Traveling with children requires some extra effort. There is more to plan, more to pack, and more to spend. Not to mention the meltdowns, diaper bags, and stroller fiascos. So why travel with your children? It’s simple, for the look on his face when he discovers something new or when she finds a love of hiking, and for the joy they feel just to have your undivided attention. But the benefits do not stop there.
Let’s take a look at five reasons to travel with your kids.
“As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was about to happen.”
A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
1 Learning and Development
I frequently hear parents share their frustrations of traveling with young children. Often echoing statements, “It’s too hard to travel with little kids. Besides, they won’t remember it.” Perhaps they are right, and children do not recall the trip, nor they hold the memories of times shared, but they do still learn.
According to the CDC, the first 8 years of a child’s life sets the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Even more impressive, children’s brains are 85% developed by the time they reach 5 years old! That means their experiences support their brain development from a very young age. It helps them learn about the world around them and how to function in it. In other words, their experiences can set the stage for future learning and achievements. So, even if the memories of their travels do not remain, there is still a significant impact.
“The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.”
Mark Paterson
2 Family Bonds
Traveling and enjoying activities together promotes a strong healthy family bond. Verywell.com explains that family bonds can give children a sense of belonging, builds social skills and increases their self-esteem. Additionally, going on family trips gives parents and guardians the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with their children — it gives them the chance to get to know them as individuals.
Just enjoy the precious time with your little ones and even your teens; kids grow up quick — too quick. Relish the moments spent together!
“In the end, kids won’t remember that fancy toy you bought them, they will remember the time you spent with them.”
Kevin Heath
3 They Enjoy It as Much as You Do
A kid sees vacation as one long field trip. They love it! It takes them outside of their routine and away from the responsibilities of schoolwork and regular house chores. Traveling provides them exciting new experiences and fun hands-on learning opportunities that are not available to them in a typical classroom setting. Plus, who doesn’t need a vacation from time to time?
“For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.”
Penelope Leach
4 Expanding World Perspective
Exploring new places and cultures takes children well beyond their immediate surroundings and expands further than their daily interactions with people and their environment. This type of exposure broadens their world perspective, improves adaptability and promotes empathy, all values important to the development of a child’s mind — and spirit.
“It is vital that when educating our children’s brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts.”
Dalai Lama
5 Self Discovery
You can learn a lot about who you are when you put yourself out into the world, experience new adventures, and immerse yourself in other cultures. As an individual you begin to understand the differences and similarities between places and people. And all those comparisons and experiences lead you to discover what you like and dislike, what subjects interest you, and helps you find your passion. Your age does not matter — it is the same for both adults and children. You learn who you are simply by living life. Let your children go out into the world and discover themselves. You will be surprised what they discover, and what you learn about them along the way.
“The more risks you allow your children to make, the better they learn to look after themselves.”
Roald Dahl
There you have it — five wonderful reasons to travel with your children — great benefits that outweigh all the little nuisances. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready and pack their bags for a fun family adventure!
