Clever travel hacks for families you need to know about

travel hacks
  • Save

Travelling with kids can be testing for even the most patient parents. However, it can be fun-packed with thrills and memorable moments to savour for many years. With families reuniting following the easing of quarantine rules due to the pandemic outbreak, it may be time to give your family a good vacation treat. Even with the best planning, you can’t help but wonder whether you are good to go. However, this article can help you prepare adequately. That said, here are some clever travel hacks to leverage for your next family holiday.

Plan your during-the-trip entertainment in advance

It’s prudent to plan during-the-trip family entertainment at least two days ahead. Pre-planning ensures you have everything in order before takeoff. If possible, download the kids’ favourite cartoons, TV shows, games, and anything to keep them engaged. Fortunately, there are online streaming services to access video content on all smart devices. A power bank will also come in handy. Pre-planning is all about ensuring everything goes according to schedule, although you can leave some surprises during the trip. Nothing damps fun than attempting to figure out what to do next midway through a vacation or holiday.

Go for multipurpose backpacks

This is at the top of our list of travel hacks for family trips when you have jumpy kids. Keeping your kids within reach is essential, especially at places like the airport. Although doing this while carrying your bag can be hard work, a backpack can make it easier. The ideal backpack should offer more space while being simple to move around and do other things like unwrapping your snacks. Backpacks are better alternatives than dragging around large suitcases everywhere. For more information about quality and amazing bags for travelling check Tucker & Bloom.

A quick tip: If you have a layover, or a couple of hours before check-in or after check-out at your Airbnb or hotel, consider using luggage locker storage so that you don’t have to keep hauling everyting around with you.

Duct tapes can be a life-saver

Probably one of the most unsuspecting of travel hacks but did you know a duct roll can serve multiple purposes for travellers? Duct tapes are noted for their wonders, especially when taking a trip with a baby. It is excellent for childproofing new spaces. Moreover, they are additionally helpful for other travel purposes, including

  • Providing temporary fix for your broken luggage
  • Marking and identifying your bags and suitcases
  • Sealing leaking bottles
  • Holding your curtains to control bright morning lights
  • Offering quick fix for damaged shoes, ripped clothing, and jackets.  

Utilise your smartphone for photographic notes

While this is essential for the directionally challenged, this is one of our fave travel hacks works for everybody. You can use your smart device or phone to record your previous location to aid your return. You can also take photos of street or hotel signs or your car parked at the airport alongside a post with certain marks or numbers. Photographs on your phone can be good reminders. Photos don’t depend on language to make meaning, serving as a universal language.

Look out for airline loyalty offers

You can consider signing up for airline loyalty if you travel regularly. Loyalty programs offer a great way to accumulate points and use them for free trips and upgrades. You will also find it easier to take a familiar route when you travel with the same airline. There is no point in saving £50 to end up in an unfamiliar region. You know what to expect when you take your regular airline.

Meanwhile, you may apply for ETA if you’re travelling to countries like Canada for a short trip for up to six months. The process offers a convenient way for identification, especially for family or group trips. You can visit https://canada-eta.com to learn more about the process and its advantages. 

Build excitement at the airport

If you are travelling by air, the trip to the airport can be an exciting part of the family vacation. Could you give it a special treat? Plan your morning breakfast with something new or your favourite food at the airport. A new toy can likewise help build excitement right from the trip start. Nobody enjoys spending hours in the airport, on the flight, or even on the road. Therefore, anything to help with anticipation will make commuting less stressful as everybody looks forward to what’s in store for the holidays.

Another important hack is to arrive at the airport with lots of time to spare. While most domestic travels recommend arriving two hours before the flight, three hours is recommended for international trips. Yet adding a few hours would make room for any unexpected delays. Fortunately, many airports come with play areas for kids, so you may want to check that on their websites.

Have bracelets with phone numbers

This isn’t only cute but extremely useful for arming your kids with your contact numbers when they are going out and about. Make beaded bracelets using your phone number in case your kids get lost in the traffic. Unlike a travel card that can easily get torn or lost, your kids will enjoy wearing the bracelets. Beaded bracelets are a fun alternative to writing your contact on their arm.

Get some sanitiser or antibacterial wipes

Lockdowns and travel restrictions may be relaxed, but you are not in the clear yet. Kids will touch almost every within their reach and end up putting their hands in their mouths or faces. You can’t afford to take any risk with the present COVID risk and presence of germs everywhere. Your entire holiday may take a turn for the worse when kids start complaining about headaches and stomach aches.

Antibacterial wipes ensure their hands are disinfected every time. A hand sanitiser is a must-have, especially with the present COVID-19 pandemic. You can never be too careful when dealing with kids. So take every safety measure for a blissful holiday.

Rethink diners

The first instinct during a vacation is to eat in the restaurant when hungry. Yet with kids’ part of the travel party, a restaurant isn’t always an ideal place. While the restaurant may fit somewhere in your meal times, try better options. Preparing your fresh food is one way to travel, if possible. For example, if you live in a rented condo, vacation home, or RV, you can make delicious homemade meals. You may likewise take an open-air market trip and savour a local treat.

Family travels should be fun. These travel hacks will prove helpful whether you are going by air, road, or train. Hopefully, you will prepare for your best family vacation yet by adopting these tips.

Photo by Juan Salamanca from Pexels

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.