We absolutely love exploring new places together — there is nothing that fills our cup quite like it. And yet, we are often met with surprise when people find out we enjoy travelling frequently with our kids. Travelling with children can be SO rewarding if done right! Although it has its challenges, with the right strategies in place the whole family can have a wonderful time. Over the years we've learned a thing or two about travelling with children, and we're sharing those helpful tips below.
Dress them as comfortably as possible
We dress our kids in their pajamas to travel all the time! For one it's super cute, and it also happens to be the most comfortable travel wear. Our kids are instantly in a relaxed mindset when they get on a plane wearing their PJs. Comfy kids are happy kids!
Find the closest playgrounds right away
Locating the playground, beach, splash pad, etc. should be a high priority. It means kids have a space to unload — and it means parents can get a chance to breathe. Remember, our kids are just as exhausted as we are. My children have made so many fast friends abroad, all because we spent some time at the playground. Play is a universal language that has no barriers.
Be flexible
Because you just never know what's going to happen! During our travels to the Greek islands, my son fell ill — a scary experience while away from the comforts of home. The diagnosis was mononucleosis, for which the only treatment is rest and fluids, so our travel plans had to change. We spent the next couple days at the beach so he could lie down in the shade whenever needed while his siblings played in the sand and sea. Sometimes things happen and it's best to just go with the flow.
Find your rhythm
I've found it works best when we have moments to breathe in and times to breathe out — a little exploring followed by a sit-down dinner, or swimming in the pool and then wandering the maze-like streets of an old town. Make sleep and food a priority over anything else. And whenever possible, try to keep some home routines in place, whether that's a bath before bed or cuddles in bed first thing in the morning.
Don't overfill your schedule
Take it slow and leave plenty of time to explore the place you're in. You and your kids will get so much more out of it. The act of travelling itself is pretty tiring (and sometimes quite boring for kids). Sticking to only the most important places is a great way of getting the most out of your travels.
Remember to enjoy the small things
The seemingly small things are often the big things to children. When we are at home in Canada, we regularly do nature walks together — so when we travelled to Greece, we continued them there. My kids loved seeing the different types of nature: lizards, eucalyptus trees, cacti, palm trees, bougainvillea flowers, growing grapes, fig trees, and so many other things. We also loved just listening to the sounds around us — most people rode scooters and motorcycles on the islands, and it sounded distinctly different from home.
Bring it down to their level
Make what you're doing interesting for the kids. Nobody loves being dragged from place to place without any understanding or appreciation of what they're seeing. We recently had the opportunity to visit the Colosseum in Rome and the Acropolis in Athens. My kids loved seeing the places they had already read about, and envisioning how things may have looked differently two thousand years ago.
Don't forget the essentials
Specifically, don't forget the water bottle and snacks. Snacks are fuel. Water is life. Always be prepared — you don't want to be stuck at the archaeological ruins you've been wanting to visit for years with a hungry, thirsty child. If you have picky eaters, it's a good idea to pack some dry snacks from home too.
Learn the language
Before you go, teach your kids some basic phrases in the local language — "hello," "goodbye," and "thank you" are a great start. There will undoubtedly be plenty of opportunities to practise, and they will be thrilled doing so. The locals will appreciate it as well.
Make sure their cup is filled too
While you're filling up your cup, make sure your kids are getting their cups filled too. What kinds of things do they enjoy? How can this travel experience be special for them? Give them a say — after all, it's a family vacation and they are members of the family. If your kids are happy, you will undoubtedly enjoy your trip more as well.
Over the years, these have become some of our tried-and-true methods to ensure that our travels with our kids go as smoothly as possible. Travelling with children may sound daunting if you've never done it before, but I promise you that it's worth it. I hope these tips come in handy when you're planning your next family trip!