MY parents' first ill-fated vacation en famille has gone down in family folklore.

It comprised of a week in a caravan - think bubble-shaped one-windowed affair as opposed to expansive mobile home - in wind-battered St Andrews during what turned out to be the monsoon season.

With a new baby and a toddler, the experience was memorable. By the time a high chair, a bouncer and a baby walker had been installed there was literally no floor space. With no running water in the caravan, my poor Pops spent the entire week making like Jack and running up and down the hill to fetch pails of water to wash the never-ending stream of non-disposable nappies. He ended the holiday with arms three inches longer.

Fortunately since those days, resorts and attractions have become much more savvy at catering for families, but leaving the house with young children, whether for a day-trip or a stay-over, can still feel like an overwhelming military operation, so much so that many new parents don't bother.

Since entering the realm of parenthood, my husband and I have made our own mistakes, but there's nothing like trial and error to set you on a steep learning curve. Here are some shared tips from rookie parents who've faced that public toddler tantrum and survived.

Plan, plan, plan

Spontaneity goes out window with kids in tow so you need to do a bit of research. If you've promised that'll you'll see the performing seals, you don't want to arrive to discover you've missed their daily show. Booking tickets and time slots online beforehand can make for a smoother day and can often shorten the time spent in queues.

Making light of the journey

Young babies may sleep during in transit but a bored toddler can wreak havoc on the journey. Bring a selection of toys to keep them occupied. A mirror which straps to your back seat can allow you to keep a closer eye on babes in backwards-facing car seats.

Access

Most attractions which bill themselves as toddler-friendly are likely to have good access for prams, buggies and trikes but for regular venues it's always worth checking out the website first. It may be tempting to ditch the bulky pram in favour of a sling or, in the case of toddlers, reins, but bringing a set of wheels means that you also have a bed for nap-time.

For toddlers, it might be worth investing in a second cheap, lightweight buggy which doesn't have all the trappings you'd look for your main buggy, but is less cumbersome for crowded places. Check out charity shops, Gumtree and eBay as well as Jack and Jill sales where you can pick up some nearly new bargains from other parents for a fraction of the price (www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk)

Back to basics

With nappy-wearing toddlers and toilet-training tots, baby change and toilet facilities really need to be spot on. Look out for the gold standard family toilets which allow the parent to use the loo at the same time as a small child and do a nappy change in the same room.

Dining

Lunch boxes for toddlers are pretty much standard at most family-friendly attractions now but can be pricey, so you may prefer to bring a packed lunch. For just-weaned babies, brands such as Ella's Kitchen have screw-top packets which allow you to squeeze out just the amount you need without mess, and are ideal for outings.

Opt for day trips

For many parents of young kids, days out can offer a good way to enjoy the holiday without the added overnight aspect which can be good for kids who don't settle easily when away from their own bed. It also means carrying a lighter load.

Don't leave home without . . .

Baby wipes. There is no toddler situation that can't be improved with a handful of wipes so make sure you are stocked up. Likewise, you can never have too many snacks on board. They are ideal if hunger strikes before lunch-time and also provide a good distraction if one is required. Avoid sugary ones though if you don't want the inevitable energy surge which follows. At least one change of clothes is always a staple, and don't forget the go-to security blanket whether that be a certain teddy, doll or blanket for comfort.

Staying over

If you do decide to book accommodation, the very least you should be looking for is that a travel cot and high chair are provided. If you are going to have the run of a house or lodge, bringing your stair-gate and baby monitor, if they are not provided, could make for a more relaxing time. Bottle-feeding involves a lot of equipment and supplies so check if the resort provides a bottle-steriliser to save you some space in the boot. If not, there are travel-sized versions available. A tumble dryer is always good to have due to the sheer volume of soiled baby-gros and bibs which the average bambino can generate.

Gold standard

If you want someone else to have thought of everything for you, there are dedicated family resorts which offer just that. Your pre-children selves might have scoffed at the idea of an all-inclusive family resort, but they are popular for a reason. They tend to have addressed the big things like baby-sitting services and soft-play areas to small touches such as bed guards for toddlers and toys in the accommodation. (www.centerparcs.co.uk; www.hoseasons.co.uk; www.takethefamily.com)

10 toddler-friendly Scottish day trips in Scotland

Almond Valley, Livingston: The walkway around the farm is buggy-friendly and youngsters can get a memorable first cuddle of an animal at the supervised petting sessions. The layout lets you see lots of animals without walking too far. There is an outdoor and an indoor playground and a big barn where you can eat your own picnic as well as a cafe and a snack booth outside. www.almondvalley.co.uk

Heads of Ayr, Alloway: Always a winner with kids of all ages, the Ayrshire theme park has animals, activities, assault courses and much more besides. New for this year is the toddler zone, a farm-themed indoor play zone with tables and seating for grown-ups. www.headsofayrfarmpark.co.uk

Strathaven Park: A little gem of a place with a boating pond, play areas, a miniature train in the summer months and an old bandstand which provides cover in the rain for picnics. www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

Deep Sea World, North Queensferry: Many of the tanks are floor-to-ceiling, which means that even the shortest visitor can peek inside. It's compact enough that toddlers can walk around but with plenty of space and access ramps for babes in prams. The highlight is the underworld tunnel where you can watch the sharks feeding and the moving floor means that tired kids don't need to walk to enjoy. There's a great big cafe with kids' lunch boxes although the choice for adults is limited. www.deepseaworld.com

Silver Sands, Aberdour: Should the sun show itself, you can't beat a day at the beach. The set-up at Silver Sands is particularly toddler-friendly with a large cafe complete with outdoor tables right on the edge of the beach. There is also an outdoor playground and vast area of grass for kids who decide they don't like the sand, and plenty of nearby parking.

Kelburn Castle and the Secret Forest, Ayrshire: What child could fail to be charmed by the cartoon-like charms of this Ayrshire castle. The Secret Forest is like a magical realm for young children and will fire their imagination and usually has planned activities too.

National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride: You can take a tractor ride up to the actual working farm, see the cows being milked and then wander about the museum itself, which has loads to see. There are lots of fun activities for younger kids and it has a great cafe. On sunny days, take a picnic as there are tables in the field. /www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-rural-life

Whitelee Windfarm: Even little toddlers can take the bikes and see the turbines, and there are lots of activities based around the windfarm itself inside the visitor centre. There is also a cafe with good cakes (for parents, obviously). www.whiteleewindfarm.com

Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Inverness-shire: If you have kids of a range of ages, Landmark near Carrbridge is a good option. Older kids will love the rides and water-slides but the park also caters for toddlers with activities such as the new Wee Monkey trail for toddlers aged two or over and the mini cars and diggers. www.landmarkpark.co.uk

Riverside Museum, Glasgow: The Clydeside transport museum is often busy but the layout ensures that visitor traffic flows relatively smoothly and is buggy-friendly. There is also plenty of space outside for a run-around to let off steam. Being able to clamber on buses and trams is always good fun for toddlers. The cafe serves good fare, is well-stocked with high chairs and overlooks the water so plenty to keep little ones interested. Best of all, it's free. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/riverside