Traveling internationally with your kids is one of the best things you can do for them.
Once your children are of a certain age, international travel will help them grow, explore, and learn in ways they could never do if they were stuck in one place.
Seeing and experiencing new countries, new cultures, and new scenery gives them so much more to consider, leading to a whole new take on life.
Traveling internationally with kids is something you must be prepared for – especially if you hope to get to your destination country with your (and their) mental health intact.
Below are seven of the top tips for a stress-free international vacation with your kids:
- Plan Your Itinerary Together
When planning an international vacation with your kids, keep them involved in the decision-making process.
As kids get older, they love being involved in planning the details of vacation trips. Not only does it make them feel more inclined to take part in the various activities, but it will also help boost their excitement and cooperation while traveling, which typically results in fewer issues along the way.
Do not forget to include self-care elements – parents need to unwind too!
- Travel Documents
Check and double-check all your travel documents before your trip.
In the weeks and months leading up to your travel date, check passports, visas, and any other documents you might need to have before you embark on your journey.
Remember that all passports must be valid for six months beyond your travel dates. Do not leave this to the last minute – processing delays in this area could ruin the trip.
Keep all your travel documents in a safe place in your carry-on bag. For safety’s sake and ease of use, keep these in a separate bag or folder.
- Essential Items
While traveling internationally with children is not the same as regular travel, it is not that different.
Pack the essentials that you would pack on a road trip. Items like wipes, toilet paper, and medications your children might need should all be packed into your carry-on luggage.
Allow your children to choose one of their favorite stuffed animals or blankets to take with them, these items will help ground them and make them feel at home, even when home is thousands of miles away.
Lastly, do not forget to pack your patience. International travel with kids is not a walk in the park, but few experiences are as important for raising well-rounded children.
- Insurance
When traveling internationally with your children, compare quotes from insurance providers to find the best policy for your needs.
Look for a policy that covers medical expenses, loss of belongings, and trip delays. If you plan on traveling internationally more than once a year, research multi-trip options from a reputable company, like those offered by patriot travel insurance.
Having insurance coverage while overseas is a non-negotiable and it will help put your mind at ease so you can relax and enjoy this time with your family instead of stressing about what could go wrong.
- Keep Them Busy
Any parent who has ever traveled anywhere with a toddler knows that patience is not exactly a way to describe them.
Pack cards, travel games, toys, and books to keep them busy. To not annoy your neighbors on the flight, make sure that whatever you pack to keep them occupied is either quiet or comes with headphones.
Bring comfortable travel pillows so your kids can get cozy while they watch movies or play cards.
- Healthy Snacks
For most kids, sleep, play, and food are all they need to be happy.
Keep your children well-rested, entertained, and well-fed – everything else will fall into place. As tempting as it might be, do not fill them with junk food and sugary foods. Choose healthy snacks as often as possible to offset the occasional indulgence while on holiday.
That will keep their sugar levels from spiking and prevent them from morphing into sugar-craving tantrum machines. Healthy snacks and naps can go a long way to keeping everyone sane on your trip.
- Learn The Language Together
If you are traveling to a country where the local language is not your own, consider taking a language class together to learn a few keywords and phrases before you travel.
If your children are still very young, focus on easy words like “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye”. If you travel to that country frequently on holiday and you keep up with the language classes, your children will end up learning a whole new language – and we all know how many doors that can open for them later in life.
Adding a language element to your trip will increase their excitement and help everyone appreciate the experience that much more!
In Conclusion
While traveling with children is not easy, it is made more manageable by following these seven simple steps.
