What to Know Before Traveling Abroad with Young Children
Traveling with young children is an exciting experience full of unique memories for the whole family, but it also presents quite a few challenges that require careful preparation and planning. In this article we’ll review the most important things to know before setting off abroad with your little ones. If your kids enjoy themselves, you’ll probably enjoy yourselves too. Remember – a child wandering around a clothing store is really, really not interested – to the point of madness. Try to think about how the kids will enjoy the trip.
1. Early Planning
Early planning is the key to the success of any family trip, especially when traveling with young children.
- Choose a family-friendly destination: it’s important to choose a destination suitable for families with children, with age-appropriate attractions, parks, zoos and even beaches with facilities for kids. Think mainly about the children.
- Book accommodation in advance: choose accommodation that offers family-friendly services, such as family rooms, kid-friendly breakfasts and even babysitting services if you need them.
- Build an itinerary that considers the kids’ needs: the itinerary should include rest times, attractions suited to the children’s age and activities that will keep them interested.
2. Choosing Convenient Flights
Flights are a significant part of any trip, especially with young children.
- Choose flights at convenient times: night flights can be an advantage if the kids can sleep during the flight. If that’s not possible, choose flights that fit their rest times to make things easier.
- Prepare for the flight: young children may find it hard to sit for a long time, so prepare toys, books and games in advance to keep them busy. It’s also recommended to bring food the kids like that will help them feel comfortable during the flight.
3. Packing the Right Gear
Packing the right gear is critical for a successful trip with young children.
- Clothes for all seasons: the weather can change suddenly, so it’s important to pack clothes suitable for all weather, including swimsuits if you’re going somewhere warm, or coats if the destination is cold.
- Basic supplies: take a small, convenient bag for daily use with diapers, wipes, water bottles, healthy snacks and basic creams such as sunscreen and diaper rash cream.
- Toys and games: to keep the kids busy during the trip’s downtime (such as waiting at the airport), bring their favorite toys, books, or even a tablet with age-appropriate movies and games.
4. Health and Safety
Put an emphasis on the children’s health and safety during the trip.
- Check vaccinations: if the destination requires vaccinations before departure, make sure the kids are vaccinated accordingly. In addition, take a basic first-aid kit with fever reducers, bandages and basic antibiotics (in consultation with a doctor). Even a bee sting can be very unpleasant, and you’ll want to be able to deal with it.
- Health insurance: don’t forget to buy health insurance that also covers the children, with an emphasis on broad cover including urgent medical treatment and hospitalization. It’s not recommended to skimp on this.
5. Keeping a Routine Abroad
Young children are used to routine, so it’s important to keep a routine as much as possible during the trip too, even if you feel you “could have fit in more”.
- Regular sleep times: try to keep regular sleep times as much as possible, to prevent overtiredness.
- Regular meals: make sure there are regular meals during the day, even if they’re light snacks between meals.
6. Openness and Flexibility
Traveling with children requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations.
- Be open to changes in the plan: children can be unpredictable, so be ready for changes to the original plan, whether it’s giving up a planned attraction or swapping a rest day for an activity day.
- Keep a positive attitude: with all the challenges of traveling with children, keep a positive attitude and enjoy the special moments you create together as a family. Enjoy!
