Share your tips for planning a family holiday with a baby or toddler with Thomas Cook - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Going on holiday with a baby or toddler in tow means you’re likely having to plan for things you’ve never even considered before. Whether you’re new to holidays with a baby or toddler or feel like you’ve got too much experience, Thomas Cook would like to hear the tips you have for planning a family holiday with a baby or toddler.

Here’s what Thomas Cook has to say: “Going away with a baby or toddler can, at times, be a little stressful; there are lots of readers out there with some great tips to help make things easier for other mums, meaning that everyone can enjoy their well-earned time away”

Do you find that it’s easiest to book a package holiday so that the big stuff is done all in one go? Perhaps you have tips for making a flight run smoothly? Or maybe you have ideas for keeping them entertained when you’ve had to scale down their toy collection for the week?

Whatever your tips, share them below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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The best advice I had was to buy new toys for the plane journey. Also packing plenty of snacks!

We first took my son abroad when he was 8 months old and the passenger with children could board the flight first which initially we thought was a great idea. We were wrong :(

Once on the plane, the stewardess strapped my son to my lap and my he could not move for the rest of the boarding process and take off so he became irritable, fidgety and embarrassingly noisy! The whole process of boarding, cabin checks and take off took around 45 minutes and by the time we were in the air and could take the seat belts off, my usually placid, nice little boy was that kid nobody wants to be around on a two hour flight.

Needless to say, on the return journey we were one of the last to board, which was much better and ten years later we still board last with our two kiddies, even when we are asked if we would like to board first :)

Check what your airline will let you take on the flight - many airlines have pretty generous allowances for buggies/car seats etc for kids/babies. It's always helpful to book accommodation that has as many of the things you need provided - high chairs, cots etc.

I confess that we kept our holidays UK based until our little one was 3. It just seemed easier. Even now we go to France so we can have the car with us and take all our favourites! I guess it’s just about preparation, knowing what supplies you can buy abroad and what you need to take with you. Make sure you dont forget the favourite teddy though!

For me it was easiest to go to an enclosed resort with targeted activities when my two were toddlers. As a single parent it made it easier to keep track of both of them and keep them entertained.

Plan!
I pack the luggage and clothes based on days, so role one will be day one, role two day two and so on, thus minimising luggage and offering mix and match outfits
My little one has her own travel bag and I fill it with fun stuff for travelling - books, crayons and I wrap up boxes of raisins, small toys and puffs in bright coloured tissue paper for her to open on the plane, some of it is new, other toys are ones we have and haven't played with for a while, it's the unwrapping that's the exciting part!
Inflatable ball in suitcase, oh, bubbles in my hand luggage, spade in suitcase, and bucket - I stuff this with socks to keep it's shape
And ziplock bags - for everything, from dirty clothes to snacks, to shells, to keeping sun lotion in

I think you have to try and be relaxed about the traveling etc, if you're relaxed hopefully the little ones will be too. Making sure you have plenty of fluids, snacks and some things to entertain while traveling and waiting around will always help. A new sticker book is usually my fail safe for distraction when they're getting a bit upset. Going to family orientated places is a must as it's then geared for you and everyone else is in the same situation.

I went to the £ shop to pick up cheap stickers/colouring/puzzles and hid these til we got on the flight. The novelty of something new got us through! I was glad of our buggy as holidays often involve a lot of walking - ours was one of about a million McClaren XTs being loaded onto the plane so I was glad I’d labelled it with a prominent tag. Finally - find out if villa pools are fenced / gated. Our last one wasn’t and it made life a bit stressful as we always had to make sure someone was “on duty” when the toddler dc were in the garden

I always pack my kids essentials in a trunki, fantastic for hanging around airports. In general we don’t do kids clubs mine are happy with some warmth and sand.

Package holidays are definitely for us. I love everything being booked in one go - travel, hotel, food, transfers etc. Less hassle, and less fuss.

Nintendo switch works perfectly on that long plane journey to keep the kids occupied!

When my kids were little we holidayed in the uk - booking self catering cottages or caravans. The car was loaded up with everything we could possibly need. We took my mum and dad with us for extra support too!

Make sure everyone has a valid passport before booking, and get your insurance immediately after you've booked so you're protected for anything unexpected in the run up to the holiday. Also make sure you have EHICs for the countries they apply to!

No holiday booked yet, but hoping to go away this summer. We will be looking for AirBnB accommodation, as a small baby crying will feel more stressful in a holiday. More importantly- being in a home stay means we can do what's better for us (eating, sleeping, etc) rather than going by a hotel schedule.

We find it helps to stick to the home routine as much as is possible - bath, book, bed at similar time etc

Have a little bag of colouring, a few little toys and bits for the plane or a restaurant, something to keep them occupied.

Also go with what works for you, whether its keeping to their set bedtime or having a relaxed day rather than a structured timetable,

Uk holidays, self catering and remember parenting will be parenting wherever you are!

We have travelled with DC since they were young but villa/self catering holidays worked best for us when they were young.

We loved being away, going out during the day, being able to go out for nice lunches, having a pool for swimming/paddling in the afternoon, sometimes driving to the beach late afternoon for a beer and a paddle and then being able to get DC to bed at a normal time, have something easy for dinner and then sit outside with a glass of wine.

Different for everyone but I hated the idea of taking DC out for late dinner in a pushchair and hoping that they would sleep (never happened). Much more relaxing to have our own space. It's not quite the same as a holiday pre-DC but we still managed to have family time and time to relax.

Top tip: take black bags and sellotape - curtains in hotels/villas are rarely 'blackout'.

Don’t book to go when it’s too hot & make sure there’s children’s facilities / activities

If you are going to the beach, put all your valuables (wallet, watch etc) inside a rolled up clean nappy. Nobody will steal what looks like a dirty nappy.

Also, take a roll of masking tape. Can be used to tie blinds cords out if the way, or tape drawers/doors shut. An easy way to babyproof without damaging the hotel room.

Aim to choose a property that is well equipped for little ones, minimising all the baby bits you’ll have to lug along with you, and look at what family attractions/restaurants/facilities are available in the local area, so you’ll have everything you’ll need to hand.

Be realistic as to what you can do and remember it will not be as relaxing.

We always make sure we have something to entertain the children on long journeys in case there are any unexpected delays.

My tip is: they have kids there. Everything you need you can buy. So don’t panic if you’re not sure you’ll need it or you wouldn’t normally buy it, there will still be a pharmacy, a supermarket and some friendly locals to help.

Research the hotel to make sure there are lots of activities & that it is a safe place for children. Keep them occupied on the flight as there's nothing more annoying to other passengers than children who are bored, misbehaving & kicking their seats.

plan activities so they're never bored. works most of the time