It is one of the most exciting experiences you’ll ever have travelling with kids. They will learn about new landscapes, animals and cultures. It opens doors and opportunities to delve deeper into a new culture as a whole family as people love children. Sure, there’ll be challenges at times however it really is a magical experience.
Here are some tips when travelling with kids:
1. Prepare Games for Waiting Times
Waiting in airports to board planes, catching public transport even driving between destinations can be boring for all.
Pack travel-sized games such as:
- Connect 4
- Travelling chess
- Uno
- Cards – for game ideas check out 6 Easy Card Games for Kids
- Are we there yet card games
- Eye Spy
- Hangman
- Naughts and Crosses
- Activity Books
- Colouring In
- Family Jokes
The other advantage is that this will limit the amount of screen time they have too.
2. Buy Souvenir Keyrings
If travelling abroad, before you leave buy a dozen or so souvenir keyrings from your own country so when abroad and gorgeous situations arise where you and your kids meet new people along the way, give them a keyring. It is always such a hit, people feel very touched and you’re teaching your kids how to be generous at the same time.
3. Giveaway your Children’s Items
When returning home, and packing for the final leg of your journey, there may be items that the kids will soon grow out of and you know they won’t ever use again; leave them there. Avoid taking them all the way back home again only to give them away.
4. Learn about the Country you are Visiting
Look at a map and learn about the destination. To help your child get the most out of the holiday, show them where you’re going and talk about the distance and the destination. If you’re going to a country that speaks a different language, use the opportunity to learn a few basic words and phrases before you arrive.
5. Prepare a Kids Day Backpack
Kid’s day backpack is exceptionally handy to carry those daily items required; water, food, wipes, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, sunglasses, hats and their travel games etc.
6. Book International Flights during Kid’s Bedtime
Where possible arrange international flights that are flying when it’s the kid’s bedtime so they get on the plane, have a meal and sleep. I have found the more TV watched, the less sleep they get for the entire flight.
7. Have a Separate Child Suitcase
Pack the kid’s belongings in their own small suitcase. This does wonders for their self-esteem. They really feel they are a part of the journey. Also, pack their belongings using packing cells to keep their suitcase organised.
8. Book Hotels and Apartments
We stay in a mixture of hotels and apartments when abroad. The apartments are great to get a more local experience and there is practicality as well. They have washing machines! 😊 We also like to buy food at the local supermarket and cook up some local meals.
9. Get your kids to Wear a Fitbit
Exploring new cities and destinations is a lot of fun however it does usually require a lot of walking. To help nurture the kids along get them to wear their own Junior Fitbit and talk about how many steps they are up to, it can become a great game.
About the Author – Belinda Hauser
Belinda is the founder of kidsetter a global family built on the belief that travel is the key that unlocks a child’s sense of place in our amazing world and brings us all closer together as cultural barriers are celebrated and dissolved. Kidsetter seeks to unlock the barrier of travelling with children so that every family can enjoy the wonderful world through the eyes of a child. Belinda has had a passion for travel for as long as she can remember and has travelled to more than 50 countries.
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