Travel hacks for travelling with kids

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Your baby is crying, her two-year old brother is throwing a tantrum and your teenage daughter has puberty blues. As rewarding as family travel can be, crossing the globe with your little angels can test the patience of any parent.

“Apart from packing extra essentials such as snacks, wipes, tablets and other technology for entertainment, always keep in mind to expect the unexpected,” says Otto de Vries, CEO of Southern African Travel Agents Association (ASATA).

De Vries explains that flight delays, sudden weather changes, schedule changes, and uninformed choices on the accommodation or destination you’ve selected, could easily throw a speed bump in your well-planned travel plans, leaving you with very unhappy young ones, and your family break swiftly turning into a travel breakdown.

So, make sure the iPads are charged, that the latest instalments of Peppa Pig and Blippi are downloaded and that the travel survival bags are packed with enough stock to rival Willie Wonka’s factory, but also keep in mind these essential tips from the ASATA experts:

A family brainstorm session

It goes without saying that planning is an essential part of any trip you plan to undertake. However, when it comes to a family vacation, consider involving the kids – you may even just be surprised at what they can actually suggest.

Kids love to be involved in family decisions, says Linda Wattrus of Harvey World Travel Nelspruit.

“Obviously this doesn’t apply to very young toddlers, but from about five years old, kids will have lots of fun helping you choose the destination, the activities and the hotel or resort.”

Wattrus adds that for older kids, planning the family holiday can be a real educational project: they’ll need to identify a great destination, figure out how to get there and plan the itinerary, and then use their PR skills to sell their idea to you, as the parent.

“For younger kids, it’s probably best though to limit the choices to just a few destinations that appeal to every member of the family and that will fall in your budget. If you give the kids carte blanche, chances are you’ll spend your next holidays at Disneyland,” says Wattrus.

Think normal and try to stick routine

If at all possible, choose flights or begin car trips at the ‘normal’ time younger kids are meant to be falling asleep. Chances are that if they are tired they will nod off cutting out some of the travelling time and parents keeping some sanity.

When travelling as a larger family unit - with aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews - you’ll struggle to get seated together on the plane. Try to check in online as soon as check-in opens and add some strength in numbers. Your kids will probably be more than happy to have their cousins as travel companions to keep each other entertained during the journey.

Also, keep in mind that an impractically-dressed child is an unhappy child, so get them dressed up in soft, roomy layers that you can take on and off as changing climate conditions demand. It's worth taking a pillow too, so they can snuggle up in the window seat or on your lap or shoulder.

Think destination and accommodation

While five-star luxury, remote destinations are what every parent probably needs the most, it is not always practical when travelling with kids.

Ensure your destination and accommodation is child-friendly. Family-Friendly accommodation options should include kids programmes, child services such as nannies and adequate sleeping facilities such as interleading rooms or cribs when it comes to babies.

Travel Counsellors’ Lize Roodt says that it goes a long way to be mindful of what a destination has to offer the varying age levels of your family. “While it may have always been your dream to visit the Louvre in Paris, your four-year-old will most likely not share your enthusiasm,” says Lize.

Always take the weather with you.  Weigh up the pros and cons of the destination you are travelling to with the time of year you are planning to travel. For instance, Europe is normally packed and overcrowded during the summer, however, during winter some of the major attractions are closed. While Indian Ocean destinations, on the other hand, are more prone to rainy intervals during certain parts of the year.

As an added piece of advice, says Wattrus, if you have selected a resort destination in the hope that the kids will be entertained in the advertised ‘kids club’ while you sip cocktails on the beach, make sure to ask your travel agent exactly what the kids club entails.

“Find out how old your child has to be to join, what the ratio of counsellors and kids is and what activities the club usually organises. You don’t want to arrive at your destination to find out that the kids club is a tiny room with two arcade games and minimal supervision,” says Wattrus.

Take it slow

There is not much difference between a three-ager and a teenager when it comes to the unhappiness about having to do something that they do not want to do, especially when it comes to sitting still.

According to Roodt, try where possible to book direct flights as to not tire out little ones by getting on and off airplanes at busy airports.

“A toddler with a sensory overload is what nightmares are made of. Consider paying extra money for the direct flight if there is one. It will always be worth it.”

Roodt adds that at your destination, you should try not to cram too much into one trip by planning too many sightseeing trips or activities. Consider staying in one place for several nights, or only taking half-day sightseeing trips allowing the kids an opportunity to play and swim or even just feel the routine to watch their favourite YouTube channel or TV series. While this will probably mean that you get to see less of your destination, the ultimate reward will be relaxed and easy-going kids.

Not convinced that your children will be up for a cultural trip and enjoy sightseeing activities? You could be in for a surprise. Sightseeing with even the littlest of kids can be fun for all…if you do it right.

“Most important is to be realistic in your expectations,” says Wattrus.  Keep in mind that your little one will probably not have much patience for long queues or respect the silence of a sanctuary.

So, while indoor chamber concerts will probably not be your best choice, an outdoor sculpture garden could just be a great hit. “You’ll probably also need to adjust your pace. Kids usually don’t like to be rushed, so if your toddler is fascinated by the impressionist paintings, let him/her enjoy it before dragging him/her along to the next activity,” says Wattrus.

Be travel smart with these helpful tips

Travel Documents

Ensure that you have the right travel documents for your children. While some movement is expected soon regarding the relaxation of the requirements for travelling to and from South Africa with minor children, which include an Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC), it is essential to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation needed for travelling with minor children. If you booked your holiday through a travel agent, they will be able to advise you on the necessary requirements and documents for your particular situation.

Transit flights 

Should your journey require you to have one or multiple stops, keep in mind that transit time. While a solo travelling adult or couple could easily make do with shorter travelling times, kids are likely to get stressed and tense if you have to rush them to through a big crowded airport.

Transit visas

If you are travelling through one or more destinations before you can begin your holiday, be sure to check if you will require a transit visa through any of these destinations and when and how you should apply for transit visas.

Airfares and additional costs 

Speak to your airline of choice or travel agent about charges and regulations for children. Airlines may differ in their booking options and price for air tickets. Also, ensure to check on the price and requirements for checking additional items such as car seats and strollers. You will find that while some airlines do not charge for certain items, others do.

Infant car seats

When flying with an infant be smart about choosing to take the car seat or not. If you are renting a car in your destination, rather check to see if the rental company can accommodate you with a seat at the time of your rental.