A family holiday abroad is the highlight of the year for many of us – a chance to relax, unwind, and spend some quality time with our loved ones. However, travelling with children does come with extra considerations, so these practical tips can help make the journey easier for everyone.
1. Make your child comfortable
Heading out on a road trip can be an exciting adventure, but it can also overwhelm your little ones, especially in an unfamiliar country. Creating a calm and familiar environment can make a big difference for your child and promises a safer and much more enjoyable experience.
- Use sunshades to keep the car cool and help younger children nap during daytime travel.
- Bring blankets and pillows so older toddlers and children can settle comfortably in the back seat.
- Pack simple car toys or sensory items to keep babies engaged and reduce boredom and fussing.
- Prepare entertainment like colouring books, small toys, reading books, and digital devices.
- Bring reusable water bottles to keep everyone hydrated.
- Rotate activities – take turns choosing music, spotting landmarks, or following the route on a map.
If you’re getting to your location via a flight, encourage short walks on the plane when allowed. This can help kids release some energy and prevent restlessness.
2. Plan your days
It’s natural to want to fit in lots of activities on holiday, but travelling with children often works best with a flexible and realistic plan. Although children operate best with a routine, keeping an open mind to changes in plan can keep you calm and kids happy.
- Talk through the day ahead with your child, so they’re familiar with the agenda and know what to expect.
- Keep sleep and mealtimes consistent to support their usual rhythm and reduce overtiredness.
- Schedule regular breaks on long car journeys so children can stretch, eat, and reset.
Young infants should not remain in their car seat for an longer than 2 hours at a time, as the semi-upright position can strain their developing body and even increase breathing difficulties.
3. Bring the right kit
When you’re holiday packing, it can be hard to figure out what’s necessary to bring and what’s just taking up space, especially when it comes to your little ones. For us, there are a few bits of kit that we’d always recommend you bring, to make travelling with kids easier.
- Ride-on suitcases, like Trunkis, can make airports more fun and help children stay engaged.
- Lightweight, foldable pushchairs are useful for airports, train stations, and days out at your destination – and they’re also handy for carrying extra baggage!
- Pack layers, even if you’re going somewhere hot, as you’re likely to run into air-conditioned airports and cooler evenings.
One of the most important things for safe car travel is a child car seat. Car seats provide a range of benefits, including:
- Protection against injuries in the case of a car accident.
- Peace of mind for parents, caregivers, and drivers.
- Keeping kids secure and restrained to minimise distractions to the driver.
A complete baby travel system can also simplify moving between car, pushchair, and walking for a hassle-free journey. With trusted brands like Joie and My Babiie, our travel systems include carry cots, pushchairs, carriers and car seats, so that you have absolutely everything on hand for your adventures.
If you’re hiring a car abroad, make sure to bring any additional safety features you’d have in your own car. Although some items may be supplied by the rental company, it’s important to check before you leave so you don’t get caught out.
- Baby-on-board signs can encourage drivers to drive more cautiously around you, and alert emergency services of your child’s presence.
- Rear-view child mirrors provide you with reassurance, and save the neck pain from constantly turning around to check on your baby.
- Seatbelt adjusters improve comfort and safety to reposition the shoulder strap properly across smaller bodies.
4. Handle the admin early
Your holiday should be a chance to relax and have fun, but there’s often a lot of paperwork and preparation to do beforehand to keep everything running smoothly. It’s best to get this out of the way as soon as possible, so you can handle any hiccups and keep everyone happy.
- Check travel documents well in advance, especially if your child hasn’t travelled abroad before.
- Look into and arrange the required vaccinations or health forms, depending on your destination.
- Prepare for driving abroad – many European countries require items like warning triangles, reflective vests, and headlamp adaptors.
- Keep all the essential documents together, especially passports, boarding passes, and emergency contacts in one easy-to-reach pouch.
If you’re driving abroad, especially in Europe, there are a few items you’ll need to keep in your car. The Halfords European Driving Kit contains everything you need to drive in most European countries, in one handy pack. It contains universal headlamp adaptors, a heavy-duty warning triangle, 2 reflective vests, 2 UK stickers, and a 31-piece first-aid kit, all in a handy storage bag with Velcro boot-fixing tabs.
With the right preparation, travelling abroad with children can be enjoyable and memorable. With a bit of planning, the right equipment, and a flexible mindset, your family can relax and make the most of your time away. If you need anything else for your next trip, head over to Halfords.com or pop into your local store where one of our experts will be ready to get you back on track.
