How to Have a Relaxing Holiday with Children
Before children, "holiday" and "relaxation" went together naturally. Add a baby, a toddler or a pair of squabbling siblings and the two words can feel like they belong to different worlds. A genuinely restful family holiday is still possible, though. It just takes a little more thought before you go and a little more flexibility once you arrive.
1. Put the work in before you book
Most of what makes a family holiday relaxing is decided long before you pack. Time spent researching where to go, where to stay and what to take pays off many times over.
- Keep journeys short. Flying from a nearby airport and choosing a resort close to the arrival airport cuts hours of travel. For a first family trip abroad, a shorter flight is a sensible way to find out how your children cope.
- Choose flight times that suit your children. Many families prefer morning flights to avoid overtired children, while others find an evening departure means a sleeping baby. You know your own family's rhythms best.
- Check the climate. Some children wilt in intense heat. Look at average temperatures for your travel dates and consider shoulder-season trips if your family prefers it cooler.
- Make a shortlist of outings. Pool days are wonderful, but have a few day trips in mind so you aren't spending holiday time debating where to go.
- Pack the essentials you'll struggle to replace. Shops abroad sell most things, but hunting for swim nappies, a particular brand of formula or a sun hat that fits is not how you want to spend day one.
2. Plan it as a team
Older children who help choose the destination or activities feel more invested and are less likely to complain once you're there. Make sure the destination works for everyone: plenty for the children to do, and something for the adults too, whether that's a spa, good walking, a few museums or simply a quiet sun lounger. Entertained children tend to mean relaxed parents.
3. Build in time for the grown-ups
- Think about the room layout. A room or suite with a separate sleeping area for the children means you can put them to bed and still have your evening.
- A balcony or terrace helps. If you all share one room, outdoor space lets you sit up and chat after bedtime without whispering in the dark.
- Interconnecting rooms can work well for families with older children who want a little independence.
- Use the kids' club if there is one. Even a couple of mornings gives you time to do something together or simply enjoy some quiet. Check age limits and booking rules before you travel.
For more ideas, read our guide on how to make time for you on a family holiday.
4. Slow the pace down
One of the most common mistakes is trying to fit too much in. Heat, excitement and later bedtimes tire children quickly, and an overtired child rarely makes for a relaxing day. Treat your list of outings as a menu rather than a schedule. A good rhythm for many families is an outing in the morning, followed by a lazy afternoon by the pool or at the beach, with the odd full day of doing nothing at all.
5. Keep expectations realistic
A change of scenery doesn't turn children into angels. Tantrums, sibling squabbles and broken nights can happen anywhere, and it's easy to build up a picture of the perfect family day that real life can't match. Accept that some plans will go wrong, laugh about the things you can, and let the holiday unfold at its own pace. Families who go with the flow usually come home feeling far more rested than those trying to stick to a script.
The short version
Choose a destination and journey that suit your children, plan a few outings but don't over-commit, pick accommodation that gives the adults some evening space, and expect a few bumps along the way. Get those basics right and a relaxing family holiday becomes far more likely.