Traveling with kids is often a mixture of excitement and stress. While you want to give your kids the best time away possible, that often comes at a price, whether that’s your energy levels, bank balance, or sanity, or even all three! To make it easier on both you and the little ones, here are the dos and don’ts of vacationing with kids.
Do: Plan Everything Ahead of Time
Going abroad with children is not the time for impulsive last-minute decisions. While you might enjoy going where the wind takes you as a solo traveler, when you have children to look out for, you must be organized. If you’re getting a plane, for example, have you considered what you will do with your car? Parkon.com helps you book a car space for a great price at the airport. Some other things you need to plan include your hotel, the activities you’ll be doing, and your transport.
Don’t: Automatically Book the Cheapest Hotel
When booking a hotel, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest one, but this could leave you with uncomfortable beds and grumpy children. Instead, look at the reviews for various accommodations, keeping an eye out for the phrase ‘kid-friendly’. If there is entertainment for the kids at the hotel, that means you don’t always have to travel far to prevent boredom.
Do: Choose Kid-Friendly Locations
While the idea of a culture-filled vacation might sound wonderful to you, it might not entertain your kids in the same way. That doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy some interesting culture, such as museums and galleries, but children often also need more entertainment, like waterparks and beach days. Consider this when choosing your destination, as you want to ensure there is plenty for your kids to do.
Don’t: Plan Too Many Activities in One Day
You might think that cramming the day with activities will tire the kids out for bedtime, but this could tire them out way sooner than anticipated and result in mood swings, especially if you’re in a country hotter than your own. Be realistic with the amount you can do in one day, and you’ll find that everyone enjoys it much more.
Do: Prioritize Safety
Safety should be your number one priority when on vacation, especially with children. When choosing a location, look at the crime rates for that area and where the safest spots to stay in are. You should also consider giving your children a mobile phone in case you lose them in a crowd.
Don’t: Expect Everything to Go According to Plan
Traveling with children rarely goes according to plan. Instead of getting worked up when you don’t get to the hotel at a specific time or your child insists on eating somewhere other than planned, you should just go with it. It might not be ideal, but it’s better than getting stressed about things that are out of your control.
With enough planning ahead and safety knowledge, alongside the removal of expectations, your time away with kids can be a great one.
