Here are four things to remember when you’re making a trip with your youngsters in tow.
1. Put their health first
Your child’s well-being is a huge priority, especially when you’re about to embark on a big journey. So aside from making sure their overall health is in check ahead of your trip, it’s vital that you consider the other risks too.
For example, depending on where you’re travelling to, you and your brood may need to get vaccinated. These injections are designed to protect you from contracting a serious or even life-threatening disease while you’re away, so it’s crucial to find out which jabs you might need.
Most injections, such as the typhoid vaccine, are administered as a single jab, however there are others that are made up of several injections over a period of several weeks, so it’s important that you leave enough time for you and your family to get this done ahead of your departure date.
It’s also important that you don’t forget to pack any medicine you might need for your kids, in addition to medical essentials like plasters, antiseptic wipes, insect bite cream and a travel sized thermometer.
2. Pack lots of activities
Keeping your kids occupied is key, so don’t forget to pack lots of fun activities. From colouring books and crayons to portable games consoles, there is an array of travel-friendly activities for your little ones to enjoy during the journey.
If you’re hopping on a plane, you might find that the in-flight entertainment is enough to keep your youngsters amused, while a fully charged tablet packed full of their favourite films, TV shows and apps might be more suitable if you’re travelling by car.
3. Dress them for comfort
Comfort is key while you’re travelling, so it’s important that your children are dressed appropriately. The temperature on planes can vary, so if you’re taking a flight, it’s a good idea to dress them in thin layers that can be added or removed depending how warm or chilly they feel.
If you know the journey is going to be long, avoid putting your kids in restrictive clothing, such as jeans. Also, ditch lace-up shoes in favour of slip-ons or footwear with Velcro fastenings. Aside from being more comfortable for your little ones, this will save you a lot of time and hassle when you arrive at airport security.
4. Relax!
Although you may feel tense at the thought of travelling with your little ones, it’s important that you try to relax. Your kids are more likely to kick up a fuss if you’re acting tense, so to keep any potential meltdowns at bay, the best thing you can do is to remain cool, calm and collected.
What's your best tip for travelling comfortably with the kids?
