Why Travel is So Important for Families, Especially Kids

While we may clutch at our throats a little when we think of taking kids on ambitious vacations, here are just some of the ways travel is beneficial for kids, according to Minds of Wonder:

• Travel helps kids become more adaptable and flexible
• Travel teaches kids that we may look different, but we are all the same
• Travel encourages and teaches responsibility
• Travel ignites kids’ senses of curiosity, imagination and adventure
• Travel encourages appropriate risk-taking
• Travel enables kids to try something new

Those are some pretty amazing benefits of travel – and it doesn’t have to be super-ambitious travel for kids to learn responsibility or have their sense of adventure stoked. A simple weekend trip can do wonders.

When travelers take that much-needed family vacation there are some key things the adults can do to make the trip all the better. These tips from writer Lisa Bellavin can help maximize its impact for the kids who come along:

Be the prepared and organized one: You may be an impetuous, la-de-da type by nature, but on a big vacation you need to be prepared and organized so your kids can enjoy the trip with a minimum of fuss and stress. Remember, your kids aren’t the only ones who might be stepping out of their comfort zone on vacation.

Anticipate jet lag and schedule appropriately: If you’re flying to a different time zone with kids, understand that they’re going to be jet-lagged, tired and cranky that first day. As a result, keep the first day’s activities light and schedule some nap time for all.

Build excitement with apps, books and videos: Make sure your kids know how much fun this is going to be by sharing books and videos about their destinations. After all, what child wouldn’t love a trip to France after they read Madeline?

Pack smart for day trips, with water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and some portable entertainment: You may be the resolute hiker, but kids burn through fuel at a staggering rate. Make sure they’re taken care of and everything will go that much more smoothly.

Teach kids simple words and phrases in the local language, and encourage them to use them: Nothing melts the heart of a local – and breaks the ice – like a child doing their best to communicate in a foreign language. Duolingo is a great learning tool for all ages. Don’t be too surprised when your kids learn the language faster than you!

Visit areas where your children can play and socialize with other kids: A little playground time is always a good idea. There’s no better place for kids to learn that we’re more alike than different.

Give them local currency and encourage them to use it: Similarly, nothing reinforces differences and similarities quite like spending money. And it’s guaranteed that kids will love the colorful currency of foreign countries!

The window for family travel is actually pretty small. A traveler owes it to the kids in their life – and to themselves and their partner as well – to maximize it.