Traveling 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. Therefore, first and preferably early, decide where to travel with your child. Booking and planning early is especially important if you are traveling with school-age children and dependent on the summer holidays.

You have more flexibility if your child still attends kindergarten. Often you can find cheaper offers outside the holiday periods. It's best to discuss with the whole family how you want to travel: should it be a beach holiday in a hotel or do you want to go camping? Hiking in the mountains or a ski holiday are also conceivable depending on the season. If everyone is to have fun, it is important that everyone agrees.

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

What to bring – tips for packing when traveling with a child

No matter where you're going – some basics must not be missing when traveling with a child. What exactly you need depends on the destination: while T-shirts and swimwear are indispensable 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 all the things 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:

Identification documents or passports
Health insurance card
Vaccination records
Regular medications, if required
Children's travel first-aid kit
Sunscreen – this may also be necessary in winter and in the mountains
Toys and books for the journey and at the destination, if applicable a favorite cuddly toy
Clothing appropriate for the weather
Toiletry bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Underwear
Pajamas
Socks
Swimwear, also for visits to an 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 the destination.

Prepared for emergencies – the travel medicine kit for children

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 caused by unfamiliar food and spices to colds caused by climate changes or the air conditioning. You're on the safe side if you're prepared for most eventualities.

Child-friendly medications: Put together a selection of different preparations well before the trip. Make sure that the medicines are within their expiry date and — appropriate for the child's age — suitable for children. It's best to always take the package leaflet with you to check the dosage. Emergency and long-term medications: If your child suffers from a chronic condition, you should of course also have the emergency or long-term medication in sufficient quantity. Plan for more than an adequate amount. On flights it makes sense to split the supply between checked luggage and carry-on. That way you're still supplied even if a piece of luggage is lost.

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

Relaxation in nature

The right equipment is essential when camping

If you enjoy spending your free time in nature, you will certainly consider a camping holiday. Whether in a tent, motorhome or bungalow, the options are varied. Because when camping you are more than ever at the mercy of nature's moods, you should make sure you are prepared for all kinds of weather – that way the next shower won't spoil your good mood. We have put together what you should consider when camping with children for you.

“Are we there yet?”

How to make car trips bearable for children

Traveling by your own car has many advantages: departure times are flexible, you can take whatever fits in the car and you're mobile on site. But long car journeys are often tiring for children. Long periods of sitting, monotonous driving noises and the view from the window quickly become boring. There are many ways to keep children occupied in the car. The best-known car games include “I spy” or guessing license plates. These games can be played anywhere without preparation and without necessary props and shorten the time. With little effort parents can also offer other entertainment options and games in the car for children:

Audio plays and audiobooks
Cities, Countries, Rivers
Magnetic travel board games
Card games
Drawing materials

Above the clouds – air travel with a child

Traveling by plane is a real adventure not only for children – many adults also feel a flutter in their stomach when travelling above the clouds. To ensure flying with a child goes smoothly and you can enjoy the journey, children should be well provided for – both in terms of food and activities.

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

Entertainment on board:Traveling with a child rarely works with little luggage. And when flying you should plan a bit more for hand luggage. Although many airlines offer 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 be sensible.

Traveling with a child – how to make the holiday more relaxing

Plan your holiday in good time
Include your child in the travel 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 must go in the suitcase
Pack the travel first-aid kit and replenish it if necessary
Think about how to keep your children occupied during arrival and departure
Let your child choose toys and books
Allow sufficient time for arrival and departure
Don't plan too much during the holiday – otherwise you'll soon be disappointed
Plan activities that the whole family enjoys
Don't let annoyed or stressed fellow vacationers or travelers upset you

Traveling without the kids – is it possible?

After the first intensive years with a child, many parents long for a holiday without the offspring. And with a little preparation that's possible without a guilty conscience. Ideally everyone benefits, because your child may also enjoy having a few days “parent-free”.

How exactly? Think in advance about what the trip without your child should look like. Can your child be cared for at home by grandparents or relatives? Maybe they'll stay with their best friend for the time?

Practice: If you want to leave your child with grandparents or friends, you should not only discuss this with your child but also practice it. Depending on age, perhaps at first only for one night, then maybe for a weekend.

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

Destination:Countries your child would like to travel to themselves may not be the right choice for a holiday without the child, because disappointment can quickly set in. However, on a city trip or wellness holiday, most children are not interested and parents can enjoy their trip alone.