It is no secret that travel can bring adventure, happiness, and peace to your life. But what happens when you begin traveling with family? The good news is that travel with family can be more enriching than ever, as long as you take some time to learn essential family travel tips.
More families than ever are traveling, with 85% of parents wanting to travel with their children within the next 12 months and 47% of respondents planning larger multigenerational trips.
Family travel does not have to be a stressful experience; it just requires more planning. And as a result, you can make lasting memories together. The best place to start is to know these essential safety family travel tips.
1. Have a Daily Plan
One of the main risks when traveling with family is getting split up, especially if you get distracted in your surroundings. The best way to manage this risk is to have a plan in place so everyone knows what to do if this happens. Example meeting points can include your hotel’s front desk, specific ride, or cafe.
Make sure the meeting spot is easy to access and not too crowded. If you want to take extra precautions, you could also give everyone a map with the meeting point on it or use a GPS tracker for kids. These tools can be helpful if children get lost, along with carrying their photos with you to show if you need them.
Your daily itinerary should also be child-friendly, including spots that are suitable for all ages. Your hotel or accommodation provider should also be able to advise you of location-specific spots.
2. Prepare Medical Information
Travel packing tips often skip the need to pack medical information. In case of an emergency, it is vital to have your family’s medical information handy. This can include information such as allergies, medications, vaccines, and any diagnoses.
Packing medical information also allows you to check that all health information is up to date. International travel tips usually include checking a country’s vaccine requirements, such as for yellow fever.
3. Research the Locations
When planning your trip, research the locations you plan to visit in advance. Familiarize yourself with what medical care is available and how to access it. When traveling with young children, you also want to check that there are facilities to cater to them, such as plenty of shaded areas on beaches.
Researching locations will also flag if there are any travel scams to know about. One of the top tips for travelers is to learn about common travel scams in advance, which can help you avoid being tricked, potentially losing substantial amounts of money, and ruining your vacation.
4. Pack Smart
A tip that comes up regularly in packing travel tips is to put your contact information in your luggage. This way, if it is lost and airlines struggle to find it, there is another way for your luggage to be reunited with you.
It is also essential to plan your packing, especially when you travel with small children. Keep essentials in your carry-on, and split clothing between bags. This way, if there are any delays with your baggage, you will still have sufficient supplies to manage.
5. Have the Right Insurance
Insurance helps support you in case any issue arises when you are abroad. A reputable policy should cover common travel risks such as personal belongings loss, medical expenses, and trip cancellations. Without the right insurance, your entire family’s safety is at risk, which is why despite being an investment, insurance is often included in budget travel tips due to the financial savings it offers should something occur.
Travel insurance helps protect you, your belongings, and your family’s vacation. Take the time to find the right insurance for you. You can also check what insurance the accommodation offers and ensure your own home is covered if you plan to rent it out for vacation rental.
Check out vacation rental insurance as something you should look out for when renting a vacation home and considering renting your own place.
6. Child-Proof Your Space
When you arrive at your accommodation, it can be tempting to go into vacation mode immediately. However, if you are traveling with children, you need to ensure the space is safe for them. Children love to explore, so make sure any harmful items are out of their reach.
Items you might want to remove include ashtrays, matches, kettles, and lighters. You can also bring safety items from home for peace of mind, such as outlet covers and toilet locks.
If you’re staying in a hotel, also ask what child-friendly amenities they can provide for you, such as baby gates. If you decide to rent a car, check if they can offer car seats and consider bringing your own if you are unsure of the quality.
7. Carry Essentials With You
Packing smart also continues once you reach your destination. Travels with baby tips include having sufficient snacks and toys with you to keep them entertained.
You should also pack supplies such as sunscreen, mosquito spray, and wipes. For example, children can get sick on holiday due to prolonged sun exposure but not recognize the signs of this within themselves. If you pack smart, you reduce these types of risks from occurring.
Be sure to pack your day bag with essentials throughout your vacation. For example, you want to have a first aid kit on you, so you can tend to any minor injuries immediately, reducing the chance of infection. Other items include portable baby cribs, playpens, information cards, and your child’s favorite toy to bring some comfort while traveling.
Safely Enjoy Traveling With Family
Traveling with family can be a joyous experience, but it is important to be realistic and invest in some planning. Otherwise, you will want a vacation from your family vacation.
Following these family travel tips is a good place to get started. You can also research more general tips for travelers for peace of mind. And most importantly, remember to enjoy your trip!
Did you like this article? Check out our other articles for more vacation inspiration!