Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to map out a perfect holiday plan for the family. Traveling is in itself an adventure and traveling with kids is an altogether different ball game. It requires planning, tact and loads of snacks in order to ensure a peaceful, happy, and fun travel experience.
It is prime to choose an appropriate kid-friendly destination when planning a holiday. Tour operators and airlines provide seasonal family deals that are reasonable and packed with activities for the entire team. You could consider a Safari trip or an island trip, or you could just book a relaxing week at an all-inclusive resort; avoid the hustle to just unwind.
Here are a few tips that can help you make your holiday a memorable one.
BOOKING YOUR STAY
- Look for kid-friendly hotels and resorts which provide nanny/nursery services and house a kids club. This will make it easy for the parents looking for some peaceful time.
- Consider booking a Pack N’ Play or a sleeping cot for your toddlers
- Swimming pools with kiddie pools within the hotel is a blessing and ensures maximum fun for the little ones as well as their guardians.
- When looking for a hotel or resort make sure to convey your family’s dietary preferences at the concierge or via email prior to arrival.
TRAVELING
- Stroller/wheelchair access is paramount when looking to go around a new city or town.
- When looking to travel on trains and buses, do ensure that you reach the station beforehand in order to avoid the hassle prior to boarding – stowing strollers, bags, kids et al.
- When traveling in an airplane, reserve a bassinet seat for yourself and your baby. It helps ease the travel experience for the parents as well as the kid.
- For in-flight entertainment, make fun packs for your children to keep them engaged. These packs can include miniatures, Play Doh, books, water painting activities, and more.
- If you are planning a hiking trip or trail adventure, invest in a good ergonomic baby carrier to keep your hands free.
- If traveling between cities or countries via a rental car, ensure the availability of car seats based on traffic rules and restrictions of the country. Safety is everything.
- Always remember to recharge your gadgets a night before the traveling day.
HOLIDAY PLANNING
- While making an itinerary online, look for children tags on tourist sites. This will not only make it a memorable experience for you but also for the other tourists in your team.
- Make sure to check the weather of your travel destination in order to equip yourself with appropriate clothes and covers for your children.
- Prepare a handy first aid kit with a painkiller, eye drops, nasal spray and thermometer plus bandages, antibiotic cream and insect ointments/sprays. Carry a mosquito net if traveling to tropical locations.
- If you’re booking yourself and your family a walking tour of the city, do remember to pay attention to the online reviews in order to avoid discomfort to your kids as well as the others. Choose something child-appropriate that could be enjoyed by the entire family.
- Almost all cities have the following places to visit- Museums, Theatre, Zoos, Botanical Parks, Gardens, Amusement Parks, Water play areas, Libraries and Fairs. Reserve tickets and insert activities accordingly when making day plans.
- Good health requires stringent rules when it comes to food and water. Avoid streetside stalls and public water taps especially for children. Bottled water from supermarkets is the best.
In order to promise an enriching experience for your tweens and teens, educate them about the culture and history of the country that you’d be traveling to. You could use books, videos and photos as educational tools. Kids are curious little beings and this little activity will make their holiday interesting and enjoyable.
To bring up little travelers, it’s best to take them exploring from a young age. This inculcates in them the love of quests and self-discovery. Car trips, family holidays, staycations and reunions are perfect learning experiences. Traveling young aids in creating awareness about different cultures and helps break stereotypes. It gives you confidence and makes you a pretty interesting person!
Build an itinerary, grab your bags and kids, get set and fly away for an epic escapade of sorts. Bon voyage!
FUN PLACES TO VISIT IN KSA
- Fakieh Aquarium (Jeddah)
- Loopagoon Water Park (Al Khobar)
- Riyadh Boulevard City (Riyadh)
- Al Shallal Amusement Park (Jeddah)
- King Salman Science Oasis (Riyadh)
- Riyadh Zoo (Riyadh)
- Telefric (Taif)
- Taif Rose Garden (Taif)
- National Museum of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)
- Ithra (Al Khobar)
- BOUNCE (Riyadh)
- Escape Room (Riyadh)
- Masmak Fort (Riyadh)
Saudi Arabia has a varied topography and culture. From the pristine beaches, snowy peaks, majestic mountains to the vast mysterious desert. A very child -friendly country, it is perfect for a family vacation. There are various amusement centers and play areas apart from the natural wonders making it an interesting tourist destination. Hop On-Hop Off Buses operate in the City of Madinah and they’re great for a family trip that educates. Saudi Arabia has everything for everyone!
