Let me be honest. It is one of the most difficult things to do on this planet. Freedom and discipline fly out the window. Everything is planned as per their schedule. It takes a really really long time before we are comfortable traveling with children and the kids themselves are comfortable with traveling.

It takes a long time to adapt to a traveling style to suit children by which time their demands would have changed! Thankfully ours are now seasoned travelers. They don’t mind an early morning flight or a long journey on the train.

 

Based on our extensive travels with our two darlings who have adapted themselves to suit our wanderlust (still throwing a tantrum or two in between) I’d like to share some ideas for those parents that are looking for hints to travel with theirs.

Infants and very young children

The great news is that you hardly pay anything for infants that do not require a seat on the airplane. They are also easier to manage when they can’t really have their own opinion about what to do and when to do (:rollseyes)

Pretty much everything else is difficult. Luggage increases with car seats, strollers, baby bag, additional clothes, food, formula and everything else they’d need. They may not adapt to time zone changes and will tire easily. Some develop sickness with difference in environment and strain of travel. Here are some tips to make the best out of your trips.

 

⇒ Plan your schedule around their meal and nap times. You cannot make them wait when they get hungry in the middle of a show or when you’re busy clicking away pictures in a popular tourist spot. Make sure you allow half an hour on either side of their schedule and in the time zone they are used to. Makes you enjoy what you are really after and also keeps them comfortable

⇒ Do not have a rigorous schedule. New environments can be exhausting for adults, let alone children. They can fall sick easily. Give yourself more time at the destination to be able to see and do whatever you wanted to. Even then you may have to give up some options where children aren’t allowed unless you’re able to find a baby sitter.

⇒ Find out in advance how stroller friendly your destination is. If it isn’t, carry a baby harness. That takes a big strain off you and lets you move around comfortably.

⇒ Check with the airlines on their stroller and car seat policy when you travel. Airlines usually allow carrying your carseats up to the airbridge which is then stowed away with the stroller in the hold. Car rentals charge exorbitant rates for car seats. The case would be different with budget airlines where it may be cheaper to rent it out with the car. Also check if they offer baby food on board. Many offer it for free.

⇒ For slightly older children that would also like to walk get an umbrella stroller to save weight and space and also a monkey harness to keep them close to you. There are many pretty ones that look like a backpack.

⇒ Remember to pack things that comfort them – a blanket or even a tab that has some of their favorite shows and music.

⇒ Plan ahead on the ways to keep them engaged on long flights. Some airlines offer kid packs that comes with coloring books and pencils. Some give a soft toy or a blanket but the budget airlines do not offer anything. You would have to bring your own activity pack. You could also put this in a small backpack and get the child to wear it. Pound and dollar stores are great sources of such kid friendly activities and a new pack from here will always surprise them.

⇒ For children that have outgrown baby food always have extra food on hand. Many do not eat their meals well if the food is not familiar and soon get hungry and cranky. Also remember to carry their favorite drinks to keep them hydrated. Milk (flavored or otherwise that come in UHT packs) double up as a drink and a snack.

 

Young children

Now, this is a group that is much easier to manage but at the same time are more pronounced in their demands.

⇒ Include at least one kid friendly activity a day. Check online forums and family friendly travel books and websites to find out the options available for young children.

⇒ Include activities to keep the young ones active. Many museums in modern cities have sections devoted to children. They can get hands on and burn off their energy. Also make a list of playgrounds that are safe and clean along/nearby to wherever you are visiting.

⇒ Carry activity packs that’d keep them occupied on long journeys. Load tabs with their favorite shows and music. Remember to pack headphones along with that.

⇒ Carry food and small meals on long flights. What they serve in flight is pretty less and usually does not match the kids’ hunger times.

⇒ Let the children walk around in the plane or the train on long journeys.

⇒ Interest the children with books about the destination. Many of the historically significant destinations have kid friendly books with loads of pictures and even activities that’d help them remember what they learn.

⇒ Some top museums and parks have various trails for kids to follow. Activity packs can be picked up from their reception, mostly for free or sometimes for a very small fee.

⇒ If the child still takes an afternoon nap, ensure to plan your activities around that. Again some need a lot longer to get used to a drastically different time zone.

⇒ Some children though may be out of strollers at home may get tired easily with all the walking that may be involved. Ponder about getting a large umbrella stroller that would keep them comfortable. Some even might take a nap waking up refreshed and giving the adults more time in the evening.

⇒ Always carry snacks when you are out and about. It won’t be long before the “I’m hungry.. is there something to eat?” question comes along.

 

Older Children (Pre and young teens)

This is a group that has a lot more to say about a trip. It can both be beneficial and a little annoying at times

⇒ Involve the children in planning and scheduling. You can print a small destination guide off the internet and give it to them to learn what’s available and help them choose what they’d like to do. With their better memory and learning skills there is every chance they will remember a lot more than the adults do.

⇒ Get them interested in the language spoken at your destination and ask them to learn basic phrases and encourage them to practice while they are there. Duolingo is good app on the iOS that helps you learn a new language quickly.

⇒ If you have more than one older child or if the adults can play a role, make each one learn in-depth about a particular attraction / monument / site and ask them to act as your guide.

⇒ Familiarize them with the currency of your destination and give them a budget for shopping for souvenirs – for themselves and for their friends.

⇒ Many children are shy about engaging with a stranger from a different cultural background. Encourage them to talk to children of their age in the destination in a safe environment.

⇒ Try to visit places about which they have learnt at school. It sustains their interest and reinforces learning.

⇒ Be strict with schedules. They may like to lie-in on a day on which you might have a lot planned. Being the “activists” they are it may be difficult to get them out and about. Inform them in advance of the plans and seek their cooperation.

⇒ Encourage them to do their own packing. Make a list of the things they’ll need along with them and assist them in packing.

⇒ As with all children, offer them a treat (at the end of the trip) for their cooperation.

General tips and suggestions for all age groups

⇒ Encourage them to stay away from phones and tabs and take in the surroundings as much as possible. It’s easier said than done but!

⇒ Interest them with traveling and do travel as frequently as possible even if it’s a short 1 night trip. They’d become seasoned travelers themselves.

⇒ Encourage hikes and walks in nature. Living in cities many children miss the long walks that establishes a connect with nature.

⇒ Always carry more snacks than you think you might need especially when you’re out and about. It may be the other way around on flights/trains as they may not be as hungry due to lack of activity.

⇒ You could also make a “snack pack” with a variety of foods to sustain interest and add variety and pass a “pack” at snack time. This could include some dried fruits,  nuts, some chips, crackers, chocolates that come in lunch-box friendly multi-packs available from supermarkets. You could pack them in kids’ party bags available in Dollar/Pound stores to make them look more attractive. This kind of a “pack” is usually sold for around £5 on budget airlines.

⇒ A travel kettle can come in handy to warm up bottles or making pasta/soup/hot chocolate. Most hotels provide one now but check ahead to confirm. I had also carried electric rice cookers as they come with a large bowl which I can use to sterilize bottles while traveling. I’d also carry mug shots and pasta pots for that surprise hunger in between meals while in the room. They’re also better behaved at a restaurant when they aren’t too hungry so a little snack before heading out for dinner always helps.

Generic packing list while traveling with children

• Hand sanitizers
• First Aid kit
• Fever reducer, pain killer, stomach bug medication, cold and cough relief including a thermometer.
• Back up for prescription medication and spectacles
• Wet wipes
• A few sheets of kitchen towels
• A few bands (rubber or otherwise) and safety pins
• Earphones / headphones (more than a couple bought off the dollar/pound stores as these are prone to be lost/broken)
• Battery pack. I’ve had mine throwing a fit when their tabs went out of battery on a flight.
• Travel games and toys for those evenings or days when you wouldn’t be venturing out or on long journeys.
• Snacks & Drinks
• Cosmetics in travel sizes including lotions, petroleum jelly. Travel causes dehydration and may cause cracked skin and lips.
• Cards with name and address of the hotel you’ll be staying at and distribute them into the different bags that you’ll be carrying.
• Weather appropriate gear including back ups for the must haves.