Travel insurance - Tips & Advice - Holiday planning guide
You’ve been looking forward to your holiday all year. You have packed all of yours and your kids’ clothes, and you’ve remembered all the important things such as sun lotion and a first aid kit, just in case. You have swimsuits and flip-flops at the ready. Now all you have to do is get there…
Let’s face it, travel can be pretty boring for an adult – hours spent queuing and hanging around the airport before you even get on the plane. And then all that time stuck inside a big metal cylinder. Think then how dull it can be for your kids, whose attention span probably isn’t great at the best of times! Ask any parent, keeping your child entertained and in good mood on a flight can make or break the start of a holiday. So what can you do to make life easy for everyone concerned?
Be prepared
You aren’t going to be able to plan for every eventuality, but the better prepared you are, the less stressful your trip is likely to be. The older the child is, the more likely they are to be able to entertain themselves, so before you set off, explain to them how long they are going to be on the plane for and ask them what they would like to take to pass the time.
You can, of course, do the same for younger children. If you think they are old enough, let them take their own rucksack or bag with basic things to keep them entertained – such as a book, felt tips, dolls, cars, etc.
Many airlines now have individual entertainment ‘centres’ for each traveller – namely a TV screen in the seat back in front of you. You should check in advance what is available – for instance, are there kids networks and cartoons, or are there games that can be played?
Some airlines also have special packs for children who are travelling. British Airways, for instance, has a ‘Sky flier’ programme where children are given a pack according to their age. These contain activity books, crayons and colouring books, Top Trumps cards and other items that will help pass the time. Check ahead to see what's available.
Keep things familiar
Most children are used to a regular routine especially when it comes to eating and sleeping. Taking a flight doesn’t always mean that it is possible to stick to that routine, but you should try as much as possible – so make sure you take snacks should they get hungry, so you’re not relying on when the airline food will arrive.
And try not to give them food stuffs that will overstimulate them – such as too much sugar – they are going to be excited enough as it is!
For younger children, you might want to make sure that you have familiar toys – including cuddly ones – in case they get upset or crotchety. You can try ‘wrapping’ these up as parcels to enhance their entertainment value. You might also want to buy some new toys for the journey as well, to give the children something new and exciting to play with.
Bring toys out one by one and get as much use from them as possible. Then make sure you have put one toy away before you get the next one out.
Stay calm
For the sake of your fellow travellers, it’s wise not to pack toys that are going to be too noisy. Your kids may end up having fun, but everyone else could get stressed! On that note, do try to stay relaxed yourself as your kids may well pick up on any stress you are showing.
Related information:
Beat jet lag – you’ve made it through the flight, now read up on how to get over the dreaded jet lag.
Keeping kids amused in the car – if your holiday involves driving long distances with the kids in the back of the car, you may want some tips for how to keep them quiet and happy!
Family holiday guide – everything from tips on the best destinations to what you need to prepare before you go.
|
