Pam Baroro
Tips to Make Travel with Kids Easier
Having kids does not mean the end of your fun and adventure. In fact, it is just the beginning of it all!
But, honestly, traveling with kids is not exactly for the faint of heart. It means dealing with tantrums, which can be extremely frustrating on the road. Even so, traveling with the most important people in your life can be a fun experience and is also beneficial for parents and kids.
Lazy days at Kalanggaman Island
My partner and I love exploring the outdoors (hiking, camping, backpacking) with our toddler daughter – and here are some of our top tips to make things easier for you and your kiddos.
Start out early
The best way to get your kid comfortable with long rides in the car, bus, train, or plane is to start out young. We started bringing our daughter on trips when she was just six months old, when we camped at Kalanggaman Island in Leyte. She was fussy at the start, but once we got her used to the discomfort and routine changes that travel brings, she adjusted easily. You will be surprised at how flexible babies can be!
Choose an easy destination
You obviously cannot bring your kiddos to Mount Everest if you haven’t done even the shorter trips previously. Testing how you and your kids behave in a new environment will help you figure out how to do better on longer journeys. You might also want to start going on quick getaways, such as three hours to the nearest park or beach, then gradually increase and stay overnight somewhere.
Have a flexible and comfortable schedule.
It’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of itineraries and endless bucket lists, but crossing them off as fast as you can is not exactly the most recommended way to travel with kids. Hopping from one place to another can easily leave them cranky and irritable, and it can be exhausting for the parents, too. Remember, it’s not about the number of destinations but the quality of your trips and the unique memories you make along the way. Come up with a comfortable schedule that will leave a lot of time for napping, snacking, strolling around, and even simply hanging out inside your hotel room – it’s all part of your vacation!
Pack a lot of snacks
Want to know the secret to preventing a total meltdown from happening? Always have munchies and treats on hand! Make sure you pack your bags with crackers, sandwiches, and biscuits, and try to avoid chocolates and other treats. This will help keep them busy for a while.
Keep them busy
As much as we would all like to be perfect parents who can keep their kids from using gadgets, there are times when you have no choice but to resort to it, especially during the most stressful situations. Download their favorite apps, movies, or songs to keep them occupied. If you would rather not let them use tablets and cellphones, bring along a busy bag full of puzzles and other tinker toys, which is extremely handy for long trips.
Find activities that they enjoy.
Kids are less fussy about travel when they know what’s waiting for them at the end. Keep them excited about your destination by getting them in the planning phase. Perhaps there is a zoo, museum, or park nearby that they want to visit? Add them to your itinerary! Pools and beaches are also guaranteed to keep them in high spirits.
Use a carrier or a stroller
Small kids are less fussy when they travel because they just sleep through it, but it also means you have to carry them around the entire time. Keep them and yourself comfortable by putting them in a baby carrier (it also keeps your hands free the whole time), or use a stroller if you plan to stroll around the city.
Pack light
From my experience, traveling light with a small child can be very challenging. There are bottles and milk, diapers and other essentials to put in the bag. Try to keep them to a minimum (perhaps buy necessities at your destination instead) to avoid lugging a heavy backpack and baby during your trip. Use a daypack for sightseeing and leave the rest in your hotel room. If your kid is old enough, let them pack and bring their own bag.
Have essential items within easy reach
There is less hassle for everyone when everything is prepared and within easy reach. Keep your documents – passports, etc – in a safe but easy-to-access place. Put in your snacks and a day’s worth of change in your carry-on just in case your checked baggage gets lost along the way.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
No matter how much you try to plan things out, there are just some things that do not work out your way. Keep it calm and have a positive attitude – it’s all part of the adventure, and it’s what makes for a great story to tell your friends, kids, and grandkids!
Hey, don’t be easily discouraged when things don’t go your way or when people give you judgmental looks – they have no idea how much fun you are bringing your family in!
Manila Travel Tour Packages You Should Try
Follow and subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more Travel-related updates.
Read: Live the Dream: Why you should start working on your bucket list and how!
