Once upon a time, it was easy. Last-minute bookings were realistic, and you’d hop onto a plane and forget the rigours of day-to-day life. Suffice to say, family life has some different travelling challenges. Once you take the plunge to go away with your little ones, it’s an entirely different experience. It’s rewarding, but it certainly brings various challenges.
While there are no one-fits-all solutions for this topic, we have outlined some of the easiest tips you can implement to make your travels with your little ones easier.
The perils of overpacking
This is one of the first mistakes we see many parents make. Particularly if you are opting for a staycation, it can be tempting to bring almost every individual belonging with you to safeguard against every eventuality.
Well, it’s asking for trouble. Not only do you not need to carry your little one’s bedroom on your back, but it’s also not going to do your own levels of energy any good whatsoever! While there will always be some essentials to take along as a parent, don’t forget that if you really need an item, there will be nearby shops that can help you out. And, in terms of toys, surely the holiday experience will act as the main entertainment?
Snacks are your friend
It can be easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of packing, but snacks are going to be an essential part of your trip if you have kids in tow.
Particularly if you are spending a lot of time on the move, it’s vital to have a little stash of snacks to hand to keep energy levels up and whining at bay.
Make a loose plan
This tip can be applied to all holidays, but it’s worth bearing in mind when you have kids. It can be tempting to try and plan out every waking moment of your trip, but this is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.
Instead, try and have a loose plan for each day and go with the flow a little bit. Yes, it can be tempting to tick off every little attraction that online travel guides recommend, but in reality, this is hardly sensible. After all, it’s going to bring on tiredness for all of you and make the days extremely difficult to handle!
Take things easy, have a loose plan, but don’t over plan.
Choose your base wisely
While opting for a budget out-of-town hotel solution can be tempting, consider the bigger picture when booking your accommodation. If Legoland is on the agenda, is staying in London a sensible option? Or would a closer alternative such as Bracknell make more sense and significantly cut your travel time down?
Yes, there will always be cost implications to these decisions, but remember that there are now more than two of you on this trip. While you may have been able to cope with the long hours on the roads, the same probably won’t be said of your little ones, which will require more convenient solutions throughout your stay.