An adventure holiday offers an exciting opportunity for you and your kids to create unforgettable memories. However, unlike a typical beach getaway or city break, planning an adventurous trip with children that involves some physically challenging activities requires a bit more effort and planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. If you’re thinking of booking a more exhilarating escape with your little ones, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you keep things stress-free whilst preparing for your adventure holiday:
Sort out your documents
Before we get to the fun part, let’s get the paperwork out of the way: Have you checked everyone’s passport expiry dates, including the 10-year rule? Do you or the children need a visa? Are there any travel restrictions that apply to you or your children? If this is your first holiday as a parent, you might not be aware that you require the consent from the other parent if that parent has parental responsibility. If you are a widow/widower, you will need to carry the other parent’s death certificate with you in addition to the usual paperwork.
Research your destination
It’s important to thoroughly research your destination before you leave, so that you’re prepared for all eventualities. Are you and your children up to date with your vaccinations? Is the tap water safe to drink? Are the neighbourhoods dangerous and are there areas that are best avoided? It’s also worth having an idea of how you’ll get around, such as whether the public transport is reliable and costs.
Get the family in shape
Now the fun can begin! If your holidays usually involve strolling through cities or lounging by a pool, an adventure holiday might be quite a change of pace. Check your itinerary so you can get prepared for the activities you’ll be doing. If there is a lot of hiking or cycling involved, for example, it’s worth getting some cardio and strengthening workouts in that target the right muscles, to make sure everyone can keep up with the set pace. In addition, being fit means you will enjoy the activities much more.
Likewise, if you’re looking to try kayaking or surfing, it’s important to make sure everyone has the basic skills needed to enjoy these activities, so get some trial lessons in before you go away. Being a confident swimmer and trying these activities in the same environment, i.e. wild water also helps alleviate any fears around water-based activities.
When it comes to getting fit, any sport will do, so if your children are tennis players, increase court time, or if you like to spend time on the golf course, make sure to play a few extra practice rounds of golf in the lead up to your holiday.
Plan for all family members
The key to a successful holiday is making sure that everyone’s interests and abilities are catered for. While an adventure holiday is sure to be more active than a typical family getaway, that doesn’t mean you have to be on the go the whole time. Try to strike a balance, especially if you have younger children who won’t be able to keep up with a packed schedule.
One way to make sure everyone will be happy with the trip is to get input from the whole family on what they’d like to do. Research the destination together and find at least one thing for each person that will enhance their trip. It helps everyone feel more excited but also makes the planning more fun and inclusive.
Get up to date on vaccinations
Depending on where you’re travelling to, you may need to arrange for travel vaccinations for more exotic locations to protect you and your family against tropical diseases. Always check with your GP before a trip, making sure to book an appointment well in advance as vaccination clinics can book up quickly and some vaccines need to be administered months before the holiday.
Your local GP will also be able to recommend any medications or products that you might want to take with you. For minor ailments, having waterproof plasters, after-sun and an antiseptic cream on hand are always good standbys. Anti-nausea medication for children can also be beneficial, especially if you’ll be driving or sailing during your trip and your kids suffer from motion sickness.
Packing for an adventure holiday
Packing is crucially important on an adventure escape — you want to make sure you’re fully prepared for all eventualities. Your suitcase should be filled with items that are comfortable and practical. For example, if you are camping with kids, you’ll want to bring plenty of SPF and bug spray, as well as mosquito nets for your tent. If hiking is on the agenda, make sure the whole family has sturdy shoes that have already been broken in, layered clothing for all weathers, and sun hats. Pack items that will help you recover quicker, such as a foot balm for walkers, a muscle cream or soak, and of course blister plasters.
Get travel insurance
Holiday insurance is absolutely essential if you are travelling abroad, but particularly crucial when you are going on a trip where accidents are more likely. Get comprehensive travel insurance for the whole family, making sure it covers you for the activities you are planning to pursue, as well as booking cancellations, and illness before or during your trip.
Talk about safety with your kids
As with any trip, accidents can happen, but more so on adventure holidays. To minimise the risk of injuries, educate little ones on what they should do to keep themselves and others safe during the trip and what to do in an emergency. There should be a plan in place in case you become separated from your kids, or if your children feel like they’re in trouble, as well as how to behave respectfully when faced with people or customs that might be new to them. Having a plan and leaving next of kin details with a person you trust is particularly important when you are a single parent.
Hopefully, we’ve shown that a hassle-free adventure holiday is possible with kids — it just requires a bit more preparation. Be sure to research your chosen destination thoroughly, prepare for the physical demands of the trip, and accommodate the interests of your children. This will set the foundation for a memorable experience for all ages. With these preparations in place, you’ll be ready to embark on an exciting adventure that the whole family will cherish.
