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Taking your young children abroad for the first time can feel like a big step. You may be excited about introducing them to somewhere new while quietly wondering how they will cope with the flight, unfamiliar food or a different bedtime routine.
You don't need every detail mapped out for the trip to go smoothly. In fact, keeping your first family holiday relatively simple can make it easier for everyone to settle in. When you make decisions around your children's ages, routines and energy levels, you can spend less of your break solving practical problems and more of it enjoying being away together.
Choose a Destination That Suits Young Children
A destination you enjoyed before having children might not work quite as well when you're travelling with a toddler or preschooler. Flight length, transfer times and proximity to everyday essentials now matter much more.
For a first trip, consider somewhere that doesn't require an exhausting journey at either end. Staying within walking distance of a beach, restaurants or a supermarket can also make everyday life easier. If your child needs an afternoon nap, for example, you can return to your accommodation without turning it into a complicated journey.
Look at the practical details before becoming too attached to a particular resort. A beautiful hotel an hour and a half from the airport may be less appealing once you factor in a late flight followed by a long transfer with a tired three-year-old.
Keep Your Booking Arrangements Straightforward
Family trips involve more details than holidays you may have taken as a couple, particularly when you need to think about baggage, transfers and child-friendly accommodation.
Some parents choose holiday packages because they can arrange key parts of their trip together, leaving fewer separate bookings to keep track of before they travel. This can prove especially useful when you're preparing for your first trip abroad with children and already have passports, packing and airport logistics on your mind.
Whatever booking method you choose, keep your confirmations somewhere you can access easily from your phone. You should also check baggage allowances and transfer arrangements in advance, as knowing exactly what happens when you land can remove some uncertainty from your arrival.
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| Photo credit Annie Spratt via Unsplash |
Make the Journey Work Around Your Children
Think about how your child normally copes with busy days before choosing flights purely around price. A departure that requires the family to leave home in the early hours could disrupt sleep before you've even reached the airport.
Pack a small travel bag around situations you're realistically likely to encounter. A change of clothes can help after a spilled drink, while familiar snacks and a favourite toy can provide some comfort in an unfamiliar setting. Keep essential medicines in the appropriate hand luggage rather than somewhere difficult to reach.
You don't need to entertain your children every second of the journey either. Walking around the airport, watching the planes and having something to eat can all break the day into manageable chunks.
Give Your Family Time to Settle In
It can be tempting to fill your first few days with activities because you're somewhere new, but young children may need time to adjust to different surroundings, temperatures and routines.
Keep your arrival day simple and give everyone a chance to explore the accommodation. You might find that a swim, an early dinner and some quiet time work better than heading straight out on an excursion.
Once you've settled in, choose activities according to everyone's energy levels rather than trying to squeeze everything into one trip. If you've spent the morning sightseeing, an afternoon playing by the pool may give both you and your children the downtime you need. Your first family holiday abroad doesn't have to run perfectly to become a trip you'll enjoy remembering.
