6 Tips on travelling with young kids

It’s always good to get away for a few days, but the thought of travelling with young kids can sometimes be quite daunting! 

It needn’t be. With some pre-planning, it’ll be an enjoyable break for everyone.
 

6 Tips on travelling with young kids

Here are some tips to help make your journey and travelling with young kids a little easier.
 

1. Planning your trip with young kids

 

• To help reduce stress and avoid queues when you're travelling with young kids, try to pre-book all your tickets before you travel.

 

• Book direct flights or train trips to cut down on travel time. Non-stop flights maybe a little more expensive, but they will save you from having to rush to get to your next connection with young kids in tow.

 

• Plan for a mixture of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy whilst you’re away. Keep your kids ages in mind, and perhaps plan just one main activity per day to ensure young kids don't get overtired.

 

• When you are travelling with young kids, allow plenty of time to travel to the airport, train station or ferry terminal for check-in to help ease the stress.

 

• Pack as lightly as you can for everyone. It will ease the stress of managing your kids and lots of heavy luggage at the same time.

 

2. For the journey

 

• Keep essentials (nappies, snacks, drinks, toys etc) all in one place in a handy bag. Young kids travel with a lot of things, so try to keep the essentials all in one place so they're easy to get to.

 

• Take a few of your kids’ favourite toys, books or blankets to help comfort them whilst they're travelling.

 

• To keep young kids entertained when you're travelling, pack some new toys and books too to help prevent boredom during the journey.

 

• Breathable, comfortable clothes will help your kids relax during the trip.

 

• Young kids are often hungry, so take plenty of healthy snacks to fend off their hunger and keep them occupied whilst you’re travelling.

 

3. Driving with young kids

 

• If you're driving or going on a road trip with young kids in tow, stop regularly to allow them to move about and to get some fresh air. Factor in some extra time for your trip.

 

• In summer especially, fix a sunscreen to the car window beside them to prevent sunburn.

 

• Depending on your trip, hiring a car at your destination for a few days will give you flexibility and independence when travelling with young kids, rather than having to rely on local transport systems.

 

• You can also hire car seats and other equipment in advance to help cut down on the amount you need to take with you.

4. Flying with young kids
  

• Try to allow plenty of time to get to the airport and to get through airport security with young kids.

 

• Use a stroller, front pack or ride-on to save young kids from having to walk long distances across the airport.

 

• If you’re flying, most airlines will allow you to push your umbrella stroller all the way to the gate and unload it first so it’s ready when you leave the aircraft. Check with your airline before you fly about their policy as it does vary from airline to airline.

 

• Take a change of clothes for you and your children onto the plane, just in case you're held up in transit or your bags get lost.

 

• Flying overseas with a baby or toddler under 2 years old? Try and book an infant bassinet to help make your flight a little more bearable.

 

5. Choosing your accommodation

 

• Self-contained motels and apartments are often cheaper and have more room than hotels. They also have kitchen facilities and washing machines which can be really useful when travelling with young kids.

 

• Depending on your trip you may want to take your own portacot with you. Not only will your little one be familiar with it, but you never know what condition the cot and mattress will be like at your accommodation.

6. When you arrive

 

• Don’t pack too much into each day. Young kids have short attention spans and tire easily.

 

• Try and get into the local time zone as quickly as possible and re-establish the routines your kids have at home.

More kids travel articles to enjoy:

• Flying with small children
• Tips on travelling with kids who have asthma
• 5 Great tips for doing a road trip with toddlers

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