Tips for Families

How do you choose

If you're not sure where to go or how to choose, try getting everyone in the family to write down what they enjoyed from their last holiday and what they want out of the next one. We've designed a simple questionnaire and an 'inspire me' page for younger children. Ask your kids to complete them individually and then compare notes. If you've got more than one child it can help solve the arguments that inevitably ensue as they get older. Here are links to the kids holiday questionnaire, and kids 'inspire me' page. And of course you can contact Families Worldwide for some advice on how to choose what's right for your family.

Make it a project

Once you've booked, start getting your kids to think about where they're going. Make it into a kind of project and give them tasks to do, like colouring in a map, cutting up pictures from a magazine, learning a few words of the local language (especially numbers) and perhaps a few bits of trivia. Collect it all and put it into a scrap book before, during and after your trip.

Check-in online

When did you last travel? A year ago? Six months? It's easy to forget the hassles of last minute panics, airport parking, queueing etc. With many airlines these days you can save yourself quite a bit of time and effort by checking in online. All you need to do once you arrive is drop your bags (with a noticeably shorter queue at the bag-drop desk).

Wrap a few presents

On a long-haul flight, this works wonders, especially with smaller children. Prepare for this a few weeks in advance and make your flight an enjoyable one. Make each present a puzzle, a CD, a colouring book or something to read and play with (rather than a cuddly toy) and it will keep them entertained until the next present (perhaps every hour or two) and give them some things to look forward to.

Buy a Power Monkey

This object is one of the best travel gadgets I've come across in years. A couple of years ago, whilst packing to go on a family holiday, I noticed that we'd packed an entire bag full of chargers and wires for electronic items such as mobile phones, ipods, Game Boys, Nintendo DS, laptop. The first thing I asked myself was, "Do we really need to take these with us?". The second was - "how can I cut down the number of chargers down?" and "surely there must be something which will charge all of them". It took me another year to find the Power Monkey - a small charger which has an almost infinite number of inter-changeable 'tips' to fit just about every appliance. So all you have to do is carry the charger (the Power Monkey) and the tips instead of all of those wires. We always carry two now - even if we're camping in the UK or going to London for the day on the train. If you buy one, mention the code FWWPM and you'll get 25% off through Families Worldwide.

Check your passports!

It might sound basic, but it's well worth checking your passports well in advance of travelling to avoid any last minute panics. It's easy to overlook when your passport expires and these days children need their own passports unless they are already named on a parent's passport. Check the renewal date - though adult passports last 10 years, those for children last only five years. You should allow at least four weeks when applying to renew one. Remember, too, that some countries require you to have a minimum period left on your passport when you enter the country. So if your passport is in its last year of validity, check entry requirements and consider renewing it early.

Home comforts

Although trying local food abroad is one of the joys of travel for adults, some children can find it a challenge. So why not bring a supply of favourites, such as muesli bars, dried fruit or even a tin of spaghetti or baked beans!

Insurance

It's all too easy to book a holiday and leave the insurance until later. It's also a mistake. One of our clients on a recent trip in Costa Rica delayed taking out insurance when they booked. Unfortunately, he injured his back before the holiday started and it looked like the whole family would not be able le to travel. In the end they made it, but it was a close run thing. So remember: it's best to ensure you have insurance at the same time as you make a booking.

Stay Healthy

Good hygiene is the secret of staying well when you're exploring unusual places. The old adage 'cook it, peel it or forget it' is well worth remembering (though it is not a hard and fast rule - properly washed salads should be OK to consume, for example). Packets of wet wipes are also useful, especially with children who inevitably get mucky when playing. A quick swab of hands before eating is always a good idea.

Two Christmases

It's time to start planning for Christmas. Our tip is to enjoy your first Christmas at home with all the turkey, trimmings and presents. Then you can head out on 27th December for a second Christmas somewhere completely different. Why not consider Finland Lapland Snow Adventure or Ice pop! for some seasonal snow and winter sports. You can find winter sun in Morocco, either A Walk in the Western Atlas, Sahara Dune Adventure or Desert Discovery. Further afield you might like to consider Costa Rica Rainforest & Volcanoes or Thailand Islands & Hilltribes and Rainforests & Island Adventure.

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