Family travel is arguably one of the most rewarding experiences and forms memories that I will always cherish. Planning traveling with kids is also very daunting and needs of patience. Blankert’s analysis notes that, of American families, 35 percent of them take a least one family vacation a year, and road trips with international travel being two of the top vacations. Using these practical tips, whether you’re embarking on a cross-country road trip, flying overseas, etc., your journey will be smooth, enjoyable and stress-free.
Plan – Organization is Key
The key to a successful family travel starts with thorough planning. You should pick kid-friendly destinations but not kid-only or even just a playground. In a survey conducted by the Family Travel Association, 65 percent of parents answered in favor of destinations with theme parks, beaches, or national parks. Investigate the possibility of researching accommodations with family features like cribs, high chairs, and play areas. Booking tickets directly with minimum layovers makes us travel more fatigued, as well as making the kids restless.
Pack Smart – Less is More
Family travel should have you overpacking more often than not. Instead, avoid putting unnecessary items in a suitcase and practice essentials. Include packable clothing, some travel-sized toiletries, and a first aid kit. It comes down to offering one item that is useful in a couple of ways, like a scarf or a blanket. More than one toddler in a family means ensuring that you have a separate carry-on bag with diapers, snacks, wipes, and a change of clothes. A TripAdvisor survey found that 70 percent of parents find that bringing familiar toys or comfort items helps greatly to ease travel anxiety in kids.
Prevent ‘Are We There Yet?’
Knowing how kids remain entertained on flights is very important especially if you have long flights or road trips. Provide a mix of activities including coloring books, puzzles, and audiobooks. Get download kid-friendly apps, movies, and games to keep them occupied. Common Sense Media reports that 67 percent of parents use digital entertainment to occupy their kids on a flight. But a good way to go about it would be to take a midday break and balance it with activities that are not on screen — storytelling or travel bingo are good examples.
Snacks Save the Day – Healthy and Convenient Choices
Hungry kids are cranky kids. Family travel comes with packing healthy snacks. Make your choice from easy-to-carry, non-messy options such as granola bars, dried fruits, nuts, and crackers. Do not consume sugary snacks that will cause energy spikes and crashes. When traveling by air, check airline regulations regarding the bringing of food onto aircraft. For trips using a cheaper car, purchase an insulated cooler to keep fruits, yogurt, and sandwiches fresh.
Kids Love Consistency – Be Routine
As it does so much to mess with daily routines travel doesn’t allow much consistency to be maintained but it does help children adjust better to some degree. Try and stick as close to regular mealtimes and nap times wherever possible as this can be beneficial for your child and also you. Slowly adjust sleep schedules when traveling across time zones before departure. We recommend 10–12 hours of sleep for the kids every night, so ensuring adequate rest avoids meltdowns. Have a favorite blanket or stuffed animal to carry to create comfort.
Make Travel Experience Engage Kids – Educational
Traveling for kids is an excellent learning opportunity. Get them to participate in the planning by either helping them choose activities or researching about the destination. Take the trip educational and go to museums, historical sites, or cultural landmarks. The magazine National Geographic states that travel children do have better problem-solving skills and adaptability to it. They can keep travel journals or take pictures to record his or her experiences.
Conclusion
A trip where one of our family members can have a little adventure with kids, close the family bond, and remember the memories for the rest of our life along with opening children up to see new cultures is family travel. Even traveling with kids is challenging as it takes extra effort, but there are ways to make this challenge a success. So, planning, packing smartly, and being flexible will ensure that every trip takes you one step closer to sensory overload. Buckle up, enjoy the adventure, and get ready for a ride that is filled with joy, discovery, and tons of memories that you will never forget!