Guide to Survive (and actually enjoy) a family trip

You’re all set to take a vacation after clocking 50-hour work weeks for way too long.  It’s time to take a break from the daily grind and spend some time with the family! 


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But travelling with the whole pack can be quite the challenge.

With young children, there’s just so much to pack - diapers, multiple changes of clothes per day in case of spit-ups, self-feeding or toilet training disasters, their lovey (you do not want to forget to pack this!), and the list could literally just go on and on. 


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Handling tantrums and meltdowns, especially in unfamiliar environments, might be more difficult and finding food for the picky eater in a foreign land is a very real problem.

Add aged parents to the troop, you’ll have more to consider, such as if the destination is wheelchair-friendly or if the activities are suitable for them. You’ll also have to bear in mind the food options available for those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Taking a family vacation is starting to sound more challenging than going to work? Here are four tips that would not only help you survive your family vacation, you’ll get to enjoy it too!

Tips on ways to prevent unexpected situations from cropping up:

Do your research 


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One of the most important things when planning a family vacation is to do thorough research. When considering your accommodation, try to book the hotel that is nearest to the train station or other amenities, depending on your travel mode and itinerary. Whether you have the young or old with you, always check for the nearest hospital in case of emergencies. Search online for available food options near to the place of accommodation, or if you really need to, book a place that you can cook at. 

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you have to pack for your kids? Here’s a travel checklist you can use for reference. 

Be armed and ready 

A hungry man is an angry man. A hungry child? You do not want to be near one, unless you’ve got a pack of chocolate-coated raisins with you.  Children tend to get cranky easily when their little tummies are not filled, and the fact that they always seem to need something to munch on means you should always pack some food or snacks in your backpack. Here are some suggestions to get you started.


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Well-known for their short attention spans, you should also pack along some activity kits or colouring books so you can minimise resorting to screen time when they are bored. Here’s a compilation of 30+ DIY portable travel kits for entertaining kids which you can choose from. 

Go easy 

It’s your first time at your travel destination and you feel like you want to slot in as many activities as possible to make your trip worthwhile. While it’s possible if you were travelling solo or with your spouse, don’t be too ambitious in planning the itinerary when you’re on a family vacation.


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If you have young children or your aged parents with you, don’t plan 12-hour shopping sprees. A continuous string of back-to-back activities is also a big no-no. Factor in time for resting and just chilling so that the elderly can take a rest and the young children can take a snack break or a nap to recharge. Besides, you’re on holiday, take the time to smell the roses and wind down. Spend some quality time with your loved ones by stopping to listen to them or just be there with them.

Be prepared for the unexpected

There’s no way of knowing what would happen when you are overseas. In fact, you don’t even know what’s going happen right after you finish reading this article. 

Getting ill or sustaining an injury isn’t the way anyone would envision their holiday, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The new food might not agree with your child’s or parent’s sensitive tummies. The unfamiliar terrain might cause a sprained ankle. The sudden cold weather might cause your sinus or asthma to act up. The bottom line is you never know what might happen. That is why you should purchase travel insurance before going on a holiday so that you can enjoy a worry-free holiday. 


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When selecting travel insurance, choose one that suits your needs. Opt for Income’s Enhanced PreX plans to enjoy coverage against hefty overseas medical expenses or trip disruption for pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension and diabetes.. Medical expenses cover should also preferably include treatment by a Chinese medical practitioner or chiropractor. This gives you better coverage and choices, especially when some elderly folks might believe firmly only in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 

Travelling is unpredictable but if you and your family are properly insured with Income’s travel insurance, you can fear less when the unexpected happens. 

Hopefully these tips will help take the stress out from planning your family vacation, leaving you only the fun and enjoyable bits!