Summer is very nearly here, and that means lying on the beach, soaking up the sunshine, maybe the odd cocktail and plenty of time relaxing with the family. But, it also means travel. With. The. Kids.
Don’t panic though! Yes, travelling with kids is a whole different ballgame compared to easy child-free days, but it doesn’t have to be a complete nightmare. Plan ahead, use these top kid and baby travel tips and you’ll soon be flying or driving stress-free (hopefully) – with the whole family in tow.
Flying with a baby
If you’ve got a very little one, the thought of flying and travelling with a newborn might be overwhelming. But, just remember, millions of people do it every year and that means that you can too. With some careful baby travel planning, it might be easier than you think.
Choose flight times wisely
Depending on the length of your flight, it might be worth considering planning a night flight, so that your little one can snooze as much as possible during the trip. On shorter flights, try to plan them around your sleep routine (if you’ve managed to get one in place already!). This way, you’ll give yourself the best chance of resting while your baby sleeps on the plane.
Keep to your routine (ish)
Depending on the age of your baby, try and keep sleep and bottle times the same as your normal routine. This way, even if they’re on the move, they won’t get too out of sync with when they need to sleep and eat. Once you land, if you have a time difference, you’ll have to allow a couple of days with extra/fewer naps for your baby to adjust.
Pack essentials in your hand luggage
Packing for a baby when travelling means being ready for anything from hiccups to accidents, so pack plenty of nappies, toys and extra clothes. Keep clothes simple and opt for stretchy or zip outfits rather than poppers to make life a little easier when changing on the go. Remember to keep your baby’s favourite comforter or blanket in your hand luggage so you can grab it at any moment to diffuse a tantrum!
Don’t forget to give yourself enough time to get a passport!
Remember that you need a passport for your little one before they can fly. Even at a week old, they must have a full passport with a photo ID – so be careful if you’re planning a trip very soon after birth. Legally, there are no age restrictions on baby travel. However, your airline may carry certain regulations, so always double-check when booking.
Flying with kids and toddlers
When you travel with kids that are a little older, it can be just as challenging; we all know toddlers have a lot of energy! So, there are certain things you can do when flying to help keep them amused and happy and make travelling with kids go as smoothly as possible.
Do a flight de-brief
Travelling with a toddler on a plane can be challenging, but try having a chat about your travel plans with your kids beforehand, especially if this is their first flight. Run through how an airport works and how long things tend to take. Then, talk to them about what will happen on the plane. This will help to give them realistic expectations and might help with any flight anxiety or fear.
Pack all the activities
One of the best things you can do when flying with children is to plan activities. Mother of one, Simone, from the Married to a Geek blog says, ‘I always make sure there is so much to do when we go travelling that under no circumstances could he possibly get bored’.
It’s all about variety. So, think books, colouring books and crayons, travel games and other puzzles, cards, sticker books and journals to write in, depending on their age. It’s also a great idea to get them involved in packing their activity bag before the trip. Dr Gummer from the Good Play Guide says, ‘giving them this responsibility is a great way to engage children and help them develop organisation, planning and personal management skills’. It also gets them excited about their trip!
Snacks, snacks, snacks
Let’s face it. Plane food is not designed for kids. Plus, you don’t want to have to wait until your kids are already peckish and getting antsy. So, one of our top family travel tips with a toddler is to remember to pack plenty of snacks for the journey. Try non-chocolate snacks just in case they get travel sick! And again, it’s all about variety.
Make use of tech
Even if you’re not a massive fan of screen time for your kids normally, a trip is a great excuse to bend the rules, as a treat. Make sure you have movies and games downloaded on a tablet that can be played without Wi-Fi. A travel console like a Nintendo DS can keep some kids busy for a decent amount of travel time too!
Go back to pull-ups
Even if your kids are toilet trained, using pull-ups for smaller toddlers when travelling might help with the anxiety of having to suddenly run to the bathroom mid-journey – or trying to get past the trolley during drinks service!
Pack plenty of clothes
Travelling with kids can mean lots of spills and accidents, so make sure you pack plenty of easy and comfortable clothing changes. You could even change them into comfy clothes for a flight to make it more fun for them, including PJs and their favourite cosy kids’ slippers.
Remember to pack a lot of wipes and their favourite comforter or blanket if you’re hoping they’ll nap on the go.
Lace-free shoes are ideal for a long journey as your little ones will likely take them on and off lots of times. Try slip-on pumps or Velcro plimsolls. Sliders, trainers and sandals are also perfect summer options that work for both the journey and the holiday.
Car travel with kids
Planning a staycation this summer? If you’re hitting the road with the family, car travel with kids means several hours cooped up in a small space. Try our top tips for travelling with children on longer road trips to help ease your journey and make it to your holiday destination while having the most fun possible!
Plan an itinerary
Don’t wing your journey. Instead, plan your itinerary with the kids in mind. Make stops along the way where they can get out of the car and stretch their legs. Why not find interesting stops to break up the drive and plan meal stops to pass the time more quickly?
Become a pro at car games
Sadly, eye spy won’t cut it for hours on end, so get to know a whole host of fun car games to teach and play with the kids. From road trip bingo to 20 questions, Dr Gummer from the Good Play Guide suggests changing up the activities every half an hour, giving kids the choice of the next game. She says, ‘giving them this choice can avoid arguments and frustrations because it alleviates boredom and also gives them some autonomy over their own entertainment’.
Ultimately, travelling with kids isn’t easy, but try to embrace it as much as possible. Yes, it can be stressful, but just think of all the memories you’ll create when you arrive at your destination. Kit them out in summer-ready looks with on-trend kids’ holiday shoes at Wynsors. Shop online or head to your nearest Wynsors store to shop in person!
