It’s coming up to summer, and you know what that means: traveling with kids!
These may not be a big deal if you have kids who are used to traveling, but when you have young kids and are booking time away, you need to plan ahead to create a trip that is as stress-free as possible.
So, here are some simple tips to follow!
Don’t Book a Small Room!
It is a big mistake to try to book a holiday with small children and to stay in one room. Yes, it can save a bit of money, but the kids will have nowhere to play and will likely get poor sleep due to everyone being in the same space.
It can be worth looking into resorts for family trips. There are these family-sized suites in Orlando, which are offered by Westgate Resorts, that have the bedroom space and the amenities to keep young kids entertained.
Go for Kid-Friendly Locations
This is pretty simple, but is still worth checking: Is the place you are travelling to a kid-friendly location? Most places are, but for parents with very young kids, you will want to make sure that there are amenities for them at the destination, such as playgrounds, pools, and kids’ clubs.
Don’t Go Too Far
Traveling is hard, especially for very young children, so, if possible, try not to go too far for the first few trips.
If you are travelling by plane, try to get a direct route option over one with layovers. Or, if you are travelling by car, check on Google Maps for the fastest route. Travelling for hours and hours will likely cause stress in younger children, which can lead to a lot of tantrums and stress for their parents.
SNACKS!
Young kids get hungry, especially when they are traveling by car or by train.
Rather than spend a fortune buying snack foods for them along the way, be sure to pack them. Pretty much anything from apple segments to grapes to raisins will be suitable, as well as something savory like carrot sticks. This will help to keep their blood sugar balanced and will prevent meltdowns during travel.
If you are travelling when its hot, if you can, be sure to pack the items in a cooler.
Explain The Trip
A core reason why children become stressed out during travel is due to anxiety and fatigue.
Traveling to new places is tough for adults and teenagers, too, but in most cases, both groups have psychological tools to manage the stress. Toddlers and kids, in simple terms, don’t.
So, when you are travelling with young kids, it can be helpful before the trip to explain it to them. Many parents opt for using a visual schedule or itinerary to break down the stages of the trip so that younger children can understand it. You can even involve them in the planning process, which will help them to feel more in control and will also help them to choose destinations.
Also, even if the trip is filling you with dread, try to talk to your children about it positively. This will help them to see it in a positive light, rather than feel worried about it.
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