If you’ve ever raised the idea of traveling with kids to friends or family, it’s likely that you’ve received some very negative reactions. A never-ending list, which usually include tantrums and lack of sleep are presented to you in an attempt to quash the idea completely. However, if you have experienced family travel, then you know these concerns shouldn’t stop you from having great traveling experiences with your kids.
It fosters a love for adventure
Whether you’re taking in the sunset over the Grand Canyon, or braving stinky tofu in Taiwan, travel inevitably comes with adventure. Furthermore, an article on The Atlantic details how immersing yourself in a new place dramatically boosts creativity and open-mindedness. Not only will your children learn creativity in their crucial developmental stages, the entire family will learn to love and adapt to exciting adventures. You’ll be pros before you know it — but as an amateur, remember to pack staples depending on the region, weather, and activity. For instance, if you’re thinking of braving the elements for an unforgettable ski trip, make sure to pack your fashionable and sturdy Bearpaw Emma Tall Winter Boots and some child-friendly winter clothes as well. After all, adventure still has to come with all the necessary preparations.
It’s a great time to bonding for the whole family
In a world where it’s becoming increasingly common to sit around the living room and mindlessly scroll on our phones, traveling has become more essential than ever.
When you and your family are immersed in a challenging hike or running around on a white sandy beach, you’ll be too busy to even glance at your screens. Even toddlers can benefit from this kind of bonding, as key social bonding skills are honed between siblings. In fact, Dr. Kristine Carothers highlights the value of parental play and socializing with siblings especially when it comes to toddlers. Being in a new environment creates a chance for your little ones to use their senses in entirely different ways, all while bonding with you and their siblings.
However, these lots of activities can often lead to crankiness and fatigue that every traveling parent fears. Thankfully, an easy solution is to come prepared with the right tools like their favorite toy or a trusty stroller. In a post by iCandy on the ‘Best Prams for Off-Road Adventures’, they detail how the Peach All Terrain foldable stroller is built to withstand travel conditions while keeping your toddler safe and comfortable. You can relax while planning your itinerary knowing that you don’t have to work around your little one’s nap time or irritability, as a compact stroller can make babysitting easier, especially on the road.
It encourages independence and responsibility
When you get used to traveling as a family, you may begin to notice that your children will start doing things without your help. They know exactly which pair of socks to pack, or which sweater to ditch, even which gadgets to bring. What’s more, they understand that these things are their responsibility. You can kickstart this lesson by giving your children individual backpacks and explaining to them that it’s their responsibility to make sure nothing is lost or broken at the end of the day. The Osprey Kids’ Pogo Backpack is perfect for a trip that involves hiking, as it comes with a tablet sleeve and a blinker light attachment point.
There’s no question that traveling with children is a daunting and challenging experience, but it is one that comes with a myriad of benefits. Once you’ve had a taste of the fun that comes with going on an adventure in a foreign place with the whole family, you will realize that any hurdles you overcame along the way were all worth it.
Sheila Erickson is an expert fitness instructor, yoga amateur, and mother of three (one girl and two chocolate labradors) with a special love for the outdoors. When she’s not reading about fitness psychology, she and her partner spends their free time talking to the homegrown herbs in their organic rooftop garden.