My top tips when taking kids on holiday
Holidays are fun, but sometimes taking kids on them can be … exhausting 😁
With holiday season here .. and with the Christmas peak getaway season also sneaking up on us, here are my own tips for making it a memorable, fun and sane time away.
1) Take all the electronics in the world.
NOW. Before I am attacked. Yes we are on holidays and this should absolutely be the opportunity to keep kids away from their ipads and phones as much as possible. I 100% agree.
But – I am also not an idiot and sometimes need respite from demanding kids!!
On our last trip to Bali, we implemented a rule for the kids – after long days of adventures, swimming, surfing, eating etc – when we got back to the hotel, they got ONE HOUR of quiet time on the electronics.
It gave us a chance to de-compress after a big day and it was lovely quiet time for all of us before the dinner rush began.
Electronics = sanity savers
2) Let them sleep in.
School mornings are hell. Let’s face it.
I am a stickler for strict routine, so holidays are good to just let kids be and get out of routine for a bit.
Let them sleep in and use the morning to have a coffee (kid-free) on your balcony or by the pool.
3) Don’t forget the goggles
If you are heading somewhere there will be either a pool or a beach - PACK THE GOGGLES!
If you are not - pack other activities. I’ve often taken puzzles, UNO cards and books when packing for holidays. There is often ample down time in hotels so the inclusion of these activities in your bag of goodies gives them a chance to keep themselves occupied during the ‘quiet’ time of holidays.
Goggles, colouring books, etc etc - buy yourself quiet I tell you!
4) Let them be the “boss” for one day.
Keep your kids involved in deciding what activities you’ll do and places you’ll go.
Give them a bit of autonomy - within reason. Let them decide where to eat for the day, whether it is a beach or shopping or lazying by the pool day.
It gets them involved in the holiday planning too and also makes them each feel a bit special on their boss day.
5) Head to the first grocery store when you land and stock up fruit, cereal, brekky snacks, wine (for the adults) etc.
Eating out for every meal can be tempting but super expensive when you’re a family. So try and have one meal a day at home/in the hotel room during holidays.
Also. Heading out for breakfast, lunch and dinner can get super exhausting (especially when you feel like avoiding other tourists/humans).
So put your feet up. Feed the kids cornflakes for dinner and enjoy a nice quiet Shiraz away from the crowds of an evening.
6) Plan plan plan. BUT also Plan for some downtime on your trip
Every day doesn’t have to be filled with culturally enriching experiences or adventure packed day trips .. kids (and adults) really need the occasional break from a packed itinerary.
7) Buy them a disposable waterproof camera and journal.
Let them unleash their inner creativity.
Trust me, reading back a kid’s account of their holiday months or years down the track is super cute.
*I still laugh at one of my daughter’s entries years ago when she wrote nothing but ‘mum is forcing me to do this’.
Ahh, good times.
Above all else enjoy these wonderful times away.