"The greatest legacy we leave our children is happy memories - Og Mandino"
FAMILY TRAVEL
TRAVELLING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
A holiday with your children is about making memories so you want to ensure it’s enjoyable for everyone. At the planning stage, look for accommodation that can cater well for children, this can be items like a playground, onsite restaurant, babysitting facilities, children’s pool, kids club or is within a suitable distance to some local shops.
Talk to your ITA member and tell them specifically about what requirements you would like incorporated into your family travel, things like:
- Airline Seat - ensure you have a clear understanding of what type of seat has been booked and advise of any dietary requirements
- Childs Luggage - Understand luggage allowance is permitted with your child's airline ticket and what extra child items you can take on board and/or what must be put through as luggage
- Rental Cars - Will you be taking your own child seat or would like these booked in advance with the rental?
- Accommodation - Will your child need a cot or a rollaway or what bedding is permitted in the room for children (this depends on fire safety maximums)
CHECKLIST SUGGESTIONS FOR TRAVELLING WITH SMALL CHILDREN
- Packing Cells - These permit you to section your packing into things like top/T-shirts vs pants/jeans or and help you to easily locate items within a large bag and are also great if you are sharing a bag between children eg: Chloe clothes vs Logans clothes
- Pack sensible if you can combine and take 2 large bags instead of 5 bags
- Pack a small carryon bag for children with some new items that can help to keep children occupied include: water bottle, snacks, colouring-in book, pens, diary, games and baby wipes (always great for any spills) and a change of clothes & one favourite child comforter (toy or blanket)
- Airports, always allow extra time when travelling with children, look out for express lanes for travelling families at check-in and at customs, this can often permit you to jump long queues
- Check at check-in if the flight is full, if not some airlines may kindly block off a seat if you are travelling with small children
- Items such as strollers, prams, cots and high chairs in most cases can be hired rather than lugging them with you. If you are taking a travel pram ensure it’s easy to use and has some storage to assist you.
- Basic family appropriate medial kit: plasters, Vicks vapour rub, electrolyte tablets, tissues,
- Lastly, check and triple check, as a parent you are always multi-tasking when travelling with children so :
- Check all seats & seat pockets before you leave an aircraft
- Check your room before checking out of your hotel
- Check you have all bags before departing a hotel