5 tips for travelling with kids this Christmas

Some might argue that it’s too early to start organising anything for Christmas, however when you have little ones to buy for, Christmas cards to write, parties to attend, nativities to watch and travelling to see relatives all to cram into 25 days, it’s no wonder most parents start planning things well in advance. If you’re one of the families that travel to see relatives over the festive period then it’s perfectly normal to feel a little anxious about it. Hours stuck in the car, the kids arguing and getting bored after ten minutes, not forgetting the inevitable toilet stops every few miles!

It can be stressful, and while its important to get to your destination as soon as possible it’s also imperative that you do so safely. No one wants to get caught up in an accident, especially with the kids in the car. Read on for 4 survival tips for keeping everyone happy and safe on the road this Christmas.

Ditch the car

Although not always doable for every family, ditching the car is always going to be my top tip. Once you take out the stress of driving and working out how to cram your luggage into a small space, travel becomes far less stressful! We are big fans of OMIO where you can simplify the travel process by finding the most convenient routes to nearly anywhere in Europe, the US and Canada! It makes travel so much easier saving you time and money, not to mention cutting out that long drive with kids! We’ve had some great deals on trains and even coach transfers and even with four kids, it’s been so straight forward!

Ensure you have roadside assistance

If you have to drive to your destination then make sure you have roadside assistance. Although no one wants to anticipate the worst, if you have roadside assistance in place and find yourself at the side of the road with a flat tyre, you’ll be glad you invested in it. We have learned the hard way far too many times now!

Have everything you need to hand

Packing everything and being organised is great but if the spare nappies you need are at the bottom of the suitcase that’s underneath all the other suitcases, then you’re going to kick yourself. I recommend packing a separate bag with everything you need such as spare clothes, nappies, wipes, snacks and water. That way you won’t be left short if an emergency strikes and the essentials you need are in the hold or the trunk of your car.

Create an itinerary

We always create an itinerary for our trips, it just makes life so much easier! At Christmas its more important than ever to make sure you have your itinerary to check for opening times and closures of certain attractions, slots to visit family if that’s the intention of your trip, and days to just enjoy your time relaxing too. I’d also say don’t worry if you stray from the itinerary a little, we aren’t militant by any means but just having it in place often means we fit more in to our day.

Send your gifts to your destination

If you’re going to be away for Christmas Day I recommend sending ahead your gifts to your destination rather than trying to take them all with you. Sending the ahead via a courier saves space in your luggage and keeps them hidden from any little eyes, therefore keeping the magic in place!

Are you travelling for Christmas this year?