Vacationing with a baby is all about trying to schedule activities as neatly as possible around the baby’s sleeping and feeding times. On vacation with a little one, completely new questions arise: Where to go with a baby? How many hours should one spend outdoors? Where can we try tasty food that is also safe for babies? Is it possible to find baby-friendly activities? In other words, what can we do to make the vacation top-notch for the whole family?
This is why we’ve compiled all the information you need to know and revealed 10 family vacation ideas with babies to visit.
Where to Go on Vacation with a Baby?
Ideally, the journey with a little one should take as little time as possible – within your own country or state. Yet if well-planned, more remote destinations can also be considered. The best way to get zen while on the go way is to keep all the family members busy during the trip and, if possible, have enough breaks (in case of a road trip).
The destination point should be family-friendly. This means that there are appropriate facilities (restrooms, breastfeeding rooms, stores, etc) and that the health care system is appropriate (you never know).
Do not plan to go on a holiday in the winter or summer months when the temperature is at its peak. You want to see new places in a comfortable condition. Check a weather forecast to know whether it will be snowy or rainy during those days. Have a backup plan – you never know if the weather will spoil all your wonderful plans to go for a walk during a city tour.
Important note: When traveling internationally, your child needs a passport. No matter how old your little youngster is, all documents should be prepared beforehand. Learn how to take a photo of a baby for the purpose of ID.
Our Top Baby-Friendly Vacation Destinations
Europe
- Lake Bled, Slovenia
- Calm surroundings and family-friendly trails - you’re likely to find baby gear rentals around.
- Scenic lake with a mild climate and peaceful atmosphere.
- Tuscany, Italy
- Quiet countryside with family-friendly villas. Rent a car to check different sights around.
- Access to fresh baby food and short, scenic day trips.
- Barcelona, Spain
- Wide, stroller-friendly sidewalks with a picturesque view. Check for baby-friendly attractions like Park Güell.
- Family-focused restaurants with high chairs and kids’ menus.
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- An easy-to-navigate city with many attractions. Finding a diaper-changing facility won’t be a problem.
- Lots of sights to visit by car or on foot. Quiet parks like Holyrood Park.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Compact, bike-friendly city perfect for families.
- Attractions like Vondelpark are ideal for family gatherings and relaxation.
United States
- San Diego, California
- Baby-friendly beaches with gentle waves like La Jolla Shores.
- World-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo.
- Orlando, Florida
- Disney World offers excellent amenities for parents with babies.
- Convenient baby care centers in theme parks.
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway drives and baby-friendly hiking trails.
- Relaxed atmosphere with family-oriented accommodations.
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Accessible boardwalks and scenic viewpoints reachable with strollers.
- Lodges with family accommodations - enjoy the calm natural beauty.
- Maui, Hawaii
- Gentle beaches like Baby Beach in Lahaina.
- A warm climate and a laid-back environment - perfect for a stress-free vacation with a baby.
Long-Haul Family Travel with a Baby: What to Consider
While some would rather be close to home, others are drawn to faraway places, even with a little one. And why not? When your child is already school-aged, it is not very feasible to travel far for a long time.
With babies on board, however, there are other aspects to consider:
- Research in advance: Is the destination generally safe? Are infrastructure and healthcare services sufficiently high quality?
- Vaccination check: Make certain that vaccination is current and all the docs are ready.
- Consent for travel: Find out whether you need a consent letter while traveling with your baby, particularly if only one parent is traveling, since this depends on the country’s laws.
- Food options: Look through recommendations about local cafes and restaurants. Look for ones that are appropriate for babies. A changing room or a breastfeeding room would be a nice bonus.
- Travel health insurance: It is advisable to take an overseas health insurance policy and make sure that it covers your little one. This is especially important for those countries that are experiencing high levels of healthcare expenditure (like the USA).
The Right Accommodation Makes a Difference
When you are a young couple without children, you practically have no restraints when it comes to selecting places to go and places to stay. You live day-to-day and can have fun anywhere. However, as soon as a child arrives, some things will matter a lot.
Here are important priorities to keep in mind when traveling with a little baby:
- A vacation apartment/room should be baby-friendly (i.e. crib, baby carrier, high chair, outlet covers, safe balcony, etc).
- All amenities such as stores, restaurants, whatever, should be on the premises or in easy walking distance.
- If there are toddlers in a family, there should be food for toddlers or a special kid’s menu.
- There should be enough indoor and outdoor activities for babies and toddlers to do at the accommodation (other children, playgrounds, petting zoos, kiddie pools, beach access, toys to borrow, etc.).
A big plus: A heated pool means that babies can take their swimming lessons during the vacation. Pet animals or, even better, the entire farm cannot miss a children’s party list of favorite things. The resort should have on-site medical contacts.
How to Make a Vacation with a Baby a Success
- Choose the destination carefully. City trips tend to be more exhausting with small children compared to vacations in the mountains, on a farm, or by the sea. Therefore, take your time and think of the place you wish to be.
- Not all accommodations are equal. Opt for family-friendly hotels that provide lots of options for the children to engage in within close proximity.
- Time for two. If you want to spend some quality time as a couple, for example, in the spa, consider traveling with friends or relatives. This way, you can take turns watching the kiddos and fully relax without interruption.
- Test the waters with a short trip. If you are not sure whether a multi-week vacation with a baby is a good idea, try a short trip (e.g. weekend). This would allow you to understand if a particular mode of transport is feasible, what makes your little one stressed out on a vacation, and above all, what you would never do again on your next vacation.
Have You Thought of Everything?
One or two weeks before the vacation, create a checklist and a packing list to have enough time for preparation. Write down all the necessities you might think of. Here are the most important elements:
- All the check-ups, vaccinations, and certifications need to be completed.
- Pack all travel documents.
- Get a first aid kit (there are also emergency kits specifically for children).
- Make sure you have vomit bags at hand, and possibly more than one. Also, bring wet wipes and tissues.
- Have a stack of changing clothes nearby.
- Take your baby’s favorite toy as well as a cute cozy blanket.
- Bring/prepare enough activities (reading materials, music/audio games, coloring books, songs, and games, etc).
Bonus Tip: Doing a practice packing session can be fun for the whole family and helps identify what’s still missing and what isn’t working.
Conclusion
The key message for those planning a vacation with a baby is to have patience. New parents can get it wrong sometimes. It’s okay to get that first trip with a little one a little messy and not as perfect as imagined. So, merely relax and get as much out of it as you can. Consider one of the 10 best baby-friendly travel destinations mentioned above to get inspiration. Exposing the baby to new cultures greatly broadens the horizon and creates amazing memories.
