Some people can be a bit hesitant about going on city breaks with kids and be put off exploring inner city life – but that would be a mistake. There’s so much to learn and see in cities which have no shortage of family-friendly activities. We have had some amazing city breaks with our daughter. It can take a bit more planning and it may be more tiring than your average beach holiday but it is well worth it. So, don’t hold back. To help, here are Wander Mum’s ten dos and don’ts for city breaks with kids.
1. DO stay near the centre if with travelling with young children. It can be handy to go back for a rest to recharge the batteries and if you forget anything, you don’t have far to go.
2. DO take a buggy or a baby carrier if with young children. Wandering around a city can be tiring, especially if they are having later nights than usual or suffering from jet lag. My daughter will often nap in the buggy which gives you precious sightseeing time (or the option get a refreshment in peace).
3. DON’T count on visiting loads of museums and spending lots of time in one historical venue. As we know, a child’s attention spam does not last long. Break up the museum visits over a couple of days so they are a bit more manageable and look out for ones with family-friendly activities.
4. DO make it exciting. If you are visiting somewhere which may not be top of your little one’s list (we saw a lot of churches in Italy), incorporate some of the history of the place and educate them on some of the more interesting tales about it.
5. DON’T cram too much into your schedule. City breaks aren’t quite as productive with young children as they are with a friend or partner.
6. DO plan to do things they will be interested in – and let them choose what to do – whether it be an aquarium, child-friendly museum, toy shop or playground – including their requirements into the planning will help maintain their interest.
8. DO still take lots of snacks – just in case nothing takes their fancy – or if you can’t find an eatery at that particular moment.
9. DO have regular breaks – city breaks can be exhausting for adults let alone children! Stop for a rest by grabbing some ice cream, going to the park, getting lunch or trying the local brew.
10. DO take advantage of sightseeing bus tours – especially if visiting a large city. We have done the London Big Bus Tour before and the Stromma bus and boat tour in Copenhagen. It gives a great overview of the city and cuts down on lots of walking.
Those are just a few of my tips gathered from city breaks we have taken over the past four years with our daughter since she was nine weeks old. Do you like going on city breaks with children? What other advice would you give? As ever, I would love to hear your thoughts – just comment below.
Brilliant tips. It’s always important to do something especially for kids, and a bus tour is a great way to se the city, as you say without walking. We have also done a couple of ‘duck tours’ where to bus turns into a boat and they appeal to all the family too. We saw sea lions in San Diego on the duck tour there.
Mellissa recently posted…48 Hours In New Orleans
Thank you Melissa. I’ve not done a duck tour before…but they sounds brilliant – especially if you see sea lions!
Great tips here. I think choosing a central location is really critical and can make or break your trip. I would also add doing some research on playgrounds before you go so you can take a play break. You get extra points if it has a cafe nearby – snacks plus mummy’s coffee = happy family in our house ? #citytripping
Katy recently posted…Photo journal – Zadar, Croatia
Oh definitely – the playground knowledge is very handy – and next to a cafe… Perfect! X
I think taking a bus or boat tour is such a good idea – saves little aching feet! #citytripping
Rebecca U recently posted…Introducing Your Baby to the Swimming Pool
Definitely does! X
Haha.. I spend a lot of time at cafes when on city breaks with the kids. Moving around cities with kids is exhausting!
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…{Travel Tuesday #39} Gunma Safari Park (Japan) Review
It certainly can be..we recently spent a fair bit of time in piazzas in Italy having a rest.
Excellent tips and the perfect post for #citytripping! I’d agree with all of these. I’m a big fan of taking it slower with children because what’s the point of exhausting yourself and your children? Better to see a few things with engaged and interested kids than run around lots of sights and not see anything properly.
Clare Thomson (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…Airbnb: Is it worth the hype?
Thank you Clare! Yes, you are spot on…the days of cramming things in are no longer feasible – which suits me as well. Gives you time to look at the city at get a feel for it properly.
Exactly!
Clare Thomson (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…Airbnb: Is it worth the hype?
Top tips!
Thank you!
Excellent tips! I love that your daughter tried pig’s intestines, it’s great to see how these experiences keep children open-minded and willing to try new things. Definitely agree on taking it slower with little ones too and hope to try a sightseeing bus tour on our next city break. Thanks for hosting #CityTripping
Cindy recently posted…Spring at Kew Gardens
I know – I was very impressed with her adventurous tastebuds. Bus tours are great! X
I hope I’ll use this one day:)
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Snapshots from Stockholm (April 2016)
Xx
Great tips! I love city breaks and, with some planning, it is possible to enjoy them with kids too. We always try and spot an attraction for us and ‘parallel attraction’ for the kids: in Florence for instance, we looked at the duomo while the kids looked at the horses and carriages just outside – everyone was happy 🙂
Marta recently posted…The dead zoo: a visit to the Natural History Museum of Dublin
That’s a great idea – a win win!
Great tips Elizabeth and I completely agree re: staying central and taking it at a slower pace. City breaks are so much fun with kids, you see a completely different side to a city too when travelling with little ones #CityTripping
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) recently posted…City Tripping #24
Thanks Lisa, I agree, you do see a different side!
Great tips! Agree you do not have to pass on a trip because you have kids. Visited Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley last weekend and there were people with kids everywhere (we are talking about wine country). A family with a 4 months old sat next to us in a restaurant and they where having a wonderful time.
Ruth recently posted…Los Olivos in Photos
That’s great to hear…4 months is a great age to travel too – so portable and sleepy!
Too funny about the pigs intestines! I agree – let them try all the local food you never know what they’ll like and can surprise you. And I def agree about trying not to pack too much in..it never ends well;). #citytripping
Corey with fifi + hop recently posted…Spain this Summer, or Later?
No it doesn’t…you usually end up with tired, grumpy children!
As my two are full time city kids through and through, I think they are more weirded out if we try to go on holiday somewhere that isn’t a large urban sprawl. Great tips, and basically, although you might not get to see the side of a city that many tourists think of, you will get to compare playgrounds, changing rooms, and the existance or otherwise of high chairs, which is often oddly interesting. Plus, kids are also very good at making you notice things like odd bits of statuary you would never have spotted without their eagle eyes.
Yes, they always point out the things you would never notice! And, yes, you get to check out how good the toilet facilities are!
Great tips, Liz! I wonder if I should share this post with my boss who is constantly lamenting that he can’t travel anywhere “because of the kids”. I’m puzzled because I have seen so many tourists travelling with young kids (and some with babies). Hopefully by sharing this with him it won’t be a career-limiting move for me , LOL! #CityTripping
Haha! Too right you should! He should get out there and stop making excuses! X
I love city breaks – with or without children and think they’re brilliant for kids as there’s no chance of getting bored. That said, your tips are fab, and I would especially agree with taking snacks, not staying too far out (the extra travel can finish a small child off) and making sure you include activities they will enjoy. #citytripping
Great tips, a baby carrier is everything! I try to let my kids have some input in to the itinerary, esp. as they get older
Thanks Nicola…will definitely be giving my daughter a bit more input now she’s older X
Such fantastic tips! We totally take advantage of everything you mentioned. We also take care to stay in places with at least a fridge and microwave so we can help our mornings run smoother 😉 Great tips!!
Thank you! Good idea – that definitely makes a difference – especially with younger children.
These are fabulous tips and would agree with all of them. Our toddler carrier has been one of the best things ever with getting out and about in cities and is often easier than trying to negotiate a buggy on public transport. Definitely agree with staying in the city centre if you can too and making sure you have snacks if needed.
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…A little slice of blogging brilliance: being shortlisted for the BiBs
Thank you Louise…baby carriers are brilliant when they are young (and before they get too heavy). Being in a central location is so handy!
I think the not over-planning really makes the biggest difference. If expectations aren’t set unrealistically, then everyone can enjoy the trip more! Thanks for #citytripping!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…GPS My Posts with GPSMYCITY
Yes, definitely! A bit of planning but not cramming loads in.
Fantastic tips Elizabeth – I would have to agree with you on all counts! Buggy and snacks are invaluable when you have young kids – and you’re right there’s no point staying out of town! Thanks for hosting #citytripping
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…The Top Five Beaches in Devon
Thank you Ting! x
Great tips – I definitely agree it’s a good plan to take it slow and mix in some breaks/parks/kid-friendly options as well as the sightseeing. We’ve had some fab city breaks with my daughter though so definitely doable.
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Family day out: Eden Project, Cornwall
These are some great tips! I don’t have kids, but I am a nanny, so I’ve seen what traveling to museums and such is like with them. It can be complicated.
By the way, love the picture of your daughter in the strawberry dress! So cute! Her hair is so curly! 🙂
Mandy recently posted…Charles E. Moore and Timothy Keiderling’s Bearing Witness
Aww – Thank you! The hair is crazy.
Great tips, I think sometimes city trips are disregarded, especially when you have youngsters.
Amanda Cottingham recently posted…5 Things You Need to Know About Cruise Holidays
Great tips and Suggestions . I will use this one day.
Thank you!