What are the dos and don'ts of travelling with kids? 15 parents weigh in.

It feels like everyone is on holiday right now.

And it turns out... they are. 

After more than two years of sticking around home, Australians have resumed our favourite pastime.

While travelling with kids can be a bit more work logistically, my Instagram feed makes it very clear that the enthusiastic return to travel is by no means reserved for 20-somethings on TikTok. Every shape and size of family seems to be hitting the road, sea or sky to make up for lost time.

Family-friendly favourite, Holiday Inn is celebrating its 70 year anniversary with a massive survey, asking parents (and their kids) across Australia what they want from a holiday hotel stay.

They found that 3 out of 4 parents say that they are happiest on holiday when their kids are happy. Either because we are beautiful, selfless martyrs or we actually know the happiness of the kids is directly correlated with me FINALLY being able to read my new Sally Hepworth book cover to cover without too many interruptions. 

Meanwhile, almost 75 per cent of kids say that the best thing about going on holiday is the special foods like pizza, pancakes, and ice cream. And look, I see where you’re coming from kids.

Regardless of your holiday objective, more than 78 per cent of Australian parents say that the most significant factor that impacts their choice of destination (or ability to take a holiday at all) is the cost of their hotel accommodation, cost of travel, and meal inclusions. 

Having school-aged kids means we’re limited in the dates we can travel, so it’s harder to chase the best affordable option than it was in kid free days. With seven decades of experience and 14 million guests every year, Holiday Inn has pretty much nailed the formula for a happy holiday. They know how to keep the harshest critics (read: kids) happy, so hotels are designed with families in mind (literally – hello new open lobby, restaurants, fancy bars...).

With the recent research findings top of our minds, we asked our Mamamia audience for their dos and don’ts of travelling with kids.

Here's what 15 parents had to say.

1. Don’t be a stickler about the rules.

“Remember that a couple of days or even weeks aren’t going to undermine your regular parenting, so don’t waste precious vacation time stressing about bending the rules. Let them have ice-cream at breakfast and stay up late. Kids understand the difference between holiday and home rules, they’ll adapt back.”

2. Do look out for freebies.

“Entertaining the kids on holiday can be super expensive. Suss out anything that has freebies or perks for kids, like free meals, accommodation, play areas or kids' club included.” 

(Hot tip: At Holiday Inn hotels locally and overseas, kids can eat free and stay free (12 years and under). Definitely a perk to know about. And junior guests also get a free Welcome Pack with activities in it too. No parent ever turns down an opportunity for the kids to be entertained.)

"Also related here: honestly don’t stress about things you’ve forgotten – hotels like Holiday Inn will be able to run up items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps or forgotten amenities to you. A few less things to worry about."

3. Do request children's meal when booking flights.

“Advice from a cabin crew veteran, even if you book a child’s ticket you’ll be assigned a regular meal. Make sure you request a kids' meal when you book online. If you’re dealing with allergies (or severe dislikes from picky eaters), specify that too. And bring snacks as backup. Always.”

4. Don’t forget to download your entertainment.

“Perfect for kids in transit! Download the free BorrowBox App so you can pre-download audiobooks and eBooks for the little ones from your local library. It's wild it's actually free, you just pop your library card in and you can start borrowing. You’ll save a fortune on buying books!”

5. Do ask for adjoining rooms.

"If you're travelling with family friends and their kids, or extended family where there's quite a lot of you, ask for family rooms or interconnecting rooms just to maximise time with the loved ones you're holidaying with – these can usually be granted on request, which more parents need to know about!"

6. Don’t cram too much in.

“We have a rule: one place per holiday. When I was kid-free I’d destination-hop but when you travel with kids, it’s nicer to get there, get settled and enjoy the holiday. Even on a tiny island there is so much to see if you decide that’s your focus. If you’re in a city, get a multi-pass and go see the museum, gallery, aquarium and whatever else they have on offer.”

7. Do drink or chew during take-off and landing.

“Our kids always struggle with the pressure change. I pack lollies for everyone to chew during take-off and landing but sipping a drink would work too. The lollies work as a bribe too – so that’s a win.”

8. Don’t forget to check your passport’s expiry date.

“PSA: If you’re even thinking of going overseas, check everyone’s passport expiry date. NOW. Children aged 15 and under get five-year passports, not 10 year passports like adults.” 

(Hot tip: According to the Australian Passport Office, if your passport expires in six months or fewer, you may need a new one. Some countries, like Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, need visitors to carry passports with at least six months validity beyond your stay. The more you know.)

9. Do consider starting your holiday a day earlier.

“Okay hear me out: definitely consider starting your holiday a day earlier with an airport hotel stay – that way, you can keep the morning mayhem of getting to the airport to a minimum, and always keep an eye out for stay and park packages to get your car's parking fee sorted in one total cost."

10. Do keep a medical kit close.

“Make sure you have your kids preferred brand and flavour of pain-relief medication in your carry-on for the flight. You don’t want to be hunting for it in some remote pharmacy. Also, something for ear pain, eye drops and anti-nausea meds if they get travel sick! We've learnt the hard way.” 

11. Do take a change of clothes (for everyone).

“Even if your kids are older, accidents/spills still happen on the road. It's science I swear. Take a change of clothes for everyone. You never know when someone will get sick, spill their drink or slip in a big puddle. Nothing worse than being filthy wet and cold to ruin a holiday outing (or the photos, ha!).”

12. Do research the rules around car seats.

“Even if you’re not leaving the country, check out the rules about car restraint safety. In some states 7-year-olds still need to be in car seats and in some countries it’s illegal for under 10s to sit in the front seat. Who knew?”

13. Don't forget the snacks.

“Hit up the local supermarket as soon as you arrive and load up on snacks for the kids. You’ll save a fortune on mini-bar or desperation purchases at cafes. Also buy basic breakfast foods (yogurts, muesli bars etc) and stock the fridge so that you don’t all have to eat out for every meal.”

14. Do pack wisely.

“Packing cubes. Packing cubes. Packing cubes. If you don’t already have them, I recommend you try them now! Game changer to organise your stuff by kid, or by occasion etc. Also, when heading home with bags full of dirty clothes, separate out lights and darks so they can go straight in the wash when you get home.” 

15. Do focus on burning energy at pit stops.

“When you do stop on road trips, stop at playgrounds or sports fields. Pack a ball for a quick game to burn off all that pent up energy.”

What are your dos and don’ts for travelling with kids? Let us know in the comments below.

Holiday Inn knows that your kids are the harshest critics – from food, holiday stays to activities, parents often make decisions that will keep their kids happy. This is why Holiday Inn is inviting kids to review their experiences, unveiling their truths about what makes a five-star review (...it's not always what the parents think!). 

From now until the end of November, kids are invited to take on the challenge when receiving a review kit after checking in at Holiday Inn. And because Holiday Inn know just how happy ice-cream makes kids (the research said so!) – they're giving away free ice-cream to kids 12 years and under, 24/7.

Choose your next adventure with a range of offers and packages available here.

T&Cs apply. 

Feature Image: Getty.