After years of travelling and countless conversations with family and friends, the most treasured holiday moments that stick with you for years after the trip aren’t the ones you meticulously planned in your itinerary. They’re the unfiltered, gloriously unplanned moments that happen when you least expect them.
So, when you are planning your next family getaway, here are some universal truths to remember when travelling with kids.
Lesson 1 – It’s more about the connection than the destination.
Lesson 2 – It’s not about the accommodation; it’s the experience.
Lesson 3 – Don’t fly until they are old enough to remember it.
Lesson 1 – It’s more about the connection than the destination.
As long as kids are with you and have your attention, they’re going to have fun, regardless of where you go.
Choosing where to go depends on the age of your kids and what type of break you want. For some, the focus may be chilling out, while for others, it may involve excitement from morning to night.
If your kids are young, you may need a destination that suits all ages, including toddlers, teenagers, parents, and grandparents. Our tick list for this type of getaway would include a bit of something for everyone – things to do in the surrounding area, good day trip options, shops to fall in and out of, cafes and restaurants to explore and the option of just ambling about to soak in your new destination.
For the more adventurous holiday option, it’s important to find a balance between outdoor activities and family downtime. Something like sledging in the snow is tailor-made for families. This kind of trip delivers lots of fun for all – adults get to ski while the kids have fun at ski school during the day, and at night, everyone can sledge in the moonlight. Then, they can take time out to compare notes over dinner.
Whatever you choose, factoring in breathing room is usually the place where the magic happens. Children thrive when they have unstructured time to explore, so instead of packing every moment with activities, give yourself the freedom to spend an extra hour fossil hunting or staying up late to enjoy a show.
The holidays that children remember most fondly often become the foundation for family traditions, creating a sense of family that children carry with them throughout their lives.
Lesson 2 – It’s not about the accommodation; it’s the experience.
While nobody wants to spend their vacation battling broken air conditioning or sleeping on a lumpy mattress, here’s the thing: your kids won’t remember the Egyptian cotton sheets. They’ll remember the excitement of staying somewhere new, even if it was just a modest cabin by the lake.
Saying that, sharing a room with your little ones will mean tiptoeing around after they fall asleep, so it’s often easier to choose self-catering or guesthouse accommodation with separate rooms, ensuring the kiddies are safe and sound while the adults get to relax and enjoy the evening.
Some of the most cherished family vacation memories happen in the humblest settings. Like the time the stove didn’t work and we had to run next door to heat up the cheese fondue every 10 minutes. Twenty years later, that’s still the story the family tells about the winter getaway.
Lesson three – Don’t fly with teeny children.
If you fly regularly, chances are you’ve been on a plane when a parent boards with a child under two. And you know what you’re in for. Not only do the parents age visibly by the time they land – everyone heaves a collective sigh of relief. Nobody needs stress like that, and children don’t remember the experience. If possible, consider deferring flying with little ones until they are old enough to appreciate the experience. Airlines offer child discounts up to the age of twelve, so you have time.
The last word
Social media has trained us to believe that perfect vacations look a certain way: coordinated outfits, pristine beaches, and smiling faces in every shot. But real family vacation magic lives in the imperfect moments. The wrong turn that led to discovering a charming local cafe. The rainy day that forced you indoors and resulted in the best family game tournament ever.
Ultimately, the real magic of family travel isn’t found in perfect planning or premium amenities. It’s found in the willingness to embrace the unexpected, to be fully present with your children, and to remember that the best holidays are measured by the lasting memories that bring families closer together.