Traveling has always been a passion of mine, but once I became a mom, I wondered if it was still possible. Would traveling with kids be too overwhelming? Would it be worth the effort?

When my daughter was 4, my husband and I took a leap and traveled to Jordan as a family. It wasn’t always easy, but the unforgettable moments made it all worthwhile. The following year, we explored cities in Europe together, and I realized something, with the right mindset and preparation, traveling with children can be an incredible experience.

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the world with your kids but worried about the challenges, I’m here to share what I’ve learned and how you can make your family adventures both manageable and magical.

Why Family Travel Matters

1. Strengthens family bonds

One of the greatest benefits of traveling with your family is having the opportunity to avoid distractions, connect with your children and partner, and focus on quality time. I always take advantage of these moments to retell stories, talk about our trip highlights, laugh, and enjoy each other.

2. Builds life-long memories

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey." Pat Conroy

During our amazing getaways, my family and I have learned about other countries, cultures, traditions, and food. It is amazing how you can embark on daily new adventures whether it’s building sandcastles on a beach, visiting historic monuments, or tasting new dishes together. All these experiences become life-long memories. My daughters face lights up every time she talks about playing in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan or flying kites at El Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

3. Impacts children’s intellectual and social development

My daughter has had incredible learning experiences while traveling. School-aged children who travel increase their knowledge about geography, history, and science while visiting historical landmarks, museums, and natural wonders. Traveling also introduces children to new languages, traditions, and customs, broadening their understanding and creating empathy of how people live in different parts of the world. Lastly, experiencing new foods and cultural practices spark curiosity and encourage children to ask questions, fostering a love for learning.

A research study on children's learning processes during family travel highlights the importance of three key phases when planning a trip: pre-travel, during-travel, and post-travel. The authors suggest that parents set learning goals before the trip. While on the trip, parents should encourage children to participate in tourism activities and expose them to both fun and challenging experiences. To reinforce learning, they also recommend continuing educational discussions and activities after the trip ends.

4. Develops children’s independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills

When traveling to a country with different customs, language, and way of living, your children will experience new environments and unfamiliar situations. They will be observing how the adults handle inconveniences and interact with others and will learn from them.

Give your children the opportunity to order food in a different language, ask for directions, or find out the price of a souvenir. These activities will build their confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.

5. Provides parents opportunities for recharge

I love traveling because it allows me to recharge and feel at peace. I participate in activities that make me happy because I deserve to do things I love. I also use my travel time to reflect on my life, the blessings I have, and the changes I would like to make.

As a busy parent, traveling provides the opportunity to disconnect from the daily routine and life stressors. It allows you to explore places on your bucket list and focus on enjoying the present moment with the people that matter, strengthening the emotional bond within the family. Why buy more material things when you can save to travel and recharge?

Simple Tips to Prepare Your Kids for Traveling

You already know how beneficial family travel is. Now it is important to prepare your children for what awaits.

1. Purchase relevant books.

I highly recommend purchasing books related to the countries you will visit. While reading each book, ask your children questions such as:

• What native language is spoken?

• What traditions are important in this country?

• What food is eaten?

• What sports are popular?

I purchased books on Amazon for trips to Puerto Rico, France, and England. I read them with my daughter weeks before the trips and got her excited for what she would experience when visiting those countries. Some of the books are:

• Puerto Rico Treasure Quest by Wolfe and Jaramillo

• Molly Goes to Barcelona by Chris Oler

• Katie in London by James Mayhew

• Lily & Baa in Paris by Sohanya R. Cheng

• A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens

My daughter felt excited when visiting places mentioned in the books. To confess, she was not the only one excited!

When you do not have the income to visit a country, a book is the perfect resource to escape from reality and travel to different places. However, if you can give your children the opportunity of viewing what they see in books in real life, do it. Even if you have young children that may not remember many aspects of the trip, you will have all the amazing photos your family can cherish forever.

2. Conduct research.

If age-appropriate books are unavailable, guide your children in conducting research. Let them search where the country is located on a map, what the flag and national animal look like, and what popular destinations they can visit. Review the importance of transportation and when cars, boats, airplanes are needed to travel to specific countries.

You can also purchase an interactive globe. We purchased PlayShifu Orboot Earth (as seen in the photo above) and my daughter absolutely loves it. You can download the PlayShifu app on your iPad and play many interactive games. Your children will learn about different countries, monuments, animals, and cuisines from all over the globe. It is a great way to learn about the places you will visit.

3. Connect with the target culture.

Why not experience the culture even before visiting the country? Listen to songs in the language, visit a bakery or restaurant, or even talk to native people and ask them about their country or any tips they have when visiting.

4. Practice basic words in the target language.

Learning basic language spoken in the country you are visiting is a way of showing respect for the people and helps you with basic communication. Some common phrases that you can translate in the native language and teach your children are:

• Hello!

• Good-bye!

• How are you?

• Nice to meet you!

• Yes.

• No.

• This is delicious.

• Thank you.

• Where is X?

• Do you know English?

Traveling to a country with a language different from the one spoken in your country of residence ignites your children’s awareness of how other people communicate and may be the motivation for them wanting to learn a new language.

5. Explain travel plans.

Traveling can be the most unforgettable experience, but it also can be challenging with children. Therefore, preparing children for what to expect is crucial. I am always honest with my daughter about our plans, whether they will require walking a lot, going from one place to another, and standing or sitting for longs periods of time.

6. Plan activities for the whole family.

If you are planning a family trip, be sure to include activities that everyone can enjoy. Give your children options to select from even if your children are in preschool or in elementary school. This way they feel part of the decision-making process.

Some families plan activities only for children, while others focus only on adults. There should be a balance so that everyone can enjoy.

7. Let your children take responsibility for themselves in age-appropriate ways.

Involve your children in the packing process and let them make decisions about snacks. I always ask my daughter which essential items she needs for the trip and what clothing and footwear are suitable for the destination’s climate. When deciding what to pack, I let her choose the outfits she likes best and then guide her when putting them in her suitcase.

During Your Travel

Use your trip as an opportunity to discuss what your children have read in books and learned in school, and explore the significance of any museums, monuments, or historic sites you visit. When we visited the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, my daughter was curious about many paintings. I listened to her questions and asked additional questions to gain insight about what she had learned during the trip.

Remember to enjoy every moment together and be sure to bring a camera to capture those magical memories in photos.

After Traveling Ends

When you return from your trip, ask your children what they enjoyed the most. Then, look at your trip photos to relive memories. You can make a digital collage or print out photos and put them in your favorite album. I purchased the scrapbook photo album shown below on Amazon.

Another example of a creative and family bonding activity is to make a travel journal. The Mom Trotter explains why travel journals are great tools for families that like to travel and provides steps on how to make a travel journal for kids. It is also important to ask your children where they would like to travel next and start envisioning your next adventure together.

Final Thoughts

Family travel is a chance for creating lifelong memories, strengthening relationships, and experiencing personal growth. As a busy parent, it provides you with an opportunity to step away from daily routines and distractions, focusing on meaningful connections with your family. Seeing the children’s excitement when traveling on a plane, cruise, or when visiting a place seen in movies, is worth any investment made on the trip.

What has been your experience traveling with your family?