5 Top Tips For Taking Your Family to France

*Remunerated Post*

The summer holidays are finally here, and many of you will be jetting off with your little families in tow to soak up some much-needed sun; something the British weather can simply not guarantee! As France is so close to the UK, it makes the perfect family destination due to the short travel time and picturesque landscapes. However, before you start racing to the airport, there are a few tips to ensure your trip across the border is as stress-free and smooth as possible.

Do Your Research

Carrying out plenty of research will ensure that the whole family is kept happy. You need to make sure that there is something for everyone while getting the correct balance between a fun-packed holiday and time to relax and unwind. There are many family activities that are suitable for all ages, in France as well as delicious eateries and beaches; it is all about finding a happy medium between the two. If you are lucky enough to be looking for holiday villas in France, then a pool day is a perfect balance. The kids will be kept happy splashing around in the pool, while you can stretch out in the sun and dive into a good book.

Make it a Family Effort

Get the children involved with some of the decision-making; showing some different options for them to choose from will make them feel like they’ve contributed towards the holiday. Not only will it help you decide on the perfect location or accommodation, but the children will feel more excited and emotionally attached to the holiday from the onset. Obviously, don’t allow them to choose whatever they want, it has to be within budget and suitable for the whole family. However, giving them a few options from an already carefully researched list may make them feel more valued. This is particularly important with older, more independent children.

Prepare

Unfortunately, holidays go hand in hand with a lot of travel admin and preparation, and a trip to France is no exception. Whether you decide to fly, get the train or hop on a ferry, there are a number of things that need to be done in preparation for this. Every member of the party will need a passport, that is valid for six months after your return, travel insurance and their European health card (until Brexit happens that is!) It is also a good idea to make sure you have two copies of your travel documents; a hard copy and an electronic copy which can be obtained on an airline app or by scanning your travel documents to your email. Creating identification wristbands can help give you peace of mind to prevent your child from getting lost. These are a great idea for their cuddly little friends too!

Another part of preparation relates directly to the packing and travelling. Packing a travel bag for the kids can make a flight or car journey go much more smoothly and keep them occupied for the duration. Filling it with water and their favourite drinks and snacks will ensure they stay satisfied as well as keeping the journey exciting. Luckily, the travel time to France is relatively short in comparison to other destinations, so a few snacks, fun games or new toys for them to play with should do the trick.

Schedule

Allowing the kids to go to bed at midnight every night is asking for trouble; it is important to retain some kind of schedule while on holiday. Create a rough plan for each day with realistic bedtimes and let the children know what those plans are, as then they will feel much more relaxed. A rough plan will give you clarity and ensure that all the family are kept entertained, throughout the trip, while allowing you to relax in the ‘scheduled-in’ quieter times.

Enjoy Yourself

The most important part is that the whole family enjoys your time away. Making meaningful memories and spending quality time together is at the forefront of a holiday and should not be overlooked. Sometimes, things won’t go to plan, and it is essential to have a ‘plan B’ in place for when this occurs. However, something that is equally as important as the meticulous planning and scheduling is to just live in the present. Take in everything around you, focus on those special moments with your favourite people, and just enjoy yourself, because after all, that’s what it’s all about.

Have you got an exciting summer holiday coming up now that the kids are off? If so, I would love to hear all about it!