Europe/International Spring Break trip with young kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the oldest is 6? I am with your husband on this. Beach resort with a kids club in the Caribbean. Wait on the European get away for when they are older.

This.

[Anonymous]

The big advantage to little kids is that you aren’t wedded to school breaks so my first piece of advice would be to go a week later.

The next question totally depends on what kind of sleepers you’re kids are. If you keep them up late, do they sleep in the next day, or are they up early and cranky? If they are easy sleepers that adjust easily, I’d try an easy going European vacation—like a country farm stay in Italy or Ireland. Someplace with animals and fresh air and maybe castles. But if they are rigid sleepers, they won’t adjust well to the time difference and I would try to stay within an hour or two time difference.

[Anonymous]

I think the trick to traveling with young kids is to adjust your expectations. Our best trips during ages 2/3/4/5 were often to places I knew and loved already, and was happy to simply be in one of my favorite places with my daughter. We spent a good amount of time in playgrounds, children's museums, science museums, urban farms and farm parks. But we also visited fun street markets, went hiking, and to afternoon tea, and to churches and castles and exploring somewhere new on foot. I had a wonderful time and she learned to love travel, new places and new experiences. One of her greatest complaints about the first year of the pandemic was that we didn't go anywhere. She's in high school now, and not only remains an eager traveler but is planning to apply to universities in the UK and Europe.

So my advice is to pick somewhere you know you love, figure out what are the kid-focused things to do there, and get your tickets. Jet lag is temporary, and the kids might not remember the trip in much detail, but it will be well worth the effort.

[Anonymous]

We took our kids to Budapest when they they 4 and 7. They don't remember anything about it now but it was a wonderful trip. That said, it was a "trip" not a relaxing vacation. We all came home pretty tired and it took some time to adjust to the time change when we arrived in Europe and when we got home. I think Europe (and beyond) is fine with young kids but it may not be a relaxing vacation like a beach resort and you may need to adjust your expectations. I'd definitely recommend accommodations with access to a kitchen. Eating out all your meals every day with kids that young gets tiring pretty fast.

[Anonymous]

We have taken our kids to Europe on many spring breaks since they were toddlers. No need to wait until they will remember it, you should do what you want to do! My kids have gotten over jet lag much better than the adults did, and I really think traveling often when they were young has made them into better travelers now that they are elementary/middle school age.

Agree with PP that Copenhagen would be a good pick. We went for a week and spent 2 days at Tivoli. It was magical. Copenhagen has so many cool neighborhoods to walk around, and an easy bus system. Two of the best museums my kids have ever been to - the national museum and the design museum. We spent probably three hours in the kids section of the national museum, taking turns watching the kids play with all the amazing things while the other parent toured exhibits, and then had a fantastic meal at the restaurant there. Playgrounds all over the place too! The playground at Tivoli was so amazing.

Anyway, I also loved Paris and London with kids, but there is almost TOO much to do in those cities.

Be aware of closures for Easter wherever you go! I have found they take it more seriously in Europe and a lot of things, like grocery stores, drug stores etc were closed.

[Anonymous]

Impossible with paid travel unless willing to pay close to $1k just pp in airfare. Lol forget award travel.

[Anonymous]

I’m with your husband tbh. Taking kids that young to Europe is an extreme hassle for you, a monstrous amount of work, massive schedule disruptions for the kids on both ends of the trip, and they will not remember it. I truly don’t believe trips like that are worth it until the youngest member of the family is around 6-8. Big enough to walk all day, not need a nap, can adjust better to delays and time shifts, etc. Just save your sanity and go somewhere easy.

[Anonymous]

Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

I'll add to my PP, travel also teaches kids so many life skills, flexibility, navigating uncertainty. trying new things, understanding the world isn't all the same and not everyone does things the same, getting out of their comfort zones, patience...I could go on and on. It isn't just about if they will remember or not, there is so much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

I'll add to my PP, travel also teaches kids so many life skills, flexibility, navigating uncertainty. trying new things, understanding the world isn't all the same and not everyone does things the same, getting out of their comfort zones, patience...I could go on and on. It isn't just about if they will remember or not, there is so much more.

sure, if you have unlimited budget and unlimited time, go to europe for a month. Our point is that long flights with young children are unpleasant. Jetlag, notwithstanding what you say, with young children is unpleasant. If you just have a week or so it really isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

I'll add to my PP, travel also teaches kids so many life skills, flexibility, navigating uncertainty. trying new things, understanding the world isn't all the same and not everyone does things the same, getting out of their comfort zones, patience...I could go on and on. It isn't just about if they will remember or not, there is so much more.

sure, if you have unlimited budget and unlimited time, go to europe for a month. Our point is that long flights with young children are unpleasant. Jetlag, notwithstanding what you say, with young children is unpleasant. If you just have a week or so it really isn't worth it.

We can agree to disagree on our perspectives and priorities.

[Anonymous]

Paris and London both have amazing playgrounds throughout the city and are really enjoyable with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

I'll add to my PP, travel also teaches kids so many life skills, flexibility, navigating uncertainty. trying new things, understanding the world isn't all the same and not everyone does things the same, getting out of their comfort zones, patience...I could go on and on. It isn't just about if they will remember or not, there is so much more.

No 4 year old is going to return from Europe having learned these lessons. They are going to be miserable -- why do that to your kid or yourself?

My kids grew up going to EU countries usually 6 times a year due to our jobs. Sure they learned those lessons but later. If you ask them (now all teens and travel by themselves to see me and/or DH in EU countries all the time) what their favorite vacation was when they were little it was the damn Disney cruise and Hawaii. Middle school ages they loved Russia and Scandinavia car trips. Now they just like taking the train around to different countries without us. And plenty of European restaurants have kid menus along with terrible food and mean servers. It isn't like Europe is some utopia of people who love children.

OP if you want a true vacation then pick something easy for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I am shocked at so many posters thinking travel to Europe with younger children is a waste. To each their own and you do you and all of that but we have traveled overseas at least once a year since my son was 6 months old. We travel for us because its important to us and even if he doesn't remember, we have the memories. Traveling with kids and seeing things through their eyes is magical. They pick up on nuanced differences that my spouse and I don't even notice. The time change is very easy to manage- sleep in/go to bed late. Its only a 6 hour time difference to most major European cities. Europe is much more kid friendly than anywhere in the US. You should not limit your child's diet to what you think they will like, you might be surprised at what they will eat if you don't just order off the kids menu, which by the way, European restaurants either won't have or they will be much better than the options in the US.

I'll add to my PP, travel also teaches kids so many life skills, flexibility, navigating uncertainty. trying new things, understanding the world isn't all the same and not everyone does things the same, getting out of their comfort zones, patience...I could go on and on. It isn't just about if they will remember or not, there is so much more.

No 4 year old is going to return from Europe having learned these lessons. They are going to be miserable -- why do that to your kid or yourself?

My kids grew up going to EU countries usually 6 times a year due to our jobs. Sure they learned those lessons but later. If you ask them (now all teens and travel by themselves to see me and/or DH in EU countries all the time) what their favorite vacation was when they were little it was the damn Disney cruise and Hawaii. Middle school ages they loved Russia and Scandinavia car trips. Now they just like taking the train around to different countries without us. And plenty of European restaurants have kid menus along with terrible food and mean servers. It isn't like Europe is some utopia of people who love children.

OP if you want a true vacation then pick something easy for the kids.

So you don't see any connection between travelling with your kids when they were young and them now exploring various countries on their own as teens? Like it literally never would have occurred to me to go backpacking around Europe in college because we barely went anywhere outside my home state when I was a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the trick to traveling with young kids is to adjust your expectations. Our best trips during ages 2/3/4/5 were often to places I knew and loved already, and was happy to simply be in one of my favorite places with my daughter. We spent a good amount of time in playgrounds, children's museums, science museums, urban farms and farm parks. But we also visited fun street markets, went hiking, and to afternoon tea, and to churches and castles and exploring somewhere new on foot. I had a wonderful time and she learned to love travel, new places and new experiences. One of her greatest complaints about the first year of the pandemic was that we didn't go anywhere. She's in high school now, and not only remains an eager traveler but is planning to apply to universities in the UK and Europe.

So my advice is to pick somewhere you know you love, figure out what are the kid-focused things to do there, and get your tickets. Jet lag is temporary, and the kids might not remember the trip in much detail, but it will be well worth the effort.

I agree with this advice. Little kids are going to have meltdowns anywhere (we recently came back from Disney and it is not all magic, haha) and unless you go to a Caribbean resort with a kids club that accepts kids that young, I don't know how much relaxation you would really get there either. You need to be on guard around water with kids that young and that alone is tiring. It will get easier when they are a bit older, but that doesn't mean travelling with little ones isn't worthwhile.