Traveling with kids

As a mom who has experienced the joys (and mayhem) of traveling with kids, I promise you this: Family trips are always an adventure! Whether you’re navigating airport security with a stroller that won’t fold or breaking up backseat arguments about who gets the last snack, traveling with little ones can feel like an Olympic sport. But making memories is worth the chaos.

Traveling is an incredible opportunity to nurture your child’s development. Whether you’re exploring a nearby town or venturing across the globe, family travel can spark cognitive, emotional, and social development – all while creating lasting memories. It doesn’t have to break the bank. An inexpensive road trip to a nearby town and staying with relatives can be more meaningful than a spare-no-expense trek to an exotic location. So, buckle up (literally), and let’s explore why traveling with kids is worth every ounce of effort.

Experiencing new environments stimulates children’s brains, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. New sights, sounds, and experiences within the safety of parental presence are brain fuel for kids. Whether they’re marveling at a zoo animal or trying to say “hello” in a new language, curiosity and creativity soar. Travel puts kids in situations where they meet different people and cultures, helping develop empathy, adaptability, and those “please  and thank-you” social skills you’ve been drilling at home. Travel often involves teamwork in choosing routes, planning activities, or ordering meals in unfamiliar settings. This is a great time to teach practical skills like budgeting, navigating, making reservations, and planning meals.

Travel isn’t always smooth sailing, but kids develop emotional resilience by learning to manage unexpected challenges. Lost teddy bear? Missed exit? These hiccups teach kids flexibility, problem-solving, patience, and confidence. One of the best benefits of family travel is bonding and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Shared experiences – such as hiking a trail, trying different foods, or simply watching a sunset – deepen family connections while you are away from the distractions of everyday life.

Our family’s favorite travel adventure is to find a church wherever we go. Kids can learn to look at church websites for doctrine and theology, service times, and guest information. I love that our kids have learned to connect with other Christians in any community and that God’s Church is bigger than our local church.

Traveling with kids is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes exhausting, but it’s also wonderful. It opens their minds, strengthens your family bond, and gives you stories you’ll be telling for years. So pack your bags, grab your sense of humor, and hit the road. There are memories to be made! 

Practical tips for traveling with kids

     Plan developmentally appropriate activities: Consider your children’s interests, temperaments, and energy levels. For young kids, parks, zoos, and interactive museums are great hands-on explorations. Older kids? Let them take the lead with options like adventure sports or cultural tours. Give them a budget, and let them plan! This fosters independence and bolsters enthusiasm.

     Pack wisely: Bring essentials like snacks, favorite toys, or books for downtime. A small first-aid kit is a must.

     Maintain routines (-ish): Kids thrive on predictability. While flexibility is key, try to keep regular meal and sleep routines when possible.

     Document the journey: Encourage kids to keep a travel journal or take photos. Reflecting on their experiences reinforces learning and keeps memories alive.

     Expect the unexpected: Things will go wrong, and that’s OK. Build in extra time and embrace the chaos with grace and a sense of humor. Someday, you’ll laugh about the time you got lost looking for that “world-famous” ice cream stand.