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

Standard Insight T&CS apply

Try to travel when toddler would normally be asleep.
For a long journey buy little cheap toys etc that you can produce as a new toy regularly when needed as a distraction.
Check accommodation booked for stairs in living areas and hopefully stair gates.

I booked holidays in the same way I normally did where we looked for the best deals on separate flights, car hire, accommodation etc and often got it cheaper than package deals. A good one was flying into Gibraltar with BA, walking over the border to get car hire (we took our own car seat which was easily transportable and saved money) then drove to our accommodation. I found DD was more open to new experiences and foods on holiday so we didn't need to worry about packing much for her.

Look at all of the facilities available to you when you get there, and read all of the feedback good and bad to get a feel for past experienced (you will always get moaners). I particular look at the menu available, of this and the restaurants which are nearby, and the distance from the hotel to them (via google maps - you can see a lot from them when doing the street walk). The kids clubs are always key, times and age ranges and the qualifications of the staff, (DBS checks and such). Finally make a list weeks before we go so I don't forget the 'essentials'

try and travel at night and try not to take too much luggage

Research the area you're going to - where are the shops? what is there to do for children? where's the nearest play area etc It makes it much easier when you arrive if you already know these things! Pack a few favourite toys and books and familiar snacks.

Take a few favourite small toys and cuddly toys they get to go on the holiday too, my son took some cars and would even play with them in the childrens pool. Plenty of favourite snacks for flight too.

Finding somewhere to go that has a lot to do so that there are backups if rains etc.

If you are going long haul, pack a spare outfit for them, and you (they will spill something over you for sure)
If you have a baby and you are going to the beach, take an old fitted sheet with you. turn it upside down and put bags in all four corners and you have somewere safe for baby to crawl.

Make sure you read the hotel reviews before hand. If you can get a hotel with a good kids club, it keeps everyone happy.

make sure there is lots of entertainment

Take granny she is often great for babysitting for the odd few hours, take childs favourite dolly or teddy. Go somewhere not too hot and be aware of safety issues like the pool, balcony etc.

there is simply no point in travelling hours and hours in a car with toddlers so I always research local camping sites and i find that simply an hour away feels like a million miles if you are near sea and fresh air

try to get them to sleep through the journey if at all possible. if not take toys that will occupy them

Keep to your little ones routine as best you can

Take as much as you can.....essentials, toys, books, food. I vacationed in this country until the kids were much older!

Nothing too ambitious or long winded - keep it simple. We went to centre parcs for many years - 45 minute drive. Spent most of the week swimming and cycling - great fun and stress free

Accept that for you to enjoy the holiday your child/ren need to be happy.
Try and travel when they're more likely to be sleeping.
Try and pack next-size-up clothes if going somewhere hot

Take lots of snacks and drinks, plenty of wipes, toys and crayons! Don't forget a comforter if they want a sleep!

Definitely scale back the number of trips and excursions you plan to cram in, as everything takes 3X longer and 3X more energy

little colouring books, puzzles, new packets of different colouring pens to keep them amused on the plane
Ground floor accommodation - I went to same place 4 times - with TC - as all rooms like little semi detached bungalows and reduced anxiety re balconies!!
Check access to beach - had 90 steps down to beach once - not easy with 4yo and baby in buggy
Access to local town/village rather than staying in a hotel complex all the time (don't tend to drive on holiday)
Airport floors are slippery so no feet in babygro or pj's!

See if the hotel will provide a microwave for warming milk etc

I think going on holiday with a toddler is all about managing expectations, it's not going to be the same as a child-free vaycay, so be prepared!

I make a list of all of the essentials I need, and keep it on my fridge until I pack. I will pick a destination where there are lots of facilities (kiddies pool. kids club, good range of food on offer and and if there are medical help nearby). I read all of the feedback left on the hotel/villa as generally it tends to be (from past experience) very accurate. Finally I will look for the best flight time, I will pay extra for good flight times (2 pm in the afternoon is best for me) then I do not have a tired toddler, and it will fit in with nap time. There is nothing worse for both family and fellow travellers than a crying child on an airplane. I download a film on my Ipad, and take snacks to make the journey less boring.

Babies are the easiest to take on holiday. Toddlers a bit more work.

Look for package holidays that provide kids clubs, they can be a godsend.

But remember, women have children in every part of the world. If you need something, there will be shops with essential things available.

Try not to stress - it's meant to be your holiday!

We never went far when the kids were babies, only a couple of hours away really to a caravan park. Make sure there is enough to do within driving distance and take favourite toys and books with you.