To travel around the world for 3 months with 2 pre-schoolers?

[Stuckonthebaby]

Various circumstances have come together to mean my husband have some time and money on our hands and basically we'd like to go travelling.

Our children would be just 2 and 3.5 at the time (would be early next year) and we're considering whether we do a round the world tour for 3 months; thinking Thailand, India, Singapore, Aus, NZ and the states (maybe not all).

Are we U to even consider this? Some people think we are. OK we know it won't be the backpacking tours of our twenties. We'd stay in hotels or hire camper vans, be limited in some of the things we can do, the kids won't remember it, we won't have many toys, etc etc, but we're up for an adventure.

So what do mumsnetters think? Would you do it and any advice on places to go avoid?

Agree with what most posters are saying - maybe that many countries is too ambitious with 2 toddlers and to break up flights.
DD would happily sit relatively quietly for an hour or two max if I had a lot of things for her to do. You have to them be prepared to entertain in a relatively enclosed space and bear in mind your child may just be objectionable (typical toddler stage of everything is NO! I don't want THAT I want THIS. Nooooo! Not THAT, THIS!) which you may find a tad tiring after an hour or so without being able to get out and run around or whatever. Not trying to sound condescending at all, just that it can be hard to envisage what they will be like in a year! On Pinterest they have loads of travel ideas for kids including some pre-made ziplock bags full of various play ideas to keep them entertained - I'd do that for sure!
I also agree that this is a great time as when they start school you can't do this kind of travelling and in school holidays it is always more expensive. I want to do similar with DD, but really feel she would appreciate it more when she is older, and will just have to limit ourselves time and price-wise.
Just an extra - do you have to pick schools for them this year (yr older one?) just make sure you remember to do that before you go!

Round the World experts have some great flight itinaries that are reasonable if you can time your booking right.
One thing we found in Asia was a family hotel room may well be a double, triple rooms are easier to get than quads. (&cheaper). There is an expectation that you'll co-sleep.
In Australia we found renting apartments for 7nights was a cheaper option than hostels - with hostels you pay by the bed so 4 beds = $100-120/night. 7 nights in an apartment = $550. These were rented through estate agents in residential complexes (mostly). We stayed in a few via wotif.com that were holiday complexes.

the concept is fine, the itinerary is bonkers.

you have six countries for 12 weeks. Try again.

Agree most other posters. Go, it will be fantastic. But massively scale down your country list!

I'd wait until they were old enough to remember it, you'll have your memories but they won't and it seems a waste. Tbh, it's more for your enjoyment than theirs at this age so quite a selfish trip.

HappyMummyOfOne I couldn't disagree more. Our son is 2.8 and probably won't remember our most recent trip, but he loved it. And the sort of experiences you can expose your children to through travel can't be replicated at home.

I've never understood the 'they don't remember' it argument, surely that also applies to every time they go to the zoo or pool or playground too?

OP I'm in NZ so let me know if you want any advice

Even if they don't remember it, you will! We are hoping to do a biggish trip in mid 2016 when the child I'm expecting is just under 2 - will probably be the last opportunity for a few years to do some longer-haul travel with child/ren in tow.

Go for it!!!