There’s nothing quite like the feeling of travelling, where you head away to new destinations, discover new cuisine and see the sights. Once you have a child, the way you used to jet set in a care free way might seem like a distant dream. But this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, when you have a child, it’s a good idea to get them to be as used to travelling as you can so they grow up with it and aren’t as daunted. You can have some incredible experiences as a family and while some things might change to how you used to travel before, it’s easy enough to adapt and you’re guaranteed a great time. In this article we take a look at some top tips for taking your toddler on holiday for the first time. Keep on reading to find out more.
What are some great destinations for a family holiday?
When it comes to holiday destinations, the world is quite literally your oyster. Yet travelling with a child isn’t quite so easy. You need to think about a lot more practicalities than if you’re just going solo or as a couple and want a place where you will feel safe, public transport is easy to navigate, or that it is walkable, or is somewhere you can hire a car including a car seat. Some great destinations we’ve highlighted for a family holiday include:
Orlando, Florida
Home to attractions such as Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Florida, this is a destination to visit that has family travel written all over it. With many direct flights every week straight from the UK, you can make the most of the activities, the warm weather and the myriad of other families in the area. It’s safe and easy to get around, and there are plenty of fantastic places to stay. From themed hotels to nearby villas, no matter what you’re looking to get from your break to Florida, you’ll find it here. There are also many restaurants catered for children so they won’t go hungry.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife is located around a 4-hour flight from the UK and is a fantastic family holiday destination for a number of reasons. It’s not too expensive; you can get meals, accommodation, and flights at a reasonable price – something appreciated when you’re paying for a whole family. It has many family attractions, such as the Loro Park Zoo, which your children will absolutely love, as well as Siam Park, the biggest water park in Europe. Older kids can go on rides and slides, while your younger ones can enjoy the man-made sandy beach that is located here.
Alcudia, Majorca
Alcudia is located in Majorca and is another great destination to consider. There are plenty of hotels and different accommodation types to pick between depending on what you’re after, and the area feels safe and family-friendly. There is a beautiful white sandy beach where you can relax and play with your children, plenty of restaurants and cafes, as well as numerous play parks. Activities can include a trip to Dinosaurland, an outing to the waterpark and a boat trip out on the pristine waters. Remember to book excursions ahead of time so you get the best price and don’t miss out on availability.
France
Being so close to the UK, France is an effortless destination to take your child to. You can get there via a short plane ride, or you can choose to go using a different method if you don’t want the hassle of an airport. We recommend getting the Eurostar from London if you don’t want to bring a car, or taking the channel tunnel if you want to drive over there. You can also get ferries from a number of places around the UK, such as Dieppe in Newhaven or Dover. There are many things to do in this majestic country, whether you want to be in a city or the countryside or do a mix of both.
Costa del Sol, Spain
Costa del Sol has been voted the ideal family destination many times – and for a good reason too. With a great climate, plenty of sandy beaches and towns to visit, as well as a wide range of places to stay, it ticks all the boxes. A couple of hours flight from the UK means you won’t be stuck on a plane for ages and you can also enjoy relatively cheap prices once you are out there. It’s a win-win situation all round!
What are some top tips for taking your toddler on holiday for the first time?
When taking your child on holiday for the first time, it can feel daunting, but once you’re there, you’ll find the thought of it is much worse than actually doing it! There are so many benefits to taking your child away, from enriching them with different experiences to immersing them in different cultures and having them try different foods. You can make memories that will last a lifetime, capture precious moments that you’ll never forget and still get the chance to do something you love. Here are just a few top tips for taking your toddler on holiday for the first time.
Pick a flight where they can sleep
One of the first tips we can suggest is booking a flight where your little one can sleep. Not only will it make it much easier for you, but they can arrive well-rested and ready for the day ahead. Look into flights that are early in the morning, late at night or over their nap time so you can keep them awake until they’re on the plane and they can sleep. You could dress them in their pyjamas, bring a teddy onboard and feed them milk so they get more sleepy too and recognise it as a time to rest their eyes.
Consider ways to keep them occupied when you travel
One of the most stressful parts of taking your child on holiday for the first time is wondering how they will be when travelling. If your child normally has free reign of their toys and wanders around, they might not be so happy sitting still for hours on end. To avoid this being an issue, bring plenty of things to keep them occupied. You could bring a busy board for them to play with, as well as an iPad or tablet on which you can download films or their favourite TV show. Even if you’re not a fan of screen time for kids, a plane journey has different circumstances, and you’ll be grateful for the distraction! Plus, remember, it’s just a one-off!
Have plenty of food and drink to hand
As well as activities to keep them entertained, it’s a good idea to bring plenty of food and drink with you for the flight or other journeys. Airlines can make exceptions for bringing things through when you have a baby or toddler, but you can also pick things up at the airport, which you can then proceed to bring on board with you. Food and drink are a good distraction and can also ensure your little ones are comfortable and not irritable due to being hungry. Plane food can also be hit and miss, so you don’t want to risk it being something they dislike!
Decide on the accommodation you want
Once you’ve sorted out how you’re going to get to your holiday destination, it’s a good idea to think about where you want to stay. There are a myriad of destination choices, including hotels, home rentals and more. Hotels can be good as you get everything done for you and don’t need to worry about cooking or entertainment, but holiday rentals such as villas can offer you more privacy, a greater amount of space, and not having to worry about everyone else in the resort. When you book, make sure you find out what your child should sleep on and that it’s age-appropriate. They might be used to a toddler bed or crib at home, so you want to ensure they have something similar there. It’s down to you and what you would prefer for your family.
Find a mix of activities to do
Prior to your holiday, take a look online and find things to do in your local area. You want to stay in a place that has a good mix of activities you will all enjoy. If there aren’t things in your nearby vicinity, you need to make sure the public transport is good or that you hire a car. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bored child!
These are just a few top tips for taking your toddler on holiday for the first time that are sure to make a difference to the way you travel and ensure you have the best possible time. Remember to leave extra time to do things when you’re going away, expect things to not always go as planned, and have contingency plans in case things go wrong. Remember to take loads of photos and to just enjoy yourself. The world is your oyster, and there’s no reason to stop exploring just because you have a baby!