Travelling can be such a transformative experience, especially for kids. For single parents, though, it can feel like a massive challenge, especially when you have toddlers or teens, with each age group striving for independence in their own way. All the responsibility of the holiday rests on your shoulders – from planning every detail of your trip to keeping your children safe in a foreign country. In this article, Single Parents on Holiday reveals their latest travel tips for single parents. But before we delve into those, let’s find out why travelling with kids is so important:
The Benefits of Travelling with Kids
The benefits of travelling go way beyond just having a good time. Research backs this up, too: The Travel Effect project, which studied over 1,200 youth and 2,500 adults, found that adults who travelled as kids tend to do better in life – they have better grades, higher education, and they even earn 12% more on average.
So, these childhood trips are investments in your child’s future. And the benefits of family holidays on your child’s development show early on: Your children can develop resilience, flexibility, and curiosity – all vital life skills – by travelling to new places and living outside of their comfort zone.
For you as a parent, travelling is, of course, an opportunity to bond with your kids in a way that is hard to replicate in daily life. You become travel buddies – exploring new places together and creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, take every opportunity to show them the world because there is more to life than routines and responsibilities.
The benefits of exploring the world stick with you and your kids throughout life. Travel often becomes a lifelong passion. Many senior singles tell us that travel keeps that youthful spark in them alive – as if like travel grows with you, becoming a lifelong companion.
So don’t be put off by the challenges: Travelling as a single parent is doable and giving your kids exposure to new places and experiences makes it all worth it.
Top 6 Travel Tips for Single Parents
So, without further ado, here are Single Parents on Holiday’s top recommendations to help you have a stress free single solo family holiday:
Travel Tip #1: Pack Smarter and Travel Light
For single parents who only have one pair of hands to carry luggage, push prams, and hold hands, travelling light is the smartest choice. Many parents over-prepare, however, because they want to have everything at hand that their kids may possibly need at any time. Although it might be natural to want to be prepared for every eventuality, packing too much can become a strain for single parents. Bearing this in mind, here are our best packing for travel tips:
- Concentrate on utilising multipurpose equipment that saves space and serves more than one purpose: If you are travelling with a baby or toddler, bring a pram that converts into a car seat or even a backpack. This reduces the need for bringing several bulky items while keeping your child comfortable.
- Invest in an electronics wire organizer to keep all chargers and cables in one place.
- Choose backpacks with separate compartments for parent and child necessities, insulated bottle sections, a changing pad, and extra pockets for snacks and toys.
- Noise-cancelling devices, lightweight multi-purpose clothing, and shared essentials, such as a single set of toiletries for the family, can also help lighten the load. Pack limited yet comfortable shoes and compact cleaning supplies that work for everyone.
- If you like to be prepared for the unexpected, pack a few lightweight, portable supplies, such as quick-dry towels, reusable zip bags for snacks or damp clothing, and a compact first-aid kit.
By packing efficiently for your single parent holiday and giving priority to multipurpose items, you can travel light, making your journey easier and at the same time still be prepared for any eventuality.
Travel Tip #2: Pre-Book Kids-Friendly Activities
You can’t ever go wrong with planning ahead when you are travelling with kids. Adventure and spontaneity may be the essence of travel, but you don’t want to take risks as a single parent, so creating an itinerary is a must. At Single Parents on Holiday, we know that all too well.
Researching your destination in advance to identify child-friendly activities ensures you can cater to your kids’ interests and energy levels. If, for instance, you are going on a city trip with kids, look for interactive children’s museums, parks with playgrounds and petting zoos, walking tours for families, etc. Write down all the places you would like to visit and the activities you would like to try out. Top tip for single parents: Including the kids in the planning and taking their ideas into account is always a good strategy.
With school age children, it is likely that you are travelling in peak season. If that is the case, popular sights and activities might be booked up, so be sure to book tickets in advance if you or the kids have any favourite destinations or things to do. Our top tip for single parents: Many attractions now offer fast track tickets or designated time slots. These can prove invaluable when travelling with impatient little ones.
Try not to create to tight an itinerary if you do not want to end up missing some of your pre-booked activities. Leave some room for travelling from one place to another, hold ups, etc. It’s better to have a little extra time whether it’s for unforeseen events or to squeeze in an activity you just discovered.
Travel Tip#3: Use Apps to Keep Your Kids Safe
Keeping your youngsters safe while travelling is every parent’s top priority. Many solo parents hesitate to travel because managing multiple children can be challenging, especially teenagers who strive for more independence wishing to explore independently or go out on their own in the evening. Instead of letting that worry stop you from travelling, consider using an app like Xnspy to stay connected and ensure your teenagers’ safety while still giving them the freedom they want.
The app not only help parents track their kids’ location, but it also monitors online behaviour keeping your youngster safe from internet dangers, such as inappropriate content or online predators. Whether they are texting, browsing, or socializing, Xnspy gives you insights into your children’s online activity. Bet of all, it provides real-time location updates, so you always know where they are – even if they are in a crowded, unfamiliar place.
Just imagine visiting Disneyland and your teen decides to go off and explore on their own, Xnspy lets you keep tabs on their whereabouts, so you don’t have to worry about losing track of them. You can even activate a surround recorder if you are concerned about your teen. Being able to listen in on a conversation means you can assess if a situation is potentially dangerous and might require intervention.
Using an app can make a real difference when you are a single parent with kids of different ages. You can look after your younger children whilst allowing your teenager a degree of freedom knowing you can check in when needed and don’t need to stress over their safety. Our top travel tip: Test any apps you have installed before you travel to ensure they work when you need them.
Travel Tip #4: Create a “Travel Emergency Kit”
A travel emergency kit is a must, particularly if you are travelling with children. Along with first-aid necessities, your travel emergency kit should include items to address travel mishaps and electronic issues. Tailor the kit to meet your family’s specific needs, ensuring you’re prepared for every scenario:
- First aid kit for travel: Pack adhesive plasters, gauze, elasticated bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, a self-adhesive wrap, and a thermometer. Don’t forget prescription medication and painkillers, antibiotic ointments, anti-diarrhoea medicine, motion sickness tablets, cough suppressants, and allergy medications.
- Hygiene: Travel-sized toiletries, like hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and tissues maintain cleanliness on the go.
- Electronic essentials: Charging cables for every device, power banks to use on the go, adaptors for holidays abroad, and noise-cancelling headphones will keep the peace. Top travel tip: Buy a multi charger cable that works for all devices before you travel.
- Snacks: Pack plenty of long life favourites like granola bars, dried fruit, and crackers to prevent hunger-induced meltdowns and keep sugar levels balanced.
- Drinks: Bring a reusable water bottle that you can refill during your journey and use throughout your stay.
- Other tools: If you are going on a camping holiday or staying in basic rural accommodation, consider taking a torch, lighters, a multi-purpose knife, a small rope, etc.
Having a well-thought-through travel emergency kit on you, means you will be equipped to efficiently handle minor setbacks, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for your family.
Travel Tip #5: Ask Your Kids to Document Their Adventure
Encourage your youngsters to document their experiences and emotions when exploring new places. Provide them with a small notebook or sketchpad and basic art supplies, such as crayons, felt tip pens, or stickers, depending on their age and preferences.
Such a travel journal serves multiple purposes: It keeps kids entertained during downtime, helps them process their experiences, and becomes a cherished keepsake. Younger children can draw pictures of their favourite moments, while older kids can write about their adventures or collect mementos such as tickets, postcards, or pressed flowers.
Make journaling a daily ritual by setting aside time each evening to reflect on the day’s activities. As your kids questions to help them get started and nurture their creativity, observational skills, and storytelling talent: “What was the most exciting thing you did today?” or “What did you see that surprised you?”
By the end of the trip, their travel journal will become a personalized record of their adventure, capturing the magic of their journey and creating memories they can treasure for many years to come.
Travel Tip #6: Opt for Kid-Friendly Accommodation with Built-in Services
Keeping children entertained on holiday can be challenging, especially with short attention spans. Even after planning exciting activities like visits to parks, museums, or sporty pursuits, kids may still feel restless come the evening. To address this, consider choosing accommodation designed with families in mind, such as holiday villages, hotels with child-care facilities, or holiday rentals with amenities, such as a trampolines or playground.
Family-focused accommodation often provides built-in services like kids clubs, babysitting, or scheduled day and evening activities, allowing parents to relax knowing their kids have company their own age and are in safe surroundings. Without them, many single parents feel exhausted by the end of the day, and more so by the end of their vacation. And as Single Parents on Holiday knows, the best holidays for single parents are those where your kids made friends.
Research thoroughly before booking a place to ensure it meets your needs as a solo parent. Some accommodations provide thoughtful extras like complimentary strollers, baby-proofed rooms, or welcome packs for children. Others offer amenities such as pools, playgrounds, gaming rooms, or organized activities for teens.
Be sure to read reviews to gauge how well the property accommodates single-parent families. Some locations even offer family concierge services or group activities, allowing your kids to socialize. By prioritizing kid-friendly accommodation, you’ll create a comfortable and enjoyable base for your holiday, ensuring a smoother and more satisfying experience for everyone.
Final Word
Travelling as a single parent may be hard work at times, but it doesn’t have to be exhausting or nerve-wrecking! With our best travel tips for single parents, you will be perfectly prepared and can start your journey in the knowledge that your kids will be happy and safe throughout your single parent holiday.
