How to go adventure travelling with kids

Be brave, says author and adventure junkie Nellie Huang

It might involve more planning and fewer nights dancing on beaches, but having kids needn’t limit your travelling prospects, says travel blogger Nellie Huang, author of new kids’ book, Explorers: Amazing Tales of the World’s Greatest Adventures. She travels the world with her fouryear-old daughter, and here shares her tips for how families can go adventuring together, without it becoming a logistical nightmare...

1. Don’t wait to travel, go now! There is so much to gain from bringing small kids outdoors and getting them to experience new things at a young age. You’ll stimulate their interest in the world, encourage them to appreciate nature and to be open to new cultures and experiences.

2. Having adventures together as a family is a great way to build stronger bonds with kids and create precious memories. I will always remember the excitement in my daughter’s eyes when she spotted her first giraffe on a wildlife safari in South Africa. And the time she stood at the top of a sand dune in the Sahara Desert, and shouted, ‘I’m on top of the world!’

3. Adjust your expectations. Travelling with small kids can be difficult, especially when you’re a new parent. But with some adjustments and proper planning, it is possible. Let’s say you’re an avid hiker and love going on trekking trips. You can still go on long-distance hikes with a baby or toddler on a hiking carrier. But once your kid is three or four, it might be wise to plan shorter hikes.

4. Regardless of how old they are, it’s best to take things slow when adventuring with kids. Try not to plan too many activities and give them time to adjust and rest. Small kids in particular need a certain routine in order to feel safe. Play games during game drives or hikes, and stop at playgrounds during long drives.

5. Plan trips involving nature and wildlife. Children need space to run around, play and have fun – where better than out in nature? Iceland, South Africa, and Costa Rica are perfect for nature-loving kids. An African safari with kids can be so much fun, especially for older children who know a thing or two about animals. It’s also fun to travel in Morocco, as there’s a huge variety of things to do, such as running up and down dunes in the Sahara.

6. Pack light. The less you travel with, the more convenient it will be for your family to move around. Don’t forget medication.

7. An adventure doesn’t necessarily mean jaunting to a faraway land - you can have one right on your doorstep. There are countless of exciting trips just minutes from home.

Picture: PA. Author Nellie Huang with her daughter on an adventure trip to Iceland.