New parents? Find out the ideal holiday hot spots for you!

As a new parent, you’re bound to be in need of a break, therefore when your holiday comes around, you should make the most of it and enjoy your time relaxing as a family as much as possible.

But which places are best for babies and tots? With the help of Babythingz — a leading UK supplier of cute cosytoes for prams and buggies — we’ve discovered the top child-friendly holiday destinations for you to choose from, as well as a selection of tips for travelling with youngsters.

A British treasure, Cornwall

How about Cornwall for a trip away? It’s been deemed as a British treasure and the safest bet when it comes to child-friendly destinations is to stay within the UK to cut down your travelling times — beneficial if your little one is fussy or easily aggravated. The Cornish coast in south-west England has a pleasantly warm climate and is one of the country’s most beautiful, peaceful and exciting spots.

Ideal for younger families, you’ll have a choice of relatively-secluded cottages to book! The best tip would be to go for accommodation that offers you and your family space but is still within walking distance to activities to keep children entertained — like the beach. In Cornwall, you can visit Newquay Zoo and the Minack Theatre, which is based in Porthcurno and features comedy puppet shows for kids.

Portugal – The Algarve

Reachable in around two and a half hours by the plane, you can reach Portugal’s popular Algarve region. So, if you think your little one can handle the journey, treat yourself to a holiday abroad!

The Algarve is an extremely safe and popular resort for Brits. It has plenty of child-friendly resorts, hotels and activities that will suit kids from newborn to toddler. There are lots of waterparks around the area featuring sections for babies, although we recommend choosing some of the calmer towns that may better suit your young family — such as Praia de Luz, Cascais and Alvor.

Looking for a quiet yet child friendly destination? Why not visit the Scottish coast!

The Scottish coast is a stunning place to enjoy a holiday and is rather similar to Cornwall — although, it may offer a slightly cooler climate than Cornwall! Visit the Scottish coast and you’ll have your choice of child-friendly hotels and quiet chalets to choose from.

You don’t have to head abroad for beautiful beaches — the Scottish west coast is peppered with gorgeous coastlines. Head to Sanna Bay, which features white sand and turquoise water, or take a family cycling trip to take in the incredible landscape of Glencoe. The Scottish west coast is perfect if you have an infant as well as older children.

The Canaries, Tenerife

Why not try Tenerife if you trust your toddler on the long four to five hour flight?  You’ll land on one of the most popular islands in the Canaries. Many hotels offer on-site childcare should you and your partner want to head out alone at some point, or you can all take a scenic walk up Mount Teide or give a few organised water sports a go. Tenerife has a fantastic climate for children as well — not too hot, little rain and practically no humidity, which will make sleeping easier. Tenerife is a place where there’s no time difference — no need to spend time and effort getting your little one adjusted to a normal sleeping pattern!

The most magical of places for your youngsters, Disneyland Paris

If you know a youngster that doesn’t love Disney, I’d be extremely surprised by this! What youngster doesn’t? Although this destination may be best suited to kids around three years old and over, all children will enjoy the colours, lights and characters of Disneyland Paris. Plus, you have a collection of great, family-friendly Disney hotels to stay in, which will make travelling to and from the park much less stressful!

At Disneyland Paris, you have a wide selection of shows, rides and attractions designed to captivate and entertain babies, toddlers and adults. Wander through Wonderland at Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, go up in the air on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, enjoy the bouncing Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin ride, or book to meet Mickey Mouse himself! Like the Algarve, the capital city of France is only a short air journey away from the UK, which makes it a great holiday choice if you’re travelling with babies or excitable toddlers

Travel tips with your children

Below are a few tips to make travelling with your child less of an ordeal. Here are a few tips:

• Give yourself plenty of time: if you’re late, you’ll stress yourself out and a fussy child will only add to the anxiety. So, start your holiday on a positive note by setting off early.
• Have plenty of toys on hand: from the car ride to the airport to the plane journey itself, make sure you pack your child’s essentials — toys and games. Preferably, opt for quiet games that are best suited for public transport.
• Check your booking: make sure you verify that the hotel is child-friendly with plenty of amenities for kids.
• Comforts: don’t forget the little things that soothe your baby, like their favourite soft toy, blanket or even type of food. They may just help calm them down during long car rides.
• Think luggage: packing all the essentials for a baby or toddler can add a lot of extra weight to your luggage, so cut down where you can by opting for a lightweight buggy and travel-sized toys and sanitary products.
• Be careful with baby food and milk: you can carry baby milk and baby food through airport security in containers over 100ml, so make sure you prepare this before setting off.
• Discuss the journey: if this is the first time your child is taking a long-distance journey, make the event seem positive and exciting by chatting them through what will happen — this may make them less apprehensive, especially if you’re flying.
• Check in online: minimise the airport hassle by checking in over your laptop or phone prior to your day of travel.

Bear the above tips in mind to help make the journey just as good as the destination, too. Hopefully, this has inspired you to take that family holiday you’ve always wanted to go on this year!

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