Last January we spent my birthday in Caleta De Fuste, Feurteventura. I have been looking for our next holiday and D would love to return to the Canary Islands but I have been worried about the safety aspects of it now that Lucas is moving around, fearless and basically a little crazy, loving to throw himself around. I recently came across an incredible website, Tots to Travel who specialise in finding properties that are family friendly. All of their villas and cottages have barriers around the pool, they ensure all the safety features we have at home are also there such as locks on the cupboards, stair gates, cots, highchairs, bed guards, sterilisers…seriously the list goes on and on. They have child safety perfected! With that part taken care of, it’s only the travelling to worry about so here are my tips to hopefully have a successful journey with a toddler x
- If driving, try to time the journey with their nap time, maybe set of half an hour earlier to give them time to settle their curiosity before letting themselves sleep.
- Make sure you pack well, have plenty of nappies, wipes and change of clothes.
- Take a carrier bag incase of any accidents that you can put the dirty clothes into.
- Take magazines, books and toys to keep the little ones entertained, spreading them out over the travel time to keep up their interest.
- Have plenty of snacks and drinks.
- Make sure your tablet is fully charged, any toys that use batteries, have spares.
- If flying, don’t let them sleep more an hour after normal wake time even if to means reducing the amount they have slept. That way they will adjust to current timezone quicker to get over jet lag.
- If you are in an airport and have a carrier, use it, toddler will feel safe next to you in it and it is easier than messing around with the pram/toddler wanting to walk independently
- Pre-plan, if you are driving, work out where you can stop for breaks, walk, food. Are there any parks along the way for a play? If you are flying, what does the airport have for children?
- If you are on a budget airline, check your child can sit with you and there isn’t the chance of you being separated
What are your tips for travelling with a toddler?
I always found having plenty of things to keep them occupied whilst travelling, colouring books, pens and a portable dvd player was a must for when we were flying x
These are fab tips – I think a little preparation goes a long way and agree snacks and plenty of things to keep them busy with goes a long way!
We’ve not gone abroad since we have had kids – our passports have ran out! We’ve decided to hold off until youngest is 5ish because it sounds like such hard work. Some really good tips for those who are brave enough to attempt it!
Fab tips. We are going abroad next year for the first time with all four of them and I’m really not sure that there are enough tips in the world to make it less stressful!! I’m sure we will find out!
I never traveled with a toddler before but I gotta agree with everything especially the tablet it can keep them busy for long.
I think you are very brave to go travelling with a little one, I would feel so daunted. I remember even going out for a day when mine were little was a task in itself. Your list is very wise. As much as I don’t like little ones using tablets, I do feel that in these instances they can be an essential part of the kit! Cbeebies playtime app is the best.
I’d forgotten how much stuff you have to take with you when travelling with babies and toddlers. I think our biggest thing was making sure we had the favourite cuddly toy at all times #weekendblogshare x
Awesome tips! I definitely agree with taking lots of things along to occupy the kiddies. Every socket in our house is taken up by something being charged before we head off! Hehe x
Great tips, I remember taking my son on his first holiday abroad when he was 5 months old. A pile of toys, snacks and a tablet are all brilliant ideas
Great tips. I’ve not been abroad for about 12 years now 🙁 It was OK with 2 babies but when we had 4 children it just got to expensive..
Snacks and entertainment keeps me sane when travelling with my toddlers.
We have not taken the little two abroad yet, as I am too worried they will run riot. We are going away next year when they will be 2 and 3 and these are great tips x
These are great tips. I was caught out with sitting by my child on a budget airline earlier this year. X
Certainly some awesome tips there for when I have kids!
Some fab tips, it can be hard but also very rewarding to travel with little ones x