Family vacations are an essential part of living today, and can create wonderful memories that you can cherish for a lifetime. There are a few simple steps that parents can take to make sure everyone is safe and happy while traveling. Going on vacation with children can be a test of patience and attentiveness for parents, which many may find daunting. However, the good news is that just by taking these few simple tips, it can make everything much less stressful and leave you to relax and enjoy your family vacation.

Tip 1 ? Pack Right

Depending on their age, children should pack or help pack some of their own things. You may however suggest them what type of clothes (preferably comfortable and loose) they should be carrying. Very useful for everyone in the family are pants that become shorts when the bottom parts zips off. You may think that you need everything but if you are really crunched for space, don't pack anything that you can buy at your destination. Do bring some hand wipes, tissues, books, hard candies, paper and gum, markers, and a surprise toy for each child in a carry on bag.

Tip 2 ? Protect Your Family's Health

Bring along any medications your family requires, make sure they are well labeled and in their original containers. If you are traveling out of the country, check with the public health authorities if you need to get additional vaccines. They will recommend you the necessary vaccines, depending on where you are traveling to and for what duration. Make sure to get Travel Insurance, no one expects an accident to happen, what if your family is at the beach enjoying your Caribbean vacation and your child cuts his foot open on a rock or you suddenly have an appendicitis attack?

Tip 3 - Arrive Early at the Airport

Plan your arrival at the airport in such a way that you have plenty of check-in time. This will avoid last minute delays and take away a lot of stress, especially with today tighter security checks. Also, arriving early will allow your family to ensure you have seats together, allow time to purchase any last minute items, and give your little ones time to adjust to new surroundings.

Tip 4 - Select Seating Carefully

First row in the economy class are best coach seats to fly with children, as you get a lot of leg room. This is essential as you may need to stretch or walk around with the children if they get cranky during the travel. If you are unable to book seats in the first row, place the children between two responsible adults, away from the aisle. Young children should not sit in an aisle seat. The carts used for meals service take up almost the whole aisle, and a little could get hurt. Sitting near the galley and lavatory can also be convenient, especially if you want a bottle warmed or will be making frequent trips to the bathroom.

Tip 5 - Keep Them Occupied

Wondering how to keep kids busy on the flight? First off, pacifiers, gum, and bottles will decrease air pressure on the children's ears. To keep a child interested during a long flight, bring his favorite toys and some new toys to spark their interest. Older children will love to have books, hand held game players or MP3 players to keep them busy.