Travelling With Children
Travelling with children is challenging, it generally disrupts routines, so it is quite important to be flexible. The key to having a really good time and being relaxed is to plan ahead as much as possible and be prepared. Here are a few tips:
- Pick a family-friendly destination. Never underestimate the attraction of a beach for a young child, but make sure the little ones are aware of the dangers of water.
- Don't forget that your child might need a passport depending on your destination. Since October 1998, separate passports are now required for all children under 16.
- Be flexible and keep your itinerary simple.
- Try and book direct flights when flying. With many airlines these days you can save yourself quite a bit of time and effort by checking in online.
- If you are driving, break up your journey so your child has regular chances to stretch and run around. Make sure you bring along toys, blankets, and other familiar items from home to make your baby feel as secure as possible.
- Check your destination to see what basic supplies will be available to you.
- Although trying local food abroad is one of the joys of adult travel, kids can find it a challenge. So why not bring a supply of favourites, such as muesli bars, dried fruit or even a tin of spaghetti or baked beans! Having a supply of familiar foods handy, helps kiddies that are fussy eaters.
- Take along a scrap book. This can be as simple as an exercise book or a lovely holiday memory book. They can also do drawings in there of what they saw and stick in entry tickets, maps, and so much more. You can add photos to it when you get back. The kids will love going through their travel scrap book long after they arrive home.
- Staying in hotels that have refrigerators makes life easier as you can stock them with foods and drink which are readily available.
- Remember to pack extra batteries or the battery charger for your cameras.
