Top Ten tips for travelling with children

Top Ten tips for travelling with children

Est. Reading Time: 7 minutes

Our Top Ten tips for travelling with children

By Flagstone Travel

Travelling with children can be hectic and stressful, however, it doesn’t have to be. Recently on a flight to Johannesburg, I experienced an extraordinary lady who was attempting the 11-hour flight on her own with three little ones as her husband was meeting them there. She was calm, organised and full of tricks. So here are some of her tricks with a few added tips from me.

Top 10 tips for travelling with

1:
When booking your flights, or deciding which airline you want to fly with, check the flight regulations. By this I mean in terms of luggage, are you allowed to take extra bags, how far through can the pushchair go, can you pre-book seats together and is there an additional cost? What age group do your children fit into and will they be given a seat on the plane or are you going to have them on your lap?

2:
Be prepared, this is so important, so my advice is to bring snacks and as many as you can fit, as well as something more substantial. This will of course depend on the duration of your flight, but keeping their tummies full will help you keep them quiet, sit still and also sleep.

3:
Don’t forget wet wipes, whether your child is two or five they can still make a mess and you will be grateful for less sticky fingers.

4:
Bring distractions for your children with you whether it is a book/iPad/toys, pack some things to entertain your child, ideally, ones they can do sitting down in their seat and ones that do not make too much noise.

5:
If you are worried, explain to the passengers sitting near you that for example it is your first flight with your little one. This will help them to be more sympathetic if your child (and it will happen to us all) is the one screaming on a night flight because they can’t get comfortable or you can’t get them to sleep. Along this line another great ‘job’ if you have a three to five-year-old or similar is to get your child to offer a sweetie to the people sitting near you early on in the flight, it will earn some brownie points for later.

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6:
Pack a change of clothes for them and for you as well, just incase. You never know where a spillage can come from and you do not want to be caught off guard.

7:
If you are travelling on your own with one or more children, think of the type of bag you are taking, for example one that will fit under a pram, or a rucksack that you can wear that will leave your arms free, toddlers/children can wear one as well, fill it with their toys or games.

8:
Bring a child’s surprise plane bag, the first time I saw this was on the flight to Johannesburg, and it is an excellent idea. Firstly it works from a three-year-old to a ten-year-old. They will carry the bag, which is great to fill with their snacks or spare change of clothes. It is an exciting way for your children to start the holiday. It can be a small party bag with inexpensive goodies/presents, for example, a colouring book and crayons, that will keep them entertained throughout the flight.

9:
Arrive in plenty of time, pre-book your seats, if you can’t find what you want checking in online arrive early and ask for seats together.

10:
Pre-order anything you need for example food, milk or any medicine you might need whilst away, you can call ahead to the Boots in the departures area and pre-order this. On this not, it is also a good idea to take a little medical bag with some Calpol and necessities so that you are prepared.

After receiving some really helpful feedback from our clients who have tried and tested some of our tips, we have been given an extra couple of bonus tips which we would love to share with you…

Firstly: take a small puzzle, it is quiet and compact, not messy and can be reused numerous times especially if on a long-haul flight. 

Secondly: if space is an issue when packing, take one pen or pencil and a little packet of post it notes, these can be drawn on, used double sided and also stuck around the seats in front and will create another game, whether they draw numbers and count, draw pictures or learn new words, it will fill hours of your flight time. 

Hopefully, these extra bits will come in handy for your next flight with your little ones.

Grecotel Costa Botanica

Picture: Grecotel Costa Botanica

Tip: Speak to an expert who has visited these places and will add all the details such as car seats and children’s bath robes, pre book restaurants and help you to make everything as stress free as possible.

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Our recommended top 3 family destinations for 2025

Our recommended top 3 family destinations for 2025

Est. Reading Time: 7 minutes

Our recommended top 3 family destinations for 2025.

By Flagstone Travel

If like us you are wondering where to head for your next holiday and what properties would take the stress out of travelling with young children, we have the perfect tips for you to plan ahead. Now is the time to book for May half term and the summer whilst the early booking discounts are available.

Having young children ourselves, we appreciate that it is really important to have a break as well as spend time with your children. We have a few firm favorites that are tried and tested. Luxury hotels that are designed for children. Hotels with babysitting, good food but also family friendly restaurants where if your toddler throws something on the floor, the staff bring a toy, and sweep it up like nothing happened as it happens 100 times a day.

Our first recommendation is for families with young children under 4 years old. For this it’s important to pick a family specific hotel that caters for young children. There are the big brands such as Ikos and Sani Beach which offer excellent facilities and childcare, though this level of luxury can come at a cost.

One hotel that ticks all the boxes again and again is the Domes of Elounda, Crete.

Domes of Elounda

Picture: Domes of Elounda

Offering up to 25% off for 2025 and some discounts still for September and October 2024. A beautiful boutique yet spacious all suite hotel. This is perfect for families with
infants and younger children. There is childcare from 4 months in a registered creche and they offer three hour sessions twice daily as well as private babysitting (at additional cost). Kids club from four years is complimentary. The reason we love this hotel is the staff! It is a beautiful 5* hotel but with family friendly luxury, nothing is too much trouble and they love the children. There is a great beach, children’s pool and outdoor play ground too. One of our favorite aspects is that all the suites have private hot tubs or pools and two rooms, so there is no need to worry about waking each other up or sitting in the dark from 7pm. They provide everything from baby bouncers, cots, changing mats, baths, bed guards.
Tip: There is a beautiful village called Plaka a 10 minute walk away which is great for a local lunch, shopping and supermarket as well as having a large playground.

Domes of Elounda

Picture: Domes of Elounda

Get in touch with us here if this is the sort of holiday you are looking for: www.flagstonetravel.com/enquire or call us on 02080502681. Family holidays here start from £2,250 for a family of four for 7 nights on half board, no travel in May 2025. Quote BROOD

Ideal for children that are 4-8 years old the Grecotel Costa Botanica in Corfu is perfect. Just over 3 hours by plane from London it is offering a children go free on certain dates for 2025 and there are some fab upgrades and discounts for early booking.
The main aspect about this hotel that we love is their shoreline, it is a beautiful long sandy beach and you won’t have to fight anyone for a lounger. The hotel has access to its Aqua Park which is amazing for slightly older children and there is an excellent kids club from 4 years old, complimentary. Unlike most all-inclusive you can dine around and try the local delicacies and 5 a la carte restaurants.

Grecotel Costa Botanica

Picture: Grecotel Costa Botanica

The hotel has its very own Greoland where kids can do arts, crafts, water activities, team games, move and theatre events as well as playing with lots of toys in an air conditioned area whilst parents visit the spa. The hotel is not just about the kids clubs, the facilities and children’s pool is fantastic for families to relax and enjoy time together. Tip: Pre book the a la carte restaurants and childcare here to make sure you get the most relaxation and get to try everything the hotel has to offer. Family holidays here start from £2,999 for a family of four for 7 nights on an all-inclusive basis, no travel in September 2024.

Grecotel Costa Botanica

Picture: Grecotel Costa Botanica

Tip: When your children get a little older is to go all-inclusive, it saves on the snacks, ice-creams, drinks and more snacks!
Finally, one for the older families with children and teenagers from 8-16 years old our recommendation would be the Club Med Palmiye Hotel in Turkey. It is one of the rare finds where a hotel with buffet and a la carte restaurant has a buffet that you will not get bored of eating in every day for the week. The food at Club Med is excellent and offers everything from a baby corner with freshly made purees to a pasta and pizza station and ice cream bar.

There are fantastic interconnecting rooms and the hotel is well built and spread out so it never seems too busy. Primarily we love this property because everything is included from tennis to volleyball and waterskiing. If you have active kids and want to join them it’s perfect. Saying this there is also a fantastic kids club with itinerary, so if they only want to join the bug hunt or sandcastle building competition you can pick and choose.
Club Med as a brand has really changed over the last 5 years with many hotels being newly renovated and ideal for families catering for their needs. There is still the evening entertainment, that can be avoided or join in but they have upped their game. Family holidays here start from £6,470 for a family of four for 7 nights on all-inclusive with London flights and transfers for October half term 2024.

Club Med Palmyie

Picture: Club Med Palmyie

Tip: Speak to an expert who has visited these places and will add all the details such as car seats and children’s bath robes, pre book restaurants and help you to make everything as stress free as possible.

Speak to Flagstone Travel and quote BROOD

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