21 Top Tips for Travelling With Kids of All Ages

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Travelling helps create new experiences and memories. When you are travelling with your family, especially your kids, the intellectual and emotional growth helps to build your child's confidence. Whether you travel to mountains or a beach or explore the wildlife or countryside your child starts seeing the world in a different light.

However, it is not easy to cater to the different moods while travelling with kids. As a parent, follow the simple tips and tricks that will help you enjoy travelling with your child regardless of their age.

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Holiday travels with toddlers are stressful in comparison to the younger ones. Since there is a disruption in the routine, your toddler does not tend to cope with the new situation suddenly. Well, here are some tips that you can follow while travelling with infants:

1. Choose Your Destination

Destination plays a major role when you are planning to travel with your infant. Try to choose a place that is easy to reach and has all the amenities available. Offbeat travel, in this case, is not a good idea at all as this can hamper your child's mood. Since an infant is seldom able to understand and explore a new place, try to visit a place that can keep the little one comfortable.

Also, if your child is prone to cough and cold, it is advisable not to choose any hill station as this might affect their health.

2. Pack Your Child’s Things Separately

There are a lot of things you need to carry when travelling with your kid. Therefore, please make a list of the things he/she requires, beforehand, to avoid last minute additions. This will ensure that you do not forget anything that is a necessity. Do not forget to include items such as diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, sunscreen, etc.

3. Carry a Travel Stroller

Carrying a travel stroller is beneficial when you are flying with your toddler. You can fold it up into the overhead compartment during a long journey. Similarly, a toddler car seat is also essential when you are travelling with your kid in a car. The more you keep your toddler comfortable, the better you and your kid will enjoy your journey.

4. Pack Food for Your Baby

One of the many reasons your baby might feel uncomfortable is when he/she is hungry. This means you must carry baby food and feed them at appropriate intervals. It is also advised not to feed outside food as this may harm your baby's health. Please do not feed your kid forcefully during journeys as this might cause him/her to puke.

5. Encourage Frequent Naps

One of the best ways to travel with a toddler is to encourage frequent naps. Short naps in between travels will help them stay active and energetic throughout the trip. Also, they will not feel tired during the trip, which will help you to handle their mood swings. While your baby is sleeping, you can also enjoy short naps or chats with your partner or read a book instead.

6. Reserve Accommodations Ahead

Book hotels and stays that suit your budget and comfort as you travel to a destination. Some hotels and staycations offer specific places for kids to play. In addition, some hotels have lovely swimming pools too. Book your stays after extensive research on the place and only after reading reviews.

7. Halt Frequently During Road Trips

When you plan road trips with your toddler, halting after every two hours will be beneficial as toddlers tend to get restless. As you halt, they can relax and you can walk around for a while for refreshment. This will subdue their boredom of continuous travel.

8. Choose Aisle Seat for Newborns

Aisle seats are a great option for newborns during travel. Choosing these seats for your kid will be helpful since you require getting up several times to change them. An aisle seat is ideal when you are travelling with your baby during their nap schedule. You can get up whenever you need and rock your little one to sleep.

9. Seek Your Partner’s Help

Paying attention to your kid continuously is quite stressful. Try to travel with your partner, friend or a family member so you can seek their help for some time. This will allow you to rest for a while, and your kid will also enjoy the companionship of the other parent/person.

10. Keep Calm and Stay Flexible

The best way to deal with a challenging situation is to stay calm. While travelling to a destination, you might face certain situations when things might not happen according to your plan. In that case, keeping calm and adapting to the situation will help you. Remember, kids will copy your behaviour and react the way you will react to situations.

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Travelling with kids who have passed the age of toddlers is much easier. Since they are curious enough to travel, they might be restless too. Here are some tips for travelling with the younger kids:

11. Choose the Window Seat

Window seats are best for the younger kids since they love to watch and stay engrossed with the sights outside. Moving objects tend to interest younger kids much hence allowing a quieter trip. A window seat will keep them happy and composed.

12. Explain the Vacation to Your Kid

Your child will ask you a lot of questions out of curiosity, while travelling. Therefore, you must explain the vacation to your child and the place you are travelling to. Further, you can give them a task to find interesting things to explore in that destination.

13. Go for Comfortable Dressing Options

For younger kids, travelling in a comfortable dress is mandatory since they tend to become restless if they become uncomfortable. They will not nag you with dress and shoe laces several times, and both you and your child will be able to travel in peace. Also, if you are travelling with a toddler and a younger kid, you might find it a tough time stopping somewhere and changing them several times.

14. Carry Books and Toys

A clever idea to travel in peace with your child is to carry their favourite toys and books. The reason behind this is if they have their favourite book or a toy they love, carrying the same will reduce restlessness. Restlessness is a common attitude amongst children during long-distance travels.

15. Pack Your Kids’ Bag

Asking for things several times during travel might disturb you and your child if they do not have their small backpack. In that case, a small backpack for your child is a good idea as they are able to pack their stuff inside.

You can list items your child can carry inside the bag, of course, small stuff that doesn't make the bag too heavy, during the journey. Add kid-size headphones, their favourite book, video game, art supplies, sunglasses, sanitisers and wipes, a water bottle and some snacks. This can include chocolates, nuts, granola bars, etc.

16. Beware of Infection

Since you are travelling with your younger kid, he/she might get agitated due to long-distance travel. This will make them run here and there, touching pieces of stuff everywhere in a railway station, an airport or wherever you halt. Please ensure that they wash hands regularly or frequently sanitise to avoid infection.

17. Book Accommodations With Kid-Friendly Activities

Always book hotels and stays that encourage kid-friendly activities. Hotels with swimming pools and kids' activity centres tend to attract families. Also, you must order food for your kids before time so that they do not become anxious with hunger.

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While travelling with a toddler and a younger kid requires a different plan, travelling with teenagers is a completely different experience. Here are the tips for travelling with teenagers:

18. Involve Your Teenager in Travel Plans

Involve your teenager in your travel plan as they might have wonderful suggestions. With this, they will feel more connected, invested and excited about the trip. Allow them to choose a destination of their choice, as they can be the best researchers helping you with some unique and offbeat destinations!

19. Allow Comfort Space

Teenagers require their own space although they are travelling with you. Allow them to spend a few hours after reaching or during the journey. The more comfortable they are, the more peaceful your trip will be. Some teenagers love to read books or watch movies on their smartphones during travel and poking them several times will hamper their mood resulting in chaos.

20. Allow Them to Pack

There is lots of stuff teenagers need to carry alongside. So, allow them to pack and carry their luggage. This will help them carry things they require and make them comfortable.

21. Rethink About Your Stay

If a hotel stay isn't giving your teen much space, choosing an Airbnb can be a good idea. After a strenuous day of exploring new places, more rooms and a kitchen is more relaxing. Everyone can spread out and do their work yet stay together.

So, now you have some tips for travelling with kids. Although they are bifurcated according to age, there are some general tips you must follow. Here they are:

• Think like a kid and enjoy your trip. Try to think about what they will like and what they might not and plan accordingly.
• Do not forget to carry the essential medicines and first aid. Whether you are travelling with a toddler or a teenager, these are must-carry items.
• When travelling with kids of younger age and teenagers, try not to be a strict parent. Becoming friendly with them will allow them to relax and enjoy themselves.
• Click unique pictures with your kids. These are memories that will stay with you even when they grow up!
• Carry a pet alongside, keeping in mind the rules. A pet will keep you and your kids entertained all day long.
• Try to find out some best food items of the destination you are travelling to. Everyone will be excited to try new delicacies.
• Keep a card inside your kid’s pocket with your child’s name and write your contact details too.
• If your child has certain health conditions, be sure to carry their medical prescriptions.

Your checklist for travelling with kids includes everything that you must do. However, while travelling with your kid, here are things you must avoid:

• Do not over-pack and carry unnecessary items, as this will make your luggage heavy. Teach your child the same thing, so they do not end up carrying unimportant stuff.
• Do not leave your child to stroll. This might make them go missing if your child is restless.
• Poking your child is a strict no. The more you poke them, the more anxious they become.
• Avoid carrying smartphones and tablets for the younger child as this will keep them engrossed. They will not enjoy the trip. Advise teenagers not to use smartphones and tablets during their journey.
• Do not allow your child to talk to strangers. Not everyone has a good mindset.
• Avoid eating at random shacks, and unhealthy eateries as this might affect your child's health condition.
• Do not carry sharp objects/allow your child to carry sharp objects. They might harm themselves unknowingly.

So, here are all the tips and suggestions while travelling with kids. However, the main motto of a family trip is that everyone enjoys being together. Therefore, it is essential to cater to the needs and wishes of everyone travelling alongside.

While travelling with kids might sound strenuous, it will be one of your most memorable journeys too. You tend to live your childhood days and enjoy things that you have long wished to do. So, plan your destination, pack your bag and there you go!