Thinking about booking a family trip? Not sure what your kids will really get out of it? Read on for the many perks and benefits of taking a family vacation.
I’ve been wanting to write a fun post, as I introduce more family travel here, on the many benefits of family vacation and travel.
Whether it’s turning our cross country move into a road trip, jumping on a cruise to Bermuda, or simply exploring our own backyard, one thing’s for certain. It’s always an adventure with our little family.
Sure, I’ve lost my sh*t in a Walgreens parking lot because we ran out of size five diapers on the road. I’ve stayed up through the early hours of dawn, determined to pack us all in one single suitcase. Why do kids come with so much stuff. Of course I’ve frantically tried to calm my baby down on a plane while a thousand eyes glared me down.
But, the tough times never outweigh the benefits of just booking that family vacation. The work is always worth it.
Seeing your toddler’s eyes light up when he sees the fish through a snorkel mask. Watching him marvel at the clouds from 36,000 feet in the air. Hearing those little mouths exclaim I DID IT when they climb a small mountain.
So, before you second guess booking that family trip because you’re afraid of all the work, consider the benefits of just saying yes!
35 Benefits of Family Vacation and Travel
- It’s fun – not just for your kids but for the whole family.
- Family bonding.
- You will remember it. For everyone that questions why we take family vacations with such little kids I have one thing to say: it’s for my benefit, too. They may not remember it all, but I will.
- Sharing your favorite places and things with your kids. Does anything bring me such joy? No, probably not.
- Trying new things and experiences.
- Learning geography through experience.
- Children who travel are more accustomed to different cultures when they are home. I certainly hope that travel makes my kids the kind and accepting ones in school.
- Knowledge of history.
- Traveling is a change of pace for the whole family.
- Kids who travel are used to breaks in their routine.
- Travel provides an alternative to their devices.
- Teaching monetary value. I kid you not, my almost three year old once asked for money for his birthday to go to Ireland. Me too kid, me too!
- Navigation skills.
- Planning skills.
- Time management.
- Kids who travel abroad are better eaters and are more willing to try new foods.
- More social exposure.
- Better life skills.
- Patience.
- Hands on learning. You bet I’ll be that parent signing my kid out of school to see the places he reads about in text books.
- Understanding privilege – despite the fact that my kids are absolutely privileged to travel, I hope one day their world experiences lets them move beyond this.
- Travel teaches kids to entertain themselves with what’s at their disposal.
- Your kids won’t live in a bubble when they experience the world.
- They develop respect for nature when they are in it.
- Travel enriches everyone’s lives.
- SLOWS us all down – travel teaches families to be slow. I remember taking a lesson from my then one year old who stared at the ocean waves for hours on his first cruise. Kids don’t miss the little things.
- You can be a kid again. Hello annual Disney trip.
- Priority boarding.
- Your kids are never bored – wait, let’s revisit this when my boys are teenagers.
- Your children grow up knowing the world and opportunity is out there!
- Everyone finds new things they love.
- Research shows that travel makes kids happier.
- Travel gives your kids wings to fly for their future.
- Kids need a break, just like adults.
- BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT TOO!
So, did any of these benefits convince you to take a family trip? Did I at least encourage you to explore more of your own backyard? I hope so!
Whether we’re checking out new hiking trails, discovering children’s museums, or venturing out abroad, our family trips are the highlight of my life.
That’s not to say that it’s not work sometimes. But, I remind myself that my kids are learning valuable lessons. Each time I’m ready to call the day or week quits and go home, I remember how many benefits there are to taking these family vacations and excursions.
Final Thoughts on Taking Family Trips
Can you tell I’m all about the family travel? Showing my children the world is my passion. I’m clearly not sad to see it myself, either. But, the real point, is what my children will hopefully learn from experiencing a world outside of what they know. I hope I can encourage you to do the same for your family!
Looking for a great way to start traveling with young kids? Then check out my guide to cruising with a baby.
Do you travel as a family? What are some of your favorite memories and destinations? If you’re not traveling with your kids, what’s holding you back?
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These are some great reasons to travel as a family. You know, I don’t have any kids, but I have seen the excitement and joy that comes from my niece’s faces when we go on adventures together. They truly are a joy to watch.
Many of my memories growing up is traveling with my family whether it was a road trip upstate or getting on a plane to PR. Even the memories of spending weekends at Central Park are some of the best. I am so grateful that my mom did so much with us.
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It really is so amazing to watch it through them! Ahh I miss central park so much! I’m so thankful my mom took us into the city and my parents did everything they could to take family trips, even if they were short since we didn’t have a lot of money growing up. My dad saved change (literally in a water jug) to take us to Disney and then send me and my mom to Paris. If something was $1.01 you had to save the .99 for the jar!! We do it now with our son and I swear he’s aware it’s a vacation jar. Currently he asks to visit Ireland but I think it’s bc my sister was just there and it’s fresh?! So awesome that you guys got to have those memories, too!
I love that you’re celebrating traveling with kids! So often I hear from other moms and dads that it’s not really a “vacation” when you take kids along since it’s more work and you can’t always do exactly what you want to do. However, growing up my family always took mini vacations and day trips and I have such fond memories. I can’t wait to do it with my son! I know it’s a huge benefit for them and if you go about it with the right attitude, it can be an amazing experience for everyone.
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Some of my best childhood memories are the trips we took. I always appreciate how my mom tried to take us out of our NY bubble, even just for a day. Of course it’s more work but it’s SO WORTH IT! I can’t wait to hear about the trips you take with your son.
I like that you pointed out how going on a vacation is fun, not just for your kids but for the whole family too. I think we haven’t gone for a family vacation before so I am planning to arrange one next month. Going for a Tennessee river cabin vacation sounds quite relaxing so maybe I should pick that.