Travelling with family is always a cherished experience. You get to create memories and have some quality bonding time. But one thing that comes with a family of kids is the anxiety of travelling with kids. It begins way before the actual trip because no matter how much you try; you can't make it a smooth journey when you are with kids. But what you can do is alleviate the stress. We have picked out the top ten tips for stress-free travel with kids, and they will ensure a smooth journey. It will make it easier for you and fun and exciting for the kids.
1. Plan of Time
Take things to the last day when travelling with kids. You need to plan of time. Book your tickets, accommodation, and other activities before you leave. This way, you won't have to spend hours looking for the hotel, which can be very hectic when you are with kids.
Besides planning the trip, you must prepare the travel schedule, the time you leave, your carry-on bags, and other luggage the night before.
2. Travel during Off-peak Times
Peak season times are not suitable for travel when you are going with kids. The flights, hotels, and most tourist spots are so crowded. It overwhelms the kids, and they cannot enjoy themselves properly, making it ultimately stressful for you. As for the flights, take weekday flights because there are fewer passengers on weekdays, and you can travel more easily with your kids.
3. Pack Individual Bags
Pack individual carry-on bags for your kids. It gives them a sense of ownership; they can pack whatever they want in that bag. Keep necessary items like snacks, their favourite book, toys, and a change of clothes in those bags. Having individual backpacks for your kids also eases the hassle of managing it all for them.
4. Stock up on Snacks
Snacks are your best friend when travelling with kids. No matter how much you think your kids won't overeat, as they usually don't have such an appetite, kids always need something to munch on when you are travelling. You can pack healthy snacks because too much candy and other junk can later ruin the trip for you. After all, you don't want them falling sick. So, look out for healthy options for your kids enjoy and pack a stash.
5. Plan Fun, Engaging Games
The main idea when travelling with kids is to keep them busy. You can engage them in any conversation, but it will only last for a while, so the best way is to play games with them. One of my favourite games to play with kids on road trips is to spot the red car or the 'I spy with my little eye' game. You can pack card games to play with the kids or quiz your kids about random things.
6. Tablets to the Rescue
When nothing works, tablets come to the rescue. You don't want to give them to your kids for the whole time, but two to three hours of screen time in a longer journey with optimum breaks is okay. It gives the parents some time to relax as well. Download their favourite movies and games beforehand so that they can keep themselves busy for a long time.
7. Listen to Audiobooks
Kids love listening to stories but reading them books when going on a flight with other passengers can be disturbing for other people. You can make your kids listen to audiobooks even on a road trip. They are great as they keep the kids busy, and at the same time, it doesn't come in the category of screen time. You can find many good options for your kids on Audible.
If you are travelling with your partner, you can switch seats with them on who gets to sit with the kids. It gives the other person a break, and the kids can enjoy someone else's company. If your spouse is driving, you can even switch up on that. Also, alternate or switch the kids' seats as well so that one of them can avoid specifically getting the window seat or whatever their preferences are.
Tell me a more difficult task than making a kid sit in one place for over an hour. You would have everything planned for them, but still, they would have this ick to move around. So, plan regular pit stops on a road trip to make it easier for yourself and them. These stops are also necessary for bathroom breaks or food breaks. It helps you relax, and the kids can move around a bit. But remember one thing: make these brief!
10. Include Them in Planning the Trip Activities
Kids like it when you involve them in planning their activities on the trip. You can discuss those with kids on your way there. It takes a good chunk of your travel time and keeps them busy. You can talk about what they will do, how they will dress up, and tell them more about what you will do on the trip. This excitement and anticipation make the trip more fun for them.
A part of travelling is accepting that things will go wrong, and they would have gone wrong, whether you were travelling with the kids or without them. So, keep this idea of travelling with kids from adding to your stress. Accept that if anything goes wrong, move on from it, and focus on creating more memories. Just know that at the end of the day, kids are kids, and there will be a mess. However, it can be a planned mess if you follow these tips and carry some toys for your kids. We have covered almost all the significant points in making your travel with kids stress-free. Let us know if you know of any other way to improve it. Otherwise, these are enough to keep you stress-free. So, enjoy your travel and focus on making memories.
