It’s no secret that traveling has many benefits for the young and old alike. For the purpose of this article however, I will focus on how it benefits children and what specifically they can learn from travel.

I was fortunate enough to grow up traveling with my family.

Let me preface that though by saying that when I say “travel” I mean anything that is out of your normal routine – moving houses, day/local trips, and international travel would all fit into that category.

I have lived in now six different states and two countries, have vacationed in many more (including California, Mexico and Germany), and have visited even more places so I have experienced this list personally. Now that I have my own kids, I am seeing them grow and learn just as much!

In no particular order, here is a list of 20 things kids can learn from travel!

#1: Languages

As someone who is trying to teach her kids a second language (Spanish, to be exact), I think learning languages are super useful. Especially if you’re in a different country, knowing key phrases in that language can help you go to the bathroom or talk to a taxi driver.

I learned Spanish while living in Spain and I had no idea how much it would change my life. Just the other day I helped an older woman at the post office who couldn’t speak English.

In addition to being useful in the moment, children who learn a second language (and are exposed to foreign languages semi-frequently) actually score higher on reading and math tests and are proven to be more empathetic.

#2: Cultures

Understanding different cultures can have a huge impact on a child. More specifically, they can help your child minimize stereotypes and immediate judgements.

Look for opportunities even in your own neighborhood to expose your kid to different cultures and customs. We often visit an international gardens only 15 minutes away and we will soon be taking a tour of a local Krishna Temple (I will be sure to post about it!)

Tell me in the comments what cool cultural places you have near you!

#3: Safety

Maybe it’s because I grew up with a dad who worked for the government or maybe it’s because I’m obsessed with spies (it happens when you grow up next to Washington D.C.), but I am a strong believer that safety is more than just looking both ways before crossing a street.

Before we left for any kind of vacation as a kid, my dad would sit us down and give us his “safe travel” spiel. This is more for older kids who may be independent during the trip, but I believe younger kids should hear it too.

Know where the foreign embassy is, know how to tell a registered taxi from a fake one, and know how to not look like a typical American tourist.

#4: Consideration

Be considerate and respectful. It’s as simple as that. Traveling is a great way to practice saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome.” Teach your children to be quiet on airplanes and give their neighbor a little space.

They will soon learn that if they are kind to others, others will be kind to them.

#5: Independence

I don’t know about you, but I want to raise #capablekids and teaching them to be independent is a big part of that. During your travels, your kids can do things like pay for their own souvenirs, order the food they want, and even hand the airport workers their own passport/identification papers.

Trust me, I know it is soo much easier to do it ourselves (especially when we’re stressed about time), but your kids will thank you later.

Obviously, there is more independence given the older they get, but even my two year old can hand someone his own ticket. I will just take it back right after for safe keeping 🙂

#6: Good Food

Sure, most kids will anything from anywhere (even off the floor), but I still think exposing them to lots of different kinds of food early on is a great habit.

Try pasta in Italy, rice in Korea, or even cheese in Wisconsin! Even you might be surprised at how your own palette changes as you try new and authentic foods.

I remember trying escargot (snail) for the first time in France. It may not have been my favorite dish on the menu, but it wasn’t the worst either!

#7: Be in the Moment

Ditch the phones and TV’s for a day and take a hike with your kids instead. You will be amazed at how much clearer and happier you all will be.

Traveling is a perfect way to stay in the moment and really take advantage of your time. Hopefully your kids will be just as enthused as you are while you drive through the Swiss Alps or take a tour of the Canadian Parliament.

Plus, the pictures you will get of your children truly in the moment will be priceless!

#8: History

More than simply learning normal historical facts, like how the Blarney Stone was set into the Blarney Castle in the year 1446, traveling can teach kids historical perspective. Like how the Blarney Stone is much older than Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

My mom spent most of her childhood in Europe as an army brat so she was used to seeing really old relics and buildings. When she visited St. Augustine, Florida with her parents as a child, she was not impressed that the cathedral was “only” built in the late 1700s.

I also believe that knowing and experiencing history can make a kid much more respectful of adults, which is always a good thing.

#9: Geography

When my mom moved back to the states as a teenager (after living in Europe), she knew very few state capitals. But she knew all the European capitals!

Moving and traveling can teach all people about geography and how to read a map. I still remember using an atlas when my family moved from Texas to New Jersey when I was nine years old.

Even going to the Mississippi River and seeing it firsthand can completely change one’s thoughts of early pioneers having to cross it.

#10: Research

Did you ever get frustrated in school when teachers told you to study and research a project, but they didn’t actually teach you how to study or research? This can help your kids with that!

Before going on vacation, ask your kids what they want to do or learn about while their. Then help and teach them how to research their favorite places.

#11: Value of a Dollar

What better way to teach about budgeting than on vacation! If you’re going to a different country, you can teach your kids about different kinds of currency and the exchange rate.

When I lived in Spain, I always had to do a quick calculation of the exchange rate before I purchased anything. Spain uses the Euro, by the way.

Another great tip is to give your kids a vacation allowance or budget and tell them they can spend it however they want, but they won’t get more once it’s gone.

For instance, I might have $5 to use for Parker at a souvenir shop. Since he’s only 2 and doesn’t understand money, I would show him a section of the store that has cheap products. He can choose any one of those items and pay for it himself with the $5 I would give him. He leaves a happy kid knowing that he got to pick out his own toy and feel independent by paying for it!

#12: Ask Questions

I get it. You’re immediately thinking that all your kids will ask is “Are we there yet?” As often as they will ask that though, I do believe it’s important to allow your kids to feel safe asking questions.

My advice would be to 1) teach by example and ask questions yourself, and 2) help them think of better questions to ask. And most importantly, if the answer is something easily searchable on Google, do it!

 

#13: Learning can be Fun

This goes hand in hand with asking questions. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better way to learn about the Roman empire than while in Italy. Travel allows for the best and coolest field trips ever!

In my family I am known for making everyone have a “Fact of the Day” whenever we are traveling, including to a local site. It’s very easy to read one thing that day to learn, even if the kids don’t care about anything else.

During a trip to South Korea, my grandmother, mom, sister, and I went to a tea house museum. We dyed t-shirts with mud, participated in a traditional tea ceremony while wearing the traditional hanboks. That was super fun and super memorable!

#14: Minimalism

This one may be my favorite of them all (possibly because I’m on a minimalism kick at our house). We, as Americans, are known for having a lot of stuff. If you go to pretty much any other country, you will quickly see how small their houses and cars are.

No, I’m not saying I think you should get rid of all your stuff, but I am saying that I think it’s important to realize that is just that – stuff.

With children especially, traveling can show them what really matters in life. Say, for instance, they don’t need that giant stuffed animal they see in the store window.

#15: Patience

Ahh patience. The struggle for all human beings everywhere. The good news is that you will get lots of practice as you travel.

You and your kids will need patience waiting for the airplane to take off, patience in lines at Disney World, and patience waiting for your tour to start.

You might also need patience waiting for a restaurant to open! In Germany, many restaurants will close between lunch and dinner so you will have to prepare accordingly with lots of snacks if needed.

#16: Improve Relationships

Some of the very best memories I have with my family are when we were on vacation. Nothing beats exploring castle grounds with my siblings and trying to hide from our parents 🙂

You may be thinking, “My kids argue all the time when they’re together,” but I am here to tell you that will change. In my humble opinion, the more quality time your family has, the more you will all enjoy your time together.

With a common goal (seeing the Eiffel Tower, for example) your children will unite and forget all about there earlier argument.

#17: Persistence

If you really want something, you will do anything to get it. That’s the kind of attitude children can learn while in a new and different environment.

You want a fresh coconut? Learn to climb a tree. You want to see an epic castle? Learn to walk uphill. You want to tour something they normally don’t give tours of? Learn to be persistent and ask nicely.

For my husband’s birthday two years ago, I wanted to see if we could tour the Utah Jazz (NBA) stadium. They don’t have anything advertised on their website, but I called anyway. Actually, I called multiple times and left messages. Eventually, we were able to get a private tour of the entire facility for free! Persistence pays off!

#18: Go Green

Leave No Trace. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Whatever you want to call it, taking care of the earth we live on is important.

Visiting different countries has shown me how much Americans waste. Compared to Americans with our garbage bins full on garbage day, most Europeans have very little garbage to dispose of. And you know the whole “starving children in Africa” thing, which really is true.

There are many programs you can join in all areas of the world that can help teach your kids about waste management and the environment. Highway 1 in California, for example, has a free stewardship clean-up kit and tote bag for anyone willing to clear up the beaches.

#19: Prioritize

This is a great one for kids to learn at an early age. Help them to prioritize which places they want to see first and which is least special to them.

A fun activity you could do as a family is make a list of all the potential places and activities you could do during your vacation and then have your kids rearrange them according to what they prefer. It opens up a good conversation for the whole family and it’s very helpful in knowing what your kids are currently interested in.

My parents used to ask each of us for our top priority and make sure we were able to get to everyone’s pick during our trip. Of course, it may depend on how much time you have in one particular area.

#20: Plan

Include your kids into the full planning process! They will feel so responsible and respected that they will probably even behave better on the trip! Trust me, as a kid who always helped plan my family vacations, it can make a big difference.

Starting with something as fun as travel can be a great way to ease your kids into planning and schedule too. I’m sure their school agenda will work much better after!

Now I would love to know, what are you hoping to teach your children from travel??

 

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