Travelling with kids

Travelling With Kids: How to Make Family Holidays Feel Like an Adventure, Not a Mission

Travelling with children can sometimes feel like a daunting prospect. The packing lists seem endless, the “are we nearly there yet?” can start before you’ve even left home, and suddenly a relaxing holiday involves snacks, entertainment, spare clothes and approximately 47 emergency plans!

But travelling with kids can also be some of the most rewarding and memorable travel you’ll ever do. Seeing the world through their eyes, experiencing something new together and creating memories that become part of your family story makes it all worthwhile.

The secret? Good planning — without overplanning.

Choose the Right Holiday for Your Family

There’s no such thing as one perfect family holiday. What works brilliantly for one family might be completely wrong for another.

Some families love the ease of an all-inclusive resort, where everything is on hand and there’s no need to think about where the next meal is coming from. Others want adventure, exploring new destinations and filling every day with experiences.

Think about what your family actually enjoys.

Do your children love swimming? Look for a resort with great pools and water activities. Are they little explorers? Perhaps a touring holiday or city adventure would suit you better. Want some much-needed downtime? A beautiful beach resort where you can do as little as possible might be exactly what you need.

Don't Underestimate the Power of Convenience

When travelling with children, the little things can make a big difference.

Shorter transfers, family-friendly accommodation, convenient flight times, kids’ clubs, adjoining rooms, easy access to restaurants and plenty of activities can all help make your holiday smoother.

This is where having someone help plan your trip can be invaluable. Instead of simply finding a destination, we can look at the whole journey and make sure the different pieces work together.

Make the Journey Part of the Adventure

Getting there doesn't have to be something you simply endure.

Let the children get involved in the excitement. Talk about where you're going, look at pictures together and let them help choose a few things they'd like to see or do.

For younger children, pack a small travel bag with favourite snacks, books, games and activities. For older children, headphones, tablets, books or travel games can be lifesavers.

And remember: snacks are never a bad idea.

Don't Fill Every Minute

It can be tempting to try and see everything, especially when you've travelled a long way.

But children don't always appreciate an itinerary packed from sunrise to sunset.

Build in some downtime. Have a lazy morning. Spend an afternoon by the pool. Allow time for an ice cream stop that wasn't on the itinerary.

Some of the best holiday memories can come from the moments you didn't plan.

Find the Right Balance

A great family itinerary often combines something for everyone.

Maybe one day is a big adventure, the next is a relaxed pool day. Perhaps you spend a morning exploring before heading back to the hotel for some downtime.

For bigger trips, you can combine different experiences too — think Disney and Universal, city and beach, safari and seaside, or an exciting road trip followed by a few days of complete relaxation.

The possibilities are endless.

Let the Kids Have a Say

Depending on their age, giving children some ownership of the holiday can make the experience even more exciting.

Let them choose an activity, pick a restaurant, decide which attraction to visit or even help choose between two destinations.

They’ll feel part of the adventure — and you might discover that their idea of the perfect holiday is completely different from yours!

Remember What It's Really About

Family holidays don't need to be perfect.

Someone will probably forget something. Someone will get tired. Someone will complain about the food. There may be a meltdown in an airport, a lost toy or a day when absolutely nothing goes according to plan.

That's okay.

Years from now, you probably won't remember the slightly chaotic moments. You'll remember the laughter, the first time they saw the sea, the excitement on their faces, the adventures you shared and the stories you still tell around the dinner table.

That's the magic of travelling with kids.