There’s nothing quite like a family getaway when everything aligns: the kids are off school, your holiday days are finally approved, and everyone is buzzing with excitement. But let’s be real — travel with children can quickly turn into a juggling act of tantrums, tiredness, and too many bags to count.
We know that managing time off work and school can be tricky. The good news? With the proper planning, you can make a memorable trip that leaves everyone smiling.
In this blog, we’ve compiled our top tips on how to structure a trip the whole family will love. These include practical planning advice, insights on the BA frequent flyer programme, how to spend Avios effectively, and a few tried-and-true tricks to keep the little ones (and teenagers) smiling.
Planning (Pre-Travel)
Picking the Destination
The foundation of any successful family holiday starts way before you lock the front door. First things first: pick a destination that works for all ages. Maybe you’re picturing a sun-soaked beach where the little ones can splash in calm waters or a resort in the mountains with kid-friendly ski slopes. Whatever your style, look for places with short transfer times; no one wants to wrangle restless kids on a four-hour bus ride after a long flight. And be sure to double-check that your hotel or resort has facilities for everyone, for example, supervised kids’ clubs, grown-up spa options, etc. (because parents deserve downtime, too).
Consider Everyone’s Interests and Ages
When designing your family getaway, start by mapping out the ages, likes, and energy levels in your household. Are you travelling with a curious toddler who’ll need naps in the afternoon or a tween who wants to conquer every roller coaster in sight? If your children are older, maybe you can handle moving from spot to spot more frequently. But if you’re lugging around a pushchair or car seat, a single “base” destination might be more practical.
Involve Everyone in Planning
Let the kids do digital research. For example, if you’re considering heading to Mykonos, encourage them to check out hashtags like #Mykonos on Instagram. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they get hooked on searching out scenic windmills or colourful alleyways. This can turn your holiday into a collective adventure instead of a top-down itinerary.
Prioritise
Draw up two lists: your “must-dos” and your “nice-to-haves.” Trying to cram ten attractions into one morning usually leads to meltdowns (and not just from the kids). This means you hit the highlights without overtaxing anyone.
Get a British Airways Household Account
Ever feel like you’re leaving points on the table just because the kids “technically” aren’t old enough to open their own frequent flyer accounts? Creating a British Airways Household account lets you pool Avios across multiple family members; yes, even the kids can earn and spend Avios.
In other words, every flight booked, every holiday package purchased, and even certain everyday spending can go toward a communal points bank. This means you might finally be able to afford those reward seats to Orlando or Europe without having to keep track of separate accounts. It’s a win-win: more flexibility and less math.
Stay Alert
Keep an eye on your BA flight status for any last-minute changes that could derail your well-laid plans. Trust us, arriving three hours early with kids is still better than dealing with unexpected chaos at the terminal. And, of course, if you want lounge access or priority boarding, check your status in the BA frequent flyer programme before you travel; maybe you’ve hit Silver and can bring one guest into the lounge for some pre-flight R&R. If you have grandparents who love to travel with you or frequently help out with childcare, you can add them, too. It’s basically a win-win for the entire clan.
Paying with Avios
Starting 1st April 2025, British Airways has introduced the option to go (almost) cash-free by paying for your entire holiday, including flights, hotel, and car rental, with Avios, via BA Holidays or otherwise. Sounds tempting, but is it the best value?
- Max Value vs. Convenience: If you’re a diehard points purist hoping for the best redemption rates (around 1p per Avios or higher), mixing cash and points might be more strategic. However, if the idea of breezing through check-in without seeing a big bill hit your account is too good to pass up, paying entirely with Avios can be a dream come true.
- Mix and Match: You can also make partial payments. Use your Avios for the deposit, then settle the remainder in cash closer to your departure date. This is great if you’re in the middle of earning more Avios or want to keep some points in reserve.
Travelling
Pre-book Extras
Fast-forward to the day of departure. It’s game time. Being organised here is everything, so pre-book any extras you might need. From airport transfers to in-flight meals, every detail you lock in beforehand means one less queue to stand in with kids fussing around you.
Budget Your Time Carefully
Yes, you may have breezed through check-in as a solo traveller back in the day, but with kids, everything doubles in time, especially if you have strollers or need to check car seats. Budget twice as much time as you think you’ll need. Checking strollers and car seats or managing unexpected toddler meltdowns can slow you down quickly.
Bring Entertainment Kits
Keep an “emergency entertainment kit” on hand at all times. Stock it with snacks, crayons, books, or a tablet loaded with child-friendly shows. Yes, the phone-off rule comes later on in the holiday, but trust us, flying can be an exception if it spares everyone a mid-air meltdown!
Know Your Perks
If you’ve earned Silver status in the BA frequent flyer programme, you can swing by the BA Club Lounge with one guest, a total lifesaver if you’re hit with delays. If you don’t have status, paying for lounge access might be worth it, especially if you’re wrangling kids with short fuses.
Bring Mum Bag Essentials (Yes, Even for Older Kids!)
Regardless of how old your children are, always pack an extra outfit (for them and possibly for you) in your carry-on. Spills, sickness, or an unexpected night stranded in a layover city can happen. Plastic or Ziploc bags also come in handy for wet clothes or leftover snacks you want to keep sealed.
On Holiday
Disconnect to Reconnect
Now for the fun part! You’ve arrived, and it’s time to enjoy every moment of your family getaway. First up: consider dialing down those screen times. We’re big fans of the digital detox — turn off notifications, tuck phones away, and soak in the here and now. Think about it: you haven’t come all this way just to see your family’s faces lit by phone screens instead of sunshine or snow-capped peaks.
Make Room for Spontaneous Plans
Mix up your holiday with a blend of carefully chosen excursions and free-form exploring. But also leave room for spontaneity. Sometimes, the best memories happen when you stumble onto a secret beach or a quaint café by chance. Above all, give yourselves permission to take it slow. A relaxed pool day or a casual stroll through a local market can be just as meaningful as high-energy sightseeing marathons. After all, the real magic of a holiday lies in those little pockets of togetherness. Savouring gelato with sticky-fingered kids, snapping that perfect family photo against a sunset backdrop or simply laughing until you forget what time it is.
Make Bookings Ahead of Time
Museums and galleries can be surprisingly enjoyable for kids if you plan ahead. Many have interactive exhibits or guided tours, and booking tickets online in advance means less time in queues. Still worried about the dreaded “I’m bored” meltdown? Incentivise cooperation: promise them a pick from the gift shop or a local sweet treat if they keep it together during the exhibits.
Push Your Comfort Zone
Whether snorkelling for the first time, tackling a zip line, or trying a local cooking class together, venturing outside your usual routine can be thrilling. Take a cue from your children’s adventurous spirit; sometimes, they’re braver than you think! A shared challenge often becomes the highlight of the trip.
Embrace the “Do-Nothing Day”
Not every holiday moment needs to be scheduled. In fact, scheduling a day with no major plans can help everyone recharge. Relax by the pool, watch the world go by at a café, or let your kids loose in a hotel kids’ club so you can sneak in a quiet read. You’ll be shocked how a bit of downtime can reset the mood for the rest of the holiday.
Make Family Travel Diaries
Don’t just snap thousands of photos, put them to good use. Encourage the kids to keep a mini travel journal or scrapbooking project. Collecting ticket stubs, postcards, or even writing down funny quotes can turn those fleeting moments into lasting keepsakes. Sites like Travel Diaries or old-fashioned paper journals work like a charm.
In a Nutshell
Family holidays aren’t about jam-packing every attraction or capturing the perfect Instagram shot. They’re about creating real memories, like the time your youngest squealed with delight on a water slide or your teenager tried (and loved!) local cuisine for the first time. Plan with care, lean on a British Airways Household account and stay flexible, and you'll keep every traveller in the group happy.
