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Traveling with kids is an ambitious venture, but also incredibly rewarding. When deciding to do a family vacation, plan accordingly… How much will your children be able to walk in a day? Will you be pushing a stroller? You may have always dreamed of hiking the hills of Peru, but if you go with a toddler who is too young to walk long distances and too heavy to carry, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
In general, cities are a better choice for families with young children, as amenities will be easier to access. As your children get older, they will be ready to do day hikes to visit countryside castles, and eventually even overnight treks. Remember that you know your family best – choose a trip that fits everyone’s interests and abilities.
Before you go:
Show your kids the destination
Find movies or books about the destination, and let the kids see where you will be visiting. Talk to them about the language, culture, and attractions there.
If they are interested, teach them a few words in the language of your destination. While younger kids will have fun just learning how to say “hello”, older kids might be ready for more. Write out words (like “book” or “fridge”, for example) and stick them on those objects around the house – your kids will start to pick it up without feeling like they’re being forced to learn.
Buy (or borrow from your library) guide books with lots of pictures, and let your kids look through them. Ask them about the activities that they would most like to do, and try to integrate at least one of those activities into your plans.
Pack
Get small back-packs for the kiddies, and help them pack a day bag for the hours spent waiting at the airport, taking the plane or train, and for down time at the hotel. Books, a colouring kit, and a favourite stuffed animal are some good options. Make sure not to put anything of high value in the bag (such as passports, or the necessary-for-bed-time blankie), just in case it gets left behind.
When packing the main suitcases, make sure that you have a good variety of clothing for the climate you are going to. Some places are hot during the day, but chilly in the evenings, and if your kids are overheated or too cold they will not be fun travel companions. Be sure that all footwear for the kids is comfortable for long periods of walking – this is not the time to try a new pair of sandals.
Prepare an emergency kit to keep handy at all times. Some essentials: allergy medication, pain and fever reducer, band-aids, and motion sickness medication, all for children. It’s better to be over prepared than to be wandering the streets searching for a pharmacy, and then navigating unfamiliar products to find what you need
Prepare for memories
Buy or make a journal for you kids to write and draw in during the vacation. They can record their favourite things about each day, and even save space for photos to add at the end of the holiday.
While abroad:
Plan for the essentials
Plan meals, naps, and quiet time into your day. Travelling takes more energy than a day at home, so you may need more snack breaks or longer rest times than usual. Don’t fret about going back to your hotel for everything – most breaks can be integrated into your visit. It can be as simple as sipping juice boxes in the shade of a tree in a public garden, stopping at a beach side café for snacks, or playing soccer with local kids.
If you have a young child who will sleep in the stroller, use nap time to do activities that would be harder with her awake, such as museums and galleries. Above all, don’t try to fit too much into one day. You and your kids will get more from the experience by taking the time to enjoy one or two activities than you will from rushing through four or five.
Let your kids lead
It may be tempting to try to stick to a pre-determined schedule, but you might find that your kids have different ideas. Of course there are times when tours are already booked and paid for and keeping time is important, but if your three-year-old wants to spend half an hour staring at the ducks in the pond instead of moving on to the next monument, try to go with the flow
Talk to the locals
Most cultures around the world are involved with the children in their community, and you shouldn’t be surprised to find people chatting with your kids on the street or asking to hold your baby. This can be a difficult adjustment for many of us who are not used to this attention, but do your best to reign in your protective instincts a little bit. You may find that your kids adore the attention, and that their curious nature and open spirits may introduce you to people and experiences you wouldn’t know without them.
Even if you start with a long weekend away, travelling with your kids will benefit the whole family. You’ll see strength and skills in them that you didn’t know they had, and they’ll learn to adapt to new situations and routines. As you gain travel experience you’ll all become better travellers, and each vacation will be better than the last.
Author: Debra Park is a business executive that travels a lot for work. She is also a mum of 3 and she enjoys sharing her travel tips through blogging. Visit the Best Quote Travel Insurance website and learn about their services.
