Travelling with a child - Tips & Info

Where should you go – and for how long?

Planning is essential when traveling with a child – otherwise spontaneous trips and activities can quickly turn into stress. So first and preferably in good time, decide where the trip with your child should go. Early booking and planning is especially important if you are traveling with school-aged children and depend on the summer holidays.

You have more flexibility if your child still attends kindergarten. Often you can then find cheaper offers outside the school holidays. Discuss with the whole family how you want to travel: should it be a beach holiday at a hotel or would you prefer camping? Hiking in the mountains or a skiing holiday are also possible depending on the season. If everyone is to have fun, it is important that everyone agrees.

Because the summer holiday is the biggest event for most families, you can consult our summer holiday checklist to see what to consider when planning, packing and traveling.

What to bring – Tips for packing suitcases when traveling with a child

No matter where you are going – some basics must not be missing when traveling with a child. Exactly what you need depends on the destination: while T-shirts and swimwear are essential in warmer countries, when traveling to Scandinavian countries you should plan for an extra layer of clothing. It's best to write a list in advance of everything you need. That way you won't forget anything and can enjoy the holiday with your child. Regardless of the destination, you should have the following with you:

ID cards or passports
Health insurance card
Vaccination records
Long-term medications, if necessary
Children's travel first-aid kit
Sun protection – it can also be necessary in winter and in the mountains
Toys and books for the journey and at the holiday destination, and if necessary a favorite cuddly toy
Clothing appropriate for the weather
Toiletry bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Underwear
Pajamas
Socks
Swimwear, also for visits to the indoor pool

But don't worry: if you do find you've forgotten something, try to stay relaxed: you can probably buy most things at your destination.

Prepared for emergencies – the children's travel first-aid kit

Of course you hope that everyone stays healthy on holiday. But on trips it can quickly happen that children – as well as parents – become ill: from motion sickness when flying to stomach problems from unfamiliar food and spices, to colds caused by climate changes or air conditioning. You're on the safe side if you're prepared for most eventualities.

Child-appropriate medications:Prepare a selection of different medications well before the trip. Make sure the medications are within their expiry date and suitable for children for their age. Also always take the package leaflet with you to check the dosage. Emergency and long-term medications: If your child suffers from a chronic illness, you should of course have the emergency or long-term medication in sufficient quantity. Plan for more than enough. On flights it makes sense to split the supply between checked luggage and carry-on. That way you'll still be covered if a piece of luggage is lost.

Sun protection: Especially on summer holidays with children, families prefer to spend the whole day outdoors. Be sure to use adequate sun protection and avoid direct sunlight. Sunscreen with a high SPF protects against sunburn and a cooling ointment provides relief for painful burns.

Relaxation in nature

The right equipment is essential for camping

If you like to spend your free time in nature, you will certainly consider a camping holiday. Whether in a tent, motorhome or bungalow – the options are varied. Since when camping you are more than ever exposed to nature's moods, you should make sure you are prepared for any weather – that way the next shower won't spoil your good mood. We've compiled what you should consider for a camping holiday with children.

Are we there yet?

How to make the car ride bearable for children

Traveling by your own car has many advantages: departure time is flexible, you can take whatever fits in the car and you are mobile on site. But long car journeys are often tiring for children. The long sitting, monotonous driving sounds and the view from the window quickly become boring. There are many ways to keep children entertained in the car. Among the best-known car games are "I spy" or "guess the license plate". These games can be played anywhere without preparation or equipment and make the time pass quicker. With little effort parents can also offer other entertainment options and games in the car for children:

Audio plays and audiobooks
Cities, Countries, Rivers
Mini magnetic board games
Card games
Drawing materials

Above the clouds – flying with a child

Traveling by plane is not only a real adventure for children – many adults also get butterflies in their stomach when flying. To keep flying with a child relaxed and to enjoy the journey, children should be as well cared for as possible – both in terms of food and entertainment.

Explore the airport: You should allow enough time for checked baggage, security checks and check-in. So why not set off a little earlier and explore the airport? Watching the planes take off and land delights young and old.

Entertainment on board:Traveling with a child rarely means little luggage. When flying you should plan a bit extra for carry-on. Although many airlines provide drawing materials or an entertainment program on board, a book and a deck of cards never hurt.

Food: The food on the plane is usually not particularly tasty. Depending on the length of the trip, a sandwich, a piece of fruit or a few gummy bears can therefore make sense.

Traveling with a child – How to make the holiday more relaxed

Plan your holiday in good time
Include your child in the trip planning: Where should you go and for how long?
With younger children and when trying something new: do a trial run
Make a list of what needs to go in the suitcase
Pack the travel first-aid kit and top it up if necessary
Consider how to keep your children occupied during the journey to and from the destination
Let your child choose toys and books
Allow plenty of time for arrival and departure
Don't plan too much during the holiday – otherwise you'll quickly be disappointed
Plan activities that the whole family enjoys
Don't let annoyed or stressed fellow travelers or vacationers unsettle you

Traveling without the children – is that possible?

After the first intense years with a child, many parents long for a holiday without the kids. With a bit of preparation this is possible without guilt. In the best case everyone benefits, because your child might also enjoy a few days "parent-free".

How exactly?Think in advance about how the trip without the child should look. Can your child be looked after at home by grandparents or relatives? Might they stay with their best friend during that time?

Practice:If you want to place your child with grandparents or friends, you should not only discuss it with your child but also practice. Depending on age, maybe start with just one night, then a weekend.

Distance: Depending on your child's age, you should consider that you must be reachable in an emergency and, if necessary, be able to return home flexibly.

Destination:Countries your child would like to visit themselves may not be the right choice for a holiday without the child, because disappointment quickly sets in. On a city break or wellness holiday, however, few children are interested and the parents can enjoy their trip alone.