Combine a long flight and jet lag with kids' short attention spans and propensity to tire easily, and it can be tempting to leave your children at home instead of taking them on a European vacation. However, with careful planning, the entire family can enjoy Paris, London and Rome. Select attractions that are family friendly and resist the urge to hop to a new country every day when traveling with kids in Europe.

Step 1

Prepare your kids for the trip. They are more likely to enjoy traveling to Europe if they know a little bit about it first. Children who are old enough to read can find nonfiction books about the knights of England or read "The Diary of Anne Frank." Engage younger children with picture-book favorites, such as "Madeline" and "Picasso and Minou." Movies like "The Red Balloon" and "The Sound of Music" give them a taste of the landscape and culture, and they will thrill at recognizing landmarks that they learned about before the trip. Involve older children and teenagers in some of the decisions on areas and attractions to visit.

Step 2

Pack carefully; be prepared with the essentials but don't bog yourself down with luggage and accessories. The eight- to 10-hour plane ride requires extra consideration. Portable DVD players, activity books and snacks go a long way toward making kids more comfortable. Car seats for small travelers can make the plane ride more comfortable and can be used when traveling by car or train in Europe. If you don't want to lug your stroller through the airports, consider buying a small umbrella stroller after you arrive. You can purchase most other child necessities in Europe, with the exception of your regular brand of baby formula.

Step 3

Select hotels carefully, as these become your home away from home. Guest rooms tend to be smaller in Europe, so ask about the room's floor plan when you are making reservations. You can set up baby cribs in a large closest or bathroom, but you might need an extra room or suite for larger children. Apartments, hostels and vacation rentals are readily available in most European towns, giving families more room to spread out and a kitchen to prepare inexpensive meals.

Step 4

Resist the urge to change hotels and cities every day. One of Europe's greatest advantages is its concentration of activities. Even trips to the market and local cafés are adventures in a new culture, allowing you to stay at one hotel for several days with plenty for your family to do.

Step 5

Keep your itinerary light. Europe is bursting with places to visit, and it can be tempting to power through long walking tours with the kids in tow. But children are not going to enjoy a hectic trip, and as a result, neither will you. Instead of packing in everything there is to see, plan a lighter schedule that stays in one area for several days. Mix quirky museums, such as Mudlarks at the Museum of London Docklands, with castles such as the Burg Mauterndorf, which has an impressive built-in playground. Include parks where kids can run off steam, but be cautious in Paris; the French frown on children romping in the grass.


  • Plan for daily downtime. Younger kids will need to nap, and older children will benefit from some quiet time at the hotel.

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