There are countless benefits to traveling with your child, including exposing them to brand new cultures. Vacations are also a great time to teach them about much-needed responsibility, though that’s sometimes easier said than done. From where to visit to helping out those in need, here are top travel ideas for travel with kids.
After all, as parents, we’re guilty of taking charge when it comes to carefully-laid travel plans. This makes sense considering that we want everything to run smoothly, but if your child is getting older, it might be time to let go of the reins and give them a little travel responsibility of their own.
Of course, some trips are better for this purpose than others, but we’ve got a list of just a few ideas that could help to send your child’s responsibility levels soaring next time you go away.
Top Travel Ideas with Kids: Let Them Navigate Language Barriers
While language barriers aren’t an issue if you’re traveling close to home, they’re something you will inevitably come up against if you head a little further afield to destinations like Morocco.
As a parent, you probably take over a little on trips like this, especially when it comes to speaking with locals. But, it might be time to let your child navigate language barriers themselves.
After all, children have a great propensity for learning languages if you let them. Instead of ordering for your child next time, let them know before you go away that you’d like them to learn some basic words to help them get by. You could also help them with tools like language apps, which they can return to if they’re ever facing unfamiliar territory.
This responsibility is an important lesson in communication, and it’s also sure to make them better independent travelers in the long run. When my daughter was much younger, I loved teaching her new words from different languages. These days, she’s actually teaching herself Japanese because she fell in love with both the country and its customs.
Top Travel Ideas with Kids: Remove The Comfort of Hotels and Vie for Camping Instead
Family-friendly hotels are designed to make your child’s life easier, but that’s not necessarily the best way to help them become responsible travelers. Removing those comforts through alternatives like camping trips could prove far more effective in helping them to step up when the time comes.
This is especially true if you encourage them to help with campsite tasks like putting up a tent or cooking basic meals over the fire. It may also be worth supplying them with their own camping backpack, such as those sold by Gearsupply. You could then give them small daily tasks, like carrying the map or compass, so that they feel like an important, and responsible part of the camping process. These tasks, while simple, will instill a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Top Travel Ideas with Kids: Branch Out With Excursions
You’ll want to go on plenty of fun excursions during your travels, and these will teach your child a great deal, especially those based in science or education, like museums and parks. That’s why it’s also worth branching out with excursions that encourage responsibility, such as charity volunteering or activity days. If you really want to delve into charity work, plan an entire vacation around it!
Either of these will teach your child the full importance of acting responsibly even while overseas, and could include additional lessons such as the importance of timekeeping, team work, and more.
Traveling with your child is a gift, and it can get even better if you invite them to share trip responsibilities in these ways.