Bounty

Make sure you have a fantastic family holiday that you’ll remember for all the right reasons, by doing your homework before you go…

Family holidays are meant to be fun for all of you, so to help make sure that yours is, you’ll need to do a little bit of planning. Spontaneity is fine for adults-only trips, but, unless you’re exceptionally easygoing or a seasoned traveller, a casual approach may prove to be hard work if you’re travelling with kids. So, forget last minute getaways - book ahead to give you a better choice of accommodation and flight times, and more time to shop around for the best package holiday deal.

Shopping list

• Make a list of all you need to take with you including favourite toys and books and a few everyday essentials and check it off as you pack.
• Of course you can buy sun block, nappies and wipes when you get there, but you may not want to do a supermercado shop on your first day. Or better still, try this brilliant idea – order your holiday essentials online and have them delivered to your destination with www.tinytotsaway.com.
• Don’t forget a small backpack of kids’ goodies for the journey – their best teddy/dolly/train, colouring books and pens, games, snacks and drinks.
• Kitbag of essentials including a change of clothes in case of spills or travel sickness, plus wipes and spare nappies.

When and where

If you have pre-school age children, you can take your pick of out-of-high-season holiday dates to save money, and beat the crowds. Most of us still head for the sun on our family holidays – Mallorca and Florida are our most popular choices. But check out the temperature and humidity of your dream destination before you book - try www.metoffice.gov.uk - as tots and hot sun are not the best partners. What to check before you book:

• Family destination/resort
• Journey time
• Safety for toddlers and young children, indoors and out
• Ground floor accommodation – handy for buggies
• Cot and highchair, food/bottle warming facilities
• Babysitting, crèche or kids’ club (or take your parents or in-laws with you if you get on!)
• Distance to pool/beach/leisure centre
• Distance to shops and restaurants
• Whether you need a car – if so book a car seat too
• Are there rainy day activities nearby? TV/DVD player?

Do it yourself

If you’ve never planned a holiday with babies or children before, you’ll discover that self-catering is the most popular choice. It means you can be flexible about mealtimes, mess and moods, and is often the cheaper option. Depending on your taste and budget, choose from caravans, cottages, apartments or villas.

Room service

However, if your idea of a holiday includes having a break from kitchen duties, there are more and more hotels geared up for families, with enough to keep the grown-ups happy too. Hotels in Europe are generally pretty good at catering for families, especially in the Mediterranean resorts. And there’s a growing choice of family hotels in the UK that have fantastic facilities, and prices to match. If your budget can stretch to it, a good family hotel will provide everything on tap – gourmet meals and sports/spa facilities for you plus babysitting, child-friendly meals, clubs and activities for the kids. If you like the idea of not having to stray too far for everything you need, consider an all-inclusive holiday or holiday club such as Thomson’s Magic Life, Mark Warner or Club Med. Once you’re away, go with the flow, although little ones will be happier with some sort of a routine for bed and mealtimes. Don’t try and pack too much into each day – simply enjoy having time away with your new family. Happy holidays!