Last Updated on June 26, 2023
The summer might be over, but the season of travels never ends, especially for passionate travelers and adventurous families.
With winter holidays right on our doorstep, you can expect many exploration trips and family visits, so here’s how to prep for your trips with kids. No matter if you’re flying across the ocean or taking a light road trip, tearless travel with your children is more than possible.
Prepare well
While kids love surprises in the form of gifts, they don’t really love surprise trips in countries and regions they don’t know. Children are not fans of things unknown, so make sure to tell them what to expect and don’t exaggerate.
While you don’t really have to bother explaining a trip to your toddler, if you inform your 10-year-old that you’ll be traveling to Australia in a few months, they will be super excited to prepare for the trip. The more kids know about the trip, the less anxious and more excited they will be.
Travel light
Family trips, especially the longer ones, can quickly turn sour if you overpack. Not only will you struggle with packing and placing everything in your car, but finding something among your belongings will be a true nightmare. Take only what you need and invest in practical packing cubes.
For longer trips, it’s best to pack some detergent and wash your clothes if necessary. Many hotels and hostels around the world have laundry facilities at your disposal. If you leave something at home yet you really need it, you can always spare some money and buy it along the way.
Make fool-proof plans
Make sure your itinerary is ready, your flights are booked and your car and accommodation are reserved. You really don’t want to handle all of these a few days before your vacation or right after you land with your kids.
Of course, sometimes you’ll want to stay somewhere longer or leave earlier, but it’s always better to stick to your plans.
This way you’ll see everything you wanted and also have time to relax and unwind. Check the internet for handy travel tips for traveling with kids to prepare the best you can. Winging your trip will risk missing on some pretty amazing things, so a good plan and some travel hacks are a must.
Handle jet lag like a pro
There’s no easy way you and your family can beat jet lag, but the best thing you can do is start adjusting to your new time zone as soon as you land. If you land in the morning, stay active and go outside: explore, take the kids to parks and make light walks. And don’t forget to grab snacks.
If you land in the middle of the night, you’ll probably still be hungry with nowhere to eat. Cheetos at midnight won’t harm your kids’ tummies yet they will leave a cute little family memory!
Keep it light and fun
Both young kids and teens get bored very easily. So, in order to avoid that, make sure to keep your vacation light, busy and fun. Include as many different activities in your itinerary as you can but don’t overdo your list.
Want to visit temples? Okay, pick one or two best ones and leave the rest of the day for parks, beaches and relaxation.
Want to visit museums? Pick one museum and hit the zoo or do some watersports later, so everyone can have fun. You can also fill your tablet or smartphone with great educational cartoons that will prevent boredom and provide clean and beneficial fun.
Just because you have kids it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy traveling the world anymore. If you prepare well, pack like a boss and keep your trip fun and light, your kids will be the best travel companions you can wish for.