These tips help ease your stress and allow you to focus on having fun!
Traveling with children gets easier the more frequently it happens - I promise!
Traveling with children can be overwhelming. Two of the most important things you can do to make things go smoothly are understanding what you're getting into and being well prepared.
As a Travel Advisor with a specialty in family adventures, I want to share with you the following list of travel tips that will help you enjoy travel experiences with your children, and minimize your stress.
Allocate plenty of time | Everything takes longer than you expect
Make sure you're allocating plenty of time for just about everything. For example, arriving at the airport with minimal time to spare before it's time to board your plane is never a good idea. And with children it's always going to take longer than you expect to check-in, get through security, buy last-minute snacks or drinks, take a potty break, and board the plane.
Allowing for extra time applies to every aspect of your trip, and not just the plane ride. Even though you want to see and do as much as possible on your vacation, it might not be a good idea to try squeezing in more than just a couple of activities into one day.
Avoid overpacking | Just take the essentials
We've all been there...you want to pack everything your child uses at home, thinking it will make things easier during your travels. While it might seem like you're planning for consistency and routines, what you're forgetting is that by the end of the day you'll be carrying at least one child in addition to all "the things".
Instead, only pack the absolute essentials. Try to leave the "lovey" at home...because there is a good chance it will go missing during your travels (and trust me, no one wants THAT to happen!) If you truly regret not packing something, it's normally easy to find what you need at your destination because other children live in and travel to that location.
Plan ahead | Make all arrangements before your arrive
Beyond booking your travel to a destination, making arrangements ahead of time should extend to as many other components of your trip as possible. For example, when traveling alone or with your significant other, you might land, get a feel for the area, and then decide where you want to explore. That doesn't work when you're traveling with children.
Arriving at a new destination should involve leaving the airport and heading straight to your hotel to drop off your luggage and rest before heading out to your first planned experience. When I work with you to design your itinerary, we book as many activities in advance as we can to help streamline each day.
At the same time, however, don't overload your itinerary! It's a fine balance. You should allow for some flexibility in your daily itinerary to accommodate your children's needs and interests. Sometimes the unexpected detours or spontaneous playtime can become the most cherished memories of your trip.
Engage your children in the planning process | It helps to get your children excited for the vacation
If they are old enough, involve your children in planning process. Let them choose a few activities, attractions, or experiences they are interested in and incorporate them into your daily plans. Doing this can make them feel more engaged in the trip. When I work with you in designing your itinerary, we will discuss each person's interests, and will try to include events and experiences to get them excited about the trip.
Also encourage your children to be curious about the places you plan to visit. Share with them interesting facts, stories, and historical context to make the trip both fun and educational. Head to your local library and checkout books that take place in the destination you are visiting. Watch movies that take place in, or are about, some of the locations you visiting during your vacation. Extra bonus points if you download the shows or movies to watch as you are enroute to your destination.
Explain to your children what they can expect | It helps them feel comfortable in a new destination
Regardless of whether they are adults or children, first-time travelers need to know ahead of time what's going to happen and what they can expect. If your child isn't comfortable with what's happening during the trip, that means they're likely to be unhappy and uncooperative.
Take time to go over the trip's itinerary with your child, as it helps them to understand what's happening at different points of your trip. And because they already know what's happening next, your child feel comfortable with what's happening around them.
Traveling with children can be a bit unpredictable, so patience and adaptability are key. With careful planning and a positive attitude, your family adventures can be rewarding and enjoyable for everyone.
Ready to embark on your next unforgettable family adventure? My personalized service and expert guidance ensure a seamless travel experience, making your family adventure truly exceptional. Set up your complimentary consultation call with me by clicking here.
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