When you have kids, getting away from it all does not always conjure up dreamy thoughts of lying in a hammock under the stars. Usually, you’ll be in for a different kind of break.

We’ve put together some practical tips to help you stay ahead of the game. Read on to find out how to keep your stress levels in check so that you have the holiday of a lifetime for all the right reasons.

1.  Make a Packing List

As with most things in life, success will be the result of the preparation you put in. That starts with making a comprehensive list of things to do before you set off. Here are a few essentials to get you started:

• A first aid kit containing anti-sickness and pain relief medication
• Headphones, chargers, books, games, pens, paper, favourite toys and blankets
• Wipes, more nappies than you think you’ll need and a portable changing mat
• Healthy snacks and refillable drinks bottles
• Hand sanitiser

2.  Some Games to Play

You should have a few games up your sleeve for when they grow tired of their books or tablets. “I spy” is an obvious winner.

The Alphabet Game

If you’re travelling by car, you could try this family favourite. One person selects the right-hand side of the road and the other the left. Each player looks for letters of the alphabet that appear on signs or licence plates on their side.

The idea is to identify every letter of the alphabet, and in the right order, from A to Z. The first person to point out the entire alphabet wins the game.

Bird, Fish Fruit, Flower

Ask the kids to make a list of the following:

• Bird
• Fish
• Fruit
• Flower
• Vegetable
• Boy’s name
• Girl’s name
• City
• River
• Country
• Mammal
• TV show
• Movie

The kids then have to come up with an example of each that starts with a letter you choose. The winner gets the most correct answers.

The Animal Game

Each person names an animal. One by one, all the other players name another animal that begins with the last letter of the previous one eg: lion, newt and tiger. No repeats! You could also try the game with TV shows, capitals or countries.

3.  Bring a Surprise!

Pack something new, small and exciting. Keep it at the ready for when you most need to pull it out of the hat. It could be a toy, activity book, item of clothing needed for a new adventure or sports lesson you’ve booked for while you’re away.

4.  Don’t Cram Too Much Into Each Day

It’s generally best to stick to one single destination or city for your break. Picture what you would do if you were travelling without the kids in one day. Divide that itinerary by half or even a third to make it a more child-friendly kind of day.

If they’re old enough, get the kids involved in the planning, even if it’s in a small way. The more you empower them to choose what they’re interested in doing, the more engaged they will be. That could be anything from visiting an interesting site to taking a windsurfing lesson.

Give the kids the choice of several activities rather than no direction at all. For example, if you're heading for the beach, the options could be a half-day snorkelling trip or a fishing excursion. In a city setting, give them some choices of interesting walking tours and let them select the one that appeals to them the most.

5.  Spend Time Learning About Your Destination

Part of the enjoyment of a holiday lies in the anticipation and getting excited about it beforehand. So the kids get the most out of the holiday, get the map out. Explain where you’re going and how far away it is.

Get them to do some online research about where you’re going. If you’re heading for a country where they speak a different language, make it an opportunity to learn a few basic words and phrases. You can practice together.

Encourage your kids to keep a diary of things they enjoy and learn during their trip. Get them to take plenty of photos too.

6.  Travelling by Plane

If you’re travelling on a long flight with a baby, reserve a bassinet. It attaches securely to the wall of the front row in each section of the aircraft. It means your baby can lie down and sleep, leaving you more time to relax.

There are clearly limited bassinet seats on planes. Some airlines don’t carry them but charge you for them if they do.

If you want to bring your own pram or stroller, you’ll need to check it in with your luggage. Some airports will loan you a pram to get you to the gate. Others will tag your stroller at check-in and you’ll then have to drop it off at the gate.

Talk to the kids about what happens when you travel by plane. Explain the conditions onboard and how they’ll need to sit still, listen to the crew and be respectful of the other passengers. Let them know about the fun side too so they get excited.

Changes in altitude can be tough on the ears. Have a drink handy for your child and get them to sip a little during take-off and landing.

Night flights are generally best when travelling with kids on a long-haul sector. Many airlines will let you select toddler meals in advance.

Dress the kids in super soft and loose-fitting clothes or even pyjamas. They should wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off. If you've got space in your hand luggage, bring a light blanket for them to snuggle into as well as a small pillow.

Make Some Time for Yourself

You deserve a break as well so remember to build some “me time” into your trip. If your nanny is coming too, take advantage and catch up with some much-needed sleep or relaxation.

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