Don't let the kids have all the fun, you can enjoy your family holiday too!

Need to get away? Want to take the kids, but can’t bear the thought of organizing it all?  Not to mention all the packing, and then the long face they pull when you all pile into the car.

With almost three months worth of Australian school holidays each and every year, you’re bound to be planning a trip with the kids. And if they’re not yet at school, make the most of it and get away while you still can.  You only need to see a child’s face light up when they’re spending time with their family, to understand the important role quality time together plays.

 48% of us always travel with our kids, according to recent surveys by TakeABreak.com.au.

 

What are the options?

As the range of accommodation types varies, so do the particular facilities on offer. Some places ‘accommodate’ children, while others are truly child-friendly, providing high chairs, porta-cots, baby monitors, plastic cups and plates, games and books for the whole family. Always make contact well in advance to determine exactly what the specific arrangements are, that way you avoid disappointment.

Whether it’s a short weekend away or an extended trip… ensuring you have the right ‘equipment’ to keep the children entertained is the best way for you to enjoy your holiday too! Generally children are happy to join the family in a bush walk or hanging out by the pool, but if you want to get some ‘adult’ time as well, then perhaps somewhere with a kids club or child-minding facilities may be a better choice.

 

Book well in advance

With many more holiday properties now specifically catering to the family friendly market it’s much easier to find somewhere suitable to take the kids. Not only is family friendly accommodation a growing niche, but operators are realizing that people with kids want to be invited back, so they generally take good care of places they stay.

Along with a growing supply, is even faster growing demand, as more and more people realize they can take their kids on holiday with them, and still have fun too, you’ll need to book early for school holiday dates.

 

Check it Out

Whilst a range of family friendly holiday properties are available, it pays to contact the operator to check on the range of facilities that they offer (are they just tolerant of children, or do they really welcome them and cater specifically for them too?). What do you need to bring in the way of bedding, meal dishes and cutlery, high chair, baby monitor and toys?

A quick conversation will determine whether the property is truly ‘family friendly’ or if they are simply tolerant and would really prefer your children did not stay.

 

Take Care and Beware

We all have slip, slop, slap drilled into us by now and are fully aware of the responsibility that we have to our children in the heat of the summer months. Don’t forget that a long car trip has its responsibilities too.

For your own sake, as well as theirs, make the car comfortable for your kids. Take their favourite toy, ensure they have a bottle of water and plenty of healthy snacks, a blanket and perhaps a pillow too, plan in advance for nap time (if they still have one), take precautions against car sickness and make sure they visit the bathroom before you leave on a big trip.

When traveling long distances don’t forget to stop for frequent breaks for snacks, bathroom breaks and exercise (a local park is always a good place to stop), and don’t leave them in a hot or locked car as they will quickly suffer from the effects of heat.

Got that sorted? Now don’t forget to pack the same comforts for yourself!

 

Where to Stay?

The following are some suggested family friendly places across Australia found online:

TakeABreak.com.au lists a fantastic range of many different types of accommodation, right across Australia (everything from holiday houses to houseboats. For more places that are family friendly, Australia-wide go to http://www.takeabreak.com.au/Family/accomodation.htm, where you can search by region and locality, by type of accommodation and by holiday dates.

 Check out more about TakeABreak.com.au http://www.gokids.com.au/content/view/46/2/

About the Author

This article was brought to you by TakeABreak.com.au which lists a wide range of family friendly accommodation Australia wide at http://www.takeabreak.com.au/Family/accomodation.htm