Traveling with kids is one of the most incredible experiences you can have as a parent. If you are homeschooling, worldschooling, unschooling, traveling for a gap season/year, or traveling for vacation, kids grow as a result of traveling every single time. Here are some tips to help make it extra magical!
Offer a Next Day Preview
Each evening before bed, do a next day preview with your children so they know what you’ll be doing the next day.
This will help them rest well as they feel prepared and excited for what’s ahead.
Most kids don’t prefer to be surprised, especially in an unfamiliar environment. Consider saying things like, “Tomorrow is all about dolphins and lagoons! We are going to have a fun play time playing in the water. We’ll watch dolphins playing. We’ll also look for huge sea turtles on the beach when we have a sunset picnic.”
Then ask:
- Do you have any questions about tomorrow? This gives them a chance to lay aside any concerns they have.
- How can I help you get prepared for what we are doing? This helps kids feel guided and supported as they prepare.
- I’m looking forward to (fill in the blank.) What are you most looking forward to? This lets them rest in joy and expectation.
This helps them organize their mind, ask questions they have, build courage toward things that might be challenging, and look forward to new experiences.
Make Discoveries Together
When you’re traveling, so much learning is happening that there is little to do other than fully enjoy the experience with your kids.
Let the learning come naturally by fostering curiosity, encouraging kids to be brave and learning alongside them.
You don’t need worksheets or review games or quizzes to know that learning is happening. You really don’t! The more you are in learning mode and excited about what you are doing, they will be too. So get in the water, snorkel, swim, play, build sand castles, and have fun!
Here are some questions / comments you might say during the day while you’re making discoveries with your kids.
- I see (fill in the blank.) What do you notice? This invites kids to hone on something specific, which stirs up wonder.
- This makes me curious about (fill in the blank.) What are you curious about? This leads kids to make connections and invites deeper discovery.
- I wonder how/if (fill in the blank.) What do you think? In a world that tells kids their opinion doesn’t matter, this says it does.
Have a Nightly Reflection Time
After the day is finished, have a family Reflection Time. This could take many forms, but often works well over dinner or in the car.
Gather the family or do it individually with each child during a quiet moment.
Ask open-ended questions like these.
- What is something that delighted you today? This focuses them on remembering something new or unusual.
- What surprised you about what we experienced? This gently allows them to process something that might have been hard or scary.
- If (friend/Grandma) asked what we did today, what would say? This gives them a chance to practice summarizing and storytelling.
Enjoy your travels with kids! Let us know what magic you create with your family. Use our contact form. We’d love to hear from you!
