Traveling With Kids
It seems like we often get asked (with a sideways look), “how is it traveling with kids?” I’m always a little surprised at this question. Sure there are ups and downs, but there are ups and downs when we are home too. Traveling with kids is great! We love experiencing new places and having fun new adventures with them. When Tyler and I travel alone, we always talk about how much the kids would love whatever we are doing. We Often, but not always wish they were with us.
Preparation:
Depending on the trip you’re going to take it is nice to prepare the kids. Look at tons of maps so they have an idea where in the world you are going. Do research on that particular area so everyone knows what to expect. For example we visited Amsterdam last summer. To prepare for it we listened to the “Diary of Anne Frank” on audiobook, and then visited the annex where Anne and her family lived during WWII. Everyone loved knowing the background and the history behind the places we were visiting.
Give Kids “buy In”
Let the kids to have some say on what you do when you are traveling. This automatically gives them some “buy in” and encourages them to learn a little bit about where you are going before you leave. Ask them what kinds of things they would like to do. Check if there are any particular places they would like to see while you are away, and then try to make it happen. This is really fun because kids will often choose things that you wouldn’t. Our son Asa loves soccer and Messi. When he learned we were going to be in Barcelona, he really wanted to go on a tour of Camp Nau (soccer stadium). This was fantastic! Tyler and I would not have picked that if the kids weren’t with us, and we really enjoyed it. It is like a soccer museum if you haven’t been. It was a great time for everyone.
Road Trips:
Road trips are an amazing way to travel with kids. Depending on the age of your kids will determine the kinds of things that will keep them entertained while driving. Thankfully our kids love to read, so we load up the iPads with books and other fun activities and then hit the road.
Activities:
Keep a paper map of where you are going in the car. This is especially fun for older kids who can help navigate the route. Each evening have the kids highlight everywhere you have driven, and mark where you will be headed next. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. If you see something that is not part of your destination, that’s okay. Take a break from driving and explore! That’s part of the glory of taking a road trip, you never know what you might find along the way! There are tons of car games that the kids like to play to pass the time. Check out a few here.
Have Fun:
It’s amazing how much fun you can have traveling with your kids! Not to mention how much you will learn through the eyes of your kids when you travel. You will learn to look at things with a different perspective, and notice things you wouldn’t notice if you didn’t have your kids with you. It may seem daunting at first, but most things worth doing are, that’s what makes them worth it!
Check out these other posts for more family friendly destinations and adventures in Europe. Chamonix France, Seville Spain, Annecy France, and European swim holes.
