CAA SCO's guide to travelling with children

THORNHILL, ON, Aug. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Travelling with children can pose some challenges. CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has the following tips and advice to help make your next family vacation memorable and stress-free.

"A smooth and stress-free vacation begins well before you board the plane or pack up the car," said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Consultant, CAA SCO. "The key to any family vacation is being prepared."

• Involve your child in the trip planning process. Depending on their age, children can help pick a hotel or tourist attractions to visit. Try giving your child a map to follow along on a road trip and avoid the question "Are we there yet?"
• Take your time. Arrive early at the airport and give yourself extra time for sightseeing.
• Bring books, games, a portable DVD player, DVDs, stickers, a tablet or toys to entertain your child during the flight or on the road.
• Carry an extra change of clothes in the event of a spill so you can easily replace wet ones with dry ones. Pack plenty of snacks. In addition to the healthy options, bring along your child's favourite snack for those tense moments.
• Encourage children to keep a travel journal or photo scrapbook.
• Pack a small first-aid kit.

Remember to take the correct travel documents. Whether alone or accompanied by an adult, each child travelling abroad must have a valid passport and may also require supporting documentation such as:

• Birth Certificate
• Any legal documents pertaining to custody
• A parental consent letter if child is travelling with one parent, without either parent or alone
• Any status documents from Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Prior to any travel with a child, parents should contact the embassy or consulate of all countries their child will be visiting to inquire about entry and exit requirements.

For more expert travel advice speak to one of our experienced CAA Travel Consultants by dialing 1-866-286-9323 or visiting www.caasco.com/travel.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.6 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance.

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Consultant, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].