Travel

We all look forward to our annual summer holiday but sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan. The children get travel sick, you forget (or lose!) their favourite soft toy, and you nearly miss your flight. Culminating in a massive argument before you are even on the plane (I may, or may not be speaking from experience here). I’ve asked Families readers from across the country for their top tips on how to move from frazzled to fun when you travel with children.

Check, and check again

Make sure everyone's passport is valid, and, for travel further afield, not about to expire. Some countries require at least six months on your passport before it expires. Also check flight times and bag restrictions. We’ve all seen stressed out passengers in the check-in queue trying to reduce the contents of their suitcase at the airport. Don’t be one of them!

Pack with precision

Make sure you have a packing plan. While it seems a romantic notion to sling a few things in a bag and jump on a plane, those days are long gone. If you are taking hold luggage make sure you mix up the adult and children’s clothes between two suitcases, to make sure you all have something to wear if one bag gets lost. Anne, mum of two girls, says, “Put swimwear for the whole family in your hand luggage in case all your bags get lost. If you can all go for a swim or to the beach on arrival, lost luggage won’t seem so bad!”

Bring food

You can never have too many snacks. Most short-haul flights don’t provide food anymore, so you have to buy sandwiches and snacks, which are extortionately expensive. Plus, by the time the food trolley gets to you, the food has often run out, and the children don’t want to eat it anyway! Marissa says, “For early starts, I chuck a load of cereal in small Tupperware containers so they can munch on them in the car or on the flight.”

Make it fun

Children love experiencing different modes of transport and being in new places. Sarah, mum to Mae, says, “We make it into an adventure! We talk to Mae about our journey a week or so in advance, so she’s enthused about it.”

Pack surprises

Break up a long journey with some fun toys to unwrap. “Go to a pound shop. Buy loads of small toys. Wrap them up and bring one out every hour! I’ve done lots of long-haul flights because we lived out in Singapore when mine were smaller” says Amanda, “and this works a treat."

Don’t forget their favourite toy

Most children have a blanket or toy they can’t sleep without. Make sure you, “keep their loved blanket/ toy out of the hold in case the luggage goes missing.

Games are good

Top Trumps, Story Dice and sticker books are always winners. Mark says, “There are lots of travel games out there like Connect 4, Chess and Battleships, which we’ve found useful." Don’t forget external chargers for gadgets when it’s time to get out the iPad or Kindle.

Bring spare clothes

These are “a must” if you have young children. Christine says, "Don’t forget spare clothes in your hand luggage for long-haul flights as you never know when you’ll be delayed or get a surprise stopover, (pack for at least a day, plus baby food). My husband (for once) praised my over-packing when we were delayed in Dubai on our way to Oz for 48 hours with a baby and only our hand luggage!”

Be patient and enjoy It

As parents we can feel disappointed when the dream trip to Disney in Florida or sightseeing with the children in Paris doesn’t go to plan. Jackie says being realistic helps, “Think about your mindset as a parent before you travel— practising patience and going with the flow is a good idea. Also, lower your expectations of your children’s behaviour as they might be tired or feel different due to the journey. In my experience this creates a more harmonious trip.” Holidays are a great way to relax, unwind and bond with your family, just make sure you try and enjoy the bumps in the road too.