10 Reasons Kids Should Travel

 

 

The other day a friend of mine told me she’s not sure she will ever travel with her kids again.  I agree that it’s a scary time right now and we’re not getting much use of our passports, but the thought of NEVER traveling with my kids again breaks my heart. I strongly believe there will be a time again soon when we can get lost on winding streets, chat with locals at the pub, and dine under the stars after a day of exploring a new town. Still nervous about traveling with kids? Take a peek at an article I wrote  a few years back about 10 Reasons Kids Should Travel.  Enjoy!

 

KIDS THAT TRAVEL SEE THE WORLD WITH A NEW PERSPECTIVE

My kids are growing up in a town that does not have much diversity.  When we travel they are able to see there are so many amazing cultures.   The more exposure to travel they get, the more they will seek it out.  The world will not seem scary or unknown, but rather something that makes them curious and question where they want to go next.

KIDS WILL LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES

Do they enjoy vacations surrounded by lots of people or do they prefer solitude? Are they adventurous or do they like to do calm activities?  What do they like to do for fun? Do they want to hike, swim, snorkel, fly, swim with dolphins, or go parasailing? Do they like to follow an itinerary or  be spontaneous? A good vacation is one where they come home changed for the better.

Flying hawks in Ireland

KIDS THAT TRAVEL WILL LEARN TO EXPLORE

 I always research the heck out of the place we’re traveling but I always leave room to just explore and wander around.  (Ok…and I get lost A LOT!) Our favorite times when traveling were wandering in the maze of streets and coming upon a cute café or shop.  Traveling makes kids appreciate how great it can be to get lost.

TRAVEL BUILDS CONFIDENCE.

Small accomplishments, like ordering their own foods in a restaurant, paying for their own souvenir, or letting them choose what activity you do that day will make them believe in themselves.  They will be amazed at what they can do! 

TRAVEL GIVES KIDS THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE NEW FOOD

  My kids will try anything…at least once. They’ve eaten puffin, octopus, squid, clams, pig’s ears, and deer.  Well…they did draw the line at blood sausage but who can blame them? It is the perfect opportunity to show them that food can consist of more than chicken fingers and pizza. They may not like it but at least they get to experience it once.

Tasting puffin in Iceland

KIDS THAT TRAVEL ARE EXPOSED TO NEW CULTURES

The world is made up of many different lifestyles.    In Portugal, my girls were able to see women wearing the traditional 7 layer skirts.  In Greece, they saw local fishermen hang their octopus in the sun to dry.    All of this exposure makes them realize how distinct each country is.

KIDS WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN CULTURE

If your family has a rich heritage it is your responsibility to teach them about it.  I grew up in a household where we mostly spoke Portuguese.  I regret not teaching my kids the language but traveling with them allowed me to show them our culture and help them become proud of it.

Walking the town wall in Obidos, Portugal

 

TRAVEL LETS THEM MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE

Sure, there are some crazies out there, but sometimes they can make your vacation a blast. When my oldest daughter was in 1st grade, her morning share to her class after spring break was all about the Naked Cowboy in NYC. Travel allows them to interact with people that can change their thinking about mankind.

THEY’LL LEARN TO GET OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE AND TRY NEW THINGS

Whether they are swimming with stingrays in the wild, snorkeling in the caldera of a volcano, or exploring a dark cave, they can break out of their comfort zone and try something they never thought they would do.  Travel helps kids become courageous and powerful.

KIDS THAT TRAVEL LEARN TO RELAX, DISCONNECT, AND BE IN THE MOMENT

 In a time when our cellphones are constantly on, it’s nice to disconnect with the world for a while and just be in the moment with each other.  While on vacation, our phones stay off until we get back to the hotel in the afternoon. Even then, I will gladly pass on electronics in exchange for a glass of wine on the patio listening to the waves crash on the beach.

Living their best life…in Bermuda

35 thoughts on “10 Reasons Kids Should Travel”

  1. thewordhermit

    Yes to all of these!! I would also add that it brings families closer together – one of my favorite parts about traveling.

  2. whimsicalseptember

    I absolutely love this list! I saw the post title on the GYB thread and was SO intrigued. So often my husband and I dream of traveling to Europe and other neat places without our daughters, but this list makes me reconsider! I especially love #4.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Our Greece trip was going to be a romantic trip for my husband and I but I couldn’t stop thinking that in 9 years my oldest daughter will be going away to college and so we were at our halfway point with her. It broke my heart so we decided to make it a family trip instead. There will be lots of years to go away alone with my husband 🙂

  3. Cara

    Love this and it is so true! to add on to what you were saying about learning to eat other foods, we always try to make it a point to eat at local eats or off the beaten path restaurants instead of mainstream ones, to actually get a good feel for the culture. Great post!

  5. Daria

    Awesome post! I agree with you about finding age appropriate places for smaller ones to go. Growing up we didn’t do much traveling therefore, when I had my daughter, I didn’t either. I now have a grand-daughter and plan to raise her differently. I want her to experience new and different things so she knows there’s a different life out there versus where you reside! Thanks for sharing…

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I love that you’re doing it with your grand-daughter. We travel with my mother-in-law all the time and I love that the girls are able to make lifelong memories with her!

  7. francineclouden

    Yes, times ten! I absolutely agree with you on all these points. For the last few years we’ve made it a point to travel as a family, just us three. It’s amazing to watch my son blossom and grow on these trips.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I couldn’t agree more. Can’t you see a change in them as they’re traveling? It’s amazing!

  9. Patricia @ Grab a Platet

    What an insightful post! Love traveling and I think it’s wonderful for kids, too, for all of the reasons you note. I especially love “building confidence,” “living in the moment,” and “learning about different foods.”

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Thank you. I love seeing how proud they get when they are traveling and they step out of their comfort zone.

  12. confettiandbliss

    I love, love this article! I just wrote a post covering this very topic. 🙂 When our daughters (now 22 & 24) were small we took them on great traveling adventures. Like you, we pulled them out of school a few times when we took them to Paris, France and to Machu Picchu. I just made arrangements with their teachers and principals way in advance, and the girls were able to complete their schoolwork in prior to these trips rather than playing catch-up when they returned. When my younger daughter Brooke was 12, she flew alone to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to meet up with family friends to spend a month of summer having fun and experiencing new things. Children really do benefit from travel!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      That is so wonderful! I’m sure your girls will look back on those moments forever. My parents would put me on a plane to Portugal when I was a kid and it was the best thing they could have ever done for me. I’m forever grateful.

  13. Mama Munchkin

    I couldn’t agree more. These are all excellent points. We have been traveling the world with our 5 kids (2-13 years) for the past 5 years and I am amazed at how it is changing my children for the better. I would add that as they get older traveling to places they are also studying about makes the lesson come to life and they truly engage in the education. Its awesome!!!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      That’s a great point! When we were in Greece my daughter had studied mythology and it made the statues we were seeing have more meaning to her.

  14. lauramaria3

    Definitely! That’s why every year I organize an international trip for my students. To see them having to (semi-independently) fend for themselves in a totally new environment, asking questions, soaking up the living history, and being fully present (given the lack of cell phone coverage) is truly rewarding.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Thank you! That’s great that you’ve loved to travel with your parents. And I agree…you learn lots about the world. Some things you have to experience to truly understand. Happy travels!

  17. Jenny

    LOVE this! Our kids have been to a lot of countries already and I hope that they keep their curiosity as they get older.

    • mytravelingkids.com

      Good for you! I really think that if they travel when they’re young then they’ll never lose that curiosity to travel. Have fun on your next adventures!

  18. Kaybee Lives

    Absolutely! My travel adventures during middle and high school shaped much of who I am as an adult. There is so much to learn about culture, adapting to the situation, and resilience and will shape a kid!

    • mytravelingkids.com

      I completely agree! It’s a great age to travel with kids. My girls are 13 and 15 now and it’s sad to think they’ll be off to college soon and not being able to travel as much as now. And yes…resilience will shape a kid…well said!

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