Traveling with your kids for the first time can be overwhelming. The more you do it, the easier it gets. However, this is not to say that you won’t face some challenges. Being properly prepared is the best thing you can do to make the travel with kids go smoothly. There are little things that you can do to make the trip better and more comfortable for everyone. A few tips below will help you prepare for your next travel with your family.
Accept things will go wrong
You should always leave plenty of time for the unexpected turn of events when traveling with kids. When you visit with kids, expect things to go wrong, they usually do. The little one has to go to the bathroom, thus making the entire family miss the bus. Your 12 year-old-son will leave his phone in a taxi in Los Angeles. You probably have planned for your kids to visit a particular restaurant only to find it closed for renovations. The sooner you accept things might go wrong, the easier it is to cope with adverse situations.
Bring plenty of diapers and wipes
You may be traveling with a toddler who is not potty trained, make sure to have plenty of diapers. For those who think traveling for one hour on a plane or train does not require diapers, think again. You may need to change the little one three to four times, or even more. Most moms will tell you, if you bring one diaper, you will end up needing two. If you have two diapers, you will need three. When traveling with kids and toddlers, it won’t hurt if you carry extra diapers and wipes.
Bring spare outfit for yourself
When traveling with toddlers, ensure you bring extra gear for yourself. Your clothes might catch diaper leaks to spits after feeding the infant. Be sure the baby will ruin your shirt or pants when traveling. When traveling with toddlers, especially long-distance, your clothes become the backdrop of baby fluids. If you have soaked pants or a shirt, the flight will be unpleasant for you. It is best to have a spare outfit that is accessible at all times.
Children should be tracked at all times
Keeping track of the kids seems like a distinct task; it must be mentioned. No matter the situation, make sure you know exactly where your children are. You might be buying a train ticket while your son drifts away to the candy bar situated on the other end. If you are traveling with another guardian, make sure to share tracking duties. One person should be buying the ticket while the other is watching the kids. If you have kids who continuously wander around, consider having a small GPS Tracker attached to their shoe.
Ensure kids have your contact information
Children can get lost despite your best efforts; make sure they have your contact information. Your contact information should have your name, phone number, email address, and local address. You might also consider attaching a friend’s contact number as an emergency number. Make sure to scribe a note and put it in one of their pockets. You can also have them wear a necklace with a small note or card engraved. Ensure the older kids can memorize your phone number and email address.
Got to carry some essential medicines
One way of ruining a memorable travel experience is having a sick family member, so just imagine if the whole family gets sick. That would be awful.
Children are sometimes likely to have an upset stomach, so you need to be prepared. You should consider traveling with a few over the counter medications. These medications include allergy, headache, motion sickness prevention, and stomach medication. If one of your kids or family members is on a prescription, make sure to bring it along.
Let the kids play
Kids are pretty much single-minded. All they want is to play all day long. When traveling, give them time and space to play. Make sure you book accommodations with a garden, playgrounds, and pool. When traveling in a car, you should also play games. Make sure you play games while you hike and keep the kids engaged. In case you get tired, you can indulge the kids with single-player puzzle games.
Other notable travel tips and tricks for traveling with kids include;
Look for animals when traveling with kids
Kids love to see animals; destinations such as Africa and Australia are perfect to see wild animals. In case you are in places less evident with animals, you can take them to the park. Chasing pigeons or feeding ducks might be just as exciting as seeing a giraffe. Make sure you take pictures with these animals as it will create a memorable experience for your kids. If your child has a camera, it will provide lasting keepsakes of the experience.
Offer travel journeys to older kids
An excellent way to engage your kids about the trip is to get them a travel journal. Keeping a journal will help the kids remember the trip in a more detailed manner. A journal also gives kids an idea of what they would like to see on their next travel. The knowledge gained from one travel trip can be detrimental in planning other trips. Make sure to read the kid’s general thoughts about the trip in question.
Proper Paperwork at all times
Having proper paperwork is vital, especially if you’re not traveling with your kids. In some countries, you may require to prove that you are permitted to travel with the kids. Make sure to check the countries you are traveling and the paperwork needed. In most cases, passports are all you need when traveling across countries with children. Some countries may require you carry the kid’s original birth certificate. Having an original copy proves you are the kid’s parent.
Special needs in local languages
If a member of the family has any special requirements, be prepared to talk about them. The kids should be able to explain allergies, diets, mental, and physical needs. Individual needs may become difficult to talk about in a foreign language. Make sure to use an online translation service to help explain your kid’s special needs.
Final thought
Although things might not go according to plan, your family will love seeing the world. Make sure to consider the above tips and make the trip comfortable for the entire family.
