Travelling with children can be a daunting task. We’ve all been on planes where some poor parent is desperately trying to calm a screaming child while the rest of the plane becomes increasingly annoyed. Experiences like this are enough for new parents to begin researching companies like Jettly.com that specialize in private flights just so they don’t have to worry about disrupting other passengers. But rest assured, despite the horror stories you may have heard or even witnessed yourself, travelling with kids can be fun and rewarding! Who wouldn’t want to expose their kids to new experiences with a life on the road? Or even experience the joy of staying in one of these gorgeous villas in paros. Just feeling the sun on your skin and the sand between your toes can be exhilarating! With a positive outlook, solid planning and the right equipment, travel can be child’s play.

Have a Plan and Don’t Be in a Hurry

One mistake new parents seem to always make (I know I made it!) is to try to cram as much “fun time” as possible into the vacation. The thing is, to our kids, everything can be a fun time! They love exploring new places…even if it’s a new place we loathe (think airports!). So, my advice is to change your outlook on the vacation. The vacation is getting away from home, being on the road, and travelling. It is seeing new things and being in new, strange places and that is fun! If you are travelling to a destination that you have never been to before, like Iceland, hire a rental vehicle with somewhere like https://www.rent.is/ if it will make navigating between cities and attractions easier. Sometimes, when you are in an unknown place, it can be stressful when you don’t know where to go. But if you hire a vehicle that caters to just your family, you can take things as slow and as steady as you need to, thus making life easier for your whole family. Take it one step at a time, one place at a time. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t plan out activities and do some of the “tourist” things in your destination of choice. I’m simply saying to keep your plans simple, basic outlines and fill in the gaps with leisurely, fun exploring!

Pack and Plays

Having a familiar piece of home with you is important too. Pack and plays are a great way to give your kids a safe place to play, rest and relax. For the adults, they are convenient to transport, store, and setup. Check out this list to help you find the best pack n play reviews. Remember to shop wisely: make sure your pack and play meets airline carry-on requirements and is sturdy enough for a safe play time!

Short Days, Don’t Forget to Rest

As with most things, especially new experiences, keep it short and positive. What works best for our family is to plan for an hour activity followed by an hour off for recuperation, wandering, sightseeing, whatever-comes-our-way fun-time. You can never “see it all” so do your research ahead of time to find out the sights and adventures you simply must do…and then make a leisurely plan to fit them in that will be fun for everyone. And if you’re running late for something, if someone is getting tired and grumpy, or if it’s time for dinner, don’t be afraid to switch up your schedule at the last minute. Keep it fun and be flexible!