Traveling with kids isn’t easy. There are long flights, unpredictable schedules, and many moments when it might feel simpler to leave them at home! But for our family, the decision to travel with our children is deeply intentional. We believe that experiences build a different brain—one that’s more open, compassionate, and creative. Here are four reasons why we choose to travel with our kids instead of leaving them at home:
1. Experiences Broaden Perspectives
When kids see the world beyond their everyday routines, their perspectives grow in ways that transform their lives. Traveling exposes them to history, and new customs, cultures, languages, and ways of life. These experiences challenge their realities and help them see the world with a more global view.
For example, visiting a busy market in another country or seeing how people live with less material wealth can spark questions and reflections. These new perspectives influence their everyday decisions, teaching them to value diversity and think critically about their place in the world. And the younger they are when they start experiencing this, the more those broadened perspectives will shape their lives for years to come.
2. Experiences Build a Sense of True Self
Traveling introduces kids to people, places, and ideas that are different from what they’re used to. It helps them step out of their comfort zones and learn the beauty of differences. Whether it’s sharing a meal with someone from another culture, trying a new food, or navigating an unfamiliar environment, these experiences teach children to appreciate what makes each person unique.
At the same time, they’re also discovering what connects us all! They learn that kindness, laughter, and curiosity are universal languages. These moments of connection help children develop a strong sense of self—one that’s grounded in understanding and appreciating the world’s diversity.
3. Experiences Foster Gratitude
There’s something about traveling that naturally inspires gratitude. It might be seeing breathtaking landscapes, meeting people with incredible stories, or realizing how fortunate you are to have clean water, a safe home, or opportunities to education.
For children, these moments foster gratitude not just for what they have, but also for what they don’t have. They start to appreciate the beauty of a world filled with differences and challenges. This gratitude becomes a foundation for a more content and compassionate life.
4. Experiences Create Lasting Memories
One of the best parts of traveling with kids is the memories you create together. These aren’t just fleeting moments; they grow and deepen over time. You look back at photos, tell the stories, and relive the laughter and wonder. Those shared experiences become part of your family’s culture, binding you together with a sense of adventure and connection.
Years later, your children will remember the excitement of exploring a new place, the silly mishaps, and the moments of awe. These memories shape their childhood and give them a foundation of joy and wonder to carry into adulthood.
Traveling with kids isn’t always smooth, but it’s always worth it if you keep the long term view. For our family, these are the reasons we keep packing those suitcases and traveling all together.
If you’d like more resources on traveling as a family, check out these resources:
- The Good Traveler System: Helping Kiddos Behave Well While Traveling
- 4 Tips to Help Your Child Have Fun While Traveling
- 5 Travel Hacks for Family Road Trips