Here’s the moment we’re sure you never waited for. As a parent, you need to plan your kids first trip abroad, and you quickly realise that it’s nothing dreamy, but downright daunting. You might have started the process imagining new foods, sunshine, and adorable family photos, but before you reach your destination, the reality of the planning process hits you. You will deal
with something else. Jet lag. Meltdowns. Your tiny humans are constantly asking, “Are we there yet?”, and you want to ever leave home again.
If you’re living in the UK and heading to a destination like Turkey, you’re likely thrilled by the idea of taking your children to one of the most colourful, fascinating, and sensory-overloading places around. We should congratulate you, but also warn you that it will be an adventure. So, buckle up. Due to the culture shock, heat, and Turkish hospitality that borders on royal
treatment, your kids may need a little pre-trip preparation.
This article serves as your survival kit, providing guidance on how to maintain your sanity when planning to take your children abroad for the first time. Be prepared, it would feel like getting ready for a military operation.
Children are known for loving stories, so make the entire trip a story before leaving home. Start by getting a map to show them where Turkey is and help them trace the journey from their home in the UK to Antalya or Istanbul. Explain that for this trip, you will cross time zones and seas, and they will feel more like explorers on a mission. To make them even more enthusiastic about the trip, sprinkle some fun facts:
When your kids know what to expect, they are less stressed about the situation, and you will probably deal with fewer dramatic “I want to go home!” moments during the trip.
Ah, yes, the food – the universal language that can unite your family or cause an international accident. If you visited Turkey before, you know that its cuisine is glorious: fresh, fragrant, and rich in bold flavors. But for your little trouble makers that were raised with British food, it might feel too…adventurous. So, it’s best to start introducing some Turkish dishes in their diet before leaving home. One night a week, cook some traditional dishes, or if you have a Turkish restaurant nearby, order something. Let them try simit (a kind of sesame bread ring), kebabs, or baklava. You can even play a game, rate each new dish with “yum,” “maybe later,” or “never again.” By the time you land in Turkey, they’ll be culinary pros. And you’ll have fewer meltdowns over “weird food.”
Turkey is rich not only in flavor but also in culture, art, and history. But let’s be honest, telling kids that they’re visiting the crossroads of Europe and Asia won’t spark any fireworks of curiosity. So, try to make culture fun. Show them pictures of well-known mosques, and leave aside the architecture talk. Instead, tell them that they look like the buildings from stories. Tell them the story of Troy (yes, the one with the horse) or about the sultans who lived in palaces with secret gardens and golden halls. Explain that people pray in mosques, take off their shoes before entering, and say “Merhaba!” instead of “Hello.”
Do you know the secret to stress-free travel in a foreign country? Helping your kids stay connected with what they love, so make sure you won’t spend your time wrestling with dodgy Wi-Fi when your children want to reach their best friend to tell them about their day. For this, you should get an eSIM travel from Holafly for Turkey that will become your digital travel BFF. It’s essentially a SIM card that you download directly to your phone. No plastic, no fuss. You can buy a Turkish data plan online before you even leave the UK, activate it in minutes, and voilà, you’re connected the moment you land.
With an eSIM, you get:
Parents will agree that flying with kids for the first time is an Olympic sport. Regardless of whether you have a four-hour flight to Istanbul or a longer one, your secret to survival is making the experience as predictable and enjoyable as possible. Explain to them what happens at the airport in advance, go through security, check-ins, and boarding, so they won’t freak out when they have to leave their teddy bear on the tray and take off their shoes. Give each kid their own mini backpack with entertainment, including coloring books, headphones, snacks, and maybe a small surprise toy (because you know they’ll get bored right as you take off). And yes, bring lollipops for takeoff and landing. Ears pop, peace reigns. Everyone wins.
Culture shock extends beyond sounds and sights; it encompasses behavior. In Turkey, the locals are family-oriented, warm, and incredibly kind to children. However, there are some unspoken rules; it’s best to teach them at home, so they can follow them.
For example:
The boarding call
Preparing your kids to visit Turkey isn’t just about logistics; it’s also about mindset. You are teaching them that the world can be full of surprises. They will step into a land of species, history, and sunshine, and will be welcomed with kindness and smiles.