Family Holidays – Tips for the children and you
Are your family holidays set for fun, laughter and fond memories, or boredom, tantrums and family arguments?
We all remember what it was like when the summer holidays were finally upon us and we could look forward to at least six weeks of being outdoors, having fun adventures with our friends, and heading off for a week or two on a family holiday.
Holidays are supposed to be refreshing. You’re supposed to be able to spend some quality time with your nearest and dearest, sharing new experiences and making new memories. But it seems that family holidays aren’t always as exciting as we expect them to be, and not everyone looks forward to them.
Research* shows that more and more children are finding their family travel plans dull, with 28% of youngsters saying family holidays are boring. This isn’t surprising when the research shows that only one in three children gets a say in what activities the family should do while away.
And for those with children over the age of 11, it seems that holiday tantrums are more than likely.
So, what can you do to try and make your family holiday enjoyable for everyone?
Holiday Talk
Talk to each other to find out what everyone wants to do on their holiday before you book your trip: are they happy lying on a beach; do they want to do some activities like surfing or mountain biking; or are they keen to soak up some historical sights. It won’t always be possible to include all of these activities on one holiday, but it’s important to know what you all find enjoyable, and to try and find a travel destination that combines these elements.
Research and plan
Once you’ve found your travel destination, research what you can do where, and plan your activities together before you leave. We all know that family holidays can be very expensive so you’re unlikely to be able to do everything, but planning it out beforehand, and managing your family’s expectations, will reduce the chance of disappointments and tantrums when you’re there.
Important note: Make sure that any activities you plan to do are with a reputable activity company, and be sure that you are all covered for these holiday activities on your family holiday insurance policy. You will need family travel insurance for any holiday, whether you are staying in the UK, holidaying in Europe, or going further afield on a worldwide trip.
Prepare for the journey
When travelling to your holiday destination then it’s important to plan your journey and to make sure children won’t get bored as this will be distracting, stressful and dangerous for the driver.
If you’re travelling by car with young children, then try and plan your journey around their nap time. It only takes 20-40 minutes for children to get bored in a car, so if they can sleep through some of the journey this will help.
Bring pillows, blankets and favourite toys with you.
For older children you can create travel games together. Try map reading and ticking towns off along the way; spotting cars with certain number plates; or looking out for farm animals, churches, or other landmarks. Take a selection of activity books, and songs and stories on tape or CD.
Portable DVD players, games and music players will also pass the time for older children.
Getting to your holiday destination
Know your route and plan where you will stop along the way. Choose places that have all of the services you will need for your break.
Relax
Remember that you can’t please everyone all the time. Sometimes just leave them to it and they’ll amuse themselves. But most importantly, remember to relax and have fun. It’s probably not often that you get so much time together. This could make it a bit stressful but try not to let it, just enjoy yourselves and your holiday together, safely.
* Research from Ocean Village, July 2008
Related Links
Family Holiday Insurance – get a quote for family travel insurance today!