A survival guide to family holidays
With the holiday season just around the corner, the idea of sipping on a Pina Colada or ice-cold bevvie whilst lounging on a crystal white beach listening to the lapping of the waves sounds pretty idyllic.
Add in a few tired, screaming sunburnt children into the mix, however, and your holiday dreams soon turn into a nightmare.
Holidaying with kids, especially young ones, can prove challenging if you haven’t planned for every eventuality to ensure the smooth running of your holiday, the happiness of your children, and ultimately, the success of your holiday.
With a few organisational tips and tricks, and a bit of planning, you can help smooth any potential bumps in the road to your dream holiday.
Check out this survival guide with top ten tips to help make sure your family holiday is as stress free, and as enjoyable as possible!
- Choose your destination carefully
The first step to a blissful family holiday is to be picky with your holiday destination. All families are different so make sure to choose a spot that suits the personality of your family.
Do your kids love to build sand castle and to take a dip in the ocean? Then a warmer holiday destination like Fiji should be your go to. Or perhaps your children get cranky in the heat?
If this is the case, consider a slightly colder vacation spot like Tasmania. No matter what destination you decide on, it’s important that your chosen accommodation caters for children, with kids programmes or other fun activities.
Just bear in mind that family friendly hotels get booked up fast, so book well in advance.
- Plan, plan and plan some more
Just because you have your destination and accommodation booked in, doesn’t mean that you can sit back and relax.
There are plenty of potential bumps along the way that many parents tend to forget about, such as long connection times, uncomfortable transport routes or even worse, forgetting your child’s favourite toy.
The key here is to outline your travel route step by step and keep in mind all potential risks. Put together a packing list for each member of the family, make sure to print out all itineraries ahead of the trip and if you’re having a long stopover, look up cafes and restaurants nearby.
Book as much as possible in advance, sadly your carefree days of spontaneous travel will have to be put on hold until your children are slightly older and can handle the unknown.
- Keeping track of everything important
Despite having it all planned out ahead of your trip, no matter how organised you are, when it comes down to actually hitting the road you’re bound to run into the occasional problem.
Keeping track of passports, bags, your kid’s favourite toys and most importantly, your child itself, is easier said than done.
To avoid losing precious items, invest in a location tracking device like Tile that you can attach to your passports and bags.
You can even fasten a Tile to your children’s favourite toy to avoid them having a meltdown again when they misplace their beloved toy, with the added bonus of keeping track of your children if they wander off with their toy in their arms.
- Getting through the initial journey
If travelling is exhausting for an adult, just imagine how tiring it is for a child with a significantly shorter attention span. Getting to the actual destination could be the biggest challenge of your holiday.
Pack accordingly and bring a few favourite toys and plenty of snacks, but make sure to steer away from the sweets to avoid a sugar high and subsequent crash.
All parents know that it’s a struggle to carry a whole bag of toys, so instead go tech-savvy and bring an iPad packed full of fun games and movies to keep your children entertained.
Crankiness is often associated with a lack of sleep, so urge your children to take plenty of naps throughout the journey.
- Keeping your children entertained on the trip
You’ve made it through the initial journey and have finally reached your dream destination, it should be plain sailing from here, right?
Think again, a holiday may be an enjoyable break from work or home life for you, but for a child it might be a case of emotional overload and extreme boredom.
To avoid a meltdown, ensure your child has something to keep them busy or entertained at all times. Research a range of activities or trips to fill up your holiday.
Again, prepare this ahead of time, but make sure to be flexible once there, depending on weather and how everyone is feeling on the day.
- Keeping everyone healthy
Even if your child is normally an angel, if the flu strikes whilst on holiday away from the comfort of their own room and bed, you can kiss goodbye to your relaxing break.
Children seem to be more prone to illness when travelling, with all the bugs and bacteria circulating crowded airports and large hotels probably playing a part in this.
The solution is to boost the entire family’s immune system before hitting the road. Check in with your GP two months before you travel to make sure you up to date with your vaccines and shots.
Eat well and take immune boosting vitamins in the weeks leading up to the trip, and when you finally depart for your holiday, bring an emergency first-aid kit with pain killers, stomach medicine and don’t forget Hydralite, children tend to suffer from dehydration more than adults.
- Stick to routines
Whilst you might love the spontaneity that holidays offer, it’s important to stick to your regular routine so children feel like they have structure to their day.
You’ll find children behave better, and are less likely to push boundaries if they know what they can and can’t do.
Whilst activities are important in keeping your child entertained, make sure you don’t overdo it, and stick to a maximum of 2-3 per day. Keep your home routine as closely as you can, this means staying devoted to the usual dinner, TV, bath and bedtimes.
- Eating habits
We all know that kids can be picky eaters, so however exciting it is for you to try out the local cuisine, you may want to stick to your child’s normal eating habits to avoid a breakdown.
It’s also important to remember that foreign food could result in an upset tummy. If heading out of the hotel to explore, make sure to pack healthy snacks to keep your children’s energy levels up.
- Factor in downtime
Whether you are going on a road trip across the country or flying to the other side of the globe, after a long time travelling your child will no doubt be exhausted.
Adjusting to a new environment is even more difficult for your children than it is for you. So when planning your holiday, make sure to include some ‘downtime’ when you reach your destination.
Urge your children to take a nap, watch a movie or read their favourite book once you arrive at your accommodation. This will make sure your kids feel relaxed and ready for all the fun adventures you have planned ahead.
- Get your kids involved
Whilst keeping kids entertained with a variety of trips and activities will help create a more relaxed and fun holiday, the key to keeping them engaged is to try and get them involved in not only the decision making process on what activities they want to do, but getting them to engage on a personal level with these activities.
Why not have your child document their holiday by giving them a camera or a notepad to either “paint” their experience , or if old enough, keep a travel journal.
Getting a child involved on the their holiday will keep them happy and content and more importantly, will make sure you have an enjoyable holiday.
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!