Last summer, you had a brilliant idea.
“Let’s travel to Israel with our entire family for Pesach.”
You could picture the awe on your teenager’s face as she davened for the first time by the Kotel, the Western Wall.
The shining face of your toddler as he experienced his first camel ride in the desert, dressed as Avraham Avinu.
The excitement your ten years old would soak up, as she walked through the Jerusalem Shuk Erev Shabbat.
Book the tickets!
Kol Hakavod (that is what we say here in Israel)!
Congratulations, that was an awesome decision. Traveling abroad creates a lifetime of memories for children as they familiarize themselves with new sights, fresh experiences, exotic foods and of course much-needed quality family time.
Nonetheless travel delays, together with jetlagged, bored, overtired and cranky children can make traveling with children a challenge.
Kosher Travelers are here to help!
Throughout our years as parents traveling with our own children and as professional travel operators, we have discovered the highs and lows of travel.
Insider tips for traveling with kids and enjoying it!
Here is what we learned as Kosher Travelers:
-
Be Realistic
Traveling single or as a couple, is a completely different experience than traveling with small children and or a family.
Your kids will not think the 45-minute walk home from the Kotel, through the streets of Jerusalem is magical. (But we know it is 🙂 )
Keep in mind, that your ultimate goal is to create an enjoyable and stress-free experience for everyone.
2. Book Accommodations
Choose your accommodations wisely.
What are your priorities?
Location?
Size?
Comfort?
What are amenities at the hotel “must haves” for your family?
You will enjoy the free breakfasts, housekeeping service, and lobby. (no cleaning up and doing dishes for you)
Your kids will love free wifi, space to kick around a ball outside, a pool, a game room and a kids club.
Hotels and their facilities make your family travel trip so much more enjoyable.
3. I’m Bored - planning the perfect itinerary
Now, that you have secured your accommodations, begin planning your trip.
A good place to start your research is on the internet.
Different travel websites can help you structure the basics of your itinerary.
Once you have a basic itinerary planned, social media can be helpful.
You can ask for referrals, opinions, and questions on various social media travel groups.
The two groups we suggest are;
Love Love Israel: Tried and Tested and Travel the World With Your Kids.
4. Local Tour Guides
Local tour guides have vast experience in helping tourists plan itineraries. They can help you personalize your schedule meeting your specific needs.
5. The Free Stuff
Many things to see and enjoy are absolutely free. See a street fair, concert, or cultural event.
Catch a magnificent sunset, take a walk or bike ride, play in the park, swim at the beach or lake, climb a mountain.
6. Empower Your Kids
Get your kids involved! Encourage your kids ages five and older to participate in the planning.
Practice speaking Hebrew with them.
Do they know how to count? Echad, Shtayim, Shalosh
How to say “Please and Thank you”? Bevakasha and Todah
And “where is the bathroom?” Eifhoh Hashirutim?
7. What’s In Your Bag
There is a limit to what you can pack. Using a list will help you avoid overweight charges and heavy uncomfortable luggage.
- Haggadah
- Children’s favorite toys
- Books
- Food (During Pesach have non-kitnyot snacks ready when you are out and about)
- Check out this packing list for families.
8. Emergency Plan
Before traveling, set up a family emergency plan.
In case a child gets lost, some families have found it helpful to add a GPS app to their smartphones (Live360).
9. Pictures
We love the idea of buying kids a journal and a (cheap) digital camera or their smartphones.
If you are on Instagram - Don’t forget to tag your pictures with #WeTravelKosher.
Then once at home and everyone is well rested, create a digital album or scrapbook.
10. Meet the Locals
The local park is a perfect open space for your kids to run around.
As a bonus, you can meet local parents that can help tweak your itinerary or at least point you in the direction of a kid-friendly restaurant.
Enjoy!
Last summer, you made an awesome decision.
You are embarking on an unbelievable adventure.
Traveling with your children creates lasting memories for your entire family.
WISHING YOU AN YOUR FAMILY A CHAG KASHER V’SAMEACH!
Share your travel adventures with us! #wetravelkosher
