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Preparation is key when embarking on a journey with children in hot and humid conditions. With a little planning, some well-thought-out packing, and a touch of clever strategy, you can turn your hot and sticky ordeal into a breezy, laugh-filled escapade.

Before you set off, consider these tried and tested practical strategies and simple purchases to ensure everyone remains comfortable and content under the blazing sun.

You’ll have read this same advice on our other blog posts! Grab a storage box and begin stocking it with items you know will make you all more comfortable well ahead of your adventure, don’t leave it until the last minute. And, create a ‘note’ or email or list somewhere and save a couple of your favourite tips for cooling down on the go from the list below so you aren't trying to think of solutions 'in the moment'. These little tricks will banish last-minute packing pandemonium and reduce your own worries and stress as you’ll feel far more prepared.

Smart Summer Styles

When it's hot and humid, choosing the right clothing can make a world of difference. Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothes that help keep the body cool, and pick cotton or natural fibres rather than synthetics. Having said that, we love football kits and other sports brands for their quick dry ranges which have proven invaluable when trying to dry clothes in high humidity!

Hats and sunglasses also provide shade and protection from the sun's rays. POLARIZED lens make a huge difference when protecting little ones from the glare of the sun, and we also always look for UV protection as standard. These ATOM glasses aren't as cheap as some ranges but fit 5-12 year-olds, have both polarized and UV lenses, child-friendly designs with lightweight frames, and stretchable temples.

We love the Sunday Afternoons hat range as so do most people it seems as the kids ranges have mainly 5-Star ratings across Amazon. They have a sloping brim, UPF 50+ and a neck covering, all so important for keeping little ones safe in the sun and not always something you can easily find when traveling so get one or two in advance. Those that we haven't lost, we have used for years! Decathlon is also always a great bet for both hats and decent glasses if you are in Europe.

Magic Cooling Towels

Use damp materials to keep everyone cool. We absolutely love these seemingly magic towels which are super-lightweight as well as being highly effective! Just wet the towel, and ‘flip’ it and the material will ‘cool’ providing immediate relief for little people that is easily within their control. At the time of publishing, these are just £7.99!

Damp muslins are also great to put between baby slings and your body as a cool barrier for both you and baby.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can be a real concern in hot and humid weather. Make sure you drink plenty of water and encourage your children to do the same. Remember that some drinks, particularly those with caffeine in, are diuretics and can actually make you thirstier! Our blog on drinks canisters will help you navigate different vacuum flasks, but we are huge fans of the Hydroflasks which are expensive enough for you to think twice about whether a cheaper model is better, but they guarantee to keep water cool, and even ice 'icy' (!), for 24 hours+. We have tried and tested these flasks many times in all sorts of conditions, and can confirm the water has been cooler for a lot longer. You can see their range here, all of which are made from premium stainless steel.

Staying with Hydroflasks for a mo, we also love their food jars, which again keep food either hot or cold for 12-24 hrs, and are super leakproof! A lifesaver for flights and long bus journeys! Take a look here!

We also like to carry a tiny Robinson’s juice concentrate to encourage little ones to drink if it is particularly hot and they are running out of enthusiasm for water! Each tiny pack makes 20 glasses of juice, and we make it last longer! The flavour options (all no sugar) are all listed here.

Finally, carry rehydration sachets in your first aid pack and use them if you sense anyone is becoming dehydrated. We love these ones, not just because the Paw Patrol branding helps persuade little ones to drink when they aren't feeling great, but also because they come packed in individual sachets so you can pop a couple in your day bag and others in a first aid kit, but other brands can be purchased over-the-counter in any pharmacy.

Seek Shade

Plan your daily activities to avoid being under the midday sun when the heat is most intense. Try and limit exercise, playgrounds and swimming to before and after this period.

Seek out shaded areas, whether it's under a tree, a beach umbrella, or a canopy if you are going to be in a park or open space for a while. Creating your own shade with a pop-up tent or a beach shelter can be a lifesaver, especially for babies and toddlers. We highly recommend making sure any beach tents or umbrellas are made from both water-resistant fabric and a material with UPF 50+ protection. We like this one with the window at the back as it creates a through-flow of air, and is large enough to get into with your little one.

Plan to visit air-conditioned museums, indoor play centers, or libraries in the early afternoon to give your family a break from the heat.

If you are in a town or city in most places in the world, you’ll always find a pharmacy. They are typically air-conditioned. Call in for an emergency ‘browse’ if you need to quick option whilst on the high street to cool young children off.

Cool Off with Water

Take advantage of water-based activities to cool down. Whether it's a trip to the beach or a visit to a water park, playing in the water can be a fun way to stay cool. If you don’t have ready access to these, consider traveling with a couple of accessories: a simple sprinkler in the backyard of wherever you are staying can be brilliant fun for children – check to see if the accommodation has a hose, and add a cheap garden sprinkler to your packing list!

If you have the luxury of not considering space and weight and especially useful for staycations, take a small padding pool or arrange for one to be delivered directly to your accommodation from a supermarket or shopping site.

If you are planning a city visit with children, find out in advance whether there are water fountains installed in any of the central locations that children can play in. Head to those to cool down at the point where everyone is too hot to enjoy city activities. We've spent many hours happily using these in places like Nice and London!

The science of evaporation

Remember that as water evaporates from wet clothes it will draw heat from the body. So, consider putting the kids in quick-dry clothing rather than swimming gear that they take off, and allow them to enjoy this cooling sensation even after you’ve left the water behind! Prolonged wetness can however reverse the effect, so opt for fabrics like breathable nylon or lightweight cotton that dry swiftly.

In particularly hot or humid locations, consider paying a little more or compromising on another aspect of your accommodation to have access to a swimming pool. Remember most booking sites allow you to filter accommodation options to select those with a pool. We do have community members that swear by using the pools in neighbouring accommodation, but we'll let you decide whether or not you want to do that!

Beat the Humidity

Humidity can make it feel even hotter than it is. Consider using fans or portable air conditioners if you're staying indoors.

When outdoors, cooling towels or handheld fans can help provide relief from the humidity. This fan (less than £19) lasts for up to 6 hours at a time, is fully rechargeable with a USB, feels really robust, and even folds in half for easy travel! Our little ones have used it for everything from surviving a crazy night in the Guatemalan jungle to staying cool whilst watching A Midsummer Night's Dream on BBC Bitesize in Zimbabwe!

Cool down your hot spots

Affordable ice is often readily available at fuel stations and supermarkets. Get a bag of ice and have your kids apply it to their body's pulse points: wrists, neck, inner elbows, knees, tops of feet, inner ankle bones, thighs, and temples. These areas have blood vessels near the skin, allowing the ice to rapidly cool the circulating blood, providing refreshing relief and a silly mid-journey activity that can be brilliantly fun for the whole family!

Use Canned Cooling Sprays

Whilst not necessarily great if you are focusing on weight and packing space, these can be great in specific circumstances. For example, for quickly cooling down a car or small room, some brands have been designed for those who suffer from irritated skin and skin rashes during hot weather. We always use this one as it is relatively cheap (three cans for less than £10 at the time of publication), and we have never been able to discern any difference between these and the more expensive brands!

Remember to check airline rules for carrying aerosols if you are planning to travel with them in hand or checked baggage!

Instant Ice

Carry a couple of disposable instant ice packs that are typically used for treating bumps, sprains and inflammation. They are great for providing instant cooling for little ones when you don’t have access to much else. We have used these whilst waiting in the sun in different transport hubs and always have a couple in our first aid kit as well. We recommend buying the smaller sizes like these ones here as they are not light to carry!

Use Sunscreen & Aftersun

Protect your family's skin from the harsh sun by applying sunscreen with a high SPF rating and if you have water babies/teens, check it is designed for water. Ensure that you reapply it regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. Take and religiously wear SPF swimming tops - chose one with a high neck and long sleeves. Our go to is always Mountain Warehouse for these for older kids, and M&S for full body toddler ones as they should always be tried on for a proper fit. If you have any concerns about whether the SPF will be up to the standard you are confident with, make sure you take spares of both sunscreen and a spare swimming top.

Be aware that some of the suncreams stain clothing - we travelled for several months with very yellow swimwear at one point but other than majoring on swimming tops, we haven't found a solution as yet! We do love the awesome Sun Bum range - check it out here!

Aftersun creams aren't just a pleasant post-sun indulgence; they offer a range of benefits to help your skin recover from sun exposure. They can provide much-needed hydration and alleviate the discomfort of sunburn. Aloe vera-infused aftersun creams, in particular, work wonders. Aloe vera is renowned for its natural cooling properties, making it perfect for calming the skin's heat and reducing redness. It also aids in replenishing moisture and minimizing peeling, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Plan Snack Breaks

Opt for light and hydrating snacks like fresh ‘wet’ fruit (berries and melon for example), cucumber or tomatoes, or popsicles. Cucumbers and tomatoes are water, and watermelon is 92% water. These treats can help keep energy levels up while providing a refreshing break from the heat.

Packing them in a cooling bag or lunch box is even better – we love this one as it is just under 10L so big enough to be useful but not huge, and less than £10! And, again it is leakproof so reassuring when traveling with fruit and squishies (our word not an official term for food that leaks when it squashes!).

Rest and Stay Cool

Don't forget to factor in rest time for you and your children. Take breaks to relax and cool down during the hottest parts of the day. Naptime or quiet time indoors can help everyone recharge and stay safe. The midday sun can quickly impact

If you typically limit screentime, perhaps allocate midday as the time they can access devices to prevent tantrums as you try and entice them away from the pool!

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises monitoring the heat index (temperature and humidity combination). When it reaches 32°C (90°F), limit outdoor time for children. At 37°C (100°F), expert H. Dele Davies suggests staying indoors. Staying out of the heat when the sun is at its peak (normally 12-2pm) is highly recommended.

Rises in the East and Sets in the West

Close curtains in rooms that face the sun and open windows if the air outside is cooler than the air inside. Remember that most smartphones have a compass app installed or that is downloadable free or charge, so double-check you have one and then check East and West facing windows when you arrive at new accommodation.

Sleep Tight

Consider carrying a cotton pillowcase with you. It may seem a silly luxury, but many countries around the world opt for synthetic fiber bedding that will cause discomfort for you and your little ones. See our blog on ‘preventing homesickness’ for ideas on printed pillowcases, perhaps you can combine the two!

Those magic cooling towels are once again amazing for settling young children at bedtime. Make sure the towel isn’t sodden, but damp, and you’ll have immediate relief for little people as they fall asleep. We have also used these several times when the children have been unwell to offer some cool relief.

Thermometers!

Finally, don't forget to pack a digital thermometer in your first aid kit - when everyone is hot, it is even harder to pick up the subtle body temperature changes that can so quickly escalate.

So there you have it, our cool-as-a-cucumber guide to surviving the sizzling adventures of family travel in hot and humid climates! From embracing the icy wonders of pulse point icing to donning quick-dry clothes, we've got you covered.

Traveling in hot and humid climates with children can be challenging, but with the right kit and a few ideas for 'in the moment' cooling off, you can make the most of your trip while ensuring your family's well-being in the heat.

Ensuring a safe family vacation is top of our priority list. We know that traveling with children is always an adventure, and when you add hot and humid weather to the mix, it can be quite a challenge.

Our contributors have travelled across multiple continents with children of a range of ages, and know how important it is to be prepared. Hot children and babies can make for grumpy little people at best, and sick ones are worst. Whether you're heading to a tropical destination or planning a summer road trip, staying cool is essential for both the parents and the kids.

Below we share plenty of tips to help families beat the heat in hot and humid climates.

You didn’t come this far to stop.

Our Top Tips Summarised

Preparation is Vital

Plan ahead to make your hot journey with children stress-free.

Stock up early on comfort items; avoid last-minute packing chaos.

Dress Smart for Summer

Choose lightweight, loose, and light-colored clothing for comfort.

Hats and sunglasses add shade and sun protection.

Stay Hydrated Everywhere

Carry cool water during hot and humid conditions using specialist bottles.

Use rehydration sachets and encourage kids to stay hydrated.

Beat the Heat with Cool Activities

Seek shade during peak sun hours; plan indoor activities.

Embrace water-based fun, from beach trips to DIY sprinklers.

Cooling Hacks and Essentials

Use magic cooling towels and quick-dry clothing.

Keep back instant ice packs, fans, and canned cooling sprays when needed.

Quality, not quantity

Our Travel Community's Top Purchase Recommendations

Best Bottles for Cool Water on the Go

Magic Cooling Towels for Kids of all Ages

Cooling Sprays that Work

Stories from our Family Travel Community

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