’re planning a holiday with toddlers, teenagers, or with kids of varying ages, it’s always worth knowing our best top tips for travelling with children.
Holidays with kids: Our 5 top tips for a smooth trip
- Manage your expectations
Don’t hesitate to jump straight in and book a family holiday, but don’t expect it to feel the same as a romantic retreat. You need to focus your daily plans, activities, and meals almost entirely around your children, especially if you’re travelling with fussy eaters.
Young children thrive on routine, so you should always find ways to add order and structure to your day, even when you’re on holiday. With a provisional plan in mind and a rough idea of what your day-to-day patterns will look like on holiday, you can keep your expectations realistic.
- Don’t overpack
When you’re heading on your first ever family holiday with the children, it can be tempting to pack almost everything you need on a day-to-day basis. However, packing too much could ultimately lead to major inconvenience on holiday. Just don’t forget the kids’ suncream!
Remember that almost all the things you usually need to buy at home can be brought abroad too. From nappies and laundry detergent to snacks and fruit juice, it’s likely that you’ll find what you need. If you use an eco-friendly brand you might need to do some research first, but you should try to only pack the essentials.
- Book carefully
You’ll need to choose the best accommodation option for you and your family. Take your time booking – and try to think of the practical details that might not be listed on the internet. From steep hills to lots of steps, there are so many details that could negatively affect your holiday.
Sea, sunshine, and swimming pools are part of the summer holiday experience, but flying with young children can be stressful. If you’d still like to go abroad while avoiding the chaos of the airport environment, booking a cruise from Southampton leaves the world at your doorstep without needing to fly at all.
- Join pre-planned activities
Booking flights and accommodation can be stressful enough without organising the details of your day-to-day activities too. To save time and energy, it could make sense for you and your family to join in with some activities planned by the hotel, holiday company or tour provider you choose to book with.
From sunset boat trips to group sports or games evenings, there are so many ways to fill your time, meet like-minded people, and make special memories together.
- Take it slow
Lastly, it’s important not to dive in at the deep end. Even if you’re used to hurrying through the airport and seeing all the sights straight away, remember that slower is easier when young children come into the equation.
With proper organisation, a carefully planned budget, and a positive attitude, you’ll surely have a brilliant time on holiday with the family. Safe travels!
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.