Cheap and easy travelling with kids
Today I am bringing you a guest post about easy travelling with kids. This is perfect timing with half term fast approaching. I will certainly being using these tips!
It’s not just a myth – something happens to your sense of time as you grow up. A year flies by in what feels like a few weeks. Didn’t we just have Christmas about a month ago? But travel with a child and you might just remember how slow the passage of time can feel when you’re young. Nobody wants to sit in the same seat, unable to get down and run about, for hours on end. It’s no wonder they get impatient. But there are many simple ways to make travel easier, from quick tricks for scoring cheap tickets to keeping the little ones calm on long haul flights.
Keep plans simple
You can easily stress yourself out by trying to organise a complicated holiday, especially if you put more hours into it than you can really spare. Keep things simple by using two or three travel comparison websites to find the best deal, instead of comparing all the airlines or train companies individually. Go somewhere you know is reliably relaxing, instead of trying to be a trailblazer, and risking a lot of discomfort. And don’t try to pack too much in – it’s annoying for everyone else to have to follow your strict timetable when they’re on holiday, and one of the joys of travel is the chance to just – do nothing, or at least to potter around soaking up the atmosphere.
Take LOTS of activities
Even post-Supernanny, it’s still possible to see families in restaurants, on planes, trains – pretty much anywhere that kids are expected to stay in one place and not scream too much – without anything for their kids to actually do. Don’t expect “eye spy” and snacks to keep your child entertained – stuff their backpacks full of colouring and activity sheets, both easily printed out from the web, along with story books, pencils, crayons, and don’t forget you can put audio storybooks on an MP3 player or smartphone (with headphones) too. Although remember that you’ll only be able to use a smartphone on a plane if it has flight mode.
Reward good behaviour
Stickers, grapes, treat-sized toys – keep rewarding good behaviour, but try to avoid handing over treats to persuade them to stop being naughty, as this only encourages further cheeky actions in an attempt to get more treats!
Steer clear of caffeine and sugar
Yes, you’re on a special trip, but treating your kids to cokes and sweets is only going to give them more energy than they can possibly burn off while sitting still for several hours.
Make (or buy) a lavender pillow
Lavender is naturally calming, and even encourages sleep, so a lavender pillow is ideal for your kid to snuggle up with during travel. It doesn’t have to be square – you can find and make them in all shapes and sizes. Lavender owls and cats make excellent companions. If you fancy making your own there are plenty of “how to make” guides, including patterns, available online. Or you can buy them in craft fairs and chemists.
Climate control and sun care
Being the wrong temperature is uncomfortable, and can cause bad behaviour in children. They might feel the cold or heat differently to you, so listen if your child says they’re too hot or cold, and dress them in several thin layers so it’s easy to adjust their temperature. Give them plenty to drink and always, always cover them in sunscreen if you’re going somewhere sunny.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
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