Family holidays always seem like a good idea until that moment when you check into a hotel room and realise that no one will be getting any rest. If you are unable to book a suite or unit, don't panic. With a little preparation and planning, two adults and two pre-teen children can survive in an average-sized hotel room without tears or tantrums. You might even manage to sleep.

Safety

Hotel rooms haven't been child-proofed like your home. Here are some quick checks to undertake as soon as you arrive.

• Make sure that nothing has been left on the floor, especially under the bed. You don't want your toddler to injure himself or swallow something nasty.
• Put small alcohol bottles and other tempting mini-bar items well out of your toddler's reach.
• Check the hot water temperature. Hotel taps can be tricky, even for adults.
• Check locks on the doors and windows. Make sure that children can't climb out or wander away. Be especially careful with balcony doors.
• Put furniture in front of any dangerous plug sockets.
• One parent should take the children exploring while the other unpacks carefully. An organised room will ensure that no one trips over baggage and you'll be able to find band-aids, toys, clothes or any other item with ease.

Survival Kit

These are items to reduce the stress of keeping children safe and entertained in a small space.

• Card games, colour-in books and puzzles. Do not bring blocks or games that have small pieces unless you want to spend your time tripping over them.
• Cheap sarongs. They are great to spread on the floor. Children can keep their games and toys on this designated area.
• Plastic cups. They are much more child-friendly than the glasses usually provided.
• Healthy snacks. Avoid the mini-bar chocolates.
• A portable cot. Both you and your child will feel more secure with familiar bedding arrangements.

Sleep Time

The real trick is to have so many exciting, exhausting activities during the day that your children collapse immediately. If this plan fails, there are still ways for everyone to sleep soundly.

• Accept that normal bedtime routines are not possible. Your children are probably going to sleep later than usual. Remain calm.
• If one of the children is a toddler, take your other child for a walk while you put him to sleep. Your older child can then read or play quietly until she is tired.
• Turn on a boring TV channel. Refuse to let the children change it by confiscating the remote.
• Try to book a room with a balcony. You can sit outside talking, reading or blogging until the children fall asleep.
• Make sure you have a book light or a backlit e-reading device. You can read in bed until the children sleep.
• Make it a rule that children can only have electronic devices during the day. This can be a reward for going to sleep quickly.
• If possible, ask the hotel for separate beds for the children, even if one is a foldaway. They will fall asleep much more quickly if they are separated.
• If you have been given two double beds, put one child with each adult until they fall asleep. Then, carefully move the deepest sleeper over to the other bed.

By following these tips, your hotel stay should be more like a fun adventure than a nightmare. Unfortunately, once your children become teenagers, they won't want to share a room with anyone. Enjoy the family togetherness while you can.

For more information on accommodations, contact a hotel like Motel Argyle Motor Lodge.