Like me, you are probably wondering how to organize a family trip with kids to Europe? And, should we wait until they grow up? Contrary, travel can be a very inspiring, eye-opening experience for children. Just go for it.
It doesn’t matter if they are toddlers or teenagers. Maybe more minor children will not remember much of the events themselves. Making a trip to Europe itinerary will help you to have a good experience.
Still, they will remember the energy of excitement and the experience of quality time spent with the family, especially if you take children to theaters or some events where there is interaction. In my last post, ‘Fun Things to Do After Work with Family,’ you can find that.
Fun & Exciting trip to Europe
The first and last rule for traveling overseas with kids is to remove stress and worries. If your thoughts are directed towards bad ideas, it won’t be a good experience. So have FUN with your kids, enjoy the trip, and have one of the best experiences.
Of course, to achieve that, you need to do a few things:
• Set your mindset for positive thinking
• Organize essential travel items
(plane tickets, accommodation, some places interesting for kids and adults, etc.)
• Organize what you are going to bring with you is very important because you and your little ones are changing the environment, and you do not want to get sick
Positive Mindset
Imagine where you would like to go, how you would like to spend that vacation, and what kind of mood you are in right now.
Do not leave out your wishes that do not include children’s playgrounds or some other activity. Children are adaptable, and as long as there is some excitement and interest, your children will enjoy being with you wherever you are.
Organize your trip
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There are a few essential things you need to organize to be relaxed and enjoy your trip:
• Collect documents
(plane tickets, visas, passports, accommodation conformations, etc.)
• Explore places you wish to see
(for some areas, you need to book a ticket in advance; otherwise, you can experience long queues or overbooking.
• Find the best activities for your kids
(whether they are infants, toddlers, school-age children, or teenagers).
It could be some summer festival, playgrounds, interesting-interactive museums, galleries, workshops, bike rides, etc.).
• You can add some hidden gems to your list that interest you.
That list can save time googling where and what to do. From personal experience, I found myself searching for things to do and places for an hour. This way, you will save time and energy.
What would be an essential kit for your trip with kids
When you change the environment, your body and your kid’s body react. Different climates, different water, and food can make your kids wearable. Not to mention 30-40 hours of flying, changing airports, and sleeping or not sleeping.
However, we can be prepared and handle those changes better than we think. We are adaptable beings. Here it is a few things I find essential wherever you go:
- Flight
- Compression stockings
- First aid kit
- Electrolytes
- Vitamins
- Healthy snacks that kids used to
- Bottle with juice to prepare a kid for air pressure. The bottle is safe to chew. (Please, avoid chewing gums, kids can choke easily).
- In Another Country
- Probiotics
- Vitamins
- Healthy snacks that kids used to
- Bring some familiar toys like a teddy and something you use for a bath, a book, etc. That will make kids feel relaxed and compostable.
- Sanitizer/wipes and cosmetics you need for a baby/toddler/schooler
- Plastic bags
- Flights
I, personally, rarely arrange flights or some other activities according to my kid. Kids do not care much. If they are tired, they will sleep. If they are hungry, they will eat, and if it is positive energy, and if there is something to do, it will be just fine.
On the other hand, I always have extra food & liquids for the little one or an option for sleep wherever we are. So far, this way of thinking was sound.
Keeping kids engaged
Infants
Babies and children aged 1 and 2 years old are the easiest to travel with. What is crucial is to keep to the feeding and sleeping schedule. Try to stay as close to that as possible on vacation and slowly move to another time.
Always have favorite toys, books, and bottles while on your adventures. Do not be afraid to leave your little one to crawl everywhere, try new things, and explore.
Toddlers
Toddlers understand more, they are curious and ready to learn and explore the world. Traveling with a toddler can be an amazing experience. Even if they do not remember details, they will remember the atmosphere and emotions they have been through.
School-Age Children
The main thing we should put attention to children is to engage them as much as we can. They love to be involved in everything you do, starting from packing, planning, and all other activities.
Give them the opportunity to start making decisions. E.g., if you have a few activities in the plan for the day, give them the power and opportunity to choose what to do.
Teenagers
With teenagers, it is a bit more difficult, but you can still have a great time if you give them an opportunity to plan part of your trip. That is the best way to learn about your kid, understand him, and make him happy.
How to choose a destination
Before you choose a destination, figure out what would you like to do during your vacation? How do you feel at the moment? Our lives are changed, we are changing and we do not want the same things all the time.
Find out what inspires you at the moment and that will leads you to another step. For example, at the moment you feel more about relaxing, reading a lot of books and discovering your inner you.
Solution I
In that case, one of the best solutions would be a great resort with lots of activities for children. Children are safe with plenty of things to do while you enjoy the sun, good books, and refreshing cocktails.
Solution II
Cruises are a good bet for school-age and teenage children because they can be fairly independent and keep busy with a range of activities.
Getting document for Europe adventure
You definitely should plan, and make time for a few significant things to do. The most important thing you need to do is have your documents sorted out.
- You need to check your passport, is it going to expire. Also, you need passports for your children even if they are just babies.
- Secondly, you need insurance. If you goona feels safer traveling through Europe with insurance, just do it.
- Thirdly, to feel more comfortable, maybe you should think about other documents you need for your beautiful vacation such as an international driving license, or a visa for a particular country in case you need one.
Planning an Itinerary and Choosing Accommodations
The easiest way to find some compostable accommodation is to find a small house or apartment that makes you feel like in a beautiful new home. Very nice options and financial approachable options you can find via Airbnb or Agoda.
Planning your days – itinerary
Rule #1
Include your kids in the planning. It can be fun, you can find out more about your children and get inspired too.
Rule #2
Less is more. This rule can apply to all ages.
Rule #3
Do small research. That way you can discover interesting spots to see, or to find some interesting activities for you and your family. This way you will avoid spending a lot of time scrolling on your phone to find what is interesting to do that afternoon.
Sometimes we do not realize how much time we spend on social media, google, and other websites and applications. Remember, your free time is precious and use it well, to feel fulfilled and happy.
Travel Challenges
Nobody has a 100% perfect vacation. With kids or without, it does not matter, we are humans.
Challenges:
Too sleepy, or Not Sleepy Enough, jet leg, mood swings. All of these situations are totally ok and acceptable. Actual that is part of our life journey, and we should take it as a natural thing and push ourselves to make the best out of it.
Solution:
there are a few tips that can help you to manage those challenges:
- If you’re going to Europe, like me in a few weeks, which is a different time zone (at the moment 10 hours different), have your kids go to bed an hour earlier or later, and wake up an hour earlier or later than their usual. Depending on the zone you are living.
You can start with this kind of routine a week prior to your flight. I believe it can help a lot to make your trip smooth.
- A lot of daily lights included in your walks and activities can help to accommodate well in the environment.
- If you or your kids feel like you need to sleep let them go for an hour, it will help them to adjust, get stronger and feel better. On the other hand, after sleep it is perfect for them to be active, active, and active, to get tired and get sleep during the night time.
- I recommend a lot of liquids and vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C can boost their immunity, and ZINC to support immune response.
Kid’s probiotics to keep a normal balance of gut flora. And omega 3 – fish oil which is important for brain function, focus, memory, and eye health.
The Challenge:
Your kids get sick while traveling.
Solution:
Always travel with a first-aid kit, and have an emergency number for help.
If you’re headed to a country where the quality of the local medical care may be questionable, buy a travel insurance policy that will evacuate you and your family.
The Challenge:
Your kids are surrounded by junk food or are being overly picky and don’t want to try new foods.
Solution:
You are on vacation and maybe your kids expect to eat just ice cream and all the other treats they are dreaming of.
The hard truth is that they won’t feel better if you give them just food full of sugar. Their bodies won’t feel good. And the most interesting fact is that they will feel happier if they eat well and from time to time they will get something special. They will appreciate it more and enjoy it more. It is the same with adults.
Extra tip:
Try to balance your trip not to feel tired and existed. This is your vacation too! You want to look forward to going on a vacation with your kids, not to feel desperate.
The balance between activities, rest, and kids’ engagement. Enjoy every moment. Stop for a second, take a breath, and chill in a way you like. Explain to your kids. Or if the kids are too small arrange with your partner/husband to have some time off just for you.
What else do you need for your trip to Europe?
You just need positivity, a good mood, and be open-minded for changes and good vibes. If you want more details regarding the packing, please leave a comment or send me an email.
Feel free to download my FREE Travel Package List. You can print and use it or just save it to your laptop or phone.
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