Everything You Need to Know About Travelling with Kids

Is travelling with kids worth it? Absolutely. All that’s required is a little extra preparation and patience in return for lifelong memories. Here, we’ll share top tips for how to pack for a trip with kids (spoiler: don’t forget some of the latest travel tech!), how to plan for a driving holiday, ideas for the airport and onboard the plane, and how to choose a family-friendly destination.

How to pack for a trip with kids

Organise your essentials

Walk yourself through a typical day in your mind, listing everything you use – from medication, to bottles, wet wipes and nappies – as the basis for your packing list. A dedicated suitcase for kids is ideal so everything is kept together in the same place. Luggage that doubles up as a ride-on for toddlers in the airport is especially handy! Remember your tech to keep all your devices charged, from phones to kids’ tablets. Cygnett’s Multi Port Travel Wall Charger is the perfect all-rounder; it charges three devices simultaneously with interchangeable adapters for the US, UK, Europe and back home in Australia, and comes in a handy travel case, so you can keep your passports in it too.

Keep everything close at hand, in-flight or on the road

Pack a handy grab-bag that is easy to access on a flight or in the car, whether you need to be changing nappies, dishing out a change of clothes or issuing an emergency snack. Include portable chargers and cables for phones and kids’ devices, so you’re not having to hunt through suitcases in the event of a flat battery. The high capacity Cygnett ChargePro Power Bank 20K is ideal for a long journey, with its ultra-fast charging capabilities (enough for up to four full phone charges) and multiple ports.

Driving holidays with kids: tips for a smooth ride

Plan frequent stops

Check your route in advance for places of interest and service stations, allowing plenty of stops for everyone to stretch their legs, have a change of scenery and use the bathroom. The fresh air can act as a reset for restless kids – and makes your family road trip about the journey as well as the destination.

Pack comfort items

These are the nice-to-haves that just make the journey all the more pleasant. Think pillows, blankets and soft toys for the kids, plus a tablet holder for the backseats to keep them entertained (like the Cygnett CarGo Car Tablet Mount, which is adjustable and mounts easily to the headrest). The Cygnett Wireless Elite Audio Adapter can connect two sets of wireless headphones to one device, such as an iPad, so you can focus on the road ahead. Plus, with more than 28 hours of playtime there’s no need to worry about battery life. No bickering over shared corded earbuds? Yes please!

Choose the right ride

Having the right vehicle can be key to a successful road trip with kids. It means enough space for all to help minimise squabbles, and gives you ample room in the boot for suitcases, prams and boogie boards. You can also give your adventure an added sense of occasion by hiring a car for extra comfort, which may include fun features you might not usually have, like a sunroof or voice command connectivity.

If you’re flying with kids: surviving the airport & the skies

Arrive early at the airport

Allow ample time for any unexpected incidents en route (just one car sickness episode or spilt drink can derail best-laid plans) and getting through security with little ones. Ensure your suitcases are safely locked before checking them in – the Cygnett Bluetooth® TravelTag range offers the dual benefit of finding your suitcase and enabling you to locate it via the Apple Find My app, too.

Pack entertainment

While in-flight entertainment is great, it doesn’t cover those moments of waiting and queuing in the airport. Pack small but mighty activities like playing cards, sticker books and surprise toys (wrapping them up adds an extra element of enjoyment), in addition to tablets (don’t forget the screen protectors) and audio book players. Keep the entertainment going with Cygnett’s HighPWR 27K Laptop Power Bank, which gives speedy charging to three devices simultaneously, and above-average power that’s carry-on approved. If you are bracing for a long-haul flight with kids, check out our ultimate packing list.

How to pick your destination: family-friendly holiday spots

Choose kid-friendly destinations

To guarantee a smooth and enjoyable holiday for all ages, from toddlers to discerning tweens, be tactical with your choice of destination. Consider what’s best for your crew, whether that’s a flop-and-drop resort with a kids’ club and young adult program in Fiji or Thailand, or a self-contained villa stay in Bali or Vietnam for ultimate flexibility around dining and activities. Destinations like New Zealand, the Cook Islands and New Caledonia can be less than a six-hour flight away from the Australian east coast, which is ideal if you want to minimise travel time (avoiding jet lag too!) and maximise your time on the ground.

Be prepared for new environments

Safety is, of course, number one priority when exploring somewhere new on a family holiday. Prepare before your trip with comprehensive travel insurance and consider popping a tag into your luggage, so you can find and locate it should it go missing. The Cygnett Bluetooth® TravelTag is ideal with its unobtrusive, credit-card-sized format and Apple Find My technology, which can even be put into kids’ pockets or backpacks for added reassurance in busy airports and cities. Plus, the TravelTag also has wireless recharging functionality.

The Cygnett MagSlim Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is ideal for keeping your phone at full charge, especially if you’ve been snapping family pictures while exploring, looking up flight details and directions, or the kids have run the battery down playing games.

Consider convenience

For maximum enjoyment and minimum stress, consider ‘destination dupes’: places that offer a similar experience to far-flung favourites, potentially closer to home. Dreaming of the Maldives? Australia’s Whitsundays offer comparable paradise island vibes, with white sands, blue waters and coral reef to snorkel – with plenty of self-catering villa options for families.

Feature image: Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji.