Holidays are a vital part of life: not only for a change of scenery and the chance to do something different but also for recharging your batteries and spending quality time with your family.
Traveling during the holidays can be an enlightening and eye-opening experience for children. But traveling with children can also be an overwhelming proposition. There will be unpredictable schedules, long packing lists, and cranky kids.
Whether you are a single parent or a couple, planning a family holiday with kids can be stressful as it can be fun, so planning is really the key. It can really be exhausting from deciding on the type of holiday you’re going to prepare for or packing all the travel essentials to arriving at your destination. But with proper planning, both parents and kids can have a spectacular time going on a family holiday. Here are some tips you can consider when you plan your next holiday trip with your kids:
- Pick the right destination. This is the most important thing for you to do. You have to sit with your family members to decide the right place to visit. In doing so, you need to take everyone’s interest into account. Don’t hesitate to ask your kids what they enjoy doing. Allow them to participate in the decision-making process. After all, the whole purpose of going on a holiday is to have a good time together. You can only expect to have memorable experiences that you can look back on later in life.
- Check the weather. Checking the weather isn’t just so you know what clothes to pack, but it is also crucial for you to know what activities you can do or not.
- Consider peak times. If your tour has theme parks, zoos, or any child-oriented museums included, always try to visit the parks on weekdays as the crowds will be lesser.
- Food. When traveling, try to eat some local food and encourage your child to try it. Ensure that the restaurant you visit is kid-friendly and not very arrogant to make your child comfortable. You can also ask your concierge to find you local places where there is some music or entertainment that allows kids.
- Selecting the right hotel. This will depend entirely on your budget. The hotels may have some kids facilities to keep your children entertained at most beach places. When picking hotels in big cities, ideally pick one close to the city center. If that doesn’t suit your budget, choose one which is away but has some form of transport close to the hotel. Remember, your child would not likely walk back from the station after a long day out.
- Sightseeing/tours. When choosing long-day tours, ensure that your child is excited about them. Tell him in advance what to expect. Consider taking a break and giving them free time to run around the gardens and do their own thing, or they will be cranky after a few hours. Also, it would be wise to book or buy your tickets in advance to avoid long queues at the entrance.
- Allow yourself some free time. Don’t pack your holidays with organized tours and activities. Have time to relax at local parks or have coffee or wine breaks while watching people go by and interact with the locals. Spend some good quality time with your family. Your kids’ most memorable memory of the holiday will likely be the things you experience during your free time.
Essentially, you need to tackle three important issues when planning your holiday with kids: boredom, hunger, and exhaustion. Make sure to get all three planned to the smallest detail, and you will have the holiday of a lifetime!