General Posts / Lifestyle

5 tips for travelling with children

Travelling with kids isn’t always easy, but there are ways to make this eventuality turn into a delight.

Whether you’re visiting family members in the UK or getting to the airport for the start of your holiday, knowing how to navigate public transport with children is a great skill. And when your children start to build positive memories of their trips with you, they’ll look forward to the next one even more.

No matter how far you need to go, it’s always worth learning some of the most important steps towards ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey with your children.

Why should you travel with your children?

Travelling and exploring new places will help your family unit grow stronger. Many parents dread the thought of a baby crying on the plane or train carriage, but it’s important to remember that other passengers are almost always sympathetic if it does happen.

 Above all, the opportunity to spend quality time together in a new place should always be prioritised over the risk of hiccups along the way.

Five top tips for travelling with kids

1. Make it flexible

Travelling on different modes of transport can prove challenging for some children, especially when it comes to tight schedules and getting everyone ready on time. If you’d like to increase your flexibility on the day you leave, buying an Anytime ticket means that you can choose any departure through the day, making it almost impossible to miss your train.

• Pack the essentials

When you’re on the go with your kids in tow, anything could happen. Don’t catastrophise but try to prepare for every eventuality. From hungry teenagers to fidgety toddlers, make sure that you keep those useful supplies on hand. We’d recommend packing plenty of bottled water, tissues and wipes, plus some fruit or crisps as a little snack too. If your little one suffers from motion sickness, it’s worth knowing the best tactics to ensure a smooth ride.

• Keep them happy

While it’s impossible to predict temper tantrums if you have a toddler, it’s important to try and ensure that you can make travelling a positive experience for your children. If they find the journey stressful or get worried on the train, for example, this could affect your ability to travel together in future. Make sure to discuss the journey positively with your children before you set off and try to sit together once you’re on board.

• Bring age-appropriate entertainment

If you’re heading out on a longer journey, it’s advisable to pack a few things that might help your kids to stay settled in their seats. Magazines or video games could work well for older children, while younger kids and toddlers might need to do some scribbling or puzzles.

For children with special or sensory needs, you could try bringing noise-cancelling headphones. Even if it’s something as simple as a game of ‘Eye Spy’ with your children, keeping them entertained is a guaranteed way to make the time pass a little bit faster while you travel.

• Celebrate once you arrive

Once you reach your destination, it’s critical to make sure your kids know that they’ve done well on the journey. Give your children lots of praise and help them to enjoy the next stage of your adventure with a sense of achievement, ready to make new memories and explore together.