Just thinking of traveling with kids makes many people want to reconsider their trip arrangements altogether. Handling the stubborn little tots requires a lot of patience and planning, which may overweight the fun and relaxation of a good holiday. The good news is that with all the technology and significant advancements in the transport industry, all the trouble of traveling with kids can be mitigated with proper planning.
Before anything, you need to prepare the youngsters psychologically by briefly illustrating what flights and other tiring parts of the journey would be like. You could use online videos or tell stories to indulge their imagination. You should also let the kids be part of the preparation, for instance, helping with packing their favorite items to get them excited for the trip.
We analyzed common problems experienced by different moms traveling with beloved kids to develop solutions for possible spoilers. Follow each step to learn how to prepare adequately for a trip with toddlers and kids next time you travel for business or pleasure. Meanwhile, you can also order high-quality yet affordable phonics for teens here.
Research
Before booking anything, do a brief background check to see where you can save money or take advantage of family packages. A good travel plan can only come together if it is guided by reliable information. You want to have an estimate of what the trip will cost and a budget to work with to know when you go overboard or if you have some funds to spare for recreation.
Look for destinations suitable to the kid’s age range. Toddlers are not as active as their teen counterparts but also require consideration to keep their moods elevated. Choose spacious accommodations with multiple distractions for kids. Remember that the trip should be a getaway for you as well and should come with all the amenities and security to let everyone unwind.
Do Not Rush It
You could be under too much pressure at times, forcing you to make hasty decisions. This only causes more anxiety for you and the children. Besides, kids need to have enough rest to be in a good mood. You also need frequent rest to enjoy the trip. Last-minute rush is only avoided by working with a written travel plan. Take time to create a packing list first and a checklist for all travel essentials such as documents. This way, you avoid feeling overwhelmed or the nagging feeling that you could be forgetting something.
Book Early
The earlier you book, the less you pay and the more you feel secure with guaranteed access to high-demand spots. Eliminate the last-minute stirs by booking essential services beforehand. This applies to flights, strategic accommodation, luggage delivery services, leisure spots, rental car services, and so on. For flights, book early morning takeoffs to avoid the crowds and enjoy the tranquility when people are tired and sleepy.
Pack Adequately
Pause for a minute. The packing stage is most stressful for trips, especially when traveling with kids. Do not under-pack, fearing getting charged extra at the airport’s luggage check-in points. With concise planning, you avoid the ridiculous airline baggage restrictions and get to travel light, hence more attention to the kids.
If you desire to optimize packing, opt for slip-on clothes rather than zippers and buttoned clothing for kids. Although your toddler might have recently passed the stage of dressing diapers, one for each hour of the flight period could save you a lot of stress.
Do not forget to pack some toys to keep the child busy. Avoid messy toys that can get lost easily, for example, legos. A fully charged gaming pad, smartphone, or tablet with a few offline games and headphones would also be a great distraction to save you from tantrums when they get impatient.
Also, pack sanitizers and wipes to clean the kid’s sitting station before settling in and before meals. You would also need snacks or home-cooked bites, but only pack enough to last to your next stop point.
Luggage Shipping
The packing criterion is simple: separate the essential traveling luggage from the baggage to be used at the destination. Essential luggage is commonly referred to as cabin baggage. It contains travel documents, what the kids will need amid flight, toiletries, personal gadgets, cash or cards, and a change of clothes. These are not charged at the airport as they barely surpass the weight limit.
The rest of the baggage would have to be checked-in as hold luggage and considering you are bringing the kids along, the chances of getting charged extra for excess luggage are relatively high. The best way to avoid the stress of dragging excess luggage to and from the airport, queuing for inspections, and denting your travel budget by paying extra baggage fees is by contracting the services of a luggage delivery company.
Make sure to choose a luggage company with an international shipping service and one that gives you a price quote online. After you get the quote you can complete the booking online and the service should include both pick-up and delivery of your luggage door to door. Additionally, they let you track the delivery process from your smart device. This is the ultimate hack when traveling with kids as it enables you to travel light and save at the same time.
Accommodation
Pay more attention to your choices of accommodation since kids need more than just a shelter. Unlike adults, little children are not overly pleased by hotel rooms with fancy indoors. They need to let their holiday spirit free in spacious indoor spaces and airy outdoors. They also cannot be around adults all the time. Therefore, opt for places where they can meet and interact with other kids. And of course, they would like to watch cartoons even if they are on a vacation. So, make sure to download the best shows for kids such as Bugs Bunny episodes just in case they want to have a movie break. You can also check out fun Bugs and Taz Kriss tshirt as well.
We advise you choose apartments or family resorts over hotel rooms. Or else, go for the best, house sitting. You could stay in a spacious place with outdoor spaces and wide kitchen areas to prepare the best food for kids.
Take some time at every stop for the kids to create new memories and develop a little familiarity with the environs. By and large, bringing the kids along should not limit your experience. You might sit next to soreheads who complain about babies crying. Do not take anything to heart. Even so, it would be best to leave the business class for people on business trips.