Traveling with kids can be challenging, but it also offers a chance for connection and shared experiences. Whether near or far, every trip creates lasting memories outside your usual routine.
If you ask almost anyone about traveling with children, the first things you’ll hear are complaints (then logistical nightmares, then surprise illness tales, etc.). We won’t ever argue with the realities of traveling with children, HOWEVER, please don’t be so scared of the hard parts that you miss the good ones.
What are the benefits of travel? (And yes, travel is everything from a 1 hour car ride to a 12 hour flight!)
- Family connection. When you travel as a family, there’s an opportunity for a unique kind of connection that can only occur when you’re away from your daily routine. Together you are sharing new experiences, developing stronger family connections, and sharing special memories. Let’s not forget that when we’re traveling, it’s a good time to disconnect from our phones and unplug. It’s an opportunity to all be novices together at something and enjoy the small and new moments that arise.
- Increased flexibility. We all know it to be true. When you travel, there are often unforeseen situations that require…ahem, adaptability, flexibility, and patience. When we travel with our children, they get an opportunity to learn how to navigate unfamiliar surroundings in a way their daily life can’t provide for them. Travel also provides an opportunity for our children to adjust to NEW routines and embrace change (for a short period of time). ALL of these skills support personal growth, including problem-solving capabilities and resilience.
- Education. Regardless of your destination, your child is experiencing a new “classroom.” Whether you’re at a museum, out in nature, visiting a skyscraper, or checking out a historical site, your child is getting a chance to learn and experience history in an exciting way. This type of hands-on learning and exploration is incredibly valuable for our children.
- Diversity. When you travel, your child is getting exposure to different cultures, habitats, languages, and so much more! All of which help to broaden their horizons. Immersing our children in new environments does so much for them, including a deeper understanding of global awareness and diversity of people and cultures.
- Awe inspiring moments. Travel often provides an opportunity for your children to appreciate the natural world. Whether your kids are playing in the ocean, looking up at the starry sky, or walking through a new city, moments of awe in nature allows us to connect to something larger, plus awe improves human happiness and health. Sign us up!
Now that you know the benefits, here are our Top 5 Strategies when it comes to traveling with kids.
- Involve your child in the planning. After you and your co-parent have decided on vacation, the time of year, and where you’re going, involve your child by discussing the destination with them, including different activity options while you’re there. You might ask “What are you interested in doing while we’re in Colorado? Some options include zip-lining, hiking, and white water rafting.” Taking into account their preferences and ideas. By doing this, you’re giving them a sense of ownership, which can help foster excitement about the trip.
- Encourage them to immerse themselves in the culture. You’re traveling! You’ve made it! Encourage your child to immerse themselves in the destination. This might mean taking some risks, like trying the local food or learning a sentence in a new language. You might also get a guide book and read about the local life and culture with your child.
- Encourage autonomy by giving your child age-appropriate responsibilities through the trip. Decide on a few tasks that you think your child can manage throughout the trip, starting with small things like making a packing list, actually helping pack, and rolling their luggage through the airport. Maybe they’re in charge of helping to navigate the subway map, or packing a hiking backpack before your dayhike. For older kids, give them a chance to help time-manage, by keeping track of activities and understanding when and where to go next. By doing this, you’re giving your child an opportunity to develop independence, as well as problem-solve in real time.
- Give your child the time and tools necessary to document (and then reflect) on their journey. You can do this in a few ways. Maybe your children each get a disposable camera (a throwback!), a polaroid, or “instant film” camera before the trip begins. They can take pictures through the trip and then afterwards, they can make an album to remember the experience. Another way to do this is through journaling. There are tons of great travel journals on the market, many of which have room for multiple trips to be documented. The benefit of journaling is practice writing, which is never a bad thing :)
- Stay in communication & don’t be afraid to call it when you need to. Traveling, as you know, can be exhausting for our kids. Especially if there’s a time difference. Make sure to keep lines of communication open and continue to check in on their feelings and preferences. Sometimes, this means canceling an activity because your kids are just too exhausted. Other times this means bailing on dinner plans and eating in the hotel room. And sometimes, if you’re able to, you might divide and conquer. Send your co-parent out with one kid, while you let the other one(s) rest.