Just because you have kids, it does not mean that you need to limit your travel to domestic destinations. A trip to Europe is the perfect way to expose impressionable young minds to the vibrant and diverse cultures and people of the world. Here are a few tips for traveling with children of any age through Europe.
Infants and Toddlers
When traveling with infants and toddlers, the key is to pack light. Unless you are traveling to an extremely remote location, it is easy to find places to rent your baby gear. If you have an infant, it is a better idea to transport your child wearing a baby carrier rather than a bulky stroller. With so many cobbled streets and narrow alleyways lining Europe’s most famous cities, a big stroller can be cumbersome and not practical. If your toddler is in the middle of potty training, make sure to prepare them for the trip by training them to sit on a real toilet seat rather than using a child potty seat.
Young Children
Even if your child has outgrown the nap stage at home, all the activity of traveling through Europe will likely tire them out more quickly than usual. Making the time in your schedule to take naps or rest back at the hotel will lead to a smoother travel experience. It is also a good idea to sprinkle kid-friendly activities into the travel itinerary. For example, exploring an art museum or a run through a local park will be the perfect end to the day.
Preteens and Teens
This is a good age to teach children ownership over their travel experience. Getting them involved in the planning is a great place to start. You can also encourage them to learn the native language to enhance their overall vacation experience. Kids that are this age should also be expected to carry their own luggage and be responsible for packing their belongings. At this age, the goal is to support their independent travel experience and cultivate a thirst to learn about the world and its people.
With the right preparation and mindset, you can create the perfect Europe travel itinerary for your family. Regardless of the ages of the children in your travel party, the trip can go off without a hitch when you take into consideration the needs of each age group.
