Keeping the kids entertained and happy can seem like a tall order at times, but when it comes to going on holiday, the difficulty can greatly increase. Not only do you, the adult, have to worry about booking tickets and organising accommodation and travel, but you also have to cater to your kids of all ages. Your teenager isn’t going to be entertained by the same things that entertain your toddler, and this can cause parents a lot of stress.
It is smart to be selective when it comes to choosing a holiday when you have kids of different ages. You want to appease them all and keep the temper tantrums to a minimum. If you are unsure on how to do this, below are some top tips on how to keep kids of all ages happy on a family holiday.
Be Smart and Organised
Regardless of who you are travelling with, you should aim to be as organised as possible. This should certainly be the case when you have children. When travelling with adults only, it can be less stressful when dealing with mishaps, but children can become more stressed, confused and bored if you can’t find your boarding passes or haven’t got insurance to keep them safe at the airport or abroad.
Have a folder filled with everything you will need and keep the documents and boarding passes in order so that you can easily grab them when needed. This folder should include:
- Passports
- Plane tickets
- Any documents needed for entering the destination
- Insurance
- Backup copies of each document
Insurance is also essential as it can not only protect you from cancellations or lost money, but it will also cover you for medical emergencies. If anything is to go wrong, your travel insurance can keep your family more at ease and keep your kids happy and safe. Staysure have a good range of holiday insurance options ideal for families, and they even offer COVID-19 cover at not extra cost, which is another worry off your plate.
Ask Your Teenager for Help (and Ideas)
When asking your young child for holiday ideas, you may be met with the obligatory answer of “Disneyland!”, and although that may be a great idea for the youngest in your family, your teenager may roll their eyes.
Turn to your teenager for help when selecting a holiday destination – they may be pleased and touched by you asking for their opinion, especially considering going on holiday with your parents isn’t too popular. Remember that your young child is less likely to care about where you go on holiday, but your teenager will need to be physically and mentally stimulated by fun activities to keep them happy.
Research the Best Holidays for Kids
Turn to the internet for guidance! There are many resorts and holiday packages that can help you decide on the perfect destination for your family. What’s more, you can show the kids the options you have selected and ask for their input.
You’ll find many hotels and waterparks across the world, and by staying at an all-inclusive resort, you have the benefit of having everything on your doorstep. This means that your teenager can have more freedom while you spend time with your younger children.
Plan Travel Games
Children who are well-behaved can become anxious and antsy on a long plane or car ride, so be sure to pack some fun activities for them to keep them occupied. For younger children, pack a sticker book, a colouring book and a keep some classic games like “I Spy” in the back of your mind so that you can bring it out when times seem a bit tough.
For teenagers, ask them to pack anything that they think they will need (but within reason). They are most likely to pack some electronic gadgets and books.
Going on holiday with kids doesn’t need to be stressful, as long as you are organised before you go away.
