The Ultimate Guide to Travelling With Children – Clever Tips That Will Keep You Sane And Smiling

Want to know how  to travel with your kids, while staying sane and keeping a smile on your face? Then you’ll need to read our guide below. 

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Do not forget their favorite cuddly toy

Whether you call them cuddly toys, plushies or squish mallows, making sure you pack them in your hand luggage can be a real lifesaver for traveling with your child. This is because a cuddly toy from home will provide instant comfort and can stop a crying fit or a temper tantrum in its tracks. A cuddly toy can also encourage your little one to get off to sleep with ease, even in a noisy aeroplane cabin or an unfamiliar hotel bed. Lastly, many of these types of toys can also double as pillows for long journeys and flights, so whatever you do, do not forget one per child. 

Do prioritize plane comfort 

If you know you will be traveling by plane, be sure that you make provision for your child ahead of time. Keeping them comfortable is paramount here and that means making sure they have a pillow and a blanket so they can sleep. If you don’t want to have to pack a full blanket in your carry-on then a thick wrap or scarf can work just as well, but will take up much less space. 

Popping ears due to pressure changes when taking off and landing can be very painful for kids too, so be sure you take this into account. This means making sure they have ear plugs, or boiled sweets for take off. If your child is still using a dummy then, they can also help not only keep them calm but get their ears to pop! 

Do have any medication to hand

Whether you are carrying simple paracetamol because your child has a headache, or life saving medication, making sure it’s packed so it’s easy to reach when traveling is crucial. Sometimes this can be easier said than done as some medications need refrigeration. Although if you are traveling on a plane, the cabin steward may be able to help you with this. 

For other kinds of medication, keeping them in a small pouch on the outside of your day pack is best. Then you won’t even need to stop rummaging in your bag to access the items you need. Be sure to also include some plasters, some antiseptic wipes, and tissues for emergencies as well. 

Do provide activities and distractions 

Getting to where you are going when you are traveling with the kids in tow can be challenging,especially if you are on a long journey. This is because it’s so easy for boredom to creep in. The way to combat this is to consider it ahead of time and make provisions that prevent your kids from getting bored. 

Happily there are all sorts of activities you can pack that will entertain your children even on the longest of journeys. Analogue suggestions for this include coloring books and crayons, reading books, and even magnetic travel games which can be a great way to spend some quality time together as you travel. 

Digital options include portable consoles like the Nintendo switch, as well as audiobooks, and games like solitaire that your child can play on their tablet for free. Just be sure to pack their charger and some headphones as well, so they get the best possible experience, and don’t run out of power half way through the trip. 

Don’t try to rush everything 

I know, I know getting out of the door on time can be such a challenge when you have kids. Leaving for a longer trip or holiday can be even harder. However, there is real magic in slowing things down and taking your time. 

Taking things slowly, and leaving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination can help melt away a great deal of the stress we can feel as parents when traveling with our little ones. Yes, things take a little longer, but you’re not so frazzled by the time you arrive than you actually get to enjoy the experience! 

Don’t forget your nappies 

The best way to approach nappy changes when traveling is to have a set pack that contains all the items you’ll need in one place. You can even get bags that fold out into change mats, meaning you can change the baby wherever and whenever they need it. 

There are some vital items you’ll need to include in your pack including nappies, of course, but also baby wipes, and scented bags so you can dispose of the dirty nappies easily and without fuss. A bottle of hand sanitizer for you to use before and after nappy changes is a good idea too, and won’t take up too much room. 

Do pack your kids swimwear 

Wasting time, energy and money once you reach your destination shopping for the perfect kid-sized swimwear and accessories like armbands is a bad idea. Instead it’s much better to prepare all of these items before you leave, and then pack them in your main suitcases to take with you. Also by buying things like floaties and goggles at home you can be much more sure of their safety ratings. 

If you are on a road trip holiday, then keeping another set of swimwear and accessories in the car, along with a towel or two is a good idea. This is because it will allow you to take advantage of any impromptu swim situations like pools, or lakes you discover along your route. 

Do prepare for lots of walking 

Chances are that when you are traveling with your kids there will be plenty of walking involved. Indeed, they’ll be walking at their airport, walking around at the places you are visiting, and walking between the different things you want to see. What this means is it’s a good idea to prepare for this ahead of time. 

The first thing you need to do for this is to ensure that your kids ( and you) have comfortable walking shoes. To avoid blisters and rubbing this means steering clear of flip flops which are not very supportive, and choosing closed toed shoes instead. 

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The second thing you need to do is consider whether you need to take the stroller with you. Yes, your child may have already started walking and you are keen to encourage this. However, over long distances and long days little legs can tire easily. At least if you have a stroller with you, they can pop in and be pushed around for a quick nap, or hold onto the stroller as they walk for some extra support. When your child is not in their stroller you can use it to hold your bags and make getting around easier too. 

Don’t forget sun protection 

Sunburn can not only ruin a holiday but poses real dangers to the skin over the long term as well. That is why it’s essential that you pack proper sun protection in your day bag. 

First of all, start with the right type of clothing for your child. A cap with a flap at the back will help protect that all important top of the neck area from the sun, which when burned can be associated with sunstroke. Long sleeved light tops and swimwear are also a good idea as these will help prevent UVA and UVB rays hitting your child’s skin. Last of all, any skin that is uncovered needs to be coated in a high factor sunscreen. 

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It’s recommended that factor 50 is used on kids as they have such delicate skin. You can get it in cream and spray forms and even in sticks and wipes for topping up on the go. Even with all this sun protection it’s vital that you allow your child to spend time in the shade to cool down, and ensure they are properly hydrated throughout the day. 

Do have a plan in place in case you get separated 

One of the most terrifying things for any parent to consider when traveling is that they could get separate from their child. Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that sometimes unforeseen things happen, and occasional kids get confused and distracted and walk off. 

That is why it’s so important to have a plan in place in case such a thing happens. The first part of the plan is to make sure your child has your contact details on them, so whoever finds them can get in touch with you right away. A wristband with your mobile number, and the contact details of the hotel you are staying at can work well for this. 

Next, it’s important to brief your child on what to do if they find themselves lost or separated from you in a public place. This can include heading to a specific landmark if you are in a particular place. For example, if you enter a theme park, you can tell them to meet you and buy a certain restaurant or cafe if they get separated from you. You may also want to brief them on finding a specific type of person, such as someone that works at the theme park, to let them know they are lost.