How to Travel with Kids
With the arrival of children, you should not postpone traveling. You just need to think through the nuances more carefully and tune in to a new format of rest.
In this article, we share tips that will make planning a family vacation easier and help you prepare for your trip.
Choosing a Destination and Preparing for the Trip
The most comfortable place to go with a child is a place you have already been to. Where everything is familiar and predictable, you won’t have to waste time adapting, and it will be easier to get your bearings.
If you want to explore a new destination, choose a country with a calm climate, and to ensure that your children don’t get tired on the road, take a direct flight that will take no more than 3–4 hours.
How to Choose the Perfect Vacation Destination
Consider your child’s interests. Plan a trip to an unusual museum, a master class, a zoo, an amusement park, or an attraction. Think about how you will travel during your vacation, and to make walking a joy, take care of the comfort of your little ones: take a sling, an ergo backpack, or a stroller that folds easily.
Before the trip, watch themed cartoons or films and discuss with your child what exactly he would like to see and where to go so that you can purposefully go to this place.
To avoid disappointment, lower your expectations and don’t try to plan everything down to the last detail. Children will probably get tired faster and be capricious at the most inopportune moments – prepare yourself for this and try to be more flexible.
Read more: Flight Comfort Tips to Sleep Better and Enjoy Your Journey
A Parent’s Experience
“I’m lucky: my eldest daughter is always up for any activity, and my youngest is still too young, so she goes with us everywhere. Where we go is a decision only between my husband and me. But, of course, we take into account the interests of the children: we look for an unusual playground, a children’s cafe, a farm along the way.
Before the trip, I show my daughter the most impressive photos and videos from social networks and tell her where we are going. That’s often all it takes to spark her interest.At times, she objects, saying, “I’d prefer to stay home instead of going anywhere!”.I know that she gets into the swing of things during the trip, so I just gently persuade her to try it.
The key to a calm ride in public transport and in a car is toys (preferably new ones), snacks, and water. So stock up for future use. And frequent stops – about once an hour, so you can run around and switch off.
On the road, I always point out all sorts of interesting things outside the window: a child’s scattered attention cannot yet grasp beauty in motion; one must constantly direct one’s gaze.
And the most important thing is habit. Both children have been traveling since birth, so they are used to and love traveling. They enjoy not only toys and French fries in a cafe but also beautiful views.”
Polina, mother of two children
Documents
To travel around the world with a child, you will need the child’s birth certificate, and for everyone over 14 years old, a passport.
If you send your children on vacation with a relative, obtain a notarized consent for the child to travel abroad.
If one of the parents has prohibited the other from taking the child outside the country without his or her permission, a notarized consent from the second parent will be required.
For flights with infants under two weeks old, obtain a health certificate from a pediatrician.
When traveling, take your compulsory medical insurance policy with you. It will come in handy if your child gets sick during your trip and you want to go to the hospital. To avoid worrying, get medical insurance. With it, you will be able to get prompt assistance in a foreign country.
Flight Rules
Children under two years of age are usually not provided with a separate seat on board; babies sit in their parents’ arms.
If you are traveling with a child aged 2 to 11, airlines automatically book two seats next to each other and offer a discount on the child’s ticket. Before buying, check which carrier has the most favorable conditions, and to find a convenient flight, use the search on Anywayanyday.
If your child is 12 or older, you may be seated in different parts of the plane. To sit next to each other and pay for seats on board in advance. Children can sit in any seat except those near the emergency exit. It is convenient to take seats in the first row of economy class – there is more legroom there.
Read more : First Trip Abroad
How to Choose Housing
When looking for accommodation for a holiday with a child, pay attention to the room size, the presence of a refrigerator, kettle, dryer for washed clothes, bath or spacious shower, baby cot and high chair. Also consider the possibility of early check-in and late check-out, availability of shops and pharmacies.
Choose hotels that have children’s clubs, playgrounds, and entertainment services – this will allow you to relax and take time for yourself while your child is having fun.
Think about food. If your child is picky about food, it is better to choose a hotel where they cook familiar dishes or an apartment with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself.
What to Take With You
To keep your child busy on the trip, bring their favorite books, stickers, drawing albums, and pencils. Cartoons on a tablet and new toys will also help pass the time on the road.
Don’t forget to bring a snack, a bottle of water, wet wipes, an extra set of clothes, and something warm to cover your baby from drafts.
Put together a first aid kit. Put plasters, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, painkillers, antihistamines and antipyretics, remedies for sore throat and runny nose, for intestinal upset, insect bites and sunburn, motion sickness pills.If you plan to bask in the sun, be sure to apply SPF cream and put a hat on your child.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with children is an opportunity to show your child the world, create shared memories, and strengthen your bond. Often, children return from trips as if they had grown up — their horizons have expanded, and they have new knowledge about different cities, cultures, and traditions.
Don’t be afraid to plan a vacation together. It will give you new experiences, impressions, and emotions.
Get ready for a family trip with Anywayanyday! We’ll help you find great deals on flights and hotels anywhere in the world.
