Traveling with family sure can be a fun way to relax and bond. You can create new memories, discover new things together, and even learn more about each other’s preferences during a family trip. But, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with its own challenges. A family trip can be quite tough especially when you’re traveling with kids.
While a trip can certainly open children’s eyes to new experiences—from finding new food, visiting new places, and having quality family time – it also can be overwhelming for them. You may have a case of fussy kids on your hand, either because they get picky over the foods they eat or they get tired of the unpredictable course of your trip. It’s important that you also keep their needs in mind while planning for your trip. After all, a trip should be fun for all the people involved.
Keeping that in mind, let’s be the smarter parents and make your trip a core memory for your children! Here are a few tried-and-true tips on traveling with kids.
6 Practical Tips on Traveling with Kids
1. Activities First, Destination Later
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Choosing a destination isn’t always about going to the most popular places, but also about the activities you can do there. Going somewhere with a lot of activities for the kids can definitely make the trip all the more memorable for them.
But knowing activities that they want to do is the tricky part. You can find out about this by presenting a few choices and letting them decide. By involving them in the decision-making process, they will feel heard and will likely enjoy the holiday better.
Here is a list of destinations with various activities you can consider for your vacation:
- Beach vacations, preferably with a lot of water activities;
- Camping trip;
- Theme parks; and
- Cruises, preferably with kids and teens clubs.
2. Convenience Over Cost
We get it, sometimes you want to save as much as possible during your travels. But that might not be the best idea when you’re traveling with kids.
A cheap flight with a lot of layovers can look appealing, yet when you’re with kids, that can bring so much trouble – whether it’s your toddler throwing a tantrum or just your kids wandering off and getting lost. It’s best to keep convenience and comfort as your top priority, that way you’re less likely to face fussy kids.
Make your travels more comfortable for you and your children. You can try bringing a fuzzy blanket, a stuffed animal, a travel pillow, or new books to read. If you don’t want your kid to miss nap time during a flight, you can also rely on Benadryl or melatonin! Though be sure to consult this with a doctor before you go.
Read Also: How to Choose the Type of Accommodation in Bali That Suits You
3. Plan for Some Downtime
Photo: Yulianto Poitier via Pexels
When it comes to planning an itinerary, adults usually want to explore and cover as many grounds as possible. But children don’t have that stamina yet. Plus, during their developmental years, they would need much more rest than adults.
That’s why after planning for some structured tour or activity, you also have to plan for some downtime. It doesn’t always mean staying in the room to nap, it also can mean strolling in a park, hitting the pool, or trying a great ice cream place.
As long as the kids are able to relax and breathe a little, then it’ll surely be a memorable vacation for them.
4. Be Flexible
Being flexible can mean a lot of things. Though this is especially important if you’re traveling with other extended family members.
Traveling with other family members means you have different schedules or priorities. You don’t have to follow the strict itinerary everyone has planned. If you think the schedule is way too packed for you and your kid, you can choose to have half a day doing something else. That way, you and your kid can still enjoy the vacation to the fullest.
This also applies when you’re not traveling with other family members. You have to be ready to improvise in every situation – your kid can get sick, bored, or too tired during the trip. Be sure to keep your children’s needs as the top priority, it’s the key to making the vacation memorable for them.
Read Also: Ultimate Bali Itinerary Ideas: From Beaches, Pottery, To Wine Tasting
5. Pack Accordingly
Packing for a family trip isn’t as easy as it sounds. Aside from packing your own things, you also need to make sure that the kids will have everything they need. On top of that, kids usually have their own must-have items such as their favorite stuffed animal or blanket. So you have to fit everything into a suitcase before your trip.
When you’re packing, you can make it more organized with packing cubes. This would also help your children easily find what they need during the trip. No mess around the room, divide each packing cube into these categories:
- Underwear
- Pants
- Shirts
- Pajamas
- Warm clothing
- Swimsuit
- Toiletries
- Socks
- Shoes, including flip-flops or sneakers
6. Be Prepared! Consider Safety & Security
Safety and security are two important aspects of traveling that many usually forget. Before your trip, you should ensure that you bring some basic medicines with you. Be sure to bring the original prescriptions, it can be useful at customs!
Another safety issue your kids should also be aware of is the dangers they could face during the trip – such as stranger danger or getting separated from you.
To keep your kids prepared, you can consider keeping a GPS tracker on their carry-on bags. Or, you can also provide your contact information for them to carry around. Include your name, phone number, email address, and where you stay during the trip. This way, your kids can find their way back to you with the help of local police.
Make Your Family Trip Memorable at Bobocabin!
Enjoy your family trip to the fullest by staying at Bobocabin! Enjoy the scenic beauty of Indonesia with a modern twist. A brand new glamping experience, with convenience and comfort as the top priority.
Bobocabin is powered by the Internet of Things to make your stay much more comfortable. With features like the smart window to give you privacy, a mood lamp to adjust your lighting, and a Bluetooth speaker to set the mood, you’re guaranteed to have great sleep.
Enjoy some family downtime with our campfire and barbeque facility. For reservation and further information, you can download the app here.
Header image: Yulianto Poitier via Pexels
