Updated October 2026
These are the tips that come up again and again from families who travel a lot with children, combined with what we see on the more than 1,100 attraction pages on JuniorTravelClub. They are practical and short, so you can use them while you plan.
Planning the trip
- Choose by age, not by fame. The famous sight is not always the best day for a four-year-old. Our attraction pages show height limits, age rules and how long a visit takes, so you can pick places that fit your children.
- One big thing per day. A theme park, a big museum or a long day trip is enough for one day with small children. Add a playground or a pool, not a second big attraction.
- Book timed tickets early. More and more places, from the Burj Khalifa to Machu Picchu and the Rijksmuseum, sell tickets for a fixed time. Popular slots go first in school holidays.
- Check who goes free. Many attractions let the youngest in free, and some museums are free for everyone. Our London budget guide shows how much that can save.
- Check opening days. Some places close one day a week, and religious sites can close at prayer times. It is on each attraction page.
Flying with children
- Fly early or at nap time. Many parents find morning flights calmer and less likely to be delayed, and a flight over nap time often means a sleeping child.
- Choose direct flights where you can. One flight is easier than two, even if it costs a little more.
- Give your child their own small bag. Snacks, a water bottle, headphones and a couple of new small toys or activities, unwrapped one at a time.
- Help with ear pressure. Feeding a baby or giving an older child something to drink or chew during take-off and landing helps with blocked ears.
- Know the baby food rules. Baby food, formula and milk are allowed through airport security in larger amounts than the normal liquid limit, but you may be asked to show them separately. Check the rules for your departure airport.
- Use the stroller to the gate. Most airlines let you check a stroller at the aircraft door. Read more in our guide to flying long-haul with kids.
At the destination
- Start early. The first hour after opening is the quietest at most theme parks, zoos and museums.
- Use parent swap. Many theme parks have a Rider Switch or Baby Switch system, so one parent can ride while the other waits with a child who is too small, without queuing twice.
- Know where the baby facilities are. Our pages list baby changing, nursing rooms and stroller rental where the attraction publishes it.
- Bring your own snacks where allowed. Food rules differ a lot: some places welcome picnics, others ban outside food. Check before you pack the cooler bag.
- Plan for weather. Have an indoor option ready for rainy days, and a shaded break in the middle of hot days.
- Agree a meeting point. In big parks, show children where to go if they get lost, and write your phone number on a wristband. Some parks hand these out free.
Documents and safety
- Every child needs their own passport or ID for international travel, and some attractions also ask for ID to give a child discount.
- Travelling with only one parent? Some countries and airlines ask for a signed consent letter from the other parent. Check before you go.
- Health cover. Within Europe, bring each family member’s European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and take out travel insurance that covers children.
- Car seats. Rental car seats vary in quality. Many families bring a lightweight travel seat; see our must-have family travel gear.
Find your next trip
Browse family destinations by continent and country, or start with our family travel guides, from top-10 lists to complete itineraries.