Chris Abell

Senior Commerce Editor

As many people feel safer and travel starts to heat up again, families are making up for lost time and booking adventures. Parents are eager to hit the road with their children and show them what they've been missing.

They'll want to make sure to prepare. My wife and I have an almost 2-year-old, and while we haven't exactly been globetrotting these past two years, we have done a bit of traveling to see family and friends. And my goodness, have we learned a lot already. The first lesson? Traveling with young kids is hard. The transport itself can be a huge challenge for both child and parents, as regular routines are disrupted, comfort is compromised, and curiosity and boredom collide. That's why smart scheduling is half the battle. When we drive from Boston to D.C. to see my family, we leave right at our little one's bedtime so that she just passes out for the ride. Shorter car rides are best scheduled for nap time. Flights can be a bit more challenging, though, as the whole process is less conducive to sleeping. That's where distraction and entertainment come in. For plane travel, we bring tons of snacks, toys, games, and books. And we just pulled the trigger on a kids tablet now that she has a slightly longer attention span: we chose the Fire 7 Kids from Amazon along with these swanky kids' headphones. We'll be trying them out on a flight just this week.

But travel, of course, is so much more than getting to and from places. Our daughter is growing more and more engaged, and we are excited to bring her to new places she's never experienced. As she gets older, we'll be thinking about how to choose impactful destinations and activities that excite her, educate her, and help her grow. We'll consider how to incorporate her into the planning process. We are also big fans of multi-generational trips: Grandparents and other relatives can be a huge help with child-rearing duties—and more importantly, travel is a time for special family connection. As we enter deeper into the world of family travel, we'll be sure to listen to and take advice from those who've done it.

You'll find such advice in our March digital issue, ranging from road trip ideas and kid-friendly hotel recommendations to how to instill a love of travel in children. We hope you find it helpful and inspiring.

On Our Radar

The Best Family Road Trips for Every Age

Whether you have a toddler or a teen, we've got you covered.

Raising a Young Traveler: Why Your Child Should Help Plan The Next Family Trip

Children have a stake in the game when it comes to what they want to see.

Two Single Moms, Four Kids, and a Trip to Oahu Made for the Perfect Family Vacation

The trip broadened my horizons in ways I didn't expect.

Destination of the Day

Prague

Parents, start looking at flights to the Czech Republic! The country's capital city, Prague, was just declared the most child-friendly city in Europe by OVO Network, a holiday rental service. The Golden City impresses with its high density of amusement and water parks and museums—it's home to 15 amusement parks and 280 museums per one million residents and visitors. That's in addition to a bevy of kids attractions, relatively affordable transportation costs, excellent air quality, and some of the safest streets on the continent.

Wander Around Old Town Square

Located in Prague's Old Town, Old Town Square is the ultimate free attraction in Prague. Not only is it home to some of Prague's most famous buildings, but visitors can listen to buskers, take a rest on one of the benches around the statue of Jan Hus, and get some great photos of the buildings on the square. Be on the lookout for the Prague Astronomical Clock, or Prague Orloj, one of the oldest, still-functioning astronomical clocks in the world. Dating back to 1410, it puts on a show every hour from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. It only lasts about a minute, leaving you enough time to experience it for yourself before exploring the rest of what Old Town has to offer.

Take a Tour of Prague Castle

Set high above the city, Prague Castle is actually a complex of government apartments with a few museums dedicated to Czech art and history as well. Tours of the building are available, but the main highlight is St. Vitus Cathedral, a massive Gothic-style church that can be seen from most points in Prague. Don't miss the changing of the guard (more low-key than the one at Buckingham Palace, but still ceremonial in its own way), and in the warmer months, explore the castle's terraced gardens.

Make Your Own Marionnette Puppet

You'll see them hanging in souvenir shops all over the Czech Republic, and there are even special theaters dedicated to marionette shows. But for an elevated experience, seek out a workshop where you can create your own puppet with strings. Puppets in Prague hosts day and week-long workshops where you'll learn everything from carving techniques to performance tricks that will inspire you to host your own shows back home.

Vacation Like a Pro

The medieval architecture and rolling green hills easily make Prague one of Europe's most scenic capital cities, and the best place to take in the view is atop Petřín Hill. Hiking to the top is a picturesque yet strenuous way to get there, but you can also take the city-operated funicular for an easy ride with the same views (you can always hike down). What's more, the price of riding the funicular is included in your transit pass if you have one.

Kerry Kubilius
Travel Writer

Your Packing List

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Prague in March, think layers. The weather can vary greatly from one day to the next, but you'll want to have sweaters and long-sleeved shirts, as well as a heavy jacket, gloves, and a hat.

If there's any leftover snow from February, you may want to throw in water-resistant shoes or boots to keep your feet warm, or at least some extra socks you can switch out in case your feet get wet.

Charge up all your electronic devices with the right travel adapter: The Czech Republic uses both Type C and E plugs.

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Get Inspired

Hidden from the outside world in the Andes Mountains of Southern Peru, out of view from the nearby city of Aguas Calientes, sits Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel built in the 15th century and later abandoned during the Spanish conquest. Walking past man-made stone irrigation terraces, up and down stone staircases, and near remnants of houses built in rows, where llamas poke their heads in and out, is one of the most ethereal experiences you'll ever have with your children.

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