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Destinations
With a small child, you choose a place not for its famous name but for how long it takes to get there, what the weather is like, whether there is a doctor nearby and where you can cook porridge. Below are four types of destination and four questions to help you decide.
A toddler doesn't care how famous a place is. What matters is having you nearby, sand, water and time to take things slowly.
How this section works: we describe types of places, not specific addresses. A type is included if you can realistically get there with a child without an exhausting journey, there is plenty to do at a gentle pace, and everyday life is easy to arrange.
Four types of destination that make a good start for family trips.
A forest, a lake or a quiet river a few hours away is a good first experience. The journey is short, the climate familiar, and if something goes wrong you can be home the same day. A trip like this shows how your child sleeps away from home and how many breaks they need.
A small town with a park, a waterfront and a pedestrian centre is ideal for walks with a pushchair. Choose an area where greenery and cafés are within walking distance and the streets aren't jammed with cars.
In spring and early autumn the seaside is calmer: fewer people, gentler sun and quiet spots on the shore are easier to find. The water may be cool, but sand, pebbles and waves lapping at their feet are plenty for a toddler.
A house with a yard, a vegetable garden and animals next door is close to the perfect holiday for a preschooler. The child sees how vegetables grow and where milk comes from, while the parents get a break from the noise and rush of the city.
Four questions to ask yourself before booking accommodation and tickets.
Estimate how long your child can happily spend in a car seat or in your arms, and choose a place within that limit. For a first trip, a journey that fits between two naps is best.
A sudden change of weather tires young children. It's best to avoid intense heat and long spells of rain: on days like that, walks get shorter and everyone's mood suffers at once.
Find out in advance where the nearest clinic or hospital is and how to get there. This is not a cause for worry but peace of mind in case of a temperature or a grazed knee.
Your own kitchen, a fridge and a separate sleeping corner make a trip much easier. You can cook familiar food, keep water and milk to hand and put your little one to bed on time.
Three hypothetical routes: a town with a pushchair, a weekend in nature and a week by the sea with a child.
Parks, farms, waterfronts and museums with children's programmes: what your little one will enjoy and how to visit.
A step-by-step plan for a trip with a toddler: goal and pace, the journey, accommodation, daily routine, packing and a checklist.
Information is correct as of the date of preparation. Carriers' rules and requirements for travelling with children may change, so check with your carrier and official sources before each trip.