Travel with Kids for the First Time? 8 Things You Need to Know
Planning a family holiday and travelling with kids for the first time? It’s exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming with so many things to prepare and details to sort out. However, all you need is a comprehensive guide to cover the right family travel tips so you can create memorable moments without stress. And we’re here to help you!
1. Decide on your favourite holiday style
Before choosing where to go, think about how you want to travel as a family. Do you prefer a relaxing beach escape, an immersive cultural journey, or a mix of soft adventure and sightseeing? Every family is different — some love exploring cities and temples, while others are all about wildlife, nature, or food experiences.
A family on a beach vacation in the Maldives
Understanding your family’s travel style helps narrow down the right destinations and pace. You can consider things such as the number of travellers, the ages of the children, energy levels, and unique interests when choosing your holiday style.
2. Choose family-friendly destinations
Finding a destination that is kid-friendly, easy to get around, and offers a variety of activities for all ages is crucial when you travel with kids. Asia stands out as a fantastic option for families, offering warm hospitality, a rich mix of activities, and reliable travel infrastructure. Here are our recommendations:
Vietnam
- Safety and comfort: Warm hospitality, family-friendly accommodations, and reliable healthcare access.
- Diverse experiences for all ages: Overnight cruises, bamboo boat rides, cooking classes, relaxing beach days, soft treks, train rides, and village visits.
- Rich history and culture: Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue’s imperial city, etc.
- Beautiful beaches: Top beaches include Halong, Danang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc with sandy shores, clear blue waters, and fascinating water activities.
- Healthy and tasty food: Vietnamese cuisine is known worldwide for its freshness and balance of flavours, from savoury soups to delectable street food. Must-try foods include Pho, banh mi, fresh spring rolls, and bun cha.
- Affordable travel costs: Great value on accommodation, meals, and transport.
A family goes kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
A young traveller exploring the Hue Citadel, Vietnam
Japan
- Safe and clean: One of the world’s safest and cleanest countries, perfect for family travel with kids.
- Fast and reliable transport: A vast network of high-speed Shinkansen (bullet train) systems connects major cities, offering speeds up to 320 km/h and ensuring minimal delays. Subways, buses, and even taxis are available everywhere.
- World-class theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan.
- Cultural experiences for all ages: Try on a kimono, join a tea ceremony, or watch a sumo demonstration.
- Seasonal beauty: Cherry blossoms in spring, colourful leaves in autumn, and snow festivals in winter.
- Delicious and kid-friendly food: Sushi, ramen, tempura, wagashi sweets.
Little travellers in Japan
Sri Lanka
- Wildlife & nature: Elephant safaris, national parks, and scenic train rides.
- Rich culture & history: Ancient cities, colourful festivals, and UNESCO-listed temples.
- Beautiful beaches: Calm, family-friendly spots like Bentota, Unawatuna, and Nilaveli.
- Hands-on activities for kids: Tea picking, mask painting, cooking classes.
- Affordable & great value: Budget-friendly hotels, meals, and transport.
A little girl enjoying a scenic train ride through Sri Lanka
China
- Rich history and incredible landmarks: the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, ancient towns, and skyscrapers in Shanghai.
- Activities for all ages: city discoveries, calligraphy writing, tea plantation visits, peaceful gardens, museums, acrobat shows, amusement parks, and more.
- Efficient transport: High-speed trains and domestic flights make exploring easy.
- Tasty and varied cuisine: Dumplings, noodles, fried rice, with kid-friendly options everywhere.
The Great Wall of China
3. Consider activities for all the family
Plan a mix of activities that suit both kids and adults to keep everyone engaged and happy throughout the trip. If you are planning to travel with kids, look for hands-on experiences like cooking classes or craft workshops, outdoor adventures like boat rides or nature walks, and fun cultural stops like traditional performances or local markets.
Avoid overly long tours or activities that are too advanced for younger children. Don’t forget to include some free time so everyone can do what they enjoy most.
Cooking class is a wonderful activity when travelling with kids
4. Avoid rushing, embrace the journey
When you plan to travel with kids, it’s tempting to pack in as much as possible, but less is often more. Choose well-paced itineraries that include rest time between activities, longer stays in each location and flexible sightseeing. This keeps everyone happy, avoids burnout, and leaves space for spontaneous fun.
A father and son exploring Angkor Wat, Cambodia
5. Stay in the right accommodation
The hotel room isn’t just where you sleep – when you travel with kids, it becomes your rest zone, play space, and occasional dining area. That’s why you should choose family-friendly accommodation with:
- Interconnecting rooms or family suites
- Central locations to reduce transport time
- Breakfast included (great for early risers!)
- Child-friendly amenities like pools or play areas
A family room with an extra bed
6. Pack smart!
Packing for kids doesn’t mean bringing the entire house. Focus on essentials and familiar items that provide comfort:
- A few changes of clothes: Focus on essentials and versatile clothing you can mix and match.
- Bring a small medical kit: Include plasters, fever relief, motion sickness tablets, and any regular medications.
- Don’t forget comfort items: A favourite toy, blanket, or book can help kids feel at home while away.
- Use packing cubes or bags: Keep everyone’s things organised and easy to find.
- Carry spare clothes in hand luggage: Accidents and spills happen — it’s good to have a backup outfit on hand.
- Snacks are your secret weapon: Pack non-messy, familiar snacks to keep kids happy during flights or transfers.
- Entertainment is essential: Colouring books, card games, tablets (with headphones!), or activity kits help on long journeys.
- Check the weather: Pack layers, raincoats, or swimwear depending on your destination and season.
- Leave space for souvenirs: Kids love picking up mementos — having extra room saves stress on the return trip.
Pack fun toys to keep little travellers happy during transfers
7. Plan early and book in advance
Travelling with family is much smoother when key parts of your trip are locked in early. Booking flights, hotels, and activities in advance means better prices, more options, and less stress later on, especially during peak travel times or school holidays. It’s highly recommended to book at least 4–6 months ahead to secure the best availability for your family.
8. Book a tour package for a hassle-free trip
Here’s the biggest tip of all: you don’t have to do it alone.
Booking a family-friendly group tour takes the pressure off. We handle all the logistics – from airport pickups and hotel bookings to meals, transport, and sightseeing – so you can focus on your family.
Our tours are designed to balance adventure with relaxation and guided experiences with free time. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, teens or three generations, we’ve got options to suit.
Check out our hottest tours for families:
