Holidays with Kids

Holidays are supposed to be fun and. With careful planning and some common sense, a holiday with kids can be just that.

Tips when travelling

• Don’t forget your passports! Children can no longer be added to their parent’s passport: those born after 5 October 1998 must travel on their own passports.
• Try to break up a journey into smaller segments. That gives everyone the chance to stretch their legs, and gives them something to look forward to.
• Food treats and plenty to drink will keep all but the most obstinate child quiet - for a short while at least.
• Music (especially a sing-a-long) and games will also keep kids happy. That doesn’t mean bringing all their toys – a simple game of I-Spy will allow you to turn a long drive from a chore to something more pleasurable.
• Alternatively, travel by night as much as possible. The children are more likely to sleep through it without disrupting your journey.

Flying with young children

Different airlines offer different facilities, services and discounts to young families. It’s worth checking what is available. Most allow children under the age of two to travel for free.

Flights and - especially - jetlag are particularly harrowing for parents and children. (Not to mention the people sitting near you on the plane: just ignore them!) Take off and landing is the hardest time for babies because of the extra pressure on their ears. Try to feed them at this point; as the sucking will help relieve the pressure.

Try to avoid arriving anywhere first thing in the morning. The first night's sleep after a long haul flight is vital to a quick recovery.

Don't bring too much onboard with you: just enough to give active minds something to do, without cluttering up your space completely. A portable music player and/ or games console is a proven winner. With luck, your kids will either be fascinated by every aspect of the journey, - or asleep - or watching the film.

Travelling while pregnant

Seat-belts are safe provided they don’t cut across your bump. It might require an adjustment to your sitting position. Having regular breaks and getting out of the car to stretch will make the journey much more comfortable.

It's worth stating the obvious: flying when pregnant means you will find it a little harder than usual to squeeze into your airline seat.

There should be no medical reasons to keep you on the ground (best to check with your GP) though beware of an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy. Let the aircrew know you are pregnant and ensure you drink enough liquids during the flight. Bulkhead seats give you the most room.

When you get there

Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight. Their delicate skin can burn in a matter of minutes unless protected. Use high factor sunscreen, loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs, and a wide hat.

A host of new places to explore and the excitement of being on holiday are reasons enough to keep a very watchful eye on youngsters. Water is a particular hazard, however safe the pool or beach looks. Make sure your children understand the dangers and don’t allow them to wander off unsupervised.

If you are staying in one place, walk around the property and the area with your kids, noting the danger-spots and helping them to find their bearings.

Don’t make too many plans for your holiday. Kids have their own ideas about what they want to do and move at their own pace. If you try to force them every day to do things they don’t want to do, you risk spoiling the atmosphere of the whole trip.

The variety on offer

All kinds of holidays appeal to kids. Browse our specialist holiday search for links to Holiday Parks, Activity Holidays and more. Or search for bargain last minute holidays and get away for less.

Further reading There are a number of websites that offer more complete advice on travelling with kids and infants – some with individual location reports, others with detailed health advice or specific holiday offers:

• www.babygoes2.com
• www.babycentre.co.uk/travel
• www.babyworld.co.uk/information/travel/travel_leisure_menu.asp
• www.mumsnet.com/bigissues/travel.html