Having children is an extremely rewarding experience. As a parent, one of your main goals should be to make treasured memories whilst your children are young and open to a world of experiences. While there are a number of ways to accomplish this, international travel with your kids is one of the best ways to create memories that will last a lifetime. A recent study found that nearly 88 percent of the families polled claimed to be planning a trip in the next year. If you’re planning to travel with toddlers and young children it’s a great idea to start planning ways to ensure that both you and your children are able to get the most out of the experience. A lack of planning could potentially lead those familiar challenges that travelling with children can all to often entail. Read on for my tips for travelling with toddlers and young children that will hopefully keep those travel stresses at bay….
1. Plan To Stop Along The Way
If you’re planning a long distance road trip, then you’ll undoubtedly have hours of road time fill with child friendly entertainment. Even with the best of car games keeping a child cooped up in a car for hours on end is a recipe for disaster. Keep driving stretches limited to 2 hours at a time allowing regular breaks for your children to stretch their legs, have a rest stop and explore the various destinations your journey takes you en route to your final destination. Before embarking on your family road trip do some research to find out about the attractions you’ll be passing along the way. Family-friendly attractions like zoos and nature reserves are a great option for breaking up a long day on the road. Stopping at a zoo will allow your children to get out of the car and interact with unique animals like bearded dragons and zebras. Memories made!
2. Take Time To Explain The Trip To Your Children
Our little folk are naturally curious about the world around them. It might be hard for your child to process the trip you are about to take them on if they aren’t provided a detailed explanation. Instead of leaving your child in the dark, take some time to plan out how your trip will pan out.
Letting your child know how long it will take to get to your destination and what fun activities await once you arrive is a good way to keep them feeling informed and in control. You also need to show your children pictures of where they’ll be staying in. By providing them with as much information as you think they can cope with, you can set your child’s mind at ease about the trip ahead whilst creating greater excitement in the process.
3. Don’t Forget The Snacks
Being hungry can turn a seemingly nice small person into a little monster. Trying to stop every time your mini crew is hungry or thirsty can get become frustrating and expensive whilst adding hours onto your travel time. Make sure your well prepared by packing plenty of snacks and drinks to take with you on the road. Why not make a list of your child’s favourite snacks well before the trip starts so you can stock up on a range of treats that will really lift the mood. Involving your little ones in this can help to ensure the right snacks and drinks are well stocked up while allowing them that all important sense of control.
4. Document Your Journey
The memories that you make on a road trip will last a lifetime. In order to record and relive these memories time and time again try documenting them using photos, videos, tickets and diaries. By documenting everything on your trip, you can show your child how much fun they had when they get a bit older. You could even prepare your children with their own cameras so they can record the trip form their own perspective. This will keep them busy and engaged for hours while encouraging to look closely at the environment they’re exploring. Travelling with toddlers and small children can be difficult at times, but it can also be lots of fun and hugely rewarding. I hope these pointers will guide you in some way to help ease the stress of tricky travels allowing more time for those magical memories to sneak in.
