PLEASE HELP TWO ADULTS FOUR KIDS TO LONDON
Sep 2nd, 2008, 12:11 PM
#41
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I went to London and England back in March with my three kids. Why put off travel when we don't know what is ahead in our lives? My parents recently died (6 mths apart) and were both sick for over 2 years. I couldn't travel much then, so now I wont put anything off. My advice: surfmom has it right. Pack sparingly. Pack lots of layers too. I was afraid that I wouldn't find a laundry so I had clothes for 5 people for 10 days. That's 50 pairs of underwear and alot of socks!! Commit to finding a drop-off laundry and bring clothes for only half the time. It will make carrying and transporting the luggage easier!
When we went in March, the dollar was incredibly weak. I guess it is still bad but the sterling is weakening a little. So I found an old duffle bag, loaded it up with cereal, 5 plastic bowls and spoons, cereal bars, candy, gum, treats, etc. Eventually when this stash was used up, I just threw the ratty old duffle bag out. I checked this as a piece of luggage because they are strict with carryon rules. We stored milk in our room fridge and got breakfast out of the way quickly and on the cheap. Each day I loaded up a backpack or two with a few water bottles, (individual packs of lemonade mix for the kids), umbrellas and treats for the day. It saved us an incredible amount of time and $. Since your kids are younger than mine, I would also have little goodies (mini coloring books, happy meal toys, etc. to keep them happy and occupied if you are at a boring place for them.
The museums are all pretty much free, we always asked for a child's tour or kit at each one. Pop in and pop out if they are unhappy.
We (my hubby and I) used our Oyster card and the kids went on tubes/buses for free. At each exit an employee opened a gate to let the kids out. The tube runs and rides were part of the fun. What kids don't want to rush down stairs, corridors, run onto trains and take rides? We mentioned the 2/1 deals at certain places (needed Oyster card) and sometimes they didn't even make you show the travelcard or Oyster card.
We took one day trip outside London to Hampton Ct. Palace. We took a tube to Waterloo, I think, then a train to HCP. Great kitchen tour there and great Italian restaurant across the street for pizzas. Great gardens for the kids to run around with. Best of luck. Don't listen to the anti-kids travelers out there!
And finally, when we were at the airport waiting for our overseas flight, I looked around and noticed that there were no children. A few gates away in the airport, the Orlando flights were mobbed with kids. I thought to myself, "Am I crazy or what?" But now that our trip is concluded, I can say that my kids have some truly wonderful memories and we have some incredible pictures.
When we went in March, the dollar was incredibly weak. I guess it is still bad but the sterling is weakening a little. So I found an old duffle bag, loaded it up with cereal, 5 plastic bowls and spoons, cereal bars, candy, gum, treats, etc. Eventually when this stash was used up, I just threw the ratty old duffle bag out. I checked this as a piece of luggage because they are strict with carryon rules. We stored milk in our room fridge and got breakfast out of the way quickly and on the cheap. Each day I loaded up a backpack or two with a few water bottles, (individual packs of lemonade mix for the kids), umbrellas and treats for the day. It saved us an incredible amount of time and $. Since your kids are younger than mine, I would also have little goodies (mini coloring books, happy meal toys, etc. to keep them happy and occupied if you are at a boring place for them.
The museums are all pretty much free, we always asked for a child's tour or kit at each one. Pop in and pop out if they are unhappy.
We (my hubby and I) used our Oyster card and the kids went on tubes/buses for free. At each exit an employee opened a gate to let the kids out. The tube runs and rides were part of the fun. What kids don't want to rush down stairs, corridors, run onto trains and take rides? We mentioned the 2/1 deals at certain places (needed Oyster card) and sometimes they didn't even make you show the travelcard or Oyster card.
We took one day trip outside London to Hampton Ct. Palace. We took a tube to Waterloo, I think, then a train to HCP. Great kitchen tour there and great Italian restaurant across the street for pizzas. Great gardens for the kids to run around with. Best of luck. Don't listen to the anti-kids travelers out there!
And finally, when we were at the airport waiting for our overseas flight, I looked around and noticed that there were no children. A few gates away in the airport, the Orlando flights were mobbed with kids. I thought to myself, "Am I crazy or what?" But now that our trip is concluded, I can say that my kids have some truly wonderful memories and we have some incredible pictures.
Sep 2nd, 2008, 02:23 PM
#42
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There is no need to pack 60( 6 people , ten days, or 50 is youngest in diapers) pairs of underpants, thats kind of silly.
I spent 26 days in Europe this past July with one child. We each packed 4 pairs of undies. Ever heard of sink washing, it really only takes a few minutes and since you are not moving around from hotel to hotel is will be easy enough. I bought and took a small container of powdered underwear wash called "Forever New" . Only needed a capful( about 2 ts) for a sink, came home with lots. Its meant to wash well and rince out easily, and it did. Take some clothes pegs or a line to hang undies. This stuff will also wash out tshirts well. So really you only need to bring enough stuff for about 5 days, and then wash it out. It is hard with the youngest, I mean they are always drooling, or pooping,, but I am sure you are used to that..
I do think you are brave and crazy,, I have three kids and we motorhome camped for years after trying a hotel trip to Hawaii and a Mexican cruise when they were very small. It does get alot easier by the time they are 7 or 8 and can CARRY their own stuff, before that I tended to feel like a pack horse,, LOL I am old enough now that although I admire your energy , , I am sooo happy I am not you,, LOL
PS Having travelled to Paris for my first time when I was 9,, I remember hating having to go to the city to sightsee, I wanted to play in my nanas garden, go to playgrounds in the area, and go swimming.. So although there are many many excellant suggestions, remember to build in lots of "just hanging around time"( which I shouldn't even mention since you are not exactly new to this all! )
Have fun crazy lady,, LOL ( meant in fun)
I spent 26 days in Europe this past July with one child. We each packed 4 pairs of undies. Ever heard of sink washing, it really only takes a few minutes and since you are not moving around from hotel to hotel is will be easy enough. I bought and took a small container of powdered underwear wash called "Forever New" . Only needed a capful( about 2 ts) for a sink, came home with lots. Its meant to wash well and rince out easily, and it did. Take some clothes pegs or a line to hang undies. This stuff will also wash out tshirts well. So really you only need to bring enough stuff for about 5 days, and then wash it out. It is hard with the youngest, I mean they are always drooling, or pooping,, but I am sure you are used to that..
I do think you are brave and crazy,, I have three kids and we motorhome camped for years after trying a hotel trip to Hawaii and a Mexican cruise when they were very small. It does get alot easier by the time they are 7 or 8 and can CARRY their own stuff, before that I tended to feel like a pack horse,, LOL I am old enough now that although I admire your energy , , I am sooo happy I am not you,, LOL
PS Having travelled to Paris for my first time when I was 9,, I remember hating having to go to the city to sightsee, I wanted to play in my nanas garden, go to playgrounds in the area, and go swimming.. So although there are many many excellant suggestions, remember to build in lots of "just hanging around time"( which I shouldn't even mention since you are not exactly new to this all! )
Have fun crazy lady,, LOL ( meant in fun)
Sep 2nd, 2008, 06:51 PM
#43
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You, DH and the kids are going to love this trip! We travel with our kids all the time, who are now 10, 12 and 14. Check my past posts for the ideas that my eight year old came up with for our first day in London. The key is to not try to do too much and work in some play time each day. We thought London, in particular, was especially easy.
We've been taking our kids on vacation from all of Europe to South and Central America since my oldest was a year old.
London was a great trip. I would jump on the Tube to get to Marble Arch. However, if you get in around the morning commute time, it can be EXTREMELY crowded, to the point of my (now) 14 year old (then 12) getting claustrophobic and nauseated. I would wait until after rush hour to avoid this, but would take all six of you via Tube.
The other option is that there are some cabs who will take you all, but it will be much more expensive.
I agree with the previous poster regarding the Oyster and on pass.
My hints:
- I pack a goodie fanny pack for each kid loaded with snacks, candy and small toys from the dollar store. They put them on before we leave but aren't allowed to peak until we're on the plane. (Zip ties help!)
- Each child wears a "dog tag" engraved with his/her/our name, address, cell number and grandma's phone number in the US. They're available at Wal-Mart or Pet Smart in a machine at the front of the store. We pin it to either theire clothing or they wear it around their necks - Their choice, but they must wear it. This must work, because we haven't lost a child yet.
- Yes, let the 5 and 8 year old take their hand-held games, but THEY have to be responsible for them. Once gone, they are gone. Ours have only lost one over the last 14 years.
- Snacks are critical. They also support the budget concept and we manage to hit a grocery store the first day on a trip. (We grab a dry salami and a hunk of cheese - a quick protein snack on demand.)
- So, the only thing your 3 and 5 year old will eat is chips/fries? No biggie. A bad diet on vacation will not harm them for life. They'll eat when hungry. Just have good protein snacks for along the way. Meals can be tough with little kids, so we don't try to hard in London. However, there are a couple of pubs - The Cheshire Cheese, Baker Street(Holmes) and the big pub across from the Tower, that were kid friendly with large portions. Two kids (and I) easily shared the shepherd's pie.
- Generally, we don't ever check bags. However, we do sometimes check one bag for the sole purpose of my DH being able to bring his Swiss Army Knife in it. That would be the bag in which I'd toss some snacks and the diapers/pullups and wipes.
- Each child brings a water bottle with a squirt lid and fills it from a water fountain for his/her daypack for that day. This cuts down on the $4 cokes or $2 waters.)
-I would not UPS. I'd use that savings to have someone to the laundry once during the trip.
-We travel extremely light and only bring about half of the clothes/underwear we need for the entire trip. We've gone 17+ days with four outfits (mix and match) for each person. We've dropped clothes at a local cleaner or with someone the hotel recommends. Or, take old undies and throw them out as you go.
-If there is any risk of a potty accident, have them sleep on the plane (or at night) in a pull-up, even if they don't do this at home, if you can convince them to do so!
-My 10 year old prefers me to pack him as I always have, with each outfit (uwear, socks and outfit) in a different ziplock. It cuts down on him rummaging through his backpack.
-We sometimes dress them all in the same color. Not only does it make them easy to spot, but it's really cute in photos.
- All three kids pack in their Lands End rolling backpacks and THEY are responsible for them. I pack the big compartment and give them the front section for their toys. Every thing must fit. Get used to a small animal or toy now to sleep with so that Ted(dy) or Moose does not get lost.
- Each day, the kids earned spending money for their great behavior. Just a few coins made them very competitive to earn their spending money.
-We pick a scenic spot and line them up shortest to tallest (from behind) looking at something great. There's a park area across the street from the Tower of London. We have their three little heads from behind peering out at the Tower in the background. It's our favorite pic to show where they are, what they're looking at, and how big they were.
We think you'll have a FAB time and noticed that the GBP dropped significantly today. That will help your budget!
Have fun and let us know how it goes when you return!
We've been taking our kids on vacation from all of Europe to South and Central America since my oldest was a year old.
London was a great trip. I would jump on the Tube to get to Marble Arch. However, if you get in around the morning commute time, it can be EXTREMELY crowded, to the point of my (now) 14 year old (then 12) getting claustrophobic and nauseated. I would wait until after rush hour to avoid this, but would take all six of you via Tube.
The other option is that there are some cabs who will take you all, but it will be much more expensive.
I agree with the previous poster regarding the Oyster and on pass.
My hints:
- I pack a goodie fanny pack for each kid loaded with snacks, candy and small toys from the dollar store. They put them on before we leave but aren't allowed to peak until we're on the plane. (Zip ties help!)
- Each child wears a "dog tag" engraved with his/her/our name, address, cell number and grandma's phone number in the US. They're available at Wal-Mart or Pet Smart in a machine at the front of the store. We pin it to either theire clothing or they wear it around their necks - Their choice, but they must wear it. This must work, because we haven't lost a child yet.
- Yes, let the 5 and 8 year old take their hand-held games, but THEY have to be responsible for them. Once gone, they are gone. Ours have only lost one over the last 14 years.
- Snacks are critical. They also support the budget concept and we manage to hit a grocery store the first day on a trip. (We grab a dry salami and a hunk of cheese - a quick protein snack on demand.)
- So, the only thing your 3 and 5 year old will eat is chips/fries? No biggie. A bad diet on vacation will not harm them for life. They'll eat when hungry. Just have good protein snacks for along the way. Meals can be tough with little kids, so we don't try to hard in London. However, there are a couple of pubs - The Cheshire Cheese, Baker Street(Holmes) and the big pub across from the Tower, that were kid friendly with large portions. Two kids (and I) easily shared the shepherd's pie.
- Generally, we don't ever check bags. However, we do sometimes check one bag for the sole purpose of my DH being able to bring his Swiss Army Knife in it. That would be the bag in which I'd toss some snacks and the diapers/pullups and wipes.
- Each child brings a water bottle with a squirt lid and fills it from a water fountain for his/her daypack for that day. This cuts down on the $4 cokes or $2 waters.)
-I would not UPS. I'd use that savings to have someone to the laundry once during the trip.
-We travel extremely light and only bring about half of the clothes/underwear we need for the entire trip. We've gone 17+ days with four outfits (mix and match) for each person. We've dropped clothes at a local cleaner or with someone the hotel recommends. Or, take old undies and throw them out as you go.
-If there is any risk of a potty accident, have them sleep on the plane (or at night) in a pull-up, even if they don't do this at home, if you can convince them to do so!
-My 10 year old prefers me to pack him as I always have, with each outfit (uwear, socks and outfit) in a different ziplock. It cuts down on him rummaging through his backpack.
-We sometimes dress them all in the same color. Not only does it make them easy to spot, but it's really cute in photos.
- All three kids pack in their Lands End rolling backpacks and THEY are responsible for them. I pack the big compartment and give them the front section for their toys. Every thing must fit. Get used to a small animal or toy now to sleep with so that Ted(dy) or Moose does not get lost.
- Each day, the kids earned spending money for their great behavior. Just a few coins made them very competitive to earn their spending money.
-We pick a scenic spot and line them up shortest to tallest (from behind) looking at something great. There's a park area across the street from the Tower of London. We have their three little heads from behind peering out at the Tower in the background. It's our favorite pic to show where they are, what they're looking at, and how big they were.
We think you'll have a FAB time and noticed that the GBP dropped significantly today. That will help your budget!
Have fun and let us know how it goes when you return!
Sep 4th, 2008, 03:40 AM
#45
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Interesting to note lots of discussions on how many pairs of underwear to bring...
You definitely do NOT need to bring enough new pairs for each days. There is a big M&S and Mothercare--both sells value-packs of children's underwears, like sets of 5 100% cotton knickers (panties for Americans) or 3 vests for £5 each.
Sink-washing works perfectly fine, esp if you're here during Sept-Apr as you're likely to be using heaters in the evening which speeds up drying.
You definitely do NOT need to bring enough new pairs for each days. There is a big M&S and Mothercare--both sells value-packs of children's underwears, like sets of 5 100% cotton knickers (panties for Americans) or 3 vests for £5 each.
Sink-washing works perfectly fine, esp if you're here during Sept-Apr as you're likely to be using heaters in the evening which speeds up drying.
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