Summer holidays with children: A survival guide to enjoying the sun, the beach, and stress-free travel

The arrival of summer vacation is the most anticipated time of the year for the whole family. Long days, sunshine, swimming at the beach or pool, and the promise of disconnecting from the daily grind. However, for parents with babies or toddlers, summer vacation also presents a logistical challenge: coping with high temperatures, keeping little ones protected from the sun's rays, and adjusting sleep and eating schedules away from home.

Traveling with children in the summer doesn't have to be exhausting. With good planning and the right equipment, you can turn your summer break into a refreshing, relaxing, and memorable experience for everyone. Here's the essential guide to organizing your family summer vacation.

1. The perfect beach day: Logistics, shade, and protection

Going to the beach with a baby or toddler requires transforming the typical promenade into a comfortable, shaded base of operations. Solar radiation in the summer months is especially harsh on children's skin, so shade is essential.

• Create a guaranteed shaded refuge: Traditional umbrellas often don't block side UV rays or can be blown over by the sea breeze. A pop-up beach tent with UPF 50+ sun protection will provide a cool, sheltered space for baby naps and for storing your belongings without them getting filled with sand.
• [INSERTAR ENLACE DE AFILIADO DE AMAZON: Tienda de playa pop-up infantil con protección solar UPF 50+]
• Insulate from heat and sand: Use large, quick-drying, waterproof beach blankets to create a clean play area on the sand.
• [INSERTAR ENLACE DE AFILIADO DE AMAZON: Manta de playa impermeable de gran tamaño sin arena para familias]
• The talcum powder or cornflour trick: To remove sand stuck to the skin of children's legs and feet before getting in the car or entering accommodation, apply a little talcum powder or cornflour to dry skin: the sand will fall off instantly without the need to rub or irritate the skin.

2. Road trips in summer: Tips for long journeys in the heat

If your summer vacation includes a long car journey, the temperature inside the car and boredom are the two biggest enemies of family tranquility.

• Avoid the hottest hours of the day: Start your trip early in the morning (taking advantage of the fact that the children are still sleepy) or late in the afternoon, when the outside temperature begins to drop.
• Protection on rear windows: Direct sunlight on car seats can quickly raise the child's body temperature and cause dizziness.
• [INSERTAR ENLACE DE AFILIADO DE AMAZON: Parasol infantil enrollable con protección UV para ventanas de coche]
• Scheduled stops every two hours: In summer it is even more critical to take breaks to stretch your legs, hydrate with fresh water and allow the baby to get out of the car seat restraint to regulate their body temperature.

3. Food and rest on the hottest days

Summer heat often disrupts the appetite and sleep routines of young children.

• Light and refreshing meals: Offer fruits rich in water (such as watermelon, melon, or strawberries), cold yogurts, or homemade popsicles made with natural fruit juice. Don't force your child to eat large amounts of food if they show a decreased appetite due to the heat.
• Cool rooms for the night: Keep the accommodation well ventilated during the cooler hours and use breathable, lightweight 100% cotton pajamas to avoid excessive night sweating.

Plan your summer vacation without surprises with the Changing Table

Are you looking for beach bars or restaurants with shaded terraces, high chairs and clean changing facilities? Do you need to know if the beach you're going to has accessible walkways for strollers, functional showers or adapted public restrooms?

Before you travel, open the free elCambiador app. Our interactive international map lets you geolocate in real time the most child-friendly places to go during summer vacation in any tourist destination in the world.

Read other parents' comments about the cleanliness of the facilities, add your own summer findings, and earn points on your profile to level up as an Expert Parent in our global community.

Download the Changing Machine on your mobile phone and start enjoying the best family summer vacation!