Are we nearly there yet? Tips for travelling with small children

Holiday season is upon us! 

It's always great to get away with the family, and with extra planning and these handy tips, we'll help make this year's trip with the kids fun and stress free.

The main thing to remember though when travelling with babies and young kids is to allow extra time and organise as much as possible in advance.

• Be sure to plan a mixture of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy – old/young; girls/boys.
• Always allow plenty of time to travel to the airport/train or ferry for check-in.
• Use a stroller, front pack or ride-on to save small kids from having to walk long distances across the airport.
• Keep essentials (nappies, wipes, snacks, drinks, toys etc) together in a handy bag.
• Pack some new toys and books to help prevent boredom and to keep them entertained during the journey.
• Book direct flights/train trips to cut down on travel time.
• On the road, stop regularly to allow kids to move about and to get some fresh air.
• Fix a sunscreen on the car window beside them to prevent sunburn.
• Dress them in breathable, comfortable clothes to help them relax during the trip.
• Self-contained motels and apartments are often cheaper and have more room than hotels. They also have kitchen facilities and washing machines which can be really useful when travelling with young kids.
• Try and get into the local time zone as quickly as possible and re-establish the routines they have at home.
• Take their favourite toys, books or blankets to help comfort them whilst travelling.
• Don’t pack too much into each day. Kids have short attention spans and tire easily.
• Avoid queues by pre-booking tickets to activities or for travel.
• Depending on your trip, hiring a car at your destination for a few days will give you flexibility and independence when travelling with kids, rather than having to rely on local transport systems.
• You can also hire car seats and other equipment in advance to help cut down on the amount you need to take.
• If you’re flying, most airlines will allow you to push your umbrella stroller all the way to the gate and unload it first so it’s ready when you leave the aircraft.
• Take several changes of clothes for you and your children, just in case!

Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.