Travelling with small children can be hard work - keeping them amused and fed takes up most of the time, while carting around the mountain of clothes, toys and other relate
d equipment swallows the rest.
d equipment swallows the rest.It doesn't always have to be so hard, however, according to Karen Gutteridge of child-friendly property experts Holiday Tots According to Karen, there are steps you can take to ensure a pleasant trip for both you and the kids. Here, she offers her top tips for how to travel with toddlers and stay sane:
1. On car journeys always factor rest stops into your travel times. It may take longer to get there but toddlers can endure quite long journeys as long as they are able to have frequent run-abouts.
2. Protect your child's ears on the plane - young children do not usually know how to 'pop' their ears, so allow them to suck on a bottle or a lolly during take off and landing to help with this.
3. Make up toddler goody bags before you go to be handed throughout the journey, filled with small board books, toys and perhaps a snack. They make a great diversion for bored tots.
4. Go self catering. This type of holiday generally provides the flexibility and facilities that suit families with young children, so you can go at your own pace, choose your own mealtimes and have full access to your own kitchen to prepare baby bottles and purées. Children also have more play space and there's usually less pressure to keep the noise down.
5. If your children are all under school age, make the most of it by travelling during the months of May, June, September and October. Prices are cheaper and the resorts are generally cooler and less crowded.
Holiday Tots offers a range of gîtes, villas and cottages specially equipped for the needs of families with pre-school children.
Time-pressed parents benefit from a much quicker means of selecting family holidays and short breaks and can travel a lot lighter safe in the knowledge that all Holiday Tots properties come fully stocked with a range of baby equipment and toys to ensure a happy holiday for everyone.
For an extra-special summer holiday this year, check out this beautifully restored 18th century farmhouse in the Deux Sevres region of France.
Set in 6 acres of gorgeous secluded grounds, the house provides luxurious accommodation for all the family, with a stunning heated pool, an organic vegetable and herb garden and a private patio. It's even got a cute new wendy house for the kids to explore.
As most parents know, a little forward planning can go a long way but since you're on holiday, why not let someone else do it for you?
Check out www.holidaytots.co.uk for a great range of child-friendly holiday options.