We all deserve a holiday right now but the current issues with airport delays and flight cancellations don’t make travelling with children any easier. In fact, it can make it really stressful and exhausting.
Obviously, we hope your holiday travel goes as smoothly as possible and you have a wonderful, relaxing time away with your family or friends. But we’re also realistic about the current situation so wanted to give you some tips on how to make the best of a bad situation, if it happens. Fingers crossed it won’t!
Our first bit of advice is to prepare for the worst case scenario so you have everything you could possibly need if things do go awry. It doesn’t matter if you don’t use it all but you’ll kick yourself if you don’t pack the essentials.
Here are our other tips for staying sane in an unpredictable time of travelling.
Airport food is expensive and not really geared up to little children. If you’re delayed whinging, hungry children will be the last thing you need so make sure you’ve got plenty of their favourite treats and something to fill their tummies too. Airport security will let you take food pouches and formula in your hand luggage, they might just be subject to an extra check.
We love the tip someone gave us early on to pop each persons spare clothes into a zip lock food bag, that way they are a) really easy to find and pull out of your bag, but also you can pop the dirty, wet clothes straight back into the bag and seal it up to deal with at the other end!
“Buggies can be great, but if you're facing long queues then it's very likely your little one will want to come up for a cuddle, a nap, or simply a look around to see what's going on!
“Using a carrier on your front or back makes carrying bags and navigating airports, trains and buses so much easier. Your hands will be free for pulling suitcases, holding onto older kids and keeping hold of your passport (phew).”
These are Hannah’s recommended slings for travelling with babies and tired toddlers:
- For all day comfort (birth to 2yrs): Ergobaby Omni Breeze. It’s super supportive and great all year round. It’s also the comfiest front-facing carrier on the market. https://wearmybaby.co.uk/product/ergobaby-omni-breeze/
- Izmi Baby Carrier: Great value, ultra lightweight, ideal from birth to at least six months. https://wearmybaby.co.uk/product/izmi-baby-carrier/
- Tula Lite: the super-compact carrier from three-15 months, which packs away into its own handy waist bag. https://wearmybaby.co.uk/product/tula-lite-baby-carrier/
- Izmi Toddler Carrier: the most lightweight and compact toddler carrier, for front and back carrying from sevn months to at least 2.5 years. https://wearmybaby.co.uk/product/izmi-toddler-carrier/
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Activities. We all know children have short attention spans, so why not put together a travel bag of surprise toys to fill up the time? You don’t need to spend much money but make sure you introduce them one at a time if you’ve got a long journey ahead of you. Pack their rucksack with some small picture books, finger puppets, stickers, magnetic games and puzzles, crayons and colouring books, or cards.
The added bonus is that none of these toys will run out of battery power! Places like the PoundStore, Wilko, The Works are all great places to stock up on little, inexpensive goodies. Or you can opt for pre-made packs like the ones from Keep Em Quiet
- Put a blanket/ favourite cuddly toy in your hand luggage. If you’re worried about your child becoming agitated or overwhelmed if you’re delayed, make sure you keep something you know will soothe them close to hand. It might help send them off to sleep if they’re overtired giving you time for a much needed coffee, or something stronger!
Here’s to your wonderful holidays whether abroad or at home!! We’d love to see any cheeky snaps so feel free to DM or tag us!! Are any of you taking your play mats with you on staycations?
If you have a road trip coming up then you might find some handy points in our latest article