If there’s one word to describe family travel, it’s ‘adventure’. Traveling with the whole family in tow is a sure way to create lasting memories that will stay with everyone forever. Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly activities in a new destination or resources to help make the journey easier, you’ll find all the information you need to make the most of your family trip right here.
1. Exploring With Kids: Unlocking the Joys of Family Travel
Whether travelling close to home or in far away places, family vacations can be truly memorable experiences. By exploring together and taking part in novel activities, kids can discover the joys of discovering new places and exploring cultural and natural wonders.
Immersive Local Experiences
Expose kids to the daily life of locals by taking trips out to rural villages and provincial cities and towns. Going beyond the iconic sights to explore youth culture, markets, farms, and beyond is an eye-opening for kids and adults alike. From interaction with locals, sampling local food , to even learning age-old traditions, these family trips can leave lasting impressions not only on the children, but the adults too.
Hands-On Learning
Learning can take place when traveling as well! Travelling to places of historical significance, pioneering museums, galleries, and even sites of scientific importance can make abstract concepts tangible. Kids can enjoy interactive experiences that helps bring concepts to life while providing an interesting approach to learning.
From major cities to national parks, there are many activities to keep the kids occupied and engaged on vacation. Some of these can include:
- Visit a local farm to learn about animal care and farming.
- Explore an aquarium and learn about marine life.
- Learn about urban wildlife by visiting a zoo or animal sanctuary.
- Visit historic villages, ruins, and temples.
- Try out water sports, such as kayaking or sailing.
Family travel does not need to be expensive or complex. Experiencing the thrill of tackling something new as a family, while learning something interesting in the process can really bring out the adventurous side in your kids.
2. From Planning to Playing: Discovering Resources for Traveling With Kids
Visit local attractions
Prep for your trip by visiting local attractions related to the place you are visiting. For instance, if you are heading to Boston, visit a Revolutionary War Museum to get the kids pumped about history just before your visit. Make sure to check kid-friendly hours so that you can plan accordingly.
Read books
This can be an engaging way for your children to stay interested in the area you’re visiting. Research books about the place your family is going, and pick ones catered to the age of your children. Make sure to keep them ahead of the curve with a few chapters read for each drive or plane ride to your destination.
Check out YouTube
This is a great way to engage all ages in your family! Try to find some informative videos related to your trip. Maybe diving deeper into the history behind your destination or finding some cool attractions that you can look forward to. YouTube is an evolving resource filled with great content that can increase your family’s excitement for the trip.
Listen to travel podcasts
Listening to travel podcasts can make the ride to your destination easier for both kids and parents alike. This is an opportunity to learn about the destination and culture while listening to stories and experiences from others. There are a variety of kid-friendly podcasts if you’re looking for something specific.
Educate the family
A great way to get your family pumped up for the trip is to incorporate learning into the preparation. Have every family member research a fun fact about the destination in order to have a better understanding of the place. Some topics can include nature, food, or a specific local attraction. Don’t forget to incorporate a game at the end with everyone sharing something that they learned.
3. Fun for All Ages: Activities That Keep Children Engaged On the Road
Traveling with kids can bring out the best and the worst in a family. Learning to manage both instances is key for stress-free travels.
Keeping children entertained on a long road trip can be a huge challenge. To make this task more manageable, it’s important to plan ahead with engaging activities that everyone can enjoy.
1. Get Creative with Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep kids intrigued while working on problem-solving skills. Have pre-made scavenger hunt lists for children to complete, or invite them to come up with their own items to look for. This activity gives families something to look forward to each time they stop.
2. Pack a Library of Travel Games
Nothing passes the time better than some friendly competition. Here are some easy travel games for kids:
- Memory games with small toys or assets
- Dice or card games
- Road bingo with roadside attractions or vehicle variety
- Colorful pattern-based magnets
3. App-based Entertainment
Apps are great for entertaining friends and family in the backseat. Apps provide hours of entertainment in the form of games and audiobooks. Try to find ones that match the age range of the child, as well as the type of trip you’re going on.
4. Educational Gaming
We live in a technology-filled world and kids and teens alike are more than familiar with how to navigate their way around an iPad or laptop. Consider educational gaming with items like laptops or handheld gaming devices to play music, math or science tasks.
With an activity for every age, the whole family can enjoy the journey. Get creative and make sure all the kiddos are occupied with puzzles, laptops, and scavenger hunts.
Travelling with kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking advantage of the many family-friendly resources and activities available, your trip can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience for everyone. Remember, happy kids mean happy parents, so get out there, create the memories, and enjoy the journey!
