Putting the fun in family travel


As the world opens up, family vacations overseas are possible once again and many parents are keen to make up for lost adventures. But traveling with children can be fraught with stress, especially as we’re all a little out of practice. Here are our top tips for ensuring that your vacation thrills the kids and has you arriving home recharged – and not in urgent need of another break (for one…).




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Choose your destination carefully

Make sure your next trip is a brilliant one by really thinking about what you all want from a vacation. Do you want beaches, a pool, culture, wilderness or a bit of everything? What is the maximum journey time you can all cope with? How long do you want to be away? If you’ve whittled it down to a region, island or city, then where you’re based is important. Choosing a resort near a beach will cut down the driving, or you can maximize sightseeing time by staying in the city center. If you don’t want to cook every evening of your villa vacation, picking somewhere that’s walking distance from places to eat is a must. 




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Involve the kids

When you know your budget and have narrowed down your destinations, get the kids involved in the final decision. Grab a globe or bring up Google Earth and show them the options. Talk about the different experiences each country offers – the food, scenery, activities, culture. If they’re interested in ancient history maybe they’ll love the Greco-Roman ruins and ice creams of Sicily? If they love water sports and you love wine, perhaps Portugal is the place. If your teens have long lusted after an adventure in the USA, how about planning a road trip along some of its iconic routes together?




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Don’t reinvent the wheel

If you all had the most magical vacation in Corfu one year, then why not go back? Kids are creatures of habit, so if that trip had everything your family wanted then there’s no real reason to look elsewhere. Plus, as returning guests, you’re likely to get extra attentive service and possibly a discount for repeat booking. You can also catch up with any friends you may have made. As you already know the lay of the land, you can spend more time on the beach and less time sussing out your surroundings. You can always do day trips to different places if you’re itching for new adventures.




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Make the most of those pre-school days

Kids not at school yet? Make the most of it by skipping off to sunny climes outside of the summer vacation period as often as you can afford. You’ll soon to be tied down to very set times of the year when you (and most other families) can travel and when prices skyrocket. Plus, go slightly off season and you’ll have much more choice when it comes to places to stay and eat.

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Think about travel times

It can be incredibly difficult getting flights, train journeys and ferry crossings at good times for decent prices, especially during summer vacation. But it’s worth really doing your research and considering paying a bit extra to get child-friendly timings. Avoid leaving too early in the morning or too late and factor in any time differences so you arrive at your destination at a reasonable time. The same goes for the return leg – it can be tempting to eke out the fun and book the last flight home. But you’ll have to check out in the morning anyway, so chances are the kids will start flailing and you’ll be more than ready to get home. When it comes to long-haul travel, though, flying at night is the best way to guarantee they snooze.




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And book seats while you’re at it

Always reserve your airplane seats as far in advance as possible to make sure you’re all sat together. Aisle seats are a good idea if you have young children so you can get up and down without disturbing others. If you’re flying long-haul with a young baby, then you’ll need to request a special bulkhead seat and use of a bassinet. While you’re at it, don’t forget to pre-book the kids their meals, too.




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Pay for a seat for little ones (if you can afford it)

On most airlines, under twos can sit on your lap, with a special lap belt that you attach to yours, and on long-haul flights you can request the bassinet. But, if you can afford it, pay for a seat so you can put them down. Even if they’re happier sitting on you for most of the flight, it’s a welcome buffer from other passengers. Juggling bags and dinner trays while bouncing a baby on your lap is no mean feat. And when it comes to having wriggly and surprisingly heavy toddlers on your lap on a long-haul, that’s a whole new challenge.

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What do you need from your accommodation?

Deciding whether to go for a hotel, resort or villa is a big decision. If you want the facilities that come with a hotel or resort make sure you have the space you need. Opt for a suite or apartment set-up with separate sleeping areas or adjoining rooms, unless you fancy hushed conversations in the dark when the kids have gone to sleep. Is there a pool and are kids allowed in it? Do your research before booking to avoid disappointment. Central locations usually work best with little legs in tow – if you’re skiing for example, stay as near to the slopes as possible. On a city break, stay near the sights, but make sure you’re not in the clubbing district unless you’re all heavy sleepers.




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If in doubt, go for self-catering

If you’re traveling with teens, they’ll want their own space so hiring a villa is usually the best bet, especially if your budget doesn’t allow for separate hotel rooms. Having space as a family is important, no matter the kids’ ages. It’s great to have a kitchen so you can prep a few meals to slice costs and avoid eating-out fatigue. A washing machine will also be a godsend and cuts down on luggage. Choose carefully, though. That swoon-worthy villa with a floating staircase and unfenced swimming pool may look spectacular, but spending two weeks fielding your crawling baby and bolting toddler is no one’s idea of a break. Opt for a family-focused company and your accommodation will be kiddie safe, plus have all the kit you need.




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Go where other kids go

If you’re going for a hotel or resort, choose somewhere where you know there’ll be kids of a similar age rather than that cool boutique hotel you’ve had your eye on. Making friends on vacation is great for boosting children’s confidence and gives them a sense of independence with the added bonus that you can sink into the sun lounger while they hang with their new buddies. Communal pools, gardens and play parks are top spots where your little ones might strike up friendships.




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Sort your vaccinations in good time

Make sure you, and any children that require it, can prove your vaccination status abroad. Arrange any COVID-19 tests you will need to enter the countries you’re traveling to in good time. Check the latest COVID-19 travel advice​ regularly, especially as you get closer to your departure date. Always check if you’re going somewhere that requires extra vaccinations or anti-malarial medication and get appointments so any prescribed courses are complete before you travel. If you’re going somewhere with malaria make sure you also take repellents, long clothes and nets. 




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Get your admin in order

Make sure all your travel documents are in date and visas sorted well before you set off. Don’t let travel insurance fall down your admin list, either. If you buy it straight away, you’ll be covered for cancellations. But don’t panic buy: do some research and make comparisons – look carefully at what is covered and the excess. Often buying a family policy is more cost effective than buying separate policies – although that may not be the case for couples with only one child or single parents. Similarly, if you’re likely to take more than one trip, getting an annual policy is often the best bet. If you’re planning to do any outdoor pursuits or winter sports, make sure your policy covers them too.

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Create a packing checklist

Love them or loathe them, lists are the key to setting off for a stress-free vacation with kids. Once you’ve created one, you have a master list that can be adapted to suit different getaways and ages. The UK camping trip list, for example, will be a very different beast to the Med beach checklist. Tick items off as you pack and don’t forget to give it a last glance before you head out the door. If you’re traveling with older kids, get them to create their own list and take responsibility for packing their must-have vacation essentials. 

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Pack strategically

Once you’ve mastered the list, it’s time to get packing. Try to pack as light as possible, but don’t skimp so much that you end up having to hunt down warm clothes or sandals on vacation. Packing cubes are a game changer for strategic packing – separate socks from swimwear for easy access or color code to distinguish different family members’ clothes in one bag. Go for compression ones and you can fit more in a case. It also means you don’t need to unpack when you get there – simply unzip and place them in drawers. 




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Don’t be a pack horse

Lighten your load by getting the kids their own set of wheels. Ensure you don’t inevitably end up lugging their case along too by opting for a fun and practical piece of travel kit such as the Zinc Flyte. This cabin-sized suitcase and scooter combo will provide entertainment on the journey and come to the rescue of tired legs. Another genius option for weary little ones, and for ditching the buggy at the airport, is the Mountain Buggy Bagride, where a carry-on case transforms into a traveling seat for tots.




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Plan your travel to and from the airport

Pre-book a taxi to the airport to avoid any last-minute panics or delays before your vacation has even begun and be sure to request car seats, if you need them. If you’re driving to the airport, book a Meet and Greet parking service (if available). You drive to the short-stay parking lot, unload your luggage, and hand over your keys before breezing into departures. It’s also well worth pre-arranging your transfer on arrival, so you have a minibus or private driver waiting to whisk you off to your accommodation without delay. Again, enquire about car seats in advance.

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Get to the airport/port/terminal in good time


COVID-related protocols mean there are more likely to be hold ups at airports, ports and train terminals and journeys generally may take longer than usual, so leave plenty of time. Once you’re all checked in you can go for a leisurely meal and give the kids a chance to explore and burn off steam before they board the flight, train or ferry – with any luck they’ll nod off on the journey.




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Don’t forget the on-board entertainment

Traveling is not the time to hope your children will concoct wonderfully imaginative games. Small children especially will need a little help to stave off boredom and sit still, whether in a plane, train, ferry or car. Let them pack their own carry-on bags with a few favorite toys (but hide away a few new ones) – drawing, stickers and magnetic games are all good. Be sure to leave noisy, messy and fiddly toys at home though. If in doubt, it’s amazing how long kids can find simple games like I-spy and “Would you rather…?” fun. On the 15th round, though, you can get the screens out without a glimmer of guilt. Just make sure they’re fully charged with games, audiobooks and shows downloaded and that they have kid-friendly earphones.




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Or scrimp on the snacks


Snacks are another essential item for anyone traveling with small children – handy for when energy levels flag and if the plane food doesn’t appeal. Pack a range of healthy, substantial items, but be sure to take a few treats too. You might also want to pack a few of the kids’ favorite condiments (like marmite) in your suitcase, just in case they’re not too adventurous with their taste buds yet.




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Build in time for jet-lag and use it to your advantage

You’ve made it through the flight, but if you’ve flown long-haul you’ll have another hurdle: the dreaded jet-lag. Everyone suffers differently, but you can be sure that you’ll be up with at least one child in the early hours of the morning. With this is mind, schedule in a few days for gentle explorations and getting in the vacation mode. Make the most of it and go for an evening beach picnic or explore a night market. Get up and out early before everyone else. If the kids hit a wall in the day, let them sleep while you enjoy a little chill time. 




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Swerve gas stations for sights

If you’re doing a lot of driving on your vacation, plan a route that involves plenty of stops to avoid tempers fraying. But don’t just pull over at gas stations – stop at points of interest en route instead. This might be a castle, stately home or forest park where you can get a coffee and stretch your legs while giving the kids a good airing. Or take a slight detour to a little village for a decent meal and potter about before getting back on the main road.

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Don’t over-plan or over-spend

We’re all worried that our kids have missed out on fun recently, but you don’t need to cram in every activity going. Kids find wonder in the simplest things – watching the waves break a sandcastle, stemming a stream with rocks, or spotting unusual chips in a foreign grocery store are the kind of memories that will stick with them for years. Riding the airport escalators might well be their vacation highlight. So, make sure there is time for them to simply be and for you to play together as a family without the distraction of real life. 




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Pre-book attractions and activities

Saying that, if visiting that water park or museum is top of your hitlist, be sure to pre-book. Many attractions still require pre-booked entry. You can also get early-bird prices that way and can often skip big lines. Spontaneity is all well and good but it’s worth reserving some restaurants ahead of time too, especially if you’re staying in a popular resort at peak times. The same applies to campsite pitches, boat trips and activities like surf school. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.

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Have a budget

It’s always a good idea to set a daily budget and there are some handy apps for tracking them. It’s all too easy to get carried away on vacations (especially with all those ice cream stops), so be clear with the children too. It could be that you set them their own allowance to budget with. Watch out for hidden costs on vacation: being a single parent, for example, can mean unfair supplements – see our guide to single parent trips. If you’re a spontaneous kind of family, read our tips on getting a last-minute deal and you’ll have more spending money to play with.




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Download local taxi apps


Heading off on a city break with the kids? The days of trying to flag down a cab, scrabbling around for the right money or figuring out how to use the local buses are over thanks to smartphones. Find out the best taxi apps in your location and download them. That way you can easily book and pay for a cab through your phone if you’ve wandered too far from your hotel or are running late for a show.




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Adjust your expectations

New parents? Forget about vacations pre-kids: uninterrupted conversations, poolside siestas, whinge-free walks and late-night hot spots are unlikely to be a feature of your break (until they’re tweens or teens anyway). Think of it as a whole new experience instead – one where you’ll rediscover simple pleasures like sandcastle building, jumping in the waves and late-night ice creams. You’ll be creating formative memories for them and lasting ones for you to cherish when they fly the nest.




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But don’t forget it’s your vacation too

Book meals out to restaurants you genuinely want to eat in (they might surprise you and tuck in too). Look into kids’ clubs or supervised activities so you can have some time to yourself. Hand the reigns over to the kids to plan the itinerary one day – they’ll love being in charge and will be more likely to get on board with your day of choice, whether that’s exploring galleries, mooching around medieval churches or hiking along the cliffs to watch the sunset. If you’re still pining for those languorous lunches, you can always take the grandparents along next year or persuade them to babysit while you nip off for a kid-free jaunt.

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