How to stay sane when travelling with kids

Portrait of the crying boy on the flight

You’d be forgiven for thinking travelling with kids can be painful – it usually is. But it doesn’t have to be.

Everything from flight times and accomodation to your kids mood can have an impact on your trip – and your sanity.

So in a not-completely-surprising turn of events, it’s no wonder over 50 per cent of Aussie parents have been taking shortcuts when travelling with kids, according to HotelsCombined. Take a look at the full list of stats:

  • 44 per cent of parents allow more screen time for their children when travelling with them
  • 36 per cent allow their child to have more fast food or sweets 
  • 11 per cent have bartered, bribed or given their kids money to appease them 
  • 10 per cent of parents of children under age four have given medication to encourage sleep
  • 42 per cent keep all or some of these shortcuts to themselves or between family
  • 20 per cent of parents of kids under four years feel guilty about the shortcuts they take

While some of these shortcuts are pretty standard, like keeping your children settled with movies, kids are definitely getting away with more than they would at home, right?

But unlike at home, making sure you don’t overload your kids with screen time and sweets can be difficult once you’re on holiday – and can be even harder if you’re not in kid-friendly accomodation.

Luckily, HotelsCombined have provided their top five family-friendly accomodation – full of kids clubs, babysitting, family activities and movies on demand (for a little shortcut here and there).

1. The Mirage Alexandra Headland (Noosa, Queensland), from $299 per night

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Only a 90-minute drive from Brisbane, Noosa is full of things to do. Visit Australia Zoo, the Original Eumundi Markets or relax on one of Noosa’s beautiful beaches. The Mirage Alexandra Headland offers family friendly amenities, a playground, kids pool and babysitting services. 

2. Fairmont Kea Lani Resort Maui (Maui, Hawaii, USA), from $717 per night

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At Fairmont Kea Lani Resort, guests can enjoy three pools, water slides, kids club, a kids’ pool, family friendly rooms and stunning views of the ocean. The resort is less than a 35-minute drive from Kahului Airport.

3. Radisson Blu Resort (Denarau Island, Fiji), from $467 per night

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Fiji is beautiful and, until November, will have consistently dry and sunny weather. Radisson Blu Resort caters well for families, featuring family-friendly room designs, a kids’ club and kids pool with water slides.

4. Mercure Queenstown Resort (Queenstown, New Zealand), from $204 per night

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Winter is prime time for skiing in Queenstown. Mercure Resort boasts breathtaking lake and mountain views and organises several family activities such as boating, hiking and horse riding – so even if you can’t leave tomorrow to go skiing, it’s still a perfect year-round destination.

5. Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa (Broome, Western Australia), from $359 per night

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Located a short drive from Djugen, Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa features family friendly rooms, services and amenities and a kids’ club. Free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms and movies-on-demand are also available.

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