Traveling with children is a tricky business.
But don’t be put off — With a bit of preparation and patience, any parent can rise to the challenge. For those of you jetting off from JFK, follow these tips to leave the Big Apple with a bounce in your step.
1. Explore
Children don’t respect time pressures when traveling, so make sure you factor in plenty to maximize the minutes.
For instance, get to the airport early and do some exploring— if your children are having pre-flight jitters, take a look at some of the planes on the runway to assuage their fears and perhaps even get them excited
With great restaurants, shops and spas at JFK, keeping your kids occupied and calm for the flight ahead will be child’s play.
To find out more about the services at JFK, have a look at the official website.
2. Drive to the airport
It’s stressful enough using public transport when you’re traveling with heavy luggage – but with children in tow that pressure is compounded. So if you want a relaxed start to your vacation, you’re better off driving.
Driving is a great way to get you and your family into the holiday spirit, because whether you’re chatting about the exciting times ahead or playing a fun family game, you’ll be feeling wonderful as you head to the airport.
For early-bird deals on parking at JFK Airport, check out Looking4.com.
3. Apps
A tablet is a must-have gadget when flying with children, and with so many child friendly apps available to download, they’ll be entertained for hours on end and less likely to cause any mischief.
The multi-functional aspect of a tablet will help keep your packing light too, as you can store your children’s favorite books, music and films in one convenient place.
If you’re worried about your children being glued to the screen for the entire holiday, you needn’t be, with parent apps such as Net Nanny you can limit their screen time.
4. Involve them
Involving your children in the holiday planning will increase their enthusiasm and mean they’re more likely to cooperate.
So let them pick the activity for at least one of the excursions —they’ll enjoy being in control and it’ll be a great learning experience because they can research the area you’re travelling to.
Also, unleash their creative side by letting them keep a travel journal where they can write about the cool places they’ve visited — and if they have a camera or decent cellphone, they can take some wicked snaps that they can show off to their friends.
5. Brand them
When you’re traveling through crowded airports it’s easy to get separated.
So write your number on your child’s arm or on a piece of paper that they have with them at all times. Chances are everything will go smoothly, but it’s best to be prepared and this simple move is a stitch in time designed for safety.
Follow these five tips and you’ll be guaranteed a more enjoyable and hassle-free experience on your next family vacation.
Any more advice for traveling with children? Share in the comments.