I am always surprised when I hear people say that they want to wait to have kids so they can travel. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive!
Traveling with kids is a different experience from traveling on your own, but I really enjoy introducing my daughters to new places, languages and cultures, and see them point at landmarks and watch the new landscape with wide eyes.
Here are a few tips that might be helpful if you are considering traveling more with your kids.
1. Book your flights and hotel in advance, whenever possible. You generally get better rates and a better selection when booking well in advance, and when traveling with little ones it will allow you to organize things like a front row seat and bassinet for the plane or a portable crib at the hotel, which means you will travel with less stuff, less worry and more comfort.
2. Do a little homework. Find out a few things about the area(s) you are planning to visit. Go on Yelp to find restaurants that fit your budget and tastes; visit the city’s website to find out more about specific attractions. Some museums and attractions offer tours tailored to specific age brackets, but sometimes they need to be booked in advance. Finding something that keep the kids interested will pay off!
Stella and Sarah both loved our tour of the Tower Bridge in London, where they not only got to see how the bridge works and how it was built, but also got a little booklet they could fill in with stickers they had to get at different stations in each of the two towers. It was fun, kept them interested and they actually learned something. And I enjoyed my visit too, because I didn’t have to rush my way through.
3. If you are a schedule person, be flexible. If you like to plan your itinerary to get the most out of your visit, make sure you leave some time for random stuff – browsing a cute shop or stopping at a lovely bakery, or taking a longer route through a park so the kids can run around a little without you holding their hands, instead of taking the shortest route.
Consider it’s always possible that it might take you longer to do what you planned. In that case, it’s good to have a shorter version of your itinerary, so you can hit the main spots without stressing everyone out. Your kids will enjoy the visit a lot more if they also have a chance to take their own time looking around and getting acquainted with the place. That’s not a waste of time, it’s how children acquire a passion for travel!
For older kids, you might also consider getting them excited about your destination by giving them their own little guide book a couple of weeks in advance.
4. If you are a “whatever” person, do a little bit of planning. Getting “lost” in a new city, walking around without looking at the map and exploring randomly and spontaneously are some of the great joys of travel. But if you have little people with you, it’s good to be a little prepared. So if you don’t want to check the restaurants because you don’t know what area you’ll be in by the time noon comes around, then make sure to keep some nutritious snacks handy: Fresh fruit, a bag of nuts, some organic turkey jerky, whole-grain crackers will keep little tummies from rumbling while you find your way to a good lunch spot. (By the same token, hydration keeps headaches away and energy up, so keep water handy as well!) If you have little ones, make sure you bring baby food with you. And it’s always best to dress in layers and bring a cover-up along even when it’s sunny, so you don’t have to rush back to the hotel if the temperature drops or you stay out later than planned.
5. Prevent boredom. Boredom increases the chances of whining and mischief, and it makes the travel time seem incredibly loooong. Bring along a few things to keep the kids (and yourself!) entertained. Skip the portable DVD player; pack portable games, coloring books, stickers and maybe a magazines or a favorite book, instead. Car games and audio books are great for road trips; music can be very soothing, so consider loading your iPod with a few of your kids favorite tunes, get some small earbuds and get ready to share.
6. Consider travel insurance. If you want to feel a bit more prepared, consider a travel insurance policy. You can get coverage for medical expenses, accidents, loss or theft, or even cancellations. If you are nervous about traveling as a family, it might bring a bit more peace of mind.
7. Take it easy. Keeping everyone fed and hydrated and scheduling breaks – for a coffee, a snack, a walk on the beach or through a park – will help keep the spirits and energy high, so you can do and see a lot. But at some point, your tots will be ready to take a nap or call it a day. When that time comes, just let it. Try to do most of your activities (or the “musts” on your list) first thing, when everyone is fresh; don’t push too hard, and be ready to call it quits when it’s time.
Traveling with kids can actually improve your travel experience by encouraging you to slow down and really enjoy what you are doing, and focusing on a few things rather than trying to “take it all in” and doing too much running around.
Do you have any experience traveling with kids? If you have any useful tips, please share them in the comments!
And happy travels, everyone!
This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. Check out their family travel insurance here.
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