We tend to equate city breaks with museums, theaters, and fine dining. We think of a quick trip spent with a partner or friends, packing in as much as possible. But it can look quite different when you’re traveling with kids. That’s not to say that it can’t work. Follow these quick tips to enjoy a fun break with the whole family.
The more organized you are when traveling with kids, the better. Plan everything way in advance. Look for cities that have lots to offer for the whole family. Think about the journey and how long it will take to reach your destination. Take time over deciding on accommodation. It will all pay off in the end.
2. Accommodation
There are lots of options when you go on vacation. You’re not limited to B&Bs and hotels. You can now choose from a range of exciting venues such as castles and stately homes. You can even stay in someone’s home. This is great if you want to immerse yourself in the culture of that city.
Staying self-catering is a good option with kids. It provides you with more space to move around. And you’re not limited to meal times. You’re less likely to disrupt other people if the kids are a little boisterous. Wherever you stay, make sure the accommodation is child-friendly. This is particularly important if you’re traveling with young children.
3. The Journey
Make sure you take enough activities to keep the kids occupied for the journey. Think games, books, music, and electronic devices. Long journeys, in particular, can be trying for everyone. If the kids are occupied, it’s likely to be much smoother.
4. Plan Activities
When planning your break, make sure you research the city carefully. Whether you’re looking at tourist sites in Washington DC , or cafes in Seattle, make sure there are kid-friendly options. If you intend to visit galleries and museums, look for ones that put on exhibitions for kids. Some children find wandering around a gallery boring. But, if there are exhibits they can touch and explore, they’re likely to find it more enjoyable.
5. Outdoors Activities
Try and schedule in a couple of trips to outdoor spaces such as parks and playgrounds. This will enable the children to run off some energy and have fun being outdoors .
6. Food and Drink
Take enough food and drink with you for the journey to avoid the grumps. Kids can soon become irritable if they’re hungry. When eating out in your destination city, find out whether the eatery is kid-friendly. Do they offer a kid’s menu? If you’re traveling with very young children, do they provide high chairs?
7. Plan B
Always have a few alternate plans up your sleeve in case things go wrong. For example, if you’re planning on going to the park and it rains, consider the aquarium or the shops instead.
It’s not necessary to plan every second of your trip. Flexibility is good too. It’s likely you’ll discover places that didn’t feature in the guidebooks and online reviews. Make sure you have enough time to visit those places too. The good thing about city breaks is that there’s so much going on. If you look hard enough, you’ll find activities to suit the whole family.
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