What to consider when planning a holiday abroad with children

Going on holiday as a family can be fantastic but going somewhere in the UK is a lot different than going overseas. While there are plenty of different kinds of holiday that you might go on there are lots of things to consider when planning a holiday abroad with children.

Cost

One of the biggest factors in planning a family trip abroad is the cost. Depending on where you choose to the cost can differ greatly to somewhere else. For example, a dream holiday to Orlando, Florida, or a getaway at Christmas, is a huge difference compared to a self-catering holiday in Spain. You’ll need to be realistic about your budget and what you can actually afford, or risk losing a holiday because you can’t actually pay for it.

School holidays

Over the past few years there have been new rules and guidelines from local authorities regarding children taking time off school to go on holiday. If your child is absent from school for so many days/ sessions then you could be fined for having them out of school if it was for a holiday. However, a lot of people book holidays during this time and are okay with the fine. By taking a holiday outside of the school holidays the fine might still mean being able to have a cheaper holiday.

Kid’s clubs

Depending on the kind of holiday you like you might want to look into what children’s clubs are available. A lot of European resorts will have something like this available and they’re usually put into varying age groups. Your children might be able to do some activities with others their own age, make some friends and have some fun while you the parents can relax on a sun lounger for a couple of hours.

Food and drink

Food and drink are big parts of any kind of holiday whether that be somewhere in the UK or abroad. Self-catering holidays are cheaper initially but you then have to think about either cooking or eating out for every meal. Half board can provide you with some meals during your stay and all inclusive will cover most things but is obviously the more expensive option.

Family friendly location

Choosing a location that suits the whole family is an absolute priority. Hotels are much the same no matter where you go, unless you pay for a really expensive one but the location is what could make or break your holiday. Do some research beforehand into the surrounding area. Are there any local parks for younger children to play in? How far away is the beach? Will restaurants cater for fussy eaters? Maybe make a list of everything your next holiday location should have before you search and find somewhere that can tick the most boxes.

Your children’s comfort 

When planning, consider whether the young ones will love the location. Remember that you may not always be successful in preempting your child’s reaction to a destination. So, deliberately ask what they want or prefer. Moreover, especially if some of your kids are adopted, they might have experienced challenges before meeting you. The last thing you want is to have a holiday location trigger unpleasant memories. If that is your situation, try getting them involved in beneficial youth services to help reorient their thought patterns. That way, you can all enjoy the holiday period.