Why its important to Travel with your kids

Before Callum turned 2, he had already clocked up 26 flights, thats alot more than some adults these days. Yes we visited Gladstone multiple times, we also headed down to Canberra to visit other family members, he had done his first cruise when he was only 1 and even a big overseas trip to Hawaii at 18 months old as well. Yes there are ALOT more things you needed to pack and take with you when you travel with kids, especially babies, but not having Callum with us was never an option.  

There are so many important reasons why families should travel together but firstly, it is FUN. Yes, I have had those pull out my hair moments and what were we thinking, but I then remember some of the amazing activities we have done here and there with the kids, probably things we wouldn't have ever done if we didn't have kids, we were spending quality time together.

When travelling, it is great to visit major attractions in a destination but it is also very important to have kids experience outside the box, these can be some of the most impactful moments for their development. Take a walk around the local neighborhood, head out to a park and let them run around, people watch and try the local foods.

I remember during our last trip to Hawaii, which was just before Christmas in 2019, we spent one night at a local farm, where they put on this amazing traditional Hawaiian Dinner, smores for dessert and a live performance of the Christmas Nativity, it certainly wasn't something we had ever experienced before, and probably wouldn't have if we didn't have the kids.

When travelling with kids, start a tradition to help them remember the holiday.  Maybe it's collecting a ship model when sailing on a cruise ship or it could be as small as a fridge magnet to sit on your fridge or a special pen. Something they can look at jogs their memory about that specific holiday and what they did, and there is nothing more precious than that. 

If your kids are nervous travellers, prepare them in advance for the long trip. Make sure they bring some comfy clothes or Pyjamas to change into before the flight (especially if it's a night flight) don't forget some socks and bring along a special toy for them to cuddle into. 

When on a long haul trip, I've always found it good to wrap up some small individual presents for the kids, something that they can open when onboard the plane to keep them entertained. Maybe its a travel journey for kids a little bit older or travel games.  For the little ones colouring-in books & pencils or a small toy. 

Make sure to pack individual snack bags for your kids, there is nothing worse than hearing "I'm hungry" and there is nothing in arms reach. Pack things that are easy to travel with and individually sealed so there is no issues with carrying food when you get to where you are going, and always make sure to declare it, if its an international flight.

If you are flying on an long haul international flight it might be worth investing in a sleep device such as a airplane seat extender, we have a couple of the Australian made PlanePal. We have found this is not only good on flights but in the car on long trips. The Plane Pal inflates into the leg gap between seats (along the window or in the middle seats of the plane - not on Aisles) and acts as an extension of the seat but its a portable pillow. Airline rules vary, some will allow you to inflate them and use onboard the aircraft, others it's against company protocols (so you do need to do your research before buying one) but having used these on flights with our two little ones, they are amazing and the kids slept for 7- 8 hours on a 10 hour flight, as a parent that is gold. 

So no matter if its a trip down the coast, across the country, on a ship or around the world, taking your kids to experience new opportunities, educates them to be brave, maybe even teaches them to talk and certainly impacts their development, creating memories that they (and you) will have for a lifetime!