Loading
Howards Storage World Blog | Organised & Inspired
  • Shop Howards
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Makeovers
  • Be RewardedBecome a rewards member and save.
  • Search
  • Menu
You are here: Home / Articles / Travelling with family

Travelling with Family

 Tips and Tricks for successful family travel

By Professional Organiser Julie Whiting – The Decluttering Co

travelling in Caravan

Travelling with family might seem like a distant concept. It has been a while since most of us have been on a plane at all, let alone travelling with the family in tow. And it sounds like we won’t be able to dust off the passports just yet, but local holidays are more popular than ever. Fortunately, in Australia everything from warm beach holidays to ski trips are on offer.

Having children in the equation can make exploration fun but can also pose additional challenges. Here are some tips and tricks to smooth the bumps out of your next family holiday.

Planning

With international travel on hold for now, consider a long car trip or even hiring a campervan to get some kilometres under your belt. In that case, the Wikicamps app is your friend. It shows you camping options in real time based on your location, and you can filter by facilities like showers, playgrounds, pool, and pets. You can even do free-camping if you have the right setup. Please note that I am not sponsored by Wikicamps but my friends think I am because I recommend it so readily.

Wiki camps Ap

Speaking of pets, have you factored them into your trip, or booked a sitter for your furry friends?

Dogs on bed

Consider travelling with the grandparents or another family to entertain the kids and take the pressure off the family unit.

Julie Whiting and Family

Accommodation

  • Book something with separate sleeping areas for the kids. It’s tempting to save money by piling into one room, but chances are you won’t go to bed at the same time. The adults may want to wind down with a drink or some TV, which is difficult to do while over-tired kids squirm nearby.

  • Ensure there is a fridge and cooking facilities available to keep costs down. Eating out is a fun part of travel but it gets expensive. Also, it’s nice to make some toast while still in pyjamas or heat up baked beans for an easy dinner after a big day.

  • Book ahead whenever possible. This includes all hotels, transport, that extra cot and even activities. It’s fun to wing it when you’re single but kids have a different comfort threshold and are easily deflated if things don’t turn out as promised.

Packing

  • Make a list – days, even weeks in advance and update it whenever something springs to mind.

  • Get the children involved. Depending on their age you can give them a basic packing list of their own. Make sure you check the results though, a certain kid I know disregarded the list and stuffed her backpack with teddies, a cheeky move that was noticed far too late.

  • At the very least have them contribute to their carry-on bag for plane or car.

  • If your kids are tantrum-prone and you are planning a flight or similar, make little goodie bags for nearby passengers. It’s amazing how tolerant fellow travellers can be if you offer an advance apology, some lollies and a little note of thanks for their understanding.

  • If showering separately (e.g. in a caravan park), give children their own toiletry bags and thongs. The Sea to Summit Lightweight Large Toiletry Bag Cell is a great option.

Sea to Summit Small Garment Mesh Bag
  • Think ahead with regards to strollers and car seats, and whether you can carry or hire them.

  • Take lots of snacks. Food soothes both the boredom of long car trips and the fatigue of sightseeing. The Russbe Inner Seal Bento Lunch Box does a great job of separating nibbles in a sealed container. Good water bottles are also essential.

Russbe Inner Seal Bento Lunch Box Shallow 2 Compartment 680ml - Teal Russbe Inner Seal Bento Lunch Box 3 Compartment 1.6L - Teal

SEE ALL SEA TO SUMMIT TRAVEL

  • Whether each family member gets their own bag or not, Packing Organisation Travel Cubes are an amazing way to keep items categorised. Nobody wants dirty socks mixed in with the puzzles.

Globite Packing Travel Cubes Set of 3 Blue
  • Memory foam neck pillows are heaps nicer than the bouncy inflatable ones. My children love the Deluxe Memory Foam Neck Travel Pillow, and what kind of parent wouldn’t want their kids drifting off to sleep in transit?

Globite Memory Foam Neck Pillow Grey Globite Memory Foam Neck Pillow Navy

SEE ALL GLOBITE TRAVEL

Entertainment

  • As well as their old favourites, pack some new things the children have never played with, especially for long car rides. The power of novelty cannot be underestimated.

  • Load up your iPad. Again, some tried and trusted viewing and some fresh content. Make sure there are games on there, and also some white noise to help them sleep in unfamiliar places.

  • However, don’t rely on an internet signal too much on car trips. It can be unreliable outside of cities and towns.

  • Ask the kids to research and set up an activity they are interested in. Whether it’s a day trip or just billy carts at the resort, it’s a great opportunity to get them involved.

  • Don’t over-schedule. One outing a day is more than enough, and ideally you should leave a couple of days empty for rest and/or spontaneous activities. Factor in lazy afternoons and ice cream stops.

  • Manage your expectations. Epic hikes and adult-focused activities may need to be on hold this time.

Souvenirs

  • Don’t forget to take a few photos. Not just of the sunset, either. My kids love reminiscing about interesting bedrooms they have slept in and the fun cereal they were allowed.

  • A music playlist set up with the kids and played throughout the holiday can be a great clutter-free memory-prompt for years to come.

Kids travelling

Making memories

Decluttering Co logo

Company founder and Professional Organiser Julie Whiting spent her earlier years working in Japan as a graphic designer and copywriter.

Japanese culture and industry instilled in her a love of organisation and minimalism.

Fast forward some decades, and Julie lived in a small caravan for a year travelling across Australia with her young family. This required very calculated, organised use of space.

Julie Whiting Head shot

To get to that stage meant a massive downsize, and a lot of time spent rehoming goods in a thoughtful way to minimise waste and landfill.

Julie founded The Decluttering Co in 2020 to address the growing problem of people having more stuff, more chaos and less time. She was inspired by the likes of Marie Kondo and Australia’s The Art of Decluttering to realise her passion for putting things in order.

www.thedeclutteringco.com.au

Email info@thedeclutteringco.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeclutteringco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeclutteringco/

Julie is a member of IOPO (Institute of Professional Organisers)

$10 WELCOME VOUCHER

Join free and receive a $10 Welcome Voucher. It’s our gift to you for being part of our family.

RECEIVE A $10 REWARD

For every $200 you spend you’ll receive a $10 reward. This means you can be even more organised.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

We save the best offers for our members. Be the first to know what’s NEW and what’s HOT!

ATTEND VIP EVENTS

Like to see the latest and greatest in storage and organisation? Attend a VIP event at your local store.

Join today howardsinspirations.com.au

Join the Conversation

  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Like us on Facebook

Latest Articles

  • Tansel PantryClever Use Of Space in the KitchenJune 24, 2022 - 1:11 pm
  • Professional Organiser Jane CadwganClothes AirersJune 3, 2022 - 2:35 pm
  • Rebecca Mezzino portraitBehind the doorMarch 7, 2022 - 1:49 pm
  • Hanna Ferrier Below Deck MediterraneanELFA PANTRY MAKEOVERFebruary 1, 2022 - 8:37 am
  • Brooke Townsend Bella Abode PortraitWork SmartJanuary 17, 2022 - 12:36 pm
  • A New School YearJanuary 14, 2022 - 5:03 pm
  • WINESTAK-UNDER-STAIRS wine storageSTORING YOUR WINEDecember 21, 2021 - 4:15 pm
  • Maria Patisso Professional Organiser - Organise My LifePREPARING YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMASDecember 16, 2021 - 12:59 pm
  • Gifts for ChristmasGIFTS FOR HERDecember 14, 2021 - 12:15 pm
  • Beautiful wardrobeWARDROBE  TO LOVEDecember 8, 2021 - 11:55 am

 

BE ORGANISED & REWARDED

Be sure to join the Howards award winning rewards program. Members enjoy the following benefits:

  • Spend $200 earn $10 Reward
  • Exclusive Member Offers
  • Free to Join
  • VIP Nights

 

JOIN Here

 

Latest Catalogue

 

Howards 100p Catalogue

  • SHOPPING
  • Find a Store
  • Shopping Online
  • Catalogues
  • Shipping & Delivery
  • FAQs
  • SERVICES
  • Contact Us
  • Installation
  • Shelving Design
  • Organising
  • Business
  • HOWARDS
  • Our Story
  • Franchising
  • Careers
  • Pricing & Returns
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Giving
  • MORE
  • Howards Website
  • Rewards Program
  • Gift Cards
  • Promos & Events
  • Media Enquiries
  • Privacy
© Copyright 2021 - Howards Storage World - Enfold Theme by Kriesi
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Sort your Washing A Pantry Tidy
Scroll to top