Travelling with Children Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

Family holidays should be a source of enjoyment and relaxation, a way to make memories and spend some quality time together as a family, and with the right preparation and mindset, travelling with children can be a stress-free and memorable adventure.

Planning Ahead

 

Try and choose a holiday that meets the needs of all family members. Think back to previous holidays; what worked well, and what didn’t? Choose your accommodation and location wisely and check that it has your key requirements. It’s a good idea to make a ‘wish-list’ for each member of your party so that everyone is taken into consideration. It can also be a good idea to get some personal recommendations from like-minded families.

Choosing Accommodation

Your first consideration for the younger members of the family is safety:

• Does the accommodation offer a secure environment for your toddler?
• If there are stairs, does the property provide stair gates?
• Is the pool enclosed or does it have an alarm?
• And is there a safe outside space for children to play in?

Secondly, does the holiday provide all of the necessary equipment you need?

• A cot?
• A highchair?
• A steriliser?
• Toys for the pool?
• Some garden toys?

Pack Wisely

 

Children will need an outfit for each day of the holiday (possible two outfits for younger children in case of any accidents). A great tip is to pack each day’s clothes in a separate zip-lock bag; it saves rummaging around every morning and can be used to pack wet or dirty clothes too. If you’re going for longer than a week, you can use another zip-lock bag for some washing powder and give last week’s clothes a quick clean in the sink.

When packing toiletries, save space in your child’s suitcase by using mini travel bottles, and a mini first aid kit can be handy. Including stickers or temporary tattoos to reward well-behaved ‘patients’ is a nice idea, and hand sanitiser is always useful when you’re out and about.

Enjoy the Journey

Try to make the journey a fun part of the holiday and treat it as an adventure, not a chore. Packing small snacks, toys and games will keep children busy along the way. Pilot Ollie and Pilot Polly’s Amazing Adventures – Travel Set is a brilliant travel companion for children, encouraging imaginative play and building excitement about the adventures ahead. 

For quieter moments during the journey, the Adventures Of Monkey™ Activity & Affirmation Book offers a mix of engaging activities, colouring and positive affirmations that will help keep children entertained while also boosting confidence and a positive mindset. 

Toys and Games

It’s always a good idea to have something to keep children busy at the beach, or quiet in the evenings. Variety is nice, but you don’t need to pack the whole toy box. One or two games you can play as a family will make for some fun quality time together. Card games such as Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza or Dobble can easily be slipped into a bag or pocket and are ideal for entertaining the kids while waiting for food at a restaurant, sitting in an airport lounge, or relaxing together after a busy day of sightseeing.

For active outdoor play there are lots of travel-friendly options like small bottles of bubbles or a skipping rope. An inflatable ball is a good choice and won’t take up much room at all. Young footballers are sure to enjoy Strikesphere Soccer Dash, an interactive football training toy that encourages movement, coordination and friendly competition while making the most of outdoor (or indoor) space.

When children are settling down for the evening or having some quiet time during the day, the Toniebox 2 is a fantastic screen-free option, providing children with stories, songs and audio adventures. Its simple controls also make it easy for younger children to use independently.

Children love having something familiar from home as they explore a new place. However, it can be risky to take precious toys or security blankets on holiday in case they get lost. NightBuddies® are the ideal comfort toys to take away and will be particularly helpful at bedtime, offering a reassuring companion and gentle light that can help children feel more settled when sleeping away from home.

Make the Most of Your Time Away

And remember, it’s your holiday too! Take some time to yourself and don’t feel like you have to be constantly occupying the youngsters. It’s good for children to get bored and learn how to entertain themselves.

With a little preparation, a flexible mindset and a few carefully chosen travel-friendly toys and games, family holidays can be less about managing stress and more about creating memories that will last a lifetime.