The prospect of vacationing with your kids in tow can be daunting. The combination of airport lines, long-haul flights and tired kids can be off-putting to even the most determined parent. But, adequate planning and a little patience can go a long way towards creating lasting memories of fun family vacations. Here are our 5 tips for vacationing with your kids:
Consider scheduling your family vacation outside of the major school holidays. Even if this means that your kids might a miss a few days of school, travelling in off-season will help you to avoid the typical crowds and congestion at the airport during these periods. Choosing to travel in off-season can also result in significant savings on airline tickets. These savings can then be reapplied to other areas of your vacation - an extra room night anyone?
To ensure you get the most out of your family vacation, be sure to choose a hotel with kid-friendly facilities such as a kid's club or games/pool room; kid's pool(s); free or affordable baby/kid accessories such as cribs or cots if required; free parking; and a free or affordable shuttle to popular attractions and activities. Choosing a hotel that provides children's accessories like cribs will reduce the amount of equipment you'll need to travel with. While complimentary services such as baby sitting and shuttle
Choose a hotel that offers spacious,residential-style accommodations. Separate bedrooms and living spaces will ensure that both you and your kids can enjoy some individual space during your family vacation. And, a kitchen/kitchenette will allow you to prepare meals in the comfort of your suite. While younger children might be excited at the prospect of eating out once or twice during your stay, alternating those nights with home-cooked meals will not only save you money, but keep them happy.
Research and schedule kid-friendly activities that the entire family can enjoy. Check in advance for free/ affordable baby-sitting services and schedule your required days and times prior to your arrival,as availability will likely be limited.
This may be the hardest part but having a calming presence will help your kids to remain calm during your trip. Kids will be kids and they will get tired or upset at some point. How you handle these occasions will make all of the difference. Sometimes a quick distraction with a toy or a tight hug is just the trick.
The Crane Resort in Barbados is the perfect choice for a relaxing family vacation, offering spacious residential style accommodations, an exciting new Kids Club as well as a knowledgeable Concierge team ready with kid-friendly suggestions to make the most of your Barbados holiday. To learn more about The Crane, contact concierge@thecrane.com.