The awards in this category are probably the most coveted of all as we all know how competitive parents can be! Well done to all our finalists and, in particular, Take The Family, Netmums and Go! Travel, which have won gold, silver and bronze respectively – no easy feat in this heat!

1) Take The Family – found tweeting @Takethefamily
Take The Family is our gold winner for being such a great resource to tap into when it comes to travelling with kids. It’s jam-packed with genuinely useful advice, with well-written posts and features from authorative guest bloggers. Some of our favourites are entitled ‘Empowering kids to travel’ and ‘Top 10 tips for holidaying on a budget’. We say: ‘keep up the good work’!

2) Netmums – found tweeting @Netmums
Netmums isn’t really a travel blog but rather a one-stop-shop for mums on the ball – with its forums, advice, competitions and more. It gets our silver award today for its fantastic holiday section and blog which dishes out great hints and tips for travelling with children.

3) Go! Travel – found tweeting @HomeAwayUK
If you want to find out what to do along the Dorset coast with kids in tow, or attractions in Wallander County, then this blog nails it. The reason it wins our bronze award, however, is for sponsoring the Best Family Travel Blog category of this year’s MAD (Mum and Dad) Blog Awards. Good stuff, Go!

4) Career Traveller – found tweeting @careertraveller
This blog is like a pick and mix of great travel observations and hotel reviews – described in such a way that can’t help but inspire. We particularly love the review of Legoland Windsor and the stunning photography of Cornwall and surrounding areas.

5) Have a Lovely Time – found tweeting @Alovelytime
Have a Lovely Time casts a ray of sunshine as soon as you open the page. It’s bright and cheery with no end of fab features, news and giveaways – and that’s why it gets the thumbs up from us. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

6) It’s a Small World After All – found tweeting @vwallop
The Wallop family have just returned from a whistle-stop tour around the world after capturing every moment in their blog, which details how they took their kids out of school for nine months to go travelling on a budget. It’s a great read and no wonder it’s also been shortlisted in the Best Family Travel Blog category of the MAD Blog Awards.

7) Tots to Travel Blog – found tweeting @TotstoTravel
Tots to Travel is a family friendly UK holiday company, which has been featured in The Times, Junior, Parenting & Pregnancy and on itv.com and the BBC, so the blog isn’t entirely independent but it does give a good indication of what various destinations are like for kids, along with prizes, hints, tips and practical advice – with a few shameless plugs for its properties thrown in for good measure. It’s definitely worth a read – particularly if you’re still planning your summer holidays.

8) Wandalust
This blog is a bit mysterious but a great source of travel information nonetheless. It’s author remains anonymous as does (or so it seems) its Twitter handle but we can’t help but praise its well-penned posts, many of which seem to centre on European apartment rentals – great for self catering holidays with kids. There are a whole host of other sections too and you’ll find some great advice on travelling as a family.

9) Jenography – found tweeting @jhowze
This blog by Jennifer Howze, former Alpha Mummy blogger at The Times and co-founder of Britmums, is a great reference point for parents looking for UK days out and holiday inspiration. Travel writer and journalist Jen specialises in lifestyle and parenting so you’re guaranteed a good read – and she’s also been shortlisted in The MADs.

10) Mummy Travels – found tweeting @cathywinston
Mum-to-be Cathy Winston poses the question ‘can you really keep travelling with kids in tow?’ and, lucky for us, the answer is ‘yes’! Cathy, who’s been published in the likes of National Geographic Traveller and The Independent, is another mummy blogger who’s been shortlisted in the Parentdish-sponsored MAD Blog Awards. Good luck, we say – with both the blog award and the bump!

Remember, if you’d like your blog to be considered for the next round of MyTravelMoney.co.uk Travel Blog Awards, just drop our PR & Community Manager a line at lynda@mytravelmoney.co.uk

The post Top 10 Family Friendly Blogs appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Once you’ve booked your flights for the much-needed family holiday you’ve all been dreaming of, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to keep the kids entertained on-board. Well, it’s pretty simple. Just follow these sure-fire tips to happy travelling and you should be able to sit back and relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment:

1. Take lots of travel games for the flight and be sure to pack them in your hand luggage. Magnetic versions of Snakes & Ladders are ideal for younger kids, while older children can while away the hours playing chess or backgammon with dad.

2. Pick up some comics or magazines at the airport which will keep the kids busy for at least half an hour. Basically, the more things you can arm yourself with to hold their attention, the better!

3. Pack some bumper colouring books and pencils for the younger ones and more challenging word searches, crossword puzzles, Sudoku and logic problem books for teens.

4. Provide plenty of drinks and snacks throughout the flight and make sure you pick them up before you reach the departure gate as they’re always really expensive on-board. You do need to buy them after security, however, as any liquids will have to be binned as part of the luggage search.

5. Encourage your children to nap on the flight so they’re refreshed to take on the rest of the trip at the other end.

6. Talk about what you are going to do when you get there which will build up their anticipation and make the flight feel like less of a chore.

7. Quash their popping ears with lollypops and boiled sweets, or chewing gum for the older ones.

8. Take hand santiser, or baby wipes, with you – the water on-board the aircraft (i.e. in the toilet) comes from the holding tank and generally isn’t that clean. You don’t want to start your holiday with tummy bugs.

9. Think about the potential for nausea beforehand and either invest in some acupressure bands, which you can get from most pharmacies, or some children’s travel sickness medicine.

10. If you’re child has had a cold or sinus infection recently, get them to use a Vick inhaler before the plane takes off to avoid any sore heads as the altitude and cabin pressure increases.

Finally, make sure you’ve done a travel money comparison before you hit the airport, where the rates at the last minute kiosks can be astronomical.

Happy travelling!

The post How To Keep The Kids Happy On International Flights: 10 Top Tricks appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.