reading time – 3 min
Our tips for a successful family vacation
Reading on the beach, aperitifs at sunset, no schedules, no constraints: that was before! Today, one or more children have joined the nest. Family vacations are more like farm holidays with animals, arts and crafts, dress-up games, and stuffed animal battles. A program that rarely means farniente. So how do you recharge as a family and avoid your holidays turning into total exhaustion? We share our secrets (hard-won from experience!).
Talking about everyone's expectations in advance
Before typing "ideal destination for a family vacation" into your favorite search engine, talk as a couple, or with your children (if they're old enough), about what recharges you, about what would do you good for these vacations. Is it visiting a city, going cycling in nature, going out to a restaurant, planning some one-on-one time father/daughter or mother/son? Every family has different needs. Your friends love spending three weeks in the same house in Brittany, you prefer hiking with a donkey, while others enjoy doing the rounds of friends and moving on every three days. Identifying what recharges you, talking about it together, listening to everyone's needs and acting on them — that's already a huge step toward a successful vacation!
Choosing easy destinations for your family vacation
With very young children, the logistics of going abroad can quickly become overwhelming. But that's fine — adventure can be found close to home too. France (you know it? a country millions of people dream of visiting) and its neighboring countries are incredible gifts: beautiful and diverse landscapes, refined gastronomy, historic architecture, wide open spaces. Something for everyone and every age. Not to mention familiar landmarks (your baby's favorite formula available at the nearby pharmacy, quality hospitals in case of trouble). In France, we have a soft spot for holidays on the islands (those along the Atlantic coast, for example). Taking the ferry, driving across the bridge above the sea: your children will already have stars in their eyes. Once on the island, there's no need to cover thousands of kilometers in a week to feel like you've seen everything. Result: fewer frustrations for the parents!
Peaceful journeys!
Our tips
Family vacation means family journeys! Family journeys mean hunger cries, urgent pit stops, and recurring questions that can wear you down ("Are we there yet?"). Some people drive at night to ensure a quiet ride. For everyone else, here are a few tips:
• Always have food on hand (waffles, fruit pouches, savory crackers, apricots… avoid chocolate that melts…)
• A long list of great podcasts/lullabies for children you'll have selected
• Books and coloring pages in abundance you'll have packed (with the sticker option, even better)
Our best games to have fun without any equipment
• Trois P'tits chats: find a word that starts with the last syllable of the previous word (Chat – Chapeau de paille – Paillasson…); if everyone is stuck, take the last letter instead.
• Story with gaps: you tell a story and pause from time to time. Your children have to guess the missing word.
• Guess who/what I'm thinking of: the child or adult thinks of someone/something. The others must guess by asking yes/no questions (is it a boy? is he blond?, etc.).
For journeys by train, walking back and forth to the buffet car is an excellent pastime. Note: even if you can travel for free with your child under 4 years old on your lap, we strongly recommend booking a Bambin seat for them. It costs 9 euros, and it makes all the difference!
Getting well equipped for your family vacation
The bags
At Petit Picotin, we work all year long to design and create beautiful and useful accessories for the whole family. For family vacations, we recommend:
• The suitcase: a soft-sided bag that fits anywhere and is the ideal size to pack a baby's things for one or several weeks (clothes, diapers, and sleeping bag) or for two older children. Another advantage: it opens fully, giving you a complete view of all the contents.
• The diaper bag: ideal for heading to the beach and fitting in armbands, swimsuits, a bucket and spade, snacks….
• The backpack or the bowling bag: depending on age, so each child can carry their treasures during the vacation.
The essential accessories
• The large multi-purpose swaddle: it can serve as a sun shade, a bib, a light blanket, or a beach towel. In short, the essential accessory.
• The travel changing mat to change your baby on the train, at the restaurant, on the beach… anywhere!
• The water bottles to stay hydrated on the beach, in the car, or at the zoo!
• The poncho to stay warm after swimming.
Special vacation FAQ
Going on vacation with your baby: what age is right for traveling?
A baby above all needs their rhythm and habits to be respected in order to be happy. Once you know that, you can travel by train, by car, or by plane fairly soon after they are born. Do note, however, that time zone differences, extreme heat, and changing location every evening are really not necessary before 18 months. Baby won't enjoy it… and neither will you!
Where to go on vacation for a family cycling trip?
In France, there are many routes to choose from. Following a canal can be a great option — it's flat and car-free. For a route with a southern feel, there's the Canal du Midi between Toulouse and Béziers. If you want to escape the heat, head to the canal from Nantes to Brest! La Vélodyssée is also a great option — a signposted cycling route that crosses Brittany and follows the Atlantic coast down to the Basque Coast. Abroad, the Netherlands is a golden destination for cycling with the family! In terms of equipment, get a trailer for the youngest children — they can sleep peacefully or take in the scenery.
Which city to visit in France with the family?
If your child is very young, visiting a city will be easy since they will admire everything from their stroller. For children between 2 and 5 years old, the city option is not necessarily ideal (at that age they don't walk very long, they need quiet time or a nap…). That said, it doesn't stop you from visiting a museum or an exhibition from time to time — quite the opposite! From age 5, a city trip of one or more days becomes interesting. Children start to take an interest in culture and can walk for longer. In France, you're spoiled for choice — you don't always need to go very far to find an inspiring city!
Where to go to the seaside with children?
We recommend beaches without large waves for paddling peacefully. Opt for sandy beaches rather than pebble beaches — more comfortable and conducive to creativity (your children will spend hours building sandcastles!). Again, there's no need to go far: France is lined with beaches, from the great stretches of the Côte d'Opale to the calanques of Cassis — something for every taste!
Things your little ones say
"Mommy it's hot, the sun is hitting my head!"
– Elia, age 2
"Oh, look at those hermit crabs!"
– Ilyes, age 3
"Come on, let's go sunbathe!"
– Arthur, age 3
AUTHOR
Hello, moi c’est Capucine ! J’espère que cet article vous a plu. Passionnée par la rédaction et spécialisée dans les contenus autour de la petite enfance, je fais partie de l’équipe éditoriale de Petit Picotin. Au fil du blog, j’explore les questions du quotidien des familles pour vous partager conseils, idées et inspirations, en m’appuyant sur des recherches, des sources spécialisées et l’expertise de notre équipe.
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