Found travel harder since the ankle-biters came along? Help is at hand, these five travel hacks will have you smooth sailing in no time.
Hack # 1 – Utilise technology
With the number of family-friendly apps available, it’s never been easier to have the power of tech in your hands on-the- go. Whether it is jamming a laptop in the back of the car or storing some movies on the latest tablet for the plane ride, technology can be your ultimate travel companion. You can set your phones to flight mode and give the kids games to play. If you’re not a fan of your IPhone 7 in the hands of your toddler then grab a spare smartphone (come-on everyone has one) and make it communal amongst the kids. Also consider giving your child their own camera for a sense of responsibility and some fun happy snaps! 
Hack #2 – Make a game of it
Wherever possible utilise games on public transport. Create a game with your kids to memorise names of towns, street signs or famous landmarks. This will keep them mentally active as well as tire them out! Use a points-reward system so that you can reward each of your children individually for remembering the last town you stopped at, the latest landmark, or the name of a funny restaurant.
Hack # 3 – Keep it sanitary
The second-worst thing to happen on a holiday is getting sick. The worst thing to happen is to have your child get sick. Not only will it take them out of the action, you will have to sit out and nurse them back to health as well. As a rule buy a travel bottle of hand sanitiser and before every meal dish out some sanitising love to the little ones (and big ones for that matter!). 
Hack # 4 – Involve them!
Want to avoid a sulk? Give your kids a half-day to choose something they want to do and spend the other half doing something you suggest. The trade-off method is one of the oldest in the book and trust me, the promise of reward will motivate them through whatever activity you choose (no matter how boring). Kids have a totally difference perspective and what they choose might surprise you!
Hack # 5 – Book everything in advance
The last thing you want to do with kids in tow is have no plan in place. The concept of “seeing where you end up” may have appealed to you sans kids but see how much you love playing things by ear when you get stuck in queues and stuck with a cranky child. So book all the main parts of your trip – whether it’s hotels, public transport or theme park tickets – in advance and be sure to factor in nap and meal times into your schedule. Nobody wants a hangry kid (or parent for that matter)!
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