Malaysian parents – this one’s for you because the term 1 school holidays are just around the corner at the end of May. Spanning almost 2 weeks, this is the perfect time to plan out something fun, exciting, and memorable for the family to enjoy.
However, we understand that travelling with kids might not be the easiest. This is especially true when you include planning for accommodation and travel, activities to keep everyone entertained, and coordinating annual leaves for working parents. This is why our team has come up with some tips to help you plan how to travel with kids—and we hope they will help you with the upcoming term break!
Tip 1: Plan ahead, especially with annual leaves
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For working parents, planning ahead with annual leaves will definitely save you from messy coordination come the school holidays be it with your colleagues or manager. If you’re self-employed, this will also help you coordinate with your clients on the days and dates you’re away.
With term 1 break happening between the 29th of May and the 9th of June, you’ll be looking at approximately 11 days of fun with your school-going children. To make the most of your annual leaves, we recommend booking out the 29th and 30th of May from work, as you’ll then enjoy a long weekend with your children that stretches into Monday.
This coincidentally synchronizes with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday on the 2nd of June.
Tip 2: Look up child-friendly destinations and resorts
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Now this might seem like an obvious tip, but did you know that some hotels and resorts may be adults-only? That’s right – you’ll discover that selected accommodations worldwide are open only to guests above 18, hence why you’ll want to be sure that your accommodation of choice is a child-friendly destination.
Furthermore, family destinations often offer more activities to keep your little ones entertained such as children’s swimming pools, playgrounds, and more. You’ll also be more likely to find kids’ menus be it in their in-house restaurants or room-service dining options, allowing your little ones to enjoy their school holidays just the way you’ve planned.
Tip 3: Keep your little ones included in your planning process
If you’re travelling with kids who are more aware of their surroundings and have already developed hobbies of their own, it could be very beneficial to include them during the planning process for their school holidays. This not only gets them feeling excited, but could be a fantastic learning moment on how to research, plan, or even book a holiday with you.
For teenagers, getting them involved in the planning stages means they’re more likely to provide input that will interest them. It’s a great way to bond with your children as they’re growing older, allowing you to understand them better and ensure that everyone enjoys this family vacation.
By deciding on which of the family destinations are their top priority for the school holidays, you’ll be surprised to see that planning a family escapade for the school holidays isn’t such a chore after all.
Tip 4: Pack snacks and entertainment for the journey there
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Once you’ve completed the planning stages of your family vacation, the next step is to prepare for your journey there. Much of this boils down to whether you’ll be driving to a local city or flying abroad for brand-new adventures with your little ones.
If you’re looking for a road trip, it’s best to expect plenty of traffic on the road. This is common come school holidays as many families may take the opportunity to travel alongside their kids or visit their hometowns. To help lighten the mood and reduce the stress of travelling especially when you’re travelling with kids, you should look into simple games to keep the little ones engaged.
Along the way, you or your family may begin to get peckish. This is a good moment to consider packing some easy-to-carry snacks that you can easily consume in the car. Or better yet, why not consider stopping by the rest stops along the way? Here, you’ll find a variety of food choices to try and you may even be surprised to find your new favourite dish.
On the flip side, flying to your holiday destination will also require early planning especially when you’re travelling as a family. Depending on the distance and length of your flight, you may want to pre-book a kid’s meal for your little ones’ in-flight meal. And even if you’re taking a short flight, bringing light snacks like cereals or nuts might just save your kids from going hungry on your journey to their holiday.
Tip 5: Be flexible with your plans and keep your itinerary open
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Finally, it’s important to be open and flexible with your plans when you’re travelling with kids. By setting expectations ahead of the trip, you’re bound to feel less stressed and can spend more time enjoying with your family. After all, what’s important is that you get to set off on a holiday with the little ones and make it a school holiday to remember.
Separately, you’ll want to avoid jam-packing your travel itinerary whenever you travel with kids. Instead, it’s good to leave wind-down times or even take nap breaks to keep your little ones well-rested through the trip. This reduces the chances of meltdowns that may dampen the mood of your vacation.
However, being flexible with changes doesn’t mean you could simply wing it with popular tourist attractions. It’s still recommended that you reserve dining options, especially for larger groups. This tip also applies to visits to well-known spots or if there are attractions you really want to go such as theme parks, museums, and other must-see places at your destination.
But before you hurry to pack your family’s bag, why not discover 4 unforgettable family destinations for the school holidays with us?
Enjoy all-inclusive fun at Club Med Cherating, Pahang
Nestled within a lush forest in Pahang, Club Med Cherating remains a family favourite for anyone seeking child-friendly destinations. Famed as an all-inclusive vacation for the entire family, this exciting resort offers 28 included activities that will keep guests of all ages entertained around the clock. And if you’re hungry for more, Club Med Cherating even has 27 more on-demand activities such as trapezing, rock-climbing, and turtle-watching for you to enjoy.
For parents who want an escape from their little ones during the holidays, why not escape to the zen pool where you can enjoy a little peace and quiet? Open only to guests above 18, this adults-only area ensures you get to experience the tranquil waters while your little ones are having fun by the main resort area.
Come sundown, the team at Club Med Cherating puts on daily theatre shows accompanied by live music, dances, and more. Themed evenings such as trapeze stunts can also be enjoyed throughout your stay, making it an unforgettable experience to fill your kids’ school holidays with fantastic stories for them to tell.
What’s more, families with kids aged below 4 can also benefit from Club Med Cherating’s exclusive offers – so don’t hesitate to reach out to Holiday Tours for more information.
Everything is awesome at Legoland Malaysia, Johor
Opened in 2012, Legoland Malaysia is a must-visit for families with kids who love everything about these colourful bricks – and perhaps even parents who secretly enjoy it too. Known to be the first Legoland in Asia, this theme park resort offers over 40 child-friendly rides, attractions, and shows.
Legoland Malaysia is split into 6 themed areas ideal for fans of every LEGO series. This includes the Technic area that’s perfect for adrenaline-hungry guests, the LEGO Kingdom area that’s decorated in medieval themes, and the Imagination area where visitors are welcome to attractions where you can build anything you’d like out of – you’ve guessed it – LEGO. The Imagination area is also where you’ll find DUPLO-themed attractions for even younger guests.
As you venture deeper into the theme park, you’ll discover the Land of Adventure area that hosts a variety of 1800s to 1900s-themed decorations. The LEGO City area is also where your little ones can control LEGO-designed rides.
Set in the heart of the theme park is the iconic Legoland Miniland where you can discover iconic buildings from across the world rebuilt at a 1:20 scale. While you’re here, don’t miss out on the 10-metre-high reproduction of the historic Petronas Twin Towers. It was constructed using nearly 500,000 LEGO bricks and is one of the many Malaysian models of the Miniland area.
A separate water park was also opened in 2013, allowing you and your little ones to enjoy the school holidays in both dry and wet conditions. More than 20 water slides and 70 LEGO sculptures can be found in this area, so be sure to try them all!
Discover the charm of Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam with your little ones
If you’re looking to give your kids a break away from the bustling cities and want to avoid screen time, then why not discover the charm of Hanoi and Halong Bay in Vietnam with us? In this 4-day, 3-night excursion, you and your little ones will enjoy a variety of activities including a half-day tour in Hanoi. Here, you’ll get to unique structures such as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda. After dinner at a local dining establishment, be prepared to be entertained by the local water puppetry show in the evening.
For our Muslim guests, we’ve tailored the itinerary to allow for prayers and visits to the Al-Noor Masjid Mosque in the Hoan Kiem District of Hanoi. This will be in place of the visit to the One Pillar Pagoda.
The trip then continues with an excursion to Halong Bay – a beautiful bay located in northeast Vietnam. Its glistening emerald waters surrounded by tall limestone islands are a grand fixture to this area, making it a must-see, especially for first-time visitors to Vietnam. To make this school holiday escapade even more special, you and your little ones can experience an overnight stay on a boat.
Upon returning to Hanoi the next day, you’ll be free to explore the city with your family. As a tourist spot with plenty to enjoy, Hanoi is the perfect spot if you’re looking to fill your kid’s school holidays with a touch of history and time out in nature.
Set sail with the Disney Cruise Line from Singapore
We get it – sometimes planning for a family vacation takes much longer than a few weeks. So, if you’re looking to plan for the end-of-the-year school holidays instead, then the Disney Cruise Line that departs from Singapore is the experience for you. Setting off in December, this magical voyage offers a 3- or 4-night excursion where you and your family can unwind, enjoy, and dine with non-stop Disney magic.
Packed with seven themed areas in a single ship, the Disney Cruise Line is like a dream come true. Explore specially decorated spots such as the Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, and so much more. Once onboard, you and your little ones will gain access to live entertainment shows, animation classes, and even silent DJ sessions with all their favourite Disney tunes.
Specially designed clubs for kids, tweens, and teens are also available, so nobody gets left behind on the fun while on the Disney Cruise Line. The voyage also promises legendary Disney service and hospitality, ensuring a memorable experience from the moment you climb on the ship.
Finally, Disney Cruise Line prides itself in accommodating all the needs of their guests. This means our Muslim travellers can rest easy with halal food selections on top of vegetarian options if they’re non-meat eaters. From upscale Disney-inspired meals to quick bites and buffets, this is one voyage that will warm your hearts and souls through the school holidays inside out!
This term break, it’s time to give your little ones the school holidayS they deserve! Reach out today to speak to our holiday advisors and we’ll help you plan a memorable escapade to any child-friendly destination of your choice.
Did you know: Holiday Tours and Travel will also be at the MATTA Fair from the 18th to the 20th of April 2025? So don’t miss out on some of our exclusive holiday packages – come meet our friendly team at booth 3E13, located on the 3rd floor. Be sure to check out our tips and tricks to remember when visiting the MATTA Fair for a smoother visit!