Pirate tips for parents travelling with babies and toddlers: The perfect time to book your holiday

Flying with babies: How young is too young?

First things first, let’s talk about when you can start travelling with your little one. Most airlines accept babies from two weeks old. However, whether you should take your baby on a plane at two weeks depends entirely on your baby. Some babies don't mind flying at all, while others don't feel comfortable until much later.

In general, it is best to wait a few months before flying. After about four to five months, the immune system is so strong that the risk of illness is much lower. If you have had your child vaccinated, they will have had their first inoculations by this time, and you will be able to board the plane with less worry.

Why shoulder season is ideal for travelling with babies and toddlers

Once your child starts primary school, you'll become a slave to the school holidays, lest you face a hefty fine for taking your child out of school. However, travelling outside the school holidays helps to keep costs down.

That's why May and June are perfect months for young families to book their holidays, as they are typically outside the school holidays, but still offer great weather and prices.

As a travel company that promotes travel deals, we love to wax lyrical about how travelling in the off-season has all sorts of cost-saving benefits. Because May and June aren't peak summer months, you'll also benefit from quieter airports. Long check-in queues can be super stressful with children, but travelling in the off-season can alleviate some of that stress.

Even better, of course, is the impact on your wallet. Adding another person to your holiday budget, even if they're a tiny human and don't take up much space, can still add to your overall bottom line. Travelling during off-peak periods like May and June can save you some extra cash on flights and hotel rates.

The final reason we love May and June for family holidays is the cooler temperatures. Milder weather and temperatures provide a more comfortable environment for young children. Make sure you book a hotel with a heated children's pool. Some hotels only heat their pools in the off-season, so it's important to check depending on where you're going. Having a heated pool can literally make or break your holiday, so be sure to do your research beforehand.

Pirate tip 🏴‍☠️ Since school holidays tend to differ all throughout the UK, look for departure airports that are outside of school holidays to find a deal. For example, people in Newcastle can easily fly from Scotland and catch a bargain even if they wanted to go in school holidays.

Essential tips for parents travelling with young kids

Now that we’ve convinced you to book a holiday in the shoulder season, let’s talk about some other family-friendly and budget-friendly tips you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your next family holiday.

1. If you’re set on a holiday abroad, go for a package rather than DIY

Of course, the choice between package holidays and individual bookings depends on your personal preferences. However, for families with young children, we recommend taking the easy way out and booking a package holiday. Packages are often a convenient solution as flights, hotels, transport and accommodation are all booked together, minimising the hassle of booking. You have an overview of the total cost (especially when booking an all-inclusive holiday) and the holidays are already well-organised.

2. Go all-inclusive to stick to your budget

It seems obvious, but it's really the best way to set your budget as a young family and stick to it. Kids are expensive, we know, so it's great to look for all-inclusive hotels where everything is included, not just food and drink. Some resorts include activities and have on-site splash and water parks for younger children. With all the fun and entertainment built in, you won't have to worry about spending extra money once you're on holiday.

3. Look for ‘child goes free’ holidays

While many family-friendly resorts are a good budget option, they may also offer kids-go-free discounts. It's all in the name: whichever holiday package you end up booking, one child will get the flight and hotel for free as well as access to all the facilities, including food and drink.

A kids-go-free offer can help you save lots of money. To get the best kids-go-free deal, it's best to book well in advance rather than at the last minute. Terms and conditions vary from supplier to supplier, so always check the small print.

Pirate tip 🏴‍☠️ Use TUI’s free kids’ place finder. TUI offers holiday packages with free kids’ places that include free flights, hotels, food and drink and transfers for kids!

4. Choose your hotel wisely: Look for specific family-friendly hotels

When travelling with children, choosing the right accommodation is crucial. Depending on the age of the child, there are different factors to consider when booking. An apartment, for example, often has separate rooms and a kitchenette. A working fridge in the accommodation is worth its weight in gold — especially if you need to keep baby food or snacks fresh.

Pirate tip 🏴‍☠️ Before you book, check the hotel's reviews — just search for 'families' or 'child-friendly' to narrow down your search and make sure it meets your needs. Other things to search for when booking include whether the hotel has cots and high chairs, playgrounds, a kids' club and a children's pool. Also, a room away from noisy areas will ensure a good night's sleep.

Want to make it even easier? Book a family-friendly TUI BLUE hotel

We love recommending TUI BLUE for family-friendly holidays. Be sure to check out the hotels with the Family Fun highlight. At these hotels you'll find age-appropriate sessions, perfect for younger children aged 0–3 and 3–6 years. Activities include magical adventures and games. And unless otherwise stated on the hotel page, the kids' clubs are free and all have a trained team of professionals who have undergone relevant checks.

They are also great for babies and toddlers. Their baby lounges allow parents to change and feed your baby without having to go all the way back to your room, which can be very convenient in larger resorts. Family-friendly options also include rooms with blackout blinds, fridges and space for a pushchair. And for an extra charge, you can pre-book a baby pack — which includes high chairs, sterilisers, bottle warmers, buggies, play pens and travel cots.