Holidaying with children might seem daunting, but plan ahead as much as possible and it will end up being a doddle. The logistics of making bottles on the plane, wondering where Wi-Fi fits into your holiday or packing all the essentials. We see you...

After all, holidays are about having fun, so you don’t want to be worrying while you're travelling! Here we have ten useful tips:

1. Reach out to our friendly Red Team. No matter what you need help with, we’re always on hand to help. Maybe it’s a spare hand when your young child needs a bit more attention, or maybe it’s to find the nearest charging point for your teen. Ask away!
2. Always allow for extra time when travelling with children. That means, getting to the airport around three hours before departure, especially during the school holidays. This allows for any longer security queues or any extra baby feeds.
3. Why not pre-order all the essentials to your airport pharmacy? That way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting sun cream, nappies, wipes or medicines in the run-up to your holiday. You’re probably already busy trying to remember what outfits are best to pack for the kids!
4. When it comes to food, there are a few things to remember. For those little milk monsters, pre-made milk can be taken on the plane. Just remember, it might be chosen for testing at security. Cabin Crew can also heat this up for you, just make sure you have your own container and powder or milk. Secondly, for the older foodies, pre-ordering food for the plane is a good shout, as you don’t have to worry about their favourite snacks running out. They’ll also be served first!
5. Make the most of the 10kg hand luggage included and pack plenty to keep them occupied. Anything from colouring, soft toys, games, toddler headphones and iPads. And don’t forget, you can take your pram right up to the plane door, just before boarding, where it will then have to folded down and stored in the hold by one of our friendly team. You’ll then be able to collect it from the carousel when you reach your destination.
6. Why not choose a window seat? Seeing the rolling waves, miles of countryside or shining lights are fascinating for any age. If it’s their first time flying, this might be a great distraction and makes for a few early Insta-worthy snaps. Head to Manage My Booking to reserve these before you go.
7. Looking at what your entertainment options are before you jet off is a good way to get the whole family involved in planning any holiday activities. Maybe you have an excursion in mind, a nearby swirly-slide waterpark or maybe just a little pool for your baby to dip their toes in.
8. For any tweens or teens that want to stay in touch with those at home, or those that just like to have some downtime playing a game, our properties usually have Wi-Fi! That’s one tick in the box. We’ll list on our website if your hotel or villa has free Wi-Fi, so you can check beforehand. We understand that staying connected now means being synced to the internet.
9. Is it your little one’s first flight? We sell snack boxes and toys in our Jet2shop to keep them entertained. 
10. Prepare for air pressure! Sometimes the change in cabin air pressure can cause discomfort. Have your little one sip something just before, and during take-off and landing. The swallowing will help the pressure, so some sweets might be good for older children too.

Take our word for it

Beyond these handy tips, we caught up with some of the team to get their best recommendations based on previous family jollies…

“First things first, turn the journey into an adventure… Whether you’re driving to the airport or waiting at passport security, get them to make a game out of it. ‘Cheese on wheels’ is one of our favourites – when the kids see a yellow car, the first to shout it out wins!  

I appreciate everyone has a budget, but trust me, it’s worth paying a bit extra when they’re younger – even if it means going All Inclusive. Pay for a parking space closer to the airport and get a bigger family room too, so you can have your own space once the little ones are asleep. But also, be cautious of extras and find out in advance about whether a travel cot is included at your hotel.  

We always over-pack! But try to stay restrained – I’m sure you’ll be able to pick something up if you’ve forgotten it. Also be sure to check their passports are in date, and take your buggy through right until you have to board, as you don’t need to leave it at check-in." 

Adam, dad of three, Creative Services 

“Tip one has to be SNACKS! My daughter Madison’s hand luggage was predominantly snacks…of all kinds. And there's also a snack box you can buy onboard, if you haven’t had chance beforehand. I’m a huge fan now of the lap tray too – not just for eating, but for her activity sheets, colouring books, little toys and our trusty tablet. A travel station setup is a must! And the same applies to her toddler headband headphones. Madison’s mad about nursery rhymes (great for her, but not for us), so we bought her these as they’re super-soft, and she doesn’t disturb anyone else in the process.  

When travelling, we always make sure to take a few things from home, such as some of her favourite toys and books, and her pillow and pillowcase, alongside little treats. That way, she can nod off comfortably, on a material that won’t irritate her skin. 

We’ve also found that, if you include kids in the travel process – like we did this year with Madison – they’re in better moods and more cooperative. Make them feel involved in letting them hand their passport over at check-in, teach them some local lingo, tell them they can pick a magazine... that kind of thing. We also talked to her about what was happening at check-in and during take-off and landing. 

Overall, just enjoy the time away without routine, deadlines and early starts. We have such a busy and hectic routine on a day-to-day basis at home, so just being able to leave all that to one side and have unregulated family time was perfect.” 

Caroline, mum of one, Social Media 

“Easy-to-carry card games like UNO go down really well – same for fidget toys. And I bought an LCD drawing tablet for a holiday a few years ago and Ronnie, my son, still adores it. Plus, every kid we meet, young and old, wants one! 

What’s more, the support and direction in both the UK and destination airports is just a lifesaver when you’re wrangling either an over-excited or seriously stroppy child. There’s no in-between!” 

Gina, mum of one, Content