travelling with kids – What's Next?

Family holidays lead to some of life’s best memories. However, if you are travelling with young children, you might be a little hesitant. Well, we’re here to make it easier for you. The key to a successful family holiday is choosing suitable accommodation. And when you have little ones running around, there are a few things to consider. Here are five essentials to look for while choosing a child-friendly private villa:

1. Entertainment Facilities

*Swings, slides and sea-saws, SaffronStays Casa De Familia has everything for young tots*

SaffronStays Beach Blues Alibaug Villa — *A perfect pool for kids to splash around at*
*SaffronStays Beach Blues*

Kids and adults tend to opt for different kinds of fun while on a holiday. While you might enjoy lounging around and chatting, your children will need more specific forms of entertainment. Like a villa with a dedicated play area with a slide, a swing set and a merry-go-round — just like the one at SaffronStays Casa De Familia, Karjat. Older kids also have plenty to do at this 6-bedroom villa from splashing in the kids’ pool to playing table tennis and football.
Another suitable option is villas like SaffronStays Beach Blues, Alibaug, a beachside villa, which is only 10 minutes from the shore! Kids love playing games on beaches and taking dips in the water. While they need supervision on the beach, you can let them loose indoors where their safety is guaranteed. With the number of games available, from UNO and monopoly to chess and snakes and ladders, there is enough to keep them occupied.

2. Ample Open Space

The wide lawns at SaffronStays Gardenia are the
favourite with children

Head to the lake for a fun evening picnic at
SaffronStays Foresta By The Lake

Kids are full of energy and enthusiasm and this energy peaks while on holiday! At villas with wide open spaces, you can channel this excitement effectively. On the expansive open lawns of SaffronStays Gardenia, Alibaug, they can run around, play tag or even have a dance-off. This child-friendly villa also has a garden rolling up to the first floor that will make an interesting part of their imaginative games — it could be a race track, it could be Mount Everest too! And you can keep an eye on them throughout, right from the outdoor pool.
If you’re looking for a nature’s retreat, SaffronStays Foresta By The Lake, Kamshet, is the perfect place. While adults enjoy their time at this lakeside villa, outdoors in the lap of nature amidst eucalyptus, ficus and mango trees, or indoors in the cards and games room, kids have plenty of grassy areas where they can pretend to be explorers and adventures. Families can together relish a picnic on the banks of the lake. And all of this in the safety of your very own private resort!

3. Swimming Pool

*Pool time is fun time at SaffronStays Bellini*

*Slip and slide into the pool at SaffronStays Palm Paradise*

From the perspective of a child, nothing says holiday quite like a swimming pool! And a private swimming pool they don’t have to share with any other kids? That’s a gold mine. Choosing a child-friendly private villa with a pool exclusively for you is a great way to ensure you have a fantastic holiday with the kids.
You could try out SaffronStays Bellini, Karjat, a charming 3-bedroom villa that has a splash area just for kids. Taller and older children can enjoy the main pool which is only three and a half feet deep. And there are pool balls available to add an extra splash of fun during pool games! If your children enjoy pool slides then SaffronStays Palm Paradise, Khadavli, is your ideal holiday home. With three vibrant slides available, the young ones will have the time of their lives!

4. Child-Friendly Meals

*Waffles and more at SaffronStays Casa Manga*

*Kids can relish their favourite chinese meals at SaffronStays Kairos Zeus*

Ensure that the villa you choose offers food that your child enjoys. Picky eaters, for example, will thrive at SaffronStays Kairos Zeus, Karjat, whose menu boasts a range of different cuisines. They can choose from classic Indian dishes like butter chicken to Chinese noodles and Manchurian to any kind of pasta! There are even snacks like sandwiches and chilli cheese toast. And, of course, ice cream for dessert!
SaffronStays Casa Manga, Karjat, too features this range of food. It also comes with a special kids’ menu with dishes they are prone to enjoy more — oreo milkshake, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, you name it. Additionally, all SaffronStays villas offer home-fresh meals that are healthier than those in hotels. This way, you can ensure your child’s belly is always full!

5. Safety Precautions

*Kids can enjoy the company of ducks at SaffronStays SanvinaFarm*

*Kids can safely move around the duck pond at SaffronStays Kenwoods*

Safety and privacy are two non-negotiable aspects of a child-friendly villa. So make sure your holiday rental has taken steps to protect its guests. Some of these include installing CCTV cameras across the estate, putting up adequate lighting and having the property surrounded by a fence. All these features are available at SaffronStays SanvinaFarm, Karjat, and SaffronStays Kenwoods,Vikramgad.
The benefit? You can let your child participate in all the farm activities and play with the animals at SaffronStays SanvinaFarm, Karjat, without worrying about them interacting with strangers or coming into contact with intruders. Similarly, at SaffronStays Kenwoods, Vikramgad, you can stay stress-free whether your kids are enjoying the music system indoors or playing by the duck pond outdoors.

Put these five essentials on your checklist, and you will find the perfect child-friendly villa in no time. Let the holiday packing begin!

Need some tips on travelling with kids? Check out this article.

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Traversing long distances and crossing over mountains can seem like an ordeal, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no reason young parents with growing kids should miss out on the wonders of North India, with its beautiful landscape and lush greenery. To help you experience a hassle-free holiday, here are 7 tips on travelling with kids in North India!

1. Prepare A Detailed Itinerary

Kids — excited little humans that they are — do well with detailed plans for the holiday. Knowing what comes next not only helps you anticipate your child’s needs but also helps your child stay prepared. Sudden shocks can be a lot for their tiny minds and if they’re going to be stuck in a car for three hours or if things are suddenly going to get very cold, knowing beforehand minimises the blow. While travelling with kids, it might also be useful to mark out specific activities to do with them. Whether it’s playing board games like Ludo or heading to the lawn for a spot of badminton (both of which are available at SaffronStays Snowdrop), some downtime will be good for you and the kids.

2. Decide On A Suitable Location

SaffronStays Ghughuti Ku Baasa, Dehradun

To make sure everybody is happy, consider your kids’ interests to determine your destination. Active kids will enjoy places that offer adventure sports like paragliding, available near SaffronStays Ghughuti Ku Baasa, or outdoorsy events like camping and trekking. Quieter kids will be happy with a well-furnished home, soft blankets and some books or toys. Try opting for locations with stimulating experiences that they can be involved in, from shopping for souvenirs in vibrant markets to taking photos and visiting child-friendly cafes. If they’re old enough, you can even ask them to choose a place or activity of their liking — bottom line, kids love being involved.

3. Choose A Rented Villa

Opting for a private villa is the best way to ensure a comfortable holiday while travelling with kids. Unlike hotels, villas like SaffronStays The Amlyn have in-house chefs and functional kitchens at your service, which will ensure that your child will never miss out on their favourite food. The freedom of space and less interaction with strangers will also bring forth their best moods. While choosing a place to stay, ensure there are open spaces like the wide lawn in SaffronStays Elysian, where kids can run around and play and where you can enjoy a family picnic under the sun. Check for amenities like a special kids’ menu or open spaces for kids’ like the ones available at SaffronStays Maison Calme.

4. Carry Appropriate Clothing

Weather can have a significant impact on kids, and the gorgeous mountains of North India do come with chilly mornings and frosty winds. Make sure you carry the necessary woollens and shoes that won’t get soaked in snow. Pack scarves and beanie hats into a small backpack to keep them handy on days you are out for sightseeing. And remember, layering is your friend. Instead of putting your child in the warmest attire, use thin t-shirts layered with thicker sweaters. This will make it easier to handle temperature differences when moving from cold hillsides to the heated inside of a car or while indulging in a bonfire right outside your accommodation, a must-have experience at SaffronStays The Mont Arcadia.

5. Make A Portable First Aid Kit

At all times, having a small first aid kit on your person is a must. In most cases, your holiday will be smooth like butter. But in the event your child gets hurt on the rocky terrain or ends up falling sick, your first aid kit will save you the time to search for medical supplies. Some basic items to include while travelling with kids are a thermometer, bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, anti-itch cream, and medicines for fever, stomach bugs, allergies, motion sickness and colds. You can also carry mosquito repellent, depending on the location. Villas like SaffronStays Amaani provide mosquito repellent lamps and nets on the window to keep you comfortable.

6. Encourage Them To Keep A Travel Diary

Travel diaries are a great creative project to get your kids excited about travelling as well as something fun to keep them occupied while you get some downtime. This could be a simple, palm-sized diary, in which the kids could use some coloured pens to write and sketch. Not only will the diary boost their creative thinking, but also help them process what they have seen and learned on vacation. Just like the mesmerising valleys of Uttarakhand that surround SaffronStays El Sueno, there are plenty of stunning scenic views to strike inspiration in this stunning region!

7. Keep On Hand Entertainment

While you may enjoy unwinding in your private villa — like on the charming balconies of SaffronStays Hillview — or watching the scenery on long drives, kids may get easily bored. Young children need stimulation, lest you want to risk a tantrum. What can help? Things like books, favourite toys, and games that fit in your backpack. Downloading games on your phone is an easy solution, but do limit their screen time. Other ways include playing fun music or car games like I-Spy or Name, Place, Animal, Thing. Older kids will enjoy more complex games like spotting all the alphabets on license plates or memory testers!

8. Let Them Pack A Bag

It’s important for your kid to feel like this is their vacation as much as yours. Such ownership and independence can be encouraged by letting them pack a small bag of their own with the things they It’s important for your kid to feel like this is their vacation as much as yours. Such ownership and independence can be encouraged by letting them pack a small bag of their own with the things they want to carry, under your supervision, of course. Add in some necessary items for hygiene, maybe an extra pair of clothes, and your kid’s travel requirements are all in one neat place. Once you reach your accommodation, you can also allow a little nook for them and their things. Villas like SaffronStays Tragopan are spacious enough for the kids to have their own space! You know that prickly excitement you feel when you get your scarves out and pack your essentials? Let your kid feel that too!

Follow these tips and tricks to ensure that both you and your kids have a fantastic time on your holiday in North India. You’ll see how travelling with kids can be an exciting, adventurous and fun-filled ride!

Looking for villas in North India? Here are our top picks!

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Tag: travelling with kids

How To Choose The Perfect Child-Friendly Villa For Your Family Holiday

8 Essential Tips On Travelling With Kids In North India