If you’re a new parent, thinking about traveling with a newborn or infant is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Many new parents assume their days of travel will be put on hold when the baby arrives. Obviously, there are many reasons for this, with the major ones being the amount of care and attention a baby needs! Any parent can attest that the sleepless nights, endless diapers and mammoth amount of gear that a baby requires are enough to make taking a holiday to seem like an unattainable dream.

Of course, there are many other reasons why new parents will put travel on hold, and not everyone is in the position to take their baby and fly off to an exotic destination! But for those of you who believe that taking a baby on a trip is too hard, there is hope!

If you are thinking about going on a vacation with your baby, you are likely wondering what the easiest age to travel is. After all, babies change so quickly! Every day, week and month bring many developmental milestones, so to pinpoint the perfect time to travel can make your trip much more relaxed!

So, what is the best age to travel with an infant?

Speaking from personal experience, I think the easiest age to travel with a baby is between 4-6 months old. By this time, you’ve gotten to know your child’s personality and nailed down most of his/her needs. Plus, you’ve likely gotten the hang of all of the equipment you need to get through those days and nights!

The ‘potted-plant’ stage of babyhood.

A friend of mine refers to the early infancy stages of babyhood as the ‘potted-plant’ stage! How he explained it made sense. Up until about six months old, your baby doesn’t really move too much and, in his opinion, this is the easiest stage. Like a plant, you always know where your baby is!

The ‘potted-plant’ stage is the most comfortable time to take your baby on vacation because they are not mobile. Pop them in the stroller, crib, playpen, bed, Bumbo seat – you name it – wherever you set your baby down is where they’ll stay! No worries about your little one wandering off, getting into mischief, rolling off the bed, climbing out of the playpen and so forth. Also, if your room has steps or hotel has a long flight of stairs, you don’t have to worry about them taking a tumble.

Finally, germs are always a worry for new parents. At 4-6 months old, your baby’s hands are not crawling all over the floor or touching everything! Cringe!

Sleep for baby (and you) has returned…maybe a little?

Babies between 4-6 months are likely on a pretty good sleep schedule, and still napping at least two times a day. Also, most babies this age are sleeping for longer durations. For some lucky parents, their babies may even be sleeping through the night!

When we took our first-born daughter to Mexico at five months old, she slept a lot. Between the fresh air, heat and visual stimulation, she would crash for at least 2-3 naps per day and slept at least 6-8 hours in the night. We had plenty of time to enjoy our vacation while she snoozed away in the stroller, beach lounger or Baby Bjorn carrier.

A solid sleep schedule also helps with flying with a baby (or going on a long road trip). If you plan your flights or drive around your baby’s sleep schedule, it makes for a much smoother journey.

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding when traveling with an infant makes it so much easier!

No strange foods or water = no worries!

At 4-6 months, babies are still breastfeeding or bottle feeding; this makes everything so much easier! Bottle feeding is a bit trickier, as you have to pack bottles, formula and have access to filtered water and something to heat it, but it’s still much easier than worrying about what your baby will eat or drink in a foreign country. Once you start introducing solid foods, traveling with your baby will get trickier (and messier!)

Colic has ended and teething hasn’t started.

Between 4-6 months old is really a sweet spot for most. If your baby is colicky, it usually subsides by this time. And for most babies, the treacherous phase of teething likely hasn’t quite started. Traveling with a colicky or teething baby is enough to make you never want to leave your house again! Take advantage of this sweet spot and enjoy a vacation with your little family. You will have memories for life – even if your baby won’t remember – they travel for free anyway!

Have you traveled with a newborn or young baby? When do you think is the easiest time to take them on vacation? I’d love to hear about your experience. Leave me a comment below!

Flying with Baby: Here are tips for an easier journey!

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We have been lucky to go on several trips to Disney since our kids were preschoolers. We had a great time with our kids at every age. How we experienced Disney changed with their ages, but it has always been positive. Here are some things to know before visiting Disney theme parks.

What is the best age to take kids to Disney?

I would say between three and nine years old were the most magical for my kids. They were mostly into Disney Princesses, Cars, Tinkerbell, and characters from Disney shows.

Disney with young kids.

Our children were three and five years old on our first trip to Disney World. My husband and I look back on this as one of our favorite family trips of all time. The kids were so excited by the characters, the rides and the atmosphere; it truly seemed like the happiest place on earth. My husband and I had never been to Disney World – it was just as magical for us!

Disney with teenagers.

Our kids are now 12 and 14 years old and our most recent trip to Disney World was still fabulous! Before we had to work around character dinners and meet/greets, but this last time it was all about the rides. Exciting bigger rides too, like Tower of Terror, Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Everest (our favorite at Animal Kingdom). It was fun, great bonding (we strategized as a family), no drama or tears and we easily powered through from open to close! It also cost us less as this was the first trip where they didn’t care about Disney merchandise!

When is the Best Time to go to Disney?

When we plan our trips it is usually based on not missing too much school (especially now that they are older), and avoiding crowded parks!

Touring Plans

We do our best to avoid big crowds and long waits by using Touring Plans to check out the weeks we are considering and eventually what days we go to which park. The subscription is $20 and well worth it as they predict crowd levels at the Parks based on planned events, holidays, the economy and which park had magic-hour that day. We plan out our days based on avoiding the longest lines and use the Lines App once on site. You can even use it for an itinerary which we typically follow as a loose guideline.

Choose a slower or off-season time.

Choosing a ‘slower’ or more off-season time to visit typically means there are discounts to be had. For value and decent crowds look at January into early February, mid-August to end of September, and early November to mid-December (avoid Thanksgiving). If you go after mid-November you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations!

We have been to Disney in November, February and June. June in Orlando was very hot, very busy and I would not do again. If you don’t mind it being a little cooler, January or the beginning of February is one of the best times to go for a quieter park, as is November. Although the weather is cooler, it’s still a nice escape from winter in Edmonton (AND it wasn’t cold enough to stop us from going in the pool!)

Book Character Dinners and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique early!

To ensure you get dinner with your child’s most beloved characters, and the venue you most desire, you’ll need to book early, same with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. If you are not sure about spending the time or money on these experiences, I’d recommend it at least once if you can. We did the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique when they were three and five. They both loved it – my daughter got to be a princess for the day, and my son was just as happy with his colourful hair, sword & shield, and the attention that followed.

I suggest booking your appointment for early in the day in order to enjoy it longer, and coordinate it with any special dinners with the Disney Princesses!

Use a Stroller at Disney.

I would 100% recommend a stroller for 4 and under, even if you don’t still use a stroller at home. It is a lot of walking, especially at Disney World. We brought our own for a few days and rented a few times. Personally, we found it less of a hassle to just rent a stroller. It was nice to not push it around all day – we waited until early afternoon to rent. Both of my kids napped in the stroller which was a lifesaver on long days when we stayed for the fireworks. There is a ton of stroller parking, just have something to make your stroller recognizable!

Bring a Backpack to Disney

We always bring at least one backpack with us to carry water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and jackets/sweaters. Bringing water and snacks helps cut back on costs and is nice to have during the long lineups. It is also important to consider layers – early mornings can be chilly and it cools off fast when the sun goes down!

At Disney you can bring your backpack with you on rides which is great (at Universal Studios we had to rent a locker for most rides). We did rent a locker on a few occasions (to avoid carrying around 4 water bottles and sweaters all day). We would rent for the morning and take it out for the afternoon/evening.

Use Disney Fast Passes & Child Swap

We were surprised how many people at the Disney Parks were not aware of Fast Passes or Child Swap/Rider Switch. To make the most of your time, I’d recommend reading up on this before you go. You can book your Fast Passes online 30 days in advance of your trip (even longer if you are staying at a Disney resort).

If you will be using child swap, this article from WDW Prep School is a great resource to maximize use of Fast Passes in conjunction with child swap.

Should You Stay at a Disney Resort?

We have never stayed at a Disney Resort, but if I was to do it over again I would have when they were younger. I wish we had for our first trip when they were under five as it was very hot and the kids just wanted the pool. If we had been staying at a Disney Resort we’d have gone back to the hotel for a swim and nap! There are also some pretty good perks when staying at a Disney Resort:

• They will take your packages to your room (no carrying them around all day!).
• Save money on a car rental. Use Disney’s transportation to the Parks and the airport.
• The early magic hour access – game changer!
• You can book your Fast Passes further in advance.
• Other advantages like advance booking for Character dining.

Use Photo Pass and Buy Memory Maker (at least once!)

At the Disney Parks, there are many photo opportunities where staff is set up taking photos. They will hand you a Photo Pass card (or will add to your Photo Pass card if you already have one). If you purchase Memory Maker you get unlimited photo downloads of all your photos taken at the Park, plus other perks. Last time we did this, the Memory Maker was the better deal as it was $20/photo to purchase individual photos and we easily had more than 10 photos that we wanted. It was also nice to have family photos I was actually in instead of playing photographer. If you buy Memory Maker three days in advance of your visit to the Park, you get a discount and if you stay at a Disney resort there are extra photo opportunities.

I hope these Disney World and Disneyland tips help inspire your trip! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below!

Written by Shauna Heryford.

Shauna is a busy mom to two fantastic kids and a freelance Digital Marketing Consultant with over 20 years in the marketing industry. Shauna loves spending time with her family and friends. She thinks family vacations, girls’ weekends and couple’s trips are good for the soul; whether it is a weekend tenting or two weeks in Hawaii – it is important to reconnect and reset. You can connect with Shauna on LinkedIn.

Helpful travel websites to make planning your trip easier!

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Traveling to Kauai soon? Or are you thinking about going to Hawaii but not quite sure which island to choose? Our favorite Hawaiian island is definitely the island of Kauai. Known as the garden island, Kauai offers stunning landscapes with lush tropical greenery, flowers, mountains, canyons, beaches, rivers and waterfalls. The island has a very laid-back vibe and ‘Aloha spirit’.

Best things to do in Kauai with kids.

If you’re taking your kids to Hawaii and looking for a vacation filled with a nice mix of relaxation and adventure, Kauai is the place to be! Of course, when traveling with young children, it’s important to know what you’re in for and how to keep them busy. Kauai offers the best of both worlds – enough activities to keep them busy, but a really laid back environment to keep everyone, including mom and dad, relaxed.

Top things to do in Kauai. Family-friendly and fun for the kids!

1.     Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is known as the best beach in America according to The Travel Channel. Located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii, Poipu Beach is made up of two beaches in a bay separated by a long point. There is a large protected, shallow area which is great for small children to safely splash around in, often with large sea turtles swimming nearby! The soft, light golden sand is fun to play in and explore, where you’ll often find a napping Hawaiian Monk seal (sometimes more than one!) There is also excellent snorkelling, and on the other side of the point there are gentle waves which are fun for body boarding or beginner surfing. For the older children you can sign them up for beginner surf lessons at one of the nearby kiosks. You’ll find all the amenities including washrooms, a small playground and a restaurant and store across the street.

2.     Explore family-friendly beaches in Kauai

Kauai has so many beaches all within a fairly short driving distance. Part of the adventure is trying a different beach every day Every beach has something different to offer, with incredible scenery around it. Pack a cooler and your beach gear and go on a little road trip each day!. A few great beaches to put on the itinerary are: Salt Pond Beach, Anini Beach, Lydgate Beach and Baby Beach.

Here are a couple of links to family-friendly beaches recommended by other travelers.

Best Kauai beaches with Kids.

Best swimming beaches in Kauai for kids.

3.    Visit Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is found on the north shore of Kauai in the area of Princeville and is a must to spend some time exploring this historic area. The bay is the largest on the island with 3.2km of beaches with four beach parks to choose from. The best time to visit is in the summer months when the water is calmer, but the scenery is beautiful year round. If you are not already staying in this area, definitely make a day trip. Often hailed as one of the most beautiful places on earth, Hanalei Bay offers majestic mountain backdrops, gorgeous scenery, pretty beaches and unique local shops and restaurants.

4.   Experience a Luau in Kauai

A trip to Hawaii isn’t complete until you have experienced a luau. We enjoyed the Smith Family Garden Luau but know there are many other wonderful options on the island of Kauai to choose from. Take a peek at some of the best luaus on Kauai here. At a luau you’ll enjoy trying authentic Hawaiian food, seeing the traditional dances and fire show, plus you’ll learn a lot about the history of Polynesian culture.

5.     Plantation Tour on the Kilohana Plantation Railway

 The train tour of the 105 acre Kilohana Plantation is a fun and interesting adventure for the entire family. This guided 40-minute train ride will let you see and learns about the many varieties of trees, vegetables, flowers and fruits of Kauai. The train stops and the kids will get a kick out of feeding the wild pigs, goats and sheep. There is also a restaurant and gift shop, easy to spend a few hours at this location.

6.     Visit the Kauai Coffee Estate

Alright, I know kids don’t drink coffee, but this tour is a win-win for both parents and kids! At the Kauai Coffee Estate you can let the kids explore the outdoor trails and enjoy the fresh air. You can choose a guided tour or roam through on your own and see how coffee beans are grown, harvested and made into many delicious flavors of coffee. End off the tour with sampling different coffee flavors inside the shop. Don’t worry, there are ice cream and snacks for the kids too!

7.     Visit Lydgate Farms for a Kauai chocolate tour

I haven’t personally done this yet, but have been told that the chocolate tour is for all the chocolate lovers in the family! A visit to Lydgate Farms looks like a delight for the senses, strolling through the botanical gardens and sampling of palm honey and vanilla beans. And the extensive chocolate tasting course sounds like a pretty sweet time!

8.     Tour of Na Pali Coast

I put the tour of Na Pali Coast on this list for families with kids at least 5 and up. No visit to Kauai is complete without seeing the breathtaking Na Pali Coast. Razor-edged cliffs, waterfalls, green valleys and crashing waves in emerald blue waters is a truly magical sight to see, and there is no other way to see it than from the air, water or an intense hike. There are so many boat tours to Na Pali, but the key is to choose a tour that leaves from Hanalei (not Port Allen). When you choose a boat that leaves from Hanalei, you will reach Na Pali coastline in a matter of minutes rather than two or more hours.  Depending on the tour company you choose, you will also have the opportunity for lunch or snacks on board, snorkeling or entering sea caves. It is wise to take motion-sickness medication before going on the tour as it can get quite wavy, but you’ll have a great experience if you and the kids are prepared in advance!

9.     Spend time at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort or Kauai Marriott Resort

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort or Kauai Marriott Resort used to offer day passes to use their beautiful pool and facilities. I am not sure if they still do, but it would be worth finding out! The Grand Hyatt Kauai offers a 5-acre pool area with lazy river, saltwater lagoon, and waterslide, while the Marriott offers a huge pool and lovely beach. Bring the family to enjoy the day at one of these hotels, and if they don’t still offer the day passes, it would definitely be worth it to book a night or two at one of these resorts to enjoy their breathtaking facilities.

10. Go Ziplining in Kauai

If you’re looking for a bit more of an action-packed adventure, be sure to try ziplining. Ziplining lets you soar above the treetops, taking in the gorgeous landscapes while getting a bit of an adrenaline rush. It’s a really fun family activity for those who have older children. It’s safe, challenging and a wonderful bonding experience that creates memories for life. In Kauai, there are a few zipline companies, but the most recent I’ve done is Koloa Zipline which can accommodate kids aged 7 and up.

Have you been to Kauai with kids? Comment below and share your favorite places to visit, eat and play. I am always looking for new things to do when we return to Kauai with the kids!

Planning a beach vacation with kids?
Check out my list of Top 10 Beaches for Families and Kids.

Packing tips: 5 medications to always take with you on vacation.

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Are you a beach bum like me? I love travelling the world looking for the best beaches! My idea of a great beach includes a number of factors. I love nice blue water, being able to see my feet when I walk in, warmer temperatures and not too many crazy waves or a strong current. I also enjoy nice soft sand and a few amenities such as a washroom and a place to get some food or drink. A bonus is having the option to rent a beach chair and umbrella, although I usually pack a big beach blanket and can find some shade under a palm tree.

Since I’ve had children, it’s also important to me to find a great beach that is safe for the kids and a place we can stay for hours while they enjoy playing in the sand and water. These beach destinations all make the cut whether you are looking for a family beach vacation, a safe beach for young children, or a relaxing beach to visit on your own, with friends or your significant other.

These are my picks for the best beaches for families…so far!

1. Tabyana Beach, Roatan, Honduras

Tabyana Beach is located on West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras. This beach is one of the nicest beaches in the world. It is absolutely stunning and truly checks all the boxes!

• Soft, white sand

• Crystal clear, turquoise water

• Warm water temperature with barely a ripple.

• Amenities including beach chairs, umbrellas, food and washrooms

Tabyana Beach is also closest to the world’s second largest reef, Belize Barrier Reef. With only 70 feet between the beach and the reef, you basically walk right in with your snorkel and be ready to see the most beautiful underwater reef and sea life.

Tabyana Beach is wonderful for children. They can spend hours playing in the soft sand or in the water. As a parent, you will be able to relax because there is no waves or undercurrent at the shoreline. It is truly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen in the Caribbean and I can’t wait to go back!

2. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Seven Mile Beach is located on the western end of Grand Cayman island. It was voted ‘Caribbean’s Best Beach’ from Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine. If you have a chance to visit this beach, you’ll see why!

• Soft, white sand

• Crystal clear, turqouise water

• Warm water temperature and very calm

• Amenities can be found an many of the resorts which are open to the public, including restaurants and beach bars.

• 6.3 miles (not quite 7 miles as the beach name suggests!) of beautiful beach to explore.

Like Tabyana Beach, Seven Mile Beach is wonderful for children because it is clean and the water is calm. There are also a few small reefs for snorkelling just off shore.

3. Holetown Beach, Barbados

I think almost every beach in Barbados is stunning! We spent most of our time at Holetown Beach. This beach is offers lovely white sand and a nice gentle slope into the clear blue, warm Caribbean water. Great for all ages with excellent swimming, snorkelling or sunning on the beach. There are many places to eat and drink nearby, plus convenient access to all the amenities you need for a fun beach day.

 4. Pigeon Point, Tobago

On the tiny island of Tobago, the sister island of Trinidad, you’ll find Pigeon Point beach. The beautiful aquamarine water goes waist deep for many meters, making it a perfect spot for not so confident swimmers. The water is some of the warmest I’ve ever felt, and the waves are very gentle. Hop on a glass bottom boat that will take you to the nearby Buccoo Reef where you’ll see vibrant coral and colourful fish. You can spend time checking out the reef from the boat or snorkelling in the ‘nylon pools’ which are very shallow areas in the reef.

The beach has washroom facilities, restaurants and gift shops. There are plenty of photo opps with the pretty coconut trees and flowers, white sand and cool rock formations. A fantastic family beach destination!

5. Las Cuevas Bay, Trinidad

Las Cuevas Bay is the second most popular beach in Trinidad, after Maracas Beach. Located about 15 minutes from Maracas, the water at this beach is calm and sheltered in the horseshoe shaped bay. It is a great beach to relax with the family, and has amenities including a snack bar and washroom facilities. You must be sure to stop at Maracas Beach for the world renowned local dish called bake and shark which is very popular street-food in Trinidad and Tobago.

6. Poipu Beach, Kauai

Poipu Beach is known as the best beach in America according to The Travel Channel. Located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii, Poipu Beach is made up of two beaches in a bay separated by a long point. There is a large protected, shallow area which is great for small children to safely splash around in, often with large sea turtles swimming nearby! The soft, light golden sand is fun to play in and explore, where you’ll often find a napping Hawaiian Monk seal (sometimes more than one!) There is also excellent snorkelling, and on the other side of the point there are gentle waves which are fun for body boarding or beginner surfing. You’ll find all the amenities including washrooms, a small playground and a restaurant and store.

7. Magens Bay, St. Thomas

We discovered Magens Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands on a day excursion while on a cruise. Magen’s Bay is known as one of the world’s best beaches and it’s easy to see why! Gorgeous, white sand and crystal clear, turquoise water with barely any waves. This tropical beach is surrounded by coconut trees and lush natural landscapes, offering a fun place for the family to play or relax. All of the amenities can be found including washrooms, change facilities, a restaurant and bar.

8. Sunray Beach, Grand Turk

Sunray Beach is a beautiful beach found right at the cruise ship port in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. This cruise ship port and beach has become one of the most popular attractions in Grand Turk, and the Caribbean as a whole, due to the first class beach, dining and shopping destination it offers. Sunray beach is a stretch of lovely white sand and beautiful turquoise waters. The calm, warm water is fun to play and swim in, and the clarity of the water makes for excellent snorkelling. There are many restaurants, bars and shopping nearby, and amenities including washrooms and change facilities.

9. Afteli Beach, Lefkada

If you enjoy travelling off the beaten path to find hidden gems away from the crowds, then you’ll love Afteli Beach in Lefkada, Greece. It is located on the east coast of Lefkada and can be found by travelling 4km off the main road on a very narrow, curvy road through the mountains. Although 4km seems like a short distance, it is a slower drive due to the tiny, winding road. At the end of the road you’ll be rewarded with a stunning, emerald green bay with crystal clear water that changes colours depending on the sunlight. The beach is tiny but has a lot of sunbeds and a shower. Washroom facilities are located in the restaurant and cafe that is right next to the beach. The beach has tiny pebbles to be sure to bring water shoes, but you will enjoy the clear water that barely has any waves. This beach is great for kids because of the gentle waters, lack of strong currents and interesting rocks and pebbles.

10. Makris Gialos Beach, Kefalonia

Known as the most famous, organized beach in Kefalonia, Makris Gialos beach is surrounded by beautiful scenery including green evergreen forest and lovely rock formations. The sand is soft and golden and the Ionian Sea water is crystal clear and blue. This beach is great for families because it offers all of the amenities you need including beach service, lounge chairs, restaurant/bar and washroom facilities.

I know there are SO many fantastic beaches in the world, especially for families and kids. I have yet to visit all of them but my goal is to see as many as possible! What are your favourite beaches in the world to go to with your kids? I’d love to hear from you so I can add to my bucket list. Please leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Taking the kids on a beach holiday? Check out this helpful kids packing list for beach vacation.

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