Tips for Traveling with Kids
Many people cringe at the idea of traveling with kids. However, with a little planning and research, you and your entire family can have a wonderful, fairly stress-free vacation.
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When planning a family vacation, ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of budget do you have for your vacation? How much are you willing to spend?
- Do you want to book your own flights and hotels, or would a packaged family vacation be easier?
- Would you like to stay within the U.S. or travel abroad?
Fun Places to Travel with Kids
There are many fun places to travel with kids. When deciding where to go, however, you will need to take into account what you and your family like to do as well as the ages of your children. Would your children have fun spending a week at a Disney World Resort? Maybe they would enjoy visiting London and watching the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace or seeing mummies at the British Museum.
On the other hand, your children might prefer sun and fun at a beach in Hawaii, in which case you'll want to look into an all-inclusive resort. You can also choose to visit several places on one holiday with a tour company. Many tour companies offer special deals and activities for families.
Another popular option for families is a cruise. Many cruise lines cater to both adults and children. Also, you won't need to worry about your kids running off, since they will be confined to the boat for most of the vacation.
Travel Activities for Kids
One of the most difficult parts about traveling with kids is traveling to and from your destination. Traveling by train can often be fun and easy, and trains in Europe and some trains in the U.S. offer discounted prices for children or family packages.
Whatever way you decide to travel, by plane, train or automobile, make sure to take enough stuff to keep your children occupied. And don't forget to pack extra batteries for electronic items and to charge batteries before you leave the house. Also remember to bring along plenty of food and water.
Car Games for Kids
Although designed for road trips, many car games for kids work equally well on trains and planes. Video games are always popular travel activities for kids, as are portable DVD players. Then, there's always the old classic: a deck of cards.
Plan to surprise your kids with some new toys or games once they're in the car (or on the plane or train). This will grab their attention and hopefully keep them busy for a while. Consider buying several cheap things rather than one expensive thing, so you can offer additional surprises throughout the trip.
For older children, audio books on tape can be a fun diversion. For younger children, don't forget their favorite stuffed animals. There are also educational games that can turn your road trip into a fun learning experience.
Saving mementos of your trip is also a great way to keep your kids busy and involved during a vacation. Not only can kids take pictures during the trip, but they can also put together a travel journal once they get home. Kids can draw pictures or write about their favorite vacation activities, and they can paste in ticket stubs or brochure pictures of places they've visited.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals for Traveling with Kids
Before you choose a hotel, research whether it caters to families. Remember, you'll want plenty of space, especially if you have more than one child, in order to cut down on fighting.
Another option is to consider renting an apartment for a week. Many travel companies can help you do this and offer fair prices. Depending on the price, some apartments come with a cook and cleaning staff or a kitchen, which will help cut down on food expenses and help you cater to your children's tastes.
Before You Go Traveling with Kids
When getting ready to travel with kids, remember essential items, such as passports, tickets and any medication you or your family may need. For clothing, you'll want at least one comfortable outfit for the journey and a good pair of walking shoes. Don't forget an umbrella or rain jacket. You'll also want to bring a bathing suit, since even in cold climates many hotels have pools. If you're leaving the U.S., take an adaptor plug.
To get your kids excited about the upcoming travel plans, get them involved in the planning stages. If they're old enough to read, you can give them a book about the place you're going to visit. For younger children, show them pictures of the destination. This can also help reduce culture shock if you're going somewhere foreign. Hopefully, helping to plan the trip will add to their enjoyment.
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