By: Marvelous Mouse Travels
Traveling can be exciting but let's face it, it’s oftentimes overwhelming especially with kids in tow. Being prepared and knowing what you’re getting into are two things that can make a family trip go more smoothly. Below we will go over some things that can help you prepare to make the trip enjoyable for the entire family!
1. Allow Extra Time
In general, most people that allow for extra time feel more relaxed. Remember that getting around the airport with kids takes extra time. Be prepared with snacks, drinks, potty breaks, time to get through security, and boarding the plane. Once you arrive at your destination, although you might have a schedule, try to keep the schedule loose and fit in those nap times if needed.
2. Don’t Overpack
This is a tough one! Remember that your children don’t need everything they have at home on the trip! If you have young children, bringing a comfort animal or blanket is probably non-negotiable but bringing an entire game console is not necessary. Keep in mind that unless you are in a remote area or underdeveloped country you can buy something that you may have forgotten. Bottom line? The more you pack, the more you have to carry!
3. Explain the Trip
Some kids do not do well with surprises. Explain the trip ahead of time to your kids. You can go over what the plans are and ask them if they have any input on what they’d like to do. Go over your expectations of how they should behave at certain places and if they’re unfamiliar with the process of flying, what they should expect. As adults, uncertainty brings anxiety. Allowing your children to be prepared can help deter any meltdowns.
4. Snacks, Snacks, and more Snacks!
You can never have enough snacks and drinks when you are with children. As adults we can wait another hour or two before we eat, but with children, it is hard to stall them until the next meal. Whether you are on a tour, at a museum, hotel, or in traffic, having a snack handy will help hold over your “h”angry child.
5. Safety and Security
It should come without saying that you should always know where your children are, but even the most vigilant parent could easily lose track of their child. There are GPS trackers on the market to easily track your child. Make sure your children have the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the adults they’re traveling with. If they are young children, you can slip this info in their pocket on a small piece of paper. When entering a new place, identify what the employees are wearing and where that child can go if they get lost. Most importantly let your children know what stranger danger is and to stay by your side.
Although there are so many more tips, these are five important things to help make your trip go smoothly. The most important tip is to just take the trip. Stop waiting for your children to get older and enjoy the moment. Nothing will be completely perfect but with a bit of patience and preparation you should have memories to last a lifetime!
Please reach out to Marvelous Mouse Travels for more information.
