Children of all ages can find travel enlightening, eye-opening, and a great way to spend quality time with their families. Traveling With Children can be overwhelming. Unpredictable schedules, long packing lists, and cranky children are just some of the obstacles you might encounter. We'll show you how to make traveling with children easy. Your children and you should have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. Isn't this the purpose of traveling?
1. Keeping Kids Engaged, at Any Age
While you are excited for your family vacation, you also want to ensure that younger members of the family have a great time. The strategies you use to help children have fun on the road depend on their age. A baby needs different things than a toddler or teenager. However, no matter how old your child may be, make sure you do your research about kid-friendly activities at your destination. It's worth it to be prepared.
* Infants:
Rainer Jenss is the founder and president of the Family Travel Association. This trade group focuses on family travel. He said that children this age are mobile. You can take them with you wherever they go, as long as the environment is comfortable for them.
2. School-Age Children
Mr. Jenss stated that the key to keeping children 5 and over engaged on family trips is to involve them in planning. He said that empowering children this age to choose what interests them, whether it is surfing or seeing cool sites, will make them more engaged.
* Tip:
Instead of giving your children no direction, let them choose from a variety of activities. For example, a half-day snorkeling excursion or fishing trip might be options at a beach location. If you live in an urban area, offer your children a variety of walking tours and let them choose the ones that appeal to you the most. Eric Stoen, founder of Travel Babbo, said choosing the right guides can make your children more excited about their destinations. He recommends that you read reviews online to find out which guides are popular with children. Great guides can have a profound impact on your children. Mr. Stoen's son is an example of this. He was inspired by a London artist who took them on an art tour through the city. He said, "It was a tour which literally changed his life."
3. Destination Second, Interests First
Jenss advised that you don't have to choose a destination. Instead, pick what you want. Are you looking to unwind on the beach? Are you looking for an adventurous getaway in the great outdoors? Do you want an urban escape? He said, "Once you have decided how you want to spend your time, you can choose where you go."
How to think about your destination:
* Children of all ages can enjoy beach vacations
* Children between 3 and 12 years old are the best age to visit the theme parks. Younger children won't have the opportunity to ride most of the rides and older children may not be interested in them.
* Teenage children and school-age children should consider cruising as a great option. They can be independent and have a wide range of activities.
Be open to traveling to international destinations. If you have children who are school-age or teen, ask them what they would like to see. Involving them in the decision making process will make the trip more memorable. This is a good strategy for Mr. Stoen's entire family. He said that each of his three children could choose a destination to travel to on one of three trips they take in a year. His children have been to 48 countries, including Australia, Belize, Japan and Antarctica.
* How to Get a Passport:
Every child, regardless of age, needs a passport to travel internationally. The United States Department of State outlines the steps required to apply for a passport. Children under 16 years old must apply for a passport or renew their existing one in person at a post office. Either the parents or guardians must either be present or sign a letter notarizing that they are. (The nearest passport acceptance facility is located on the
4. Plan your Itinerary and Choose Accommodations
Studies have shown that even before you leave, planning your vacation can boost happiness.
* Hotel vs. House:
The majority of experts that we spoke with agreed that renting an apartment or house is the best option for traveling with children. Flip Key and Airbnb both offer many options at all price points. Kid & Coe is one of the few rental agencies that focuses on rentals that are family-friendly. According to Ms. Norcross, renting is a great option if you have a limited budget. You can use the kitchen to cut down on dining out. A rental is a good option for extended families who want to travel together but have the freedom to move around. Christine Sarkis, deputy executive editor at Smarter Travel, and mother to two young children, says that a home rental allows you to spread out and still have space to socialize after the kids go to bed. She said that if everyone is in a hotel room it can take away the vacation feeling. Ms. Sarkis recalls her 2015 trip to Hawaii with her husband, and her two children. She said, "We booked a hotel room and, once the children were in bed, we couldn’t turn on the lights so I would take a book and sit on the floor of the bathroom." "It wasn't fun."
5. Traveling with extended family members
While a trip to visit family or friends should be enjoyable in theory, it can also cause problems. He said that traveling with other people can be difficult because you may have different priorities or schedules. Your children might prefer to stay up late, but your family may be happy for them to keep their bedtimes the same. You might want to spend all day at the pool, while your family wants days filled with activity. Mr. Stoen suggested finding the right balance between what you want and what your group wants. You could spend half the day with your children alone, or, even better, if your children are the ones who want to follow a routine, let them go. You'll be able to open your children up to new experiences by not being rigid.
* Nonstop vs. Direct:
According to Ms. Norcross, convenience is more important than cost when traveling with children. She said that a cheap flight with a layover is much easier to find on the internet than when you're waiting in line with screaming children. If you are looking for a direct flight, she advised that you consider all airports. The more connections you have the greater the chances of delays and other travel problems you will encounter.
Do You Need a Ticket?
Children under 2 years old can travel as lap children on most airlines at no cost. However, long-haul flights are often more expensive and it may not be worth the savings. If you decide to take the lap route, make sure you book an infant ticket. On international flights, taxes may apply for the lap seat. However, the cost of the full fare will not be affected. Ms. Norcoss advised that you bring your car seat with you onboard for safety and peace of mind. You can check in your car seat or stroller on most airlines for no additional charge. However, you should check with your airline to confirm.
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