By Natasha Viljoen

Traveling with children can be an exhilarating adventure, but the true adventure for us is creating lasting memories for the entire family. Careful planning is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These are our top 10 planning tips to make your family travel experience unforgettable.

1.Early planning is key

Start planning your trip well in advance. Research family-friendly destinations, accommodations and activities. Book flights and accommodations early, as this not only ensures availability but also allows you to take advantage of early-booking discounts.

2. Pack strategically

Create a comprehensive packing list for each family member by considering the destination’s climate and activities. Do not forget essentials like medicines, baby supplies and comfort items. When packing your bag for the journey, make sure that you can easily access snacks, entertainment and a change of clothes on your trip.
Refer to our Essential packing guide, Snack time in the skies and High-flying fun articles for more on these topics.

3. Choose child-friendly accommodation

Choose accommodation that cater to families with children. Look for hotels or vacation rentals with child-friendly facilities like play areas, pools and entertainment options. Ensure that the accommodation is centrally located for easy access to attractions and – if you are doing a city trip – close to public transport.

4. Plan age-appropriate activities

Plan your itinerary to suit the ages and interests of your children. Include a mix of interactive and educational activities, as well as some downtime. We find that giving our toddler time to play at a playground keeps her happy during the day, which ensures a good day for us all. Look for family-friendly attractions, parks and museums at your destination.

5. Plan for rest and downtime

Children need time to rest and recharge. Schedule breaks during the day for naps or quiet activities. Plan activities in the morning when children are typically more energetic and leave afternoons for relaxation. When your children take naps, make sure to use this time wisely. For us this would sometimes be sitting at a restaurant and having an enjoyable lunch; other times, we take this time to explore an attraction that we know might be a bit boring for her.

6. Entertainment on the go

Keep your children entertained while travelling with a variety of activities. We love using a toiletry bag to keep everything together and organised. Pack colouring books, games and electronic devices that are loaded with child-friendly content. Consider bringing headphones to keep the noise level down for fellow travellers.

Refer to our High-flying fun article for more on this topic.

7. Be mindful of meal times

Stick to your child’s regular meal schedule as much as possible. Familiar foods can be comforting, so explore local cuisine while also having some backup snacks on hand. Research child-friendly restaurants at your destination beforehand.

Refer to our Snacktime in the skies article for more on this topic.

8. Safety first

Prioritise your children’s safety by having identification on them at all times. A useful tip is to dress your child in a colour that you will easily recognise in crowds. Familiarise yourself with local emergency services and healthcare facilities before your travel.

9. Involve kids in planning

Engage your children in the trip-planning process from a young age. Discuss potential activities and destinations, and allow them to have a say in the itinerary. This not only builds excitement but also ensures that the trip caters to their interests.

10. Flexible itinerary

Be prepared to be flexible. Children can be unpredictable and it is essential to adapt your plans if necessary. Allow for some spontaneous moments and go with the flow to make the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Our hope is that some of these tips can help you to plan great trips with your family, while you are having fun and creating lasting memories.

About the author

“Our family consists of my husband, Robert, and I, and our three-year-old daughter, Amber. We are passionate about travel and we raising our daughter to be a world citizen. We also like to share our travels and advice on our blog at www.viljoen-adventures.com or on Instagram at viljoenadventuresblog. We started the blog specifically to share our stories.

We are originally from Johannesburg. We developed a passion for travel very early in our marriage. When the opportunity came to work in Europe, we decided that the Netherlands was the ideal place to live out this passion because it is so central to travel.”

 – Natasha Viljoen

Photo: Getty Images/ Unsplash

Also read: Emigration: How to help your children adapt