I remember the days when a city break meant booking a cheap flight, throwing a bag together, getting to the airport on time and arriving with barely a second thought. Once the kids came along, we avoided city breaks altogether for the first few years! But it doesn’t have to be that way. We now take our kids on regular city breaks, at home and abroad, and with a bit of planning, everyone has a great time. Here are our 10 tips for surviving city breaks when travelling with kids.
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#1. Research
Research is the key to surviving a city break with kids.
- Look online for other parents’ reviews of the cities you want to visit.
- Check in advance what child-friendly activities are available.
- Check local holidays and events for the dates you plan to travel.
- Work out distances from the airport and your accommodation to the attractions you want to see.
- Check for discounts on attractions, restaurants and transport.
Be sure to visit our Travel Section for city guides packed with free things to do, where to eat with kids and places to visit.
#2. Plan Ahead
Once your research is done, it’s time to plan the trip itself.
- Get the kids involved — let everyone choose a place they’d like to visit, then agree on the ones you’ll all fit into your itinerary.
- Use online tools to find child-friendly restaurants and any discount vouchers going.
Every city has families living in it, so there will always be free, interesting things to do wherever you go.
Recommended reading: 9 European City Breaks You May Never Have Thought Of
#3. Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
It sounds obvious, but make sure your accommodation actually suits your family.
There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere and having to watch your kids’ every move because the sofa is cream and the walls are pristine white. Also check how far your accommodation is from the places you want to visit, and how easy it is to reach by public transport.
Recommended reading: Travel Hacks to Make Holidaying with Kids Easier
#4. Set a Budget
It’s a good idea to set a budget before you travel. This is much easier if you’ve done your research well and have a rough idea of food and attraction costs.
If you have older children, give them their own budget too. They’ll probably want to bring gifts home for friends, and making them responsible for their own spending can save a few arguments along the way.
#5. Think of the Weather
This one might sound obvious too, but some times of year are simply too hot or too cold for a city break with children. Think beyond the predicted temperature — factor in wind chill as well. A mild-sounding forecast can feel very different once the wind picks up, and nobody enjoys a miserable, cold day out with tired kids.
#6. Think of the Kids
Endless tours of churches, vineyards and shops may not be your children’s idea of a good time, so plan with them in mind. It’s absolutely fine to divide and conquer — if one child wants to spend time at an art gallery while another would rather run around a local park or browse the shops, split up so everyone gets to enjoy the trip their own way.
Recommended reading: Top Tips for Travel with Kids
#7. Packing
You’ve checked the weather and know what clothes to pack, but what else do you need?
Bring along a few familiar toys or books to keep the kids entertained, not just on the journey but during quiet downtime once you’re there. If they have a favourite comfort toy, pack it — but keep a close eye on it. We’ve all had that moment of panic when the toy they can’t sleep without goes missing!
If you’re travelling with babies or toddlers, a good travel buggy or sling is essential. Pack enough nappies for the first night and pick up more locally once you arrive — the same goes for baby food and formula.
Finally, pack snacks and drinks before you head out each day, or stock up early. It saves time, money and the stress of hunting for child-friendly food while you’re out and about.
Recommended reading: What to Take When Travelling with Baby
#8. Take Pictures
Don’t forget to take pictures — and actually get around to printing or backing them up once you’re home. It’s easy to forget to stop and capture moments, and even easier for the photos you do take to simply sit on your phone afterwards.
You could even keep a video diary, which brings us nicely to the next tip.
#9. Give Older Children Jobs
If you’re travelling with older children, giving them a job to do works brilliantly. They could take charge of a video diary or photos that get turned into a photo book once you’re home.
Other jobs they’ll enjoy include:
- Researching a district within the city to visit.
- Researching ideas for a day trip outside the city.
- Finding free things to do that everyone will enjoy.
- Being in charge of the budget for a day — they decide what the allocated budget goes on, from transport to food to entry fees.
Recommended reading: 15 Best Apps for Kids when Travelling
#10. Bribery
Bribery plays a part in almost every city break with kids — whether it’s bribing your partner for a bit of free time, or bribing the kids so you can visit somewhere you know isn’t quite their cup of tea.
Be prepared for a bit of give and take. It really does make the whole trip run more smoothly.
Recommended reading: Top Tips when Travelling with Toddlers
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is best to start city breaks with kids?
There’s no single right age — plenty of families travel with babies and toddlers, while others prefer to wait until children are a little older and can walk further or engage more with sightseeing. The tips above (especially planning, packing and thinking of the kids) apply at any age; you’ll just adjust the pace and activities to suit.
How do I keep costs under control on a city break with kids?
Setting a budget in advance, researching free activities before you go, and giving older kids their own spending money to manage all help keep a lid on costs. Look out for family or child discounts on attractions and transport when you’re researching your trip.
What should I pack for a city break with young children?
A familiar toy or comfort item, snacks and drinks for the day, a reliable buggy or sling for younger children, and enough essentials (nappies, formula) for the first night, with a plan to buy more locally. Keep entertainment for downtime handy too, especially for journeys or quiet moments back at the accommodation.
How do I keep older kids engaged on a city break?
Give them ownership. Let them research a neighbourhood, plan a day trip, manage a day’s budget, or take charge of photos or a video diary. Having a “job” turns sightseeing from something that’s happening to them into something they’re actively part of.
Related Articles
- 9 European City Breaks You May Never Have Thought Of
- Travel Hacks to Make Holidaying with Kids Easier
- Top Tips for Travel with Kids
- What to Take When Travelling with Baby
- 15 Best Apps for Kids when Travelling
- Top Tips when Travelling with Toddlers
Before You Go
Have a favourite tip of your own for surviving a city break with kids? We’d love to hear it — drop it in the comments below.
Looking for more family travel inspiration? Browse our full Travel Section for city guides, packing tips and days-out ideas.
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