Holidays with children are not for everyone, but with proper preparation and the right mindset, despite their demanding nature, they can transform into an unforgettable collection of experiences. If you feel that it’s not worth the stress of packing and long journeys, know that the tips we have gathered from our own travels, various travel websites, and an experienced traveling mom will convince you otherwise.
Parents who travel with their children from a young age usually praise their decision. Children get to know other cultures, learn to adapt to changes more easily, and often become more seasoned in life. Moreover, with today's "gadgets," you can travel truly comfortably and without stress. If you still have concerns, we have three recommendations for you to start with:
1. If you have expectations, let them go
Parents who travel with their children from a young age usually praise their decision. Children get to know other cultures, learn to adapt to changes more easily, and often become more seasoned in life. Moreover, with today's "gadgets," you can travel truly comfortably and without stress. If you still have concerns, we have three recommendations for you to start with:
2. Involve children in the process
We know it might sound crazy because it extends preparation time, but by involving children in packing or planning trips and talking about what awaits them (of course, considering their age), you will achieve that they feel like an important part of the process, learn a lot, and cooperate better during preparations. The choice of destination or the pace of trips and holidays is usually adapted to the children's needs anyway.
3. Practice makes perfect
The more often you travel with your family, the more "improvements" you will adopt. Kristína Štark (on Instagram @oliviintanierik), who travels with her husband and two daughters, uses a checklist thanks to her experience, which saves time and eliminates forgetting important things. She shares it with her husband, and they regularly update it according to the season or destination.
Are you ready?
If you're determined to fully enjoy your holiday with children, we've prepared practical tips for you (not only from Kristína Štark), which we've divided into three categories: preparations and packing, the journey itself, and the stay at the destination.
Get ready, get packed, get set, go!
Let's face it: we tend to pack too much of everything. What if...? Most things, however, can be easily bought locally, and clothes can be washed. As Kristína Štark says, if you're going on a seaside holiday, you'll spend most days in swimwear anyway. So, if you pack two outfits per day for the children, that's enough of a reserve even for small accidents.
However, what you definitely need to pay attention to is packing a first-aid kit. You never know when a child might fall ill or another unpleasantness might arise, so having something for fever and pain, a disinfectant spray, eye and ear drops, something for diarrhea, cough, and allergies, a thermometer, plasters, or bandages on hand is worthwhile. Since holiday food is often different from home, Kristína has found it beneficial to start taking probiotics a few days before departure and continue taking them during the holiday.
Don't forget to keep the first-aid kit and everything you might need during the journey within reach, so you don't have to empty half your suitcase if necessary. For even better organization of your belongings, use a bag or backpack organizer.
Our tip: Prepare a special surprise for the children that they will only unwrap at the destination. They will look forward to it more, which will increase their motivation to cooperate during the journey.
An endless journey?
The longer the journey, the greater the challenge, but if possible, plan your departure so that the child's routine is maintained as much as possible. Prepare your nerves, favorite snacks, and lots and lots of fun activities. Kristína Štark recommends:
- a notebook and crayons
- a new toy or book
- playdough with figures in a cup
- favorite fairy tales, apps, or podcasts downloaded to your phone
From our experience, these also entertain:
- sticker books
- interactive books and workbooks
- rubber animals or figures wrapped in aluminum foil or tied with an elastic band, which the child unwraps or untangles
- magnetic construction set, Lego
- a puppet show with plush toys or puppets
- singing/reciting
- games like "Guess what I'm thinking," with smaller children: what is red? blue? big? small? … basically a full-time entertainer :)
Kristína Štark's tip: She considers a wheeled suitcase, which can be used as a ride-on toy and, most importantly, transforms a plane seat into a child's bed, to be the biggest "game changer" in terms of travel.
Here we are: The holiday stay
Believe me, you'll greatly help yourself by choosing "baby-friendly" accommodation with various attractions, children's corners, pools, or activities with animators. If the hotel is too noisy, Kristína has found white noise effective for putting children to sleep.
For safety, it's wise to give children bracelets with a phone number; older children can be taught the number. When traveling abroad, definitely don't forget the international dialing code.
Kristína Štark recommends not forgetting a stroller net for small children, a large supply of hair ties for girls, and favorite snacks in case the children refuse all other food.
We can't help but emphasize the importance of hydration, especially in the form of bottled water on holiday. If you want to enrich it with vitamins and minerals, our Care Waters will be an excellent choice. Plus, they're suitable for children too. Did you know that? 🙂
Finally, just a small reminder: Don't be afraid to travel with children, just prepare well. And if you have any advice and tips that we haven't mentioned, but parents definitely should know about, please share them. Let's inspire each other.
