The Art Of Traveling With Children
Photo by Taylor Marx from Pexels
“I want to travel, but… I have kids.” This is a common notion, and one I hear all the time. Perhaps you believe that having kids and traveling are not compatible.
However, my husband and I dispelled this idea long ago. We have been traveling with our children for nine years. While it isn’t a cake walk, family travel is not as dreadful as people imagine.
Rethink your understanding of travel. It doesn’t have to be an escape to relax, but it can be a life-giving cultural experience. You may need to simply change your philosophy and motivation for traveling. Travel can enrich your family culture. It has the potential to alter the way your children understand their place in the world, through exposing them to a foreign people and places outside their own.
To do this, you will need a plan and preparation to travel differently. Here are some tips from my own experience.
Prepare your children.
Weeks before, pick up library books about the various destinations and let your children look through the pictures. If your children are older, get them involved in planning. Give them options and see what interests them. If you are visiting a place with a foreign language, help them learn some words or phrases before the trip. Give your child a small notebook to draw or write memories in. Our art-driven daughter loves doing this at museums, where she finds paintings she likes and sketches them out.
Think through your accommodations.
Ensure that your accommodations include a kitchen. Restaurants are fun, however, after a long day out with the kids, it is nice to have the option to stay in for the evening. This also saves money. For a budget-friendly option, consider booking a family room at a hostel, which usually includes access to a shared kitchen.
Think through the layout of your accommodations. Staying at a hotel can be tricky for a family. Varying nap times and bedtimes will be more comfortable if the entire family is not sharing one room. This is especially important for parents who don’t go to sleep when the children do. Consider instead renting a vacation home or apartment.
Food is important to consider.
Traveling with a picky eater? Staying at a place with a kitchen will make it easier to accommodate them. While this might feel a little less like a vacation on your part, it may be worth the trade off. And since traveling often means fast food, keep snacks at hand that promotes a healthy digestion.
Surviving airplanes.
Less is more; only bring along what you are certain will occupy your children. For long flights, remember that airplane food rarely appeals to adults, let alone children. Pack food that you know your children will eat.
How to handle transportation.
For lots of walking with children five and under, I recommend the vertical double stroller from Phil&Teds. Look for a used version or borrow one. Even if your child can do a great deal of walking, it’s good to have a place for them to sit if you will be out all day. For older kids, bring scooters and let them ride along.
When taking a stroller onto public transportation, look for the entrance at the family and handicap section. These usually have platforms to roll onto and seating wide enough for equipment. If you are taking a stroller onto a train, look for the car that is labeled with a bike sign. This is the widest car of the train. Strollers cannot usually fit down the regular train aisles.
Making day plans.
If you tend to be an ambitious tourist, scale it down. Depending on the ages and needs of your children, plan half a day of structured activities with the second half being flexible. Choose activities that interest the whole family. This could be as simple as going to the park for a carousel ride, or stopping in a cafe for a special cultural treat.
Plan specific times for the children to run around. We always try to keep our eyes open for local parks or playgrounds while traveling. Note where they are, and circle back to them when the children are tired of touring. If your spouse is up for it, the pair of you can take turns watching the kids while the other visits a historical tower or peruses an antique store.
Calm down the events of the day around nap time. Find a good stroller that lays back and visit a quiet atmosphere during this time. Don’t forget your child’s favorite snuggly item from home. Make the environment dark, and roll the stroller in a comfortable rhythm. Even if the child doesn’t fall asleep, it’s worth a shot.
I never travel without snacks. Even if your typical home routine does not include snacks, they can be a lifesaver while traveling. If you run out, try the local grocery store and choose something new.
When in doubt, find a museum.
Some museums have “treasure hunts” that get school-aged children engaged in the exhibitions. Doing a museum with younger children has its challenges, but is possible in shorter chunks of time. Visit the museum cafe if the child is feeling restless. The quiet and relaxed dynamics of a museum are a great place for a child to nap while the parent enjoys the exhibitions.
Always know where a bathroom is.
Expect your day to include a lot of bathroom breaks. Take note whenever you see a clean, kid-friendly bathroom in case you need it later. Bring a portable changing mat along if you have a child in diapers. For potty training children, if you have the space, consider bringing a toilet seat or portable toilet.
Be first aid ready.
The biggest issue with family travel is getting sick away from home. Aside from taking vitamin C before the trip, there is not much you can do to avoid it. Encourage your children to wash their hands regularly while traveling. Pack a first aid kit for minor scrapes, don’t get caught without an emesis bag, bring a thermometer, and also medicines for the stomach bug, fever, travel sickness, and allergies. Always look up the emergency telephone numbers of the destination you are visiting.
In short…
Perhaps this article has made you exhausted. Family travel can do that! It will require work, but it is worth the gain. Family travel is a great opportunity to cultivate your family culture with shared cross-cultural experiences.
