A little while ago, I posted a question on the ClickandGo Facebook page looking for tips and advice for travelling with small children on family holidays. As some of the suggestions that came back included the use of bailing twine and sedatives (for both children and parents), I thought it might be useful to compile a list of tips that won’t have child services beating a track to your door.
The following suggestions are based on my own (admittedly limited) experience of travelling with two toddlers, the experience of friends and general advice garnered from various sources.
So, in no particular order, here are some tips and reminders for making your family holiday a little easier:
1. Distractions, distractions, distractions
Bring whatever favourite toys, colouring books, games, etc. that will keep the little darlings distracted long enough. Just be aware that the toy drum kit from last Christmas may not be a popular choice with your fellow travellers. Portable DVD players, tablets loaded with games and LeapFrog or Innotab tablets could also come in handy.
2. Feeeeed me!
Lots of little pre-prepared bags with small snacks also serve as useful distractions and time fillers.
3. Baby food, bottles and security
Remember that baby food and baby bottles are exempt from the liquid restriction at airport security. According to the Dublin airport website: “Baby food or food for people on special diets is exempt from the new regulations. Passengers are allowed to bring these items through the screening points in the quantities needed during their trip. Passengers may be required to demonstrate that what they are carrying is real and for genuine use and not something less innocent.”
For details see Dublin airport security FAQ page.
4. “Evening before” check-in service
Aer Lingus has a service for passengers on early morning flights from Dublin airport that allows them to check in the evening before from 4 to 8pm. Obviously more useful for families who live closer to the airport, this allows you to check-in and drop off all the bulky, heavy paraphernalia associated with travelling with babies and toddlers. This leaves you free to arrive at the airport the morning of your flight and go straight through security. You’ll find full details on the Aer Lingus website.
5. A little help in the airport
Dublin Airport offers a range of paid services that make navigating your way through the airport a little easier. With their Concierge service, for example, an assistant will meet a group of up to six passengers prior to security to escort you to your flight. I have never personally used this service, but friends of mine with kids have, and though it was great. You’ll find full details here on the Dublin Airport website.
6. Buy when you get there
Given that kids are well capable of going through several changes of clothes a day, the temptation might be to bring their entire wardrobe when going on family holidays. However, depending on where you’re going, it might be possible to purchase what you need when you get there, particularly if you were going to buy lots of new summer gear anyway.
7. Travel before they’re two
On Aer Lingus flights, children under two years of age are considered infants and travel for a nominal charge. Once they are over two, they are charged for a full seat. Of course, you can then use their 10kg carry-on allowance. If your children are already over two – sorry.
8. Car seats
If you’re renting a car or getting a private airport transfer, remember to request an appropriate child seat.
9. Maybe don’t book your seats beforehand
The temptation when travelling with a family might be to pre-book your seats to ensure you all end up sitting together. The drawbacks to doing this are that it incurs an additional charge and also that you don’t know who’ll be sitting around you. On our most recent family holiday, we didn’t pre-book our seats, however, the good people at the Aer Lingus check-in desk not only seated us together but also ensured that nobody else was sitting in our row or the one next to us. This meant that we had our own little space in which to create havoc without bothering the other passengers. Of course, on a fully booked flight this would not be possible, but in our case, it worked out well.
So, this is my tuppence worth. Feel free to share or suggest your own top tips for stress-free (or at least reduced stress) family holidays!
