Travel with toddler

Relaxed vacations from the first to the last day

With the little ones on a grand tour

The anticipation of your family vacation is growing? For families with young children to get to their destination (and back) stress-free and enjoy their days off, they should plan thoroughly beforehand. Good preparation includes everything needed and to be considered from arrival to return. Our tips summarize what young families should know for relaxed vacations.

Tips for arrival and departure

Do you travel to your destination by car, by train or by plane? For young children, traveling to and from their destination can be extremely boring, stressful, exciting or (especially when flying) even scary. Here's what you can do for relaxed travel:

By car

It is best to cover long distances when your offspring is normally tired. In the best case, he then sleeps through much of the journey.
Plan breaks and make them active with lots of movement - at least every two hours for 15 minutes.

You can research child-friendly rest areas in advance, which you then target.

By plane

If you're flying, an overnight flight can be convenient, especially if you're traveling long distance.
To avoid earaches, make sure to equalize the pressure during takeoff and landing: give your child something to drink; it helps older children to suck a candy or chew a piece of gum.
Prepare slightly older children for how air travel works. Then they do not get scared during takeoff, landing or possible turbulence.
All important things for your child belong in the hand luggage (Please pay attention to regulations on liquids!).

By train

Children under 6 years travel free of charge within Germany with a few exceptions and do not need their own ticket.
If you go environmentally friendly by train, it is recommended to reserve suitable seats for the family. In most trains there is a children's compartment.
Think about what to do during the train ride. Games, books, coloring materials and audio books will relieve boredom.
Pack enough food and drinks for the whole family. In the stations and on the train, the cost of snacks is usually expensive.
Be careful when getting on and off the train! Do not let your child out of sight and ask ggfs. the train staff when loading and unloading stroller or buggy for help. Always let your child get on or off first.

FOR TRAVEL

Pack appropriate snacks depending on the age of your child - nothing sweet or fatty, this is heavy on the stomach and can cause nausea.
Take small toys with you for occupation and distraction (books, finger puppets, listening games, etc.).
Dress your child in a twilight suit and remember to bring a change of underwear.
Keep wet wipes, plastic bags, pocket wipes, paper towels, and diaper changing utensils handy, if necessary.

Take the familiar with you

For young children, a new environment is very exciting. This can cause them to be restless and not find their way to sleep. Accustom your child best already at home to his travel crib. Ideally, you should take it with you on vacation. A small blanket that smells familiar and the favorite cuddly toy also create a feel-good atmosphere. Maintain rituals from your everyday life on vacation as well - for example, reading aloud or singing in the evening. If you use a rental car at the vacation destination, you should take your own child seat if possible - you never know exactly what you get on site!

Well supplied even abroad

Are you traveling to another country? If your child is no longer breastfed, but also does not yet eat with the big ones, you should plan the diet well. Take enough powdered milk with you (and possibly a small kettle for the hotel room or vacation apartment), as well as jars of the familiar baby food. Caution: even if you can buy jars from the same manufacturer abroad, the taste may vary and your baby may reject the food. If you cook yourself, pack a blender.

Precaution for health

The further away your destination is, the more important it is to plan early. For some countries, special vaccinations are recommended. Talk to your pediatrician about this as early as possible. Also ask which medications for the child belong in your first-aid kit. A checklist for the children-travel pharmacy can be found here for download. Have documents such as an identity card or passport made for your child in good time and remember his or her vaccination certificate, U-examination booklet and health insurance card with the travel documents.

All settled? Then look forward to a relaxing vacation!