Going on holiday for the first time is an exciting experience for children - and their parents too!
Now, new research has revealed that the average age children go on their first ever trip is three years old, whether that's a staycation or a holiday abroad.
The study, conducted by Compare the Market, also found that 22% of children will experience their first trip between the age of 7-12 months.
Kids in Leeds and Sheffield tend to be the youngest to head on a break, with their first holiday on average at two years old, while London, Norwich and Belfast had the longest wait with an average age of four years old.
Staycations reigned supreme as the top destination for a child's first holiday, followed by short-haul destinations. Long-haul flights were the third choice which isn't hugely surprising when you consider the logistics of such a long journey (although we do have some handy tips for long-haul flights with kids if you are tempted for future adventures).
Of course any parent will know that travelling with toddlers and babies comes with its own set of challenges.
Packing the right number of items, children being unsettled and the time-consuming toilet breaks all featured as some of parents' picks of the most stressful aspects of travelling.
However, of those surveyed a third of parents said they would happily take their child on holiday again at the same age, while only 19% said they would be less inclined to travel with young kids.
The research also revealed that thanks to the pandemic wreaking havoc on travel plans, a fifth of children will be enjoying their very first holiday this year, after the trip was previously delayed because of Covid.
(If you find yourself in the unlucky situation of having a trip cancelled, one expert has shared her top tips for explaining this to children and softening the blow).
Josh Daniels, head of travel at comparethemarket.com, said: "Everyone in your family should have travel insurance, regardless of their age. You’ll be taking more belongings with you when travelling, so make sure all of your child’s accessories, such as buggies, are insured in case they are lost, stolen or damaged. Having the right travel insurance policy in place means you could claim back the cost of replacing these items should the worst happen.
"It’s also important that you check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for the country you’re planning to visit. We’d always recommend checking the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice for the latest information before booking your trip."
You can find out more on comparethemarket.com.
If you are planning your first ever holiday with a baby or toddler, we've got plenty of handy guides to help you navigate some of the trickier aspects including:
- Mums and dads sharing advice for flying with a baby for the first time
- Hotel staff's tips for helping children settle when away from home
- Advice for a road trip with toddlers
- How to stop children's ears popping on flights
Have you got any handy hacks for fellow parents planning their child's first holiday? You can share your tips in the comments section below.
