Vacation with children: Your checklist for your family vacation

Weekends, summer holidays, the turn of the year – there are so many good opportunities for a really relaxed holiday with children . As an active family, you have a lot planned: swimming and diving, discovering cities, conquering the ski slopes, perhaps a holiday on the farm with children? Either way: you just want to have a good time together. This good time starts with a little planning before the actual family vacation.

Whether it 's a short vacation or an extended autumn and summer vacation with children, whether it's a vacation by the sea or a skiing vacation with children: Our checklist for your vacation is intended to help you get the rascals in the best mood and get in the mood for everything - and to help you prepare your family trips offer.

Long faces in a traffic jam? Forgotten chargers? Not with us. Here comes our story, here comes your guide for a successful start to the best time of the year .

The slightly different checklist for your family vacation: This is what it looks like

Are you in the middle of planning or is the day of departure already tomorrow ? Then we don't want to torture you for too long. Just this much: This checklist for your vacation tells you what you can think about in general and depending on the type of vacation . Plus: We'll give you tips on how your family vacation with children can be particularly exciting or relaxing once you're there.

Vacation with children? Relax with our tips!

 

Vacation with children: the general checklist

No long words, just a list of things you should have with you. No matter how long or where your family vacation goes! Tip: You can combine this general list and all of the following ones depending on your vacation. This way you won't forget anything.

Papers, documents and more: necessary bureaucracy for the family vacation

Depending on the holiday destination, the following applies: it is not possible without the necessary documents. And without money you really can't get anywhere.

• The booking confirmation , including printouts or saved emails that provide evidence of important details of communication with the landlord/hotel/holiday resort.
• Tickets for plane or boat, including all necessary information regarding check-in, waiting time, gate, pier, etc. It also doesn't hurt to buy tickets for sights and events in advance and print them out or download them to your cell phone if you can.
• Money . You should have cash with you, especially in the currency of the destination country (it's best to exchange it at your local bank). The best way to pay tolls etc. is with coins that you keep within easy reach. Also: debit and credit cards. Important: When it comes to credit cards, providers may set a limit in certain countries. It's best to clarify this with the bank beforehand so that you don't suddenly find yourself insolvent due to the daily limit. DEXTRO TIP: When vacationing with teenagers, it's best to pay out the children's vacation fund in advance and entrust it to the kids, so they don't have to beg from you later, are more independent and have responsibility for their own vacation fund.
• Valid passports and driving licenses. The little ones' passports in particular are often forgotten when traveling with children. Please remember: Anyone renting/driving a car must have a valid driver's license with them. Also find out in good time about special features in your holiday destination when it comes to mobility, car rental, parking spaces and (very important) fines.
• Visa and other entry permits . For family trips to the USA, for example, you should apply for all the necessary documents in good time so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises there. Some countries are also very strict when it comes to importing food or the danger of foreign seeds or insects. No joke: Before you travel to Australia, be sure to scratch your hiking boots clean. Nobody wants German grasses in Australia...
• Vaccinations . Whether it's an adventure vacation with children far away or a short vacation with children nearby: pack vaccination certificates. The same applies here: Find out beforehand which vaccinations you need to have if you want to enter country X.
• Insurance . Four insurance policies are important here. International health insurance is mandatory when vacationing with children. Children sometimes do not have a particularly developed immune system and get sick quickly in new environments, which is why this point is particularly important. Also essential: trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance. The first applies if you don't start the trip at all, the second applies if you have to break off the trip early due to illness, for example. DEXTRO TIP: Think about household contents insurance, which also covers your trips. This outdoor insurance covers you for damage caused by fire, lightning, burglary, tap water and more. Camping fans in particular know how important it can be.
• List of emergency numbers . Whether in the event of poisoning, fire, robbery or traffic accidents: Find out beforehand what the emergency numbers are in the holiday destination. Print them out on a list. So you are well prepared for anything.

Family vacation by car or camper: the checklist

If you are traveling by car or camper, you can add these points to the general checklist , regardless of whether you are going away for a short time with your children or are traveling halfway around the world:

• Navigation device. If none is integrated, be sure to buy and install it. Navigating using a small cell phone screen and Google Maps becomes tiring for passengers in the long run. Also print out the route - sometimes you may not have a network.
• Have the vehicle inspected . You can have your vehicle checked in the workshop, especially before long journeys or on autumn and winter holidays with children. Brakes, tire quality, air conditioning: you can only go on holiday with children if everything works and is safe. If you rent a vehicle, get a detailed certificate that it is suitable for long journeys or difficult terrain.
• Child seats . Of course you will. But keep in mind that in some countries it can be much hotter than here. Is the child seat suitable for desert heat? If not, you can consider renting another child seat or buying used one - especially on long journeys. Your child will thank you on your family trip together.
• Window darkening . The same applies here: in some countries the sun shines brightly. This makes it all the more important that little ones in particular are protected from UV radiation and glare. Blackouts for the rear windows are inexpensive and quick to install. Sunglasses are of course the best choice for the driver and passenger.
• Games and music . Whether you're on holiday with a baby, children or teenagers: remember to ensure there's enough fun and variety. While teenagers are often happy with a game console or tablet, you can provide mobiles for the babies as well as radio plays and toys for the children. Also important: guessing games, songs and a shared playlist. If you put these together well before you leave, you will bond over even the longest car journey. DEXTRO TIP: There are nice card games to buy that can sweeten the trip with puzzles, curiosities or conversation topics - for adults and children. And quartet (“540 hp is amazing!”) is of course always possible.
• Provisions and drinks. Long journeys can quickly cost money if you keep stopping at rest stops. Just take some delicious snacks and drinks with you! Fruit and vegetables and homemade bread are a hit, but you can also take a look at our muesli bars and energy gums * . For small, quick hunger and the ideal supply of carbohydrates for your muscles and brain. Ideal for long journeys in a drinking bottle (especially for drivers): Our Iso Drink with the ideal mix of minerals.

Going on a children's holiday by plane - here's what you can pay attention to

Especially when vacationing with a baby or toddler , it is important to be as well prepared as possible. What do I do if the baby cries all the time? What do we need on board within easy reach to sweeten the often long or scary flight for the children? Here comes our checklist:

• Pack water bottles and provisions. The care on board is sometimes borderline or not very suitable for children. All the better if you have something on hand for the little ones and yourself. Our tip: Parents can quickly get carbohydrates and important vitamins with Dextro Energy* Energy Gums * . Also always suitable: our muesli bars for a quick supply of high-quality nutrients and our minis , with which you can sweeten even long journeys. For example, you can get your water with our Zero Calories° electrolyte tablets
• Baby care and baby toys. Of course only if you are traveling with a baby. This includes diapers, wet wipes, a baby bottle with baby food, a changing mat and a large cloth with which you can protect the baby from noise and light during the flight if he or she wants to sleep. DEXTRO TIP: A mother became famous worldwide after sharing her trick for flying with a toddler/baby went viral. Simply put together small care packages for the person sitting next to you . Best with earplugs, a small card with your own text and something sweet (our minis perhaps?). This way you can put a smile on the faces of your fellow passengers and ensure understanding.
• Entertainment . Especially important for older children and teenagers. Not every airline offers enough of these for long flights. These can be card games, books, tablets and game consoles. Even if you're otherwise strict about it, being allowed to play a little more than usual can also make endless flights sweeter for children.
• Chewing gum or energy* gums. If pressure equalization causes problems when taking off or landing, you can quickly provide help with these clever tools.
• Fresh laundry. And that for everyone. Mishaps sometimes happen to children, but adults are happy to slip into fresh shirts and socks halfway through the flight.

The additional checklist for winter holidays with children

Are you heading to the mountains? Into snowy worlds and a well-deserved winter vacation with excited children ? Here is our checklist so that you don't forget anything:

• Ski and snowboard equipment. Helmets, ski goggles, ski boots, skis and boards, underwear and suits – have you thought of everything?
• Winter clothing . After the slopes the fun continues. Therefore, don't forget winter jackets, snow pants, long johns and thick socks. Also on board: gloves, boots, scarves, hats and sunscreen to protect against the often aggressive sunlamps. This means your adventure holiday with children will be a safe, warm affair.

The additional checklist for summer vacations with children

The ultimate discipline when it comes to vacationing with children: summer vacation. Here you are often away for a long time and sometimes on the road for a long time. It is all the more important that the checklist fits. For example like this:

• Summer accessories . Sandals or flip-flops, bathing shoes and swimming shoes (especially on stony beaches) are just as important as sunglasses and a sun hat.
• Bathing utensils . Air mattresses are expensive if you buy them locally. You can also think of snorkels and diving goggles, swimming goggles, water wings and of course swimwear.
• Sunscreen is often even more expensive than air mattresses. So be sure to pack it. Depending on the holiday destination, be sure to get advice from the pharmacy. Also important: think about your electrolyte balance. You will sweat in the sun. When the body sweats, it loses electrolytes such as magnesium or sodium. With nutritional supplements like our Zero Calories° electrolyte tablets you can balance your electrolyte balance in a delicious way. Also a must: insect protection. Mosquitoes etc. can transmit common diseases. It's better if they don't sting or bite you in the first place.
• Beach and pool amenities. A large bathing bag, towels and outdoor toys such as sand molds, frisbees or balls are part of every summer holiday with children.

We really hope that our checklists can help you prepare for your vacation with children . All that's left for us now is to wish you a wonderful holiday. Have a good rest and enjoy the time with your favorite people !

* contains carbohydrates

° applies to the prepared drink

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

PHOTO CREDITS

iStock.com/vgajic

iStock.com/miniseries